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How to get a contractor license in Massachusetts

The short version: 1) Register out-of-state companies 2) Apply online 3) Pay the Guaranty Fund. (source: Mass.gov: HIC Registration and Renewal (opens in a new tab))

Check a license on the OCABR website (official site, opens in a new tab)

How: Use the MA Contractor Hub to look up a contractor's HIC registration and history before hiring. (source: Mass.gov: MA Contractor Hub (opens in a new tab))

Checked against official Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, HIC Program sources. See sources.

Step by step

  1. Register out-of-state companies Out-of-state corporations and LLCs first register with the Secretary of the Commonwealth. (source: Mass.gov: HIC Registration and Renewal (opens in a new tab))
  2. Apply online Register and pay through the MA Contractor Hub. Paper applications are no longer accepted. (source: Mass.gov: HIC Registration and Renewal (opens in a new tab))
  3. Pay the Guaranty Fund Pay the Guaranty Fund amount based on your number of employees. (source: Mass.gov: HIC Registration and Renewal (opens in a new tab))

Costs and fees

FeeAmount
HIC registration
Plus a Guaranty Fund payment: $100 (0 to 3 employees), $200 (4 to 10), $300 (11 to 30), $500 (over 30).		$150 (source: Mass.gov: HIC Registration and Renewal (opens in a new tab))
HIC renewal (every 2 years)$100 (source: Mass.gov: HIC Registration and Renewal (opens in a new tab))
Supplemental employee card$10 (source: Mass.gov: HIC Registration and Renewal (opens in a new tab))

Fees are set by the board and can change. Check the official fee page before you pay.

Sources and last verified

Last verified: . Next check due: . Every fact on this page links to one of these official pages.

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