Contractor License Bond in Massachusetts

What this bond requires in Massachusetts

Massachusetts has no statewide contractor surety bond. Two separate credentials apply to residential construction: the Construction Supervisor License (CSL), administered by the Office of Public Safety and Inspections (OPSI) within the Division of Occupational Licensure, authorizes supervision of structural work on buildings under 35,000 cubic feet and does not require a surety bond; and Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration, administered by OCABR, is required for residential contracting on owner-occupied 1-4 unit homes. Instead of a per-contractor surety bond, HIC registrants pay a one-time Guaranty Fund contribution at initial registration (amount scaled by employee count under 201 CMR 18.02(1)(d)). The only state-administered bond requirement is project-specific: out-of-state contractors must post a guarantee bond or surety deposit on Massachusetts public construction projects valued at $20,000 or more.

Who requires it

The contractor license bond is required by the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR) - Home Improvement Contractor Program under M.G.L. c. 142A; 201 CMR 14.00 (Arbitration and Guaranty Fund); 201 CMR 18.00 (Registration and Enforcement).

How to file in Massachusetts

Submit the HIC registration application to OCABR (online via the MA Contractor Hub at contractorhub.mass.gov or by mail), pay the $150 initial registration fee, and pay a one-time Guaranty Fund contribution scaled to the number of employees as prescribed under 201 CMR 18.02(1)(d). No surety bond is filed. Once registered, the contractor receives a HIC registration number that must appear on all contracts and advertising. Registration must be renewed every two years with a $100 renewal fee.

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FAQ

Common questions

Is a contractor license bond required in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts does not require a statewide surety bond for general or home improvement contractors. The Home Improvement Contractor Guaranty Fund, funded by a one-time contribution paid at initial HIC registration, is the consumer-protection analog and pays eligible homeowners up to $10,000 per claim for unpaid judgments.

How much is the bond in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts does not publish a single flat amount. See the state-specific notes for how it is determined.

Who requires the bond?

The bond is required by the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR) - Home Improvement Contractor Program.

How is the bond filed?

Submit the HIC registration application to OCABR (online via the MA Contractor Hub at contractorhub.mass.gov or by mail), pay the $150 initial registration fee, and pay a one-time Guaranty Fund contribution scaled to the number of employees as prescribed under 201 CMR 18.02(1)(d). No surety bond is filed. Once registered, the contractor receives a HIC registration number that must appear on all contracts and advertising. Registration must be renewed every two years with a $100 renewal fee.

What does the bond cover?

Surety bonds protect the obligee, not the principal. If you fail to meet the obligation the bond guarantees, the surety pays the claim and recovers from you.

Is a surety bond the same as insurance?

No. Insurance protects you. A surety bond protects whoever required the bond. You repay the surety for any claim they pay.