course general contractor massachusetts what is it

Full Answer

What are the requirements to be a contractor in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts Contractor Registration and Permitting Requirements. According to the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, you must register as a Home improvement contractor if you are performing home improvement work on an existing, 1 to 4 unit residential property in Massachusetts.

Do you need a license to be a general contractor?

General contractors and specialty trades are required to carry a state-issued license. On the other hand, home improvement contractors have to register their businesses. In some cases, you might need to do both.

Do I need to register as a home improvement contractor in Massachusetts?

According to the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, you must register as a Home improvement contractor if you are performing home improvement work on an existing, 1 to 4 unit residential property in Massachusetts. Contractors can register as an individual, proprietorship, partnership, or corporation.

What is the Massachusetts independent contractor statute?

The Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act ("FAAAA") preempts the second "prong of the Massachusetts Independent Contractor Statute, Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 149, § 148B (a) (2), which requires that workers perform a service "outside the usual course of the business of the employer" to be classified as independent contractors."

What do I need to be a general contractor in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts Contractors License ApplicationDetermine the type of license you are applying for.Verify your work experience, including documentation.Submit exam registration form.Complete and pass exams.Pay administrative fees.Submit passing exam scores to the State Board of Building Regulations and Standards.

Is a general contractor license required in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, general contractors are called Construction Supervisors. Anyone who wants to operate as a general contractor in Massachusetts needs a Massachusetts Construction Supervisor License—either restricted or unrestricted.

How do I become a general contractor with no experience?

How to get a contractor license with no experiencePartner with a responsible managing officer (RMO) or responsible managing employee (RME) ... Get a grandfathered contractor license. ... Get a waiver from the licensing board. ... Create a company with a licensed contractor. ... Gain experience. ... Take training courses.

What is the best degree for a general contractor?

What Should I Major in to Become a General Contractor ? Most General Contractors, 28% to be exact, major in Business. Some other common majors for a General Contractor include Construction Management and General Studies majors.

What does a general contractor do?

Contractors are organisations that carry out building, civil engineering or engineering construction work. On small construction projects, such as domestic projects, a single contractor may be able to undertake and complete all the construction works themselves.

Can I be my own general contractor in Massachusetts?

There is no general contractor license in Massachusetts. Anyone can be a general contractor, with or without a license.

What is a RMO license?

An RMO is a qualified individual that holds one or more contractor licenses. Sometimes referred to as an RMO License, Businesses in the state of California can elect to use an RMO or RME (Responsible Managing Employee) to certify their businesses to perform a construction trade.

How much does an RMO cost?

Initial Costs: $800 is the CSLB Application and Initial License Fee. A License Bond will need to be purchased prior to the issuance of the license. RMO Construction Agency, Inc can help you obtain that bond. All personnel listed on the license application will need to be fingerprinted.

How do I become a building contractor?

The five basic steps to follow in order to become a successful construction contractor are:Obtain an appropriate degree in construction technology.Gain position, experience, and skill in construction.Create a business plan.Obtain a contracting license.Manage a contracting business.

Does construction management require a lot of math?

A lot of what you will do as a construction manager will include looking at complex charts, CAD diagrams, and other drawings. You'll need a strong understanding of general math, and the program will go on to develop your skills in geometry and trigonometry.

How much math is construction management degree?

The 5 Ways Math Is Required In Construction Management Budgeting. Productivity. Accounting. Dimensioning-Scaling.

What is considered construction experience?

These technical areas can include masonry, plumbing, demolition, ironwork, surveying, roofing and framing. Most careers in construction require training and education to develop these technical skills. Consider pursuing certifications through professional organizations specific to your trade.

How long does it take to become a Journeyman electrician?

You must have spent at least one year as a journeyman and complete a 150-hour master electrician curriculum. JOURNEYMAN: to become a journeyman electrician you will need to enroll in a journeyman electrician program at one of the many community colleges or technical schools in the state.

How to become a master electrician?

You must have spent at least one year as a journeyman and complete a 150-hour master electrician curriculum. JOURNEYMAN: to become a journeyman electrician you will need to enroll in a journeyman electrician program at one of the many community colleges or technical schools in the state. You will also need to do 8000 hours of practical work as an apprentice over four years to become a journeyman. The course includes highlighting guides, practice tests, theory, calculations, inst…

How many hours of continuing education do you need for a construction supervisor?

Unrestricted Construction Supervisors are required to have 12 Hours of Continuing Education per renewal. Restricted Construction Supervisors must have 10 Hours whereas Specialty Construction Supervisors are required to have 6 Hours of continuing education. @HomePrep is a National Leader in online education.

How many hours do you need to be a construction supervisor?

Restricted Construction Supervisors must have 10 Hours whereas Specialty Construction Supervisors are required to have 6 Hours of continuing education. You are only able to take a maximum of 6 hours online for continuing education.

How many cubic feet are required for a building to be a construction?

Construction of all one and two family dwellings and all buildings containing less than 35,000 cubic feet of enclosed space must be constructed under the supervision of a person licensed by the State Board of Building Regulations and Standards as a Construction Supervisor.

What is an unrestricted license?

unrestricted license. one- and two-family dwellings license. specialty license. Additional requirements are proof of three years of experience in building construction or design, and you must pass a state exam. Contractors who build new homes or work on commercial buildings only are exempt.

How to get a construction supervisor license in Massachusetts?

To apply for a construction supervisor license, please contact the Massachusetts State Board of Building Regulations at 1-617-727-7533. To apply for a plumbing or electrical license, please contact the Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensing at 617-727-3074. Please select the license/exam that you are interested in.

Massachusetts laws

MGL c.149, § 148B Classification standard for independent contractors in Mass. Includes the 3 prong test:

Federal laws

Internal Revenue Service Revenue Ruling 87-41 Establishes the federal "twenty point test."

Selected case law

Camargo's Case, 479 Mass. 492 (2018) The definition of "employee" is different in the worker's compensation statute, G. L. c. 152, § 1, than in the independent contractor statute, G. L. c. 149, § 148B. When determining eligibility for worker's compensation, the definition in G. L. c. 152, § 1, and not the definition in G. L. c.

Web sources

Advisory on the Massachusetts Independent Contractor Law, Mass. Attorney General Advisory 2008/1 Covers history of the law, the 3-prong test, what constitutes violation of the law, and enforcement guidelines

Print sources

Consultant & independent contractor agreements by Stephen Fishman, Nolo, 2020.

How long do you have to send a preliminary notice to a contractor in Massachusetts?

While GCs aren’t required to send a preliminary notice, subs and suppliers have 30 days to send a preliminary notice to the prime contractor.

How to operate a plumbing business in Massachusetts?

To operate a plumbing contracting business in Massachusetts, you will have to carry a license issued by the Division of Professional Licensure. To apply, you’ll fill out this application and mail it, and a $150 license fee, to: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Division of Professional Licensure .

How much is a fine for working without a license in Massachusetts?

Working without one is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 and up to two years in jail. For that reason alone, it’s critical to stay on the right side of the Massachusetts contractor licensing rules.

What is the next step for a contractor in Massachusetts?

Registering your business with the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation is the next step for most contractors. Registration is actually quite simple. Applicants can register as an individual, proprietorship, partnership, or corporation.

How many years of experience do you need to be a construction supervisor?

To qualify for a construction supervisor license, you must be able to prove that you have three years of experience in building constriction or design. It doesn’t have to be three consecutive years, but the work must be full-time (40 hours per week), and all be within the last 10 years.

What can substitute for two years of military experience?

A bachelors degree in architecture, science, engineering, or technology can substitute for two years of experience. Active construction-related military experience counts for the entire full three years. If you meet those requirements, you’re free to start your exam application journey.

Why is protecting your payments important?

Regardless of what the statutes say about licensing, protecting your payments is vital to growing a thriving, successful business. Cash flow issues arise all the time in the construction industry, and they can take a serious toll on a business — new and old alike.

Massachusetts Construction Projects – The Role of the General Contractor

Homeowners and commercial property owners depend on general contractors to handle construction projects on a regular basis. Many people believe that general contractors perform the actual construction work themselves; this is not usually the case.

The Responsibilities of a Massachusetts General Contractor

In most states, General contractors first meet with the property owner or tenant at the property where the proposed work will be done. During this initial meeting there is a discussion about the plan for the job, the cost of the job, and an estimated timeline for completing the job.

The Use of Subcontractors by a General Contractor in Massachusetts

The subcontractor – general contractor relationship on most construction projects in Boston and throughout Massachusetts can be summarized as follows:

What is a contractor who works on one residential contracting project or undertaking?

Any contractor or subcontractor who works on one residential contracting project or undertaking, by one or more contracts, where the total price to the owner is less than $500. Part time contractors or subcontractors whose gross revenue in the previous 12 months was less than $5,000.

How long does an OCABR hearing last?

The homeowner owes you the same obligation in communication with OCABR. The hearings generally last for one and one-half hours and are held in Boston. During the hearing, both the homeowner/witness making the complaint and the contractor/respondent will be given an opportunity to present their evidence and testimony.

What is a CSL?

A CSL is provided through the Office of Public Safety and Inspections. Most construction projects will require both a licensed and registered contractor. A contractor possessing only a home improvement registration may only perform projects that would typically be considered ordinary repairs to a property (such as exterior painting, wallpapering, ...

How long does it take for a contractor to appeal a reprimand?

A reprimand; Suspension or revocation of the contractor's registration; and/or. Fines. The Hearing Officer generally issues a decision within 30 business days. Contractors aggrieved by the decision may appeal the Hearing Officer's decision to a court of competent jurisdiction.

What are the rules that a registered contractor must follow?

Registered contractors must follow certain rules regarding contracts, payments, advertising, business practices, etc. These laws and regulations provide standards throughout the industry and provide protections for homeowners from being taken advantage of by a bad contractor. For instance:

What is a publication of a certificate of registration number?

Publishing, directly or indirectly, any advertisement relating to home construction or home improvements which does not contain the contractor's or subcontractor's certificate of registration number or which does contain an assertion, representation, or statement of fact which is false, deceptive, or misleading;

How long do you have to respond to a complaint?

You have 30 days in which you may respond to the complaint. All responses should be in writing to OCABR. Once you are notified of the complaint and the complaint has been reviewed by the HIC Program Coordinator or a hearing officer to confirm OCABR's jurisdiction, a hearing will be scheduled before a hearing officer.

How long does it take to get a plumbing license in Massachusetts?

The plumbing exam is a combination of a written part and multiple choice questions, while the gasfitter exam is all multiple choice. Applicants have four hours to complete the plumbing exam, and two hours to complete the gasfitting exam. Now is the time to get your Massachusetts contractor license and get to work.

How many years of apprenticeship do you need to become a plumber in Massachusetts?

Plumbers and Gasfitters. Before a plumber can become a journeyman, they must complete at least three years of an apprentice program recognized by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Gasfitters must have worked in an apprentice program for two years before they can take the journeyman test. Plumbers are required to take at least 300 hours in plumbing ...

What is asbestos abatement license?

Asbestos abatement licensing includes licenses for workers, contractors, and supervisors. Each applicant must complete the specific training offered by Massachusetts, and then fill out an application for their license.

What is a CSL in demolition?

Demolition. A CSL that is segmented into a specific field only applies to that field. The general construction CSLs apply to any of the specific fields mentioned and are the most common type of license issued. Specialty contractors who often work on projects of their own usually get the field specific licenses.

What is the difference between asbestos and lead abatement?

The biggest difference between the two is that lead abatement licensing requires a different training certificate than asbestos.

What is the master test?

The master test consists of the journeyman test and extra sections on business and law in the contracting field. The systems contractor and system technician licenses are based on subjects such as alarms, circuit calculations, and troubleshooting.

What is a dot license?

The DOT requires licenses from contractors who work in a variety of fields including plumbing, electrician, asbestos removal, bridge construction, and tunnel digging. Any contractor from outside of Massachusetts who wants to bid on DOT projects is required to get a letter of good standing from the Massachusetts Secretary of State.

How to renew your license in Massachusetts?

You can renew your license in three ways: Online: Log in or create an account on the Consumer Affair and Business Regulation site. Mail or email: Complete the request for a renewal application and email it to DPSInfo@state.ma.us or via mail at P.O. Box 414376, Boston, MA 02241-4376.

How much does it cost to renew a Massachusetts driver's license?

The license renewal fee is $100 for each license, and there’s a one-year grace period to renew your license after it expires.

What is an unrestricted CSL?

Unrestricted CSL. An unrestricted license covers buildings—regardless of how they’re used—that are less than 35,000 cubic feet. Like the restricted license, this type of license covers construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, removal, or demolition.

How much does it cost to get a construction supervisor license in Massachusetts?

For the Construction Supervisor’s License, you must pay a fee of $150 per license.

How to start a contracting business in Massachusetts?

If you want to launch your own contracting business, you’re required to register with the Massachusetts Secretary of State and produce the correct documents and permits. The contracting work you want to do will determine what type of license you’ll need to apply for.

What is business insurance?

Business insurance is the coverage a business owner can purchase to protect themselves from losses, liability, and unforeseen events like theft. Liability insurance covers any costs that come with any third-party accidents, damage, or bodily harm.

Who administers contractor licenses?

Prometric, a global testing agency, administers all contractor’s license exams. It’s important to note that you must submit your exam registration before scheduling your exam. Once your exam registration has been accepted, you can schedule your exam all within the Prometric website.