Browse Massachusetts Contractor Classifications
Exam prep for the Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Electricians & Board of Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters.
Getting your Massachusetts contractor license? Contractor Pathway offers an original, exam-focused study guide and four full-length practice exams for every Massachusetts classification that requires a state board exam — currently 4 courses across Electrical and Plumbing. Choose your classification below and study with 30-, 60-, or 90-day access at $99, $129, and $169.
Who licenses contractors in Massachusetts
These are the Massachusetts classifications we build exam prep for, each licensed by its responsible board:
| Trade area | Licensing authority | Exam basis |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical | Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Electricians | National Electrical Code (NEC) |
| Plumbing | Massachusetts Board of Plumbers and Gas Fitters | Adopted plumbing & fuel-gas codes |
Always confirm the current code edition, experience requirements, fees, and passing score with the board and testing vendor before you schedule. Contractor Pathway is an independent exam-prep provider and is not affiliated with any Massachusetts board or testing vendor.
How to get licensed in Massachusetts
- Meet the experience requirement. Each classification requires documented on-the-job hours (and, for senior licenses, time as a licensed journeyman). A registered apprenticeship is a common path.
- Apply to the board for your trade, submit fees and proof of experience, and get approved to test.
- Pass the exam. Massachusetts trade exams are typically open book against the adopted code, with a passing score commonly around 70%. Speed at finding and applying the right code section is what separates passers from re-testers.
- Hold and renew the license on its cycle, including any continuing-education and code-update hours.
Choose your Massachusetts classification
Each course includes a comprehensive 5,000-plus-word study guide — worked calculations, code-section breakdowns, common exam traps, a glossary, and a 30/60/90-day study plan — plus four full-length practice exams matched to the topic weightings of the Massachusetts test.
Massachusetts contractor licensing — FAQ
Who licenses building contractors in Massachusetts?
The Massachusetts Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS) issues the Construction Supervisor License (CSL), which authorizes supervising most building projects. Electricians and plumbers are licensed by their own separate state boards.
What is the Massachusetts CSL exam?
An open-book exam on the Massachusetts building codes: the Unrestricted CSL is 75 questions and the Restricted CSL is 60 questions, each with a three-hour limit and a 70% passing score.
What experience does the Massachusetts CSL require?
At least three years (about 4,500 hours) of experience in the construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, or demolition of buildings. The CSL renews every two years with 12 continuing-education units.
What should I study for the Massachusetts CSL?
The Massachusetts building code, the International Building Code (IBC), and the Residential Code. Because the exam is open book, fast, well-tabbed code navigation is the decisive skill.
How long should I study for the Massachusetts exam?
Most candidates do well on a 30-, 60-, or 90-day plan depending on experience, which is why we offer access at all three terms ($99 / $129 / $169). Each guide includes a day-by-day study plan.