Massachusetts Masonry Contractors Face Major Licensing Changes in 2024: New Requirements Strengthen Consumer Protection
Massachusetts has implemented significant changes to its Construction Supervisor License (CSL) requirements in 2024, creating new standards that directly impact masonry contractors and the homeowners who hire them. These changes, which took effect at the end of 2024, are designed to enhance consumer protection while ensuring that masonry professionals meet updated industry standards.
Understanding the 2024 Certification Changes
The most significant change involves the transition from the 9th Edition to the 10th Edition of the State Building Code, with testing based on the 9th Edition concluding on December 31, 2024, and exams following the 10th Edition beginning January 1, 2025. PSI has taken over as the new testing agency, beginning to accept applications for testing on the 10th Edition starting December 17, 2024, while Prometric will no longer deliver exams for Massachusetts Construction (MACON) after January 1, 2025.
For masonry contractors specifically, specialty CSLs fall under the umbrella of an unrestricted CSL and encompass specialized trades like masonry, windows, doors, siding, insulation, roof covering, solid fuel-burning appliances, and demolition. Those interested in specialty CSLs like masonry require completing an additional exam.
What These Changes Mean for Homeowner Protection
The updated requirements strengthen consumer protection in several key ways. Obtaining a Construction Supervisor License requires three years of experience in building construction or design and passing a licensing exam, with work experience needing to be full-time (40 hours per week) within the last 10 years. This ensures that licensed masonry contractors have substantial hands-on experience before working on residential projects.
The new system also includes continuing education requirements: unrestricted construction supervisors need 12 hours, restricted construction supervisors need 10 hours, and specialty construction supervisors (including masonry) need 6 hours, with qualified licensees able to acquire up to a maximum of six hours of continuing education via online training.
Financial Requirements and Consumer Safeguards
The 2024 changes maintain important financial protections for homeowners. For obtaining a CSL, contractors need to pay a CSL Licensing Fee of $150 per license, and if planning to register as a Home Improvement Contractor, the registration fee is $150. Additionally, there’s a requirement to contribute to the Guaranty Fund, with contributions varying based on workforce size: businesses with 0 to 3 employees contribute $100, those with 4 to 10 individuals contribute $200, companies with 11 to 30 employees contribute $300, and if the workforce exceeds 30 employees, the contribution is $500.
This Guaranty Fund provides an additional layer of protection for consumers, ensuring that homeowners have recourse if issues arise with licensed contractors’ work.
Finding a Qualified Masonry Contractor
When searching for a masonry contractor near me, homeowners should verify that contractors hold the appropriate licenses under the new system. Companies like Academy Masonry in Boston demonstrate the kind of professional standards these new requirements are designed to promote. With a heritage of 30 years of combined knowledge and experience handed down from generation to generation, as a local, family-owned business, they cherish their deep-rooted ties to the community, and their reputation is a reflection of their unwavering dedication to delivering top-tier masonry services.
When working with qualified masonry contractors, consumers choose professionals that value quality, durability, and aesthetics, understanding that homes and businesses are significant investments, with dedication to enhancing beauty and functionality with expertly installed masonry.
Specialty Masonry License Requirements
Masonry contractors must determine the specific type of construction supervisor license they need: Unrestricted, Restricted (One and Two Family Dwellings), or Specialty (Masonry, Roof Covering, etc.). Specialty masonry licenses are required for construction of residential fireplaces, chimneys, required means of egress stairs made of masonry product, and masonry retaining walls which retain four feet or more of unbalanced fill.
The examination process has also been updated. The unrestricted construction supervisor exam has 75 questions with a time limit of 3 hours, the restricted construction supervisor exam has 75 questions with a 3-hour time limit, and a 70% score is required to pass.
Looking Forward: Consumer Benefits
These 2024 changes represent Massachusetts’ commitment to maintaining high standards in the construction industry. Fully licensed and insured masonry companies prioritize the safety and security of clients and their projects. The updated requirements ensure that masonry contractors are not only technically competent but also committed to ongoing professional development.
For homeowners, these changes mean greater confidence when hiring masonry contractors. The enhanced licensing requirements, combined with continuing education mandates and financial safeguards through the Guaranty Fund, create a more robust framework for consumer protection. When planning masonry projects, homeowners can feel more secure knowing that licensed contractors have met stringent requirements and maintain their credentials through ongoing education.
The transition to the new system represents a positive step forward for both the masonry industry and the consumers it serves, ensuring that Massachusetts continues to maintain some of the nation’s most comprehensive contractor licensing standards.