Construction Work Regulated:

Prequalification is required for highway and non-building related contracts over $50,000. Commercial and residential construction up to 35,000 cubic feet of enclosed space requires a licensed contractor supervisor.

Licensing requirements exist for asbestos and electrical work. Residential home improvement requires contractor registration at the state level for work on existing one to four unit owner occupied structures.

License Requirements

Construction Supervisors:

• Applicants must take an examination (open book) in which they are tested on the latest edition of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts State Building Code. A passing score of 70% is required on the examination. Documentation of three years of experience must also be submitted. There were approximately 43,000 licensees as of August 1996. The average processing time on license applications is 30 days.

Highway Prequalification:

• Contract limits for contractors are based on the contractors technical expertise and the company's bonding capacity.
• There were 600 pre qualified contractors as of October 1996. The average processing time for applications is one week.

Home Improvement Contractors:

• Registrants must contribute to a Home Improvement Guaranty Fund. The initial contribution is $100 to $500. A further reassessment may be required if the administrator determines that the amount in the fund is insufficient to cover claim made against the fund.
• All agreements with home owners (one to four family structures) for work exceeding $1,000 must be in writing.
• All contractors must carry workers' compensation insurance.

Other:

• Public works contracts with an estimated value of $5,000 to $25,000 require a bid bond of 5 percent. A Certificate of Eligibility from the Commissioner of Labor and Industries is required for contracts in excess of $25,000.

Reciprocal Agreements

Massachusetts has electrical agreements with New Hampshire, Virginia and Washington.

License Types

Construction Supervisor:

• Unrestricted
• Masonry construction and wood frame
• One and two-family dwelling construction

Electrical:

• Master
• Journeyman
• Fire Alarm
• Burglar
• Telephone

Every contractor is required to pass the OSHA exam.