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100+ Free MA General Contractor Practice Questions

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Under Massachusetts law, can a contractor place a lien on a property they own?

A
B
C
D
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Key Facts: MA General Contractor Exam

70%

Passing Score

State Board

100 Q

Practice Questions

OpenExamPrep

3 hrs

Exam Time

State Board

Not Accepted

NASCLA

State Board

3 years

Experience Required

State Board

Massachusetts requires general contractors to pass a state Business & Law exam. The exam covers MA licensing law, contract law, lien law, bonds, insurance, safety codes, and business management.

Sample MA General Contractor Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your MA General Contractor exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What is the primary license required for general contractors in Massachusetts?
A.General Contractor License
B.Construction Supervisor License (CSL)
C.Building Trades License
D.Master Builder License
Explanation: Massachusetts does not have a traditional 'General Contractor License.' Instead, contractors must obtain a Construction Supervisor License (CSL) issued by the Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS). The CSL allows supervision of construction activities on residential and small commercial buildings.
2Which state agency administers the Construction Supervisor License (CSL) exam in Massachusetts?
A.Massachusetts Department of Labor
B.Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS)
C.Massachusetts Division of Insurance
D.Massachusetts Department of Public Works
Explanation: The Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS), now under the Division of Occupational Licensure, administers the CSL program. The actual exams are conducted through Prometric testing centers on behalf of the BBRS.
3What types of buildings require a Construction Supervisor License (CSL) in Massachusetts?
A.All commercial buildings regardless of size
B.One- and two-family dwellings and buildings under 35,000 cubic feet
C.Only buildings over 50,000 square feet
D.Only government buildings
Explanation: A CSL is required for the construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, removal, or demolition of one- and two-family dwellings (of any size), accessory buildings, and buildings containing less than 35,000 cubic feet of enclosed space. Larger buildings require oversight by a Registered Design Professional.
4What is the minimum passing score on the Massachusetts CSL exam?
A.60%
B.65%
C.70%
D.75%
Explanation: A score of 70% or above is required to pass the Massachusetts Construction Supervisor License (CSL) exam. The exam is open book and multiple choice, covering building codes and construction knowledge.
5Is the Massachusetts CSL exam open book or closed book?
A.Closed book with no reference materials allowed
B.Open book with approved reference materials
C.Partially open book for code sections only
D.Computer-based with built-in references
Explanation: The Massachusetts CSL exam is open book. Candidates are permitted to bring approved reference materials, including the Massachusetts State Building Code and reference standards identified in the content outlines. Candidates must bring their own copies to the test center.
6How many years of construction experience are required to be eligible for the Massachusetts CSL exam?
A.1 year
B.2 years
C.3 years
D.5 years
Explanation: To be eligible for the Massachusetts CSL exam, candidates must have at least 3 years of experience in building construction or design in the field in which they wish to be licensed. The experience need not be consecutive but must total at least 36 months of full-time work.
7What is the minimum age requirement to take the Massachusetts CSL exam?
A.16 years old
B.18 years old
C.21 years old
D.25 years old
Explanation: Candidates must be at least 18 years old at the time of the exam to take the Massachusetts Construction Supervisor License exam. This is one of the basic eligibility requirements set by the BBRS.
8What is the difference between an Unrestricted CSL and a Restricted CSL in Massachusetts?
A.There is no difference
B.The Unrestricted CSL covers buildings up to 35,000 cubic feet; the Restricted CSL covers only one- and two-family dwellings
C.The Unrestricted CSL is for commercial work only
D.The Restricted CSL allows larger projects than the Unrestricted
Explanation: The Unrestricted CSL allows supervision of one- and two-family dwellings (any size), accessory buildings, and buildings under 35,000 cubic feet. The Restricted CSL limits the holder to supervising only one- and two-family dwellings and their accessory buildings.
9What is a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration in Massachusetts?
A.The same as a Construction Supervisor License
B.A registration required for contractors performing home improvement work on existing owner-occupied 1-4 family residential properties
C.A federal license for home builders
D.An optional certification for marketing purposes
Explanation: Massachusetts requires contractors performing home improvement work on existing owner-occupied one-to-four family residential properties to register as a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) with the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation. This is separate from and in addition to the CSL requirement.
10What is the registration fee for a Massachusetts Home Improvement Contractor (HIC)?
A.$100
B.$150 plus a mandatory fee based on company size
C.$250
D.$500
Explanation: The HIC registration requires a $150 registration fee plus a mandatory additional fee based on the size of the company. This registration covers home improvement work on existing owner-occupied 1-4 family residential properties.

About the MA General Contractor Exam

The Massachusetts general contractor exam covers state licensing law, construction contract law, mechanics lien law, bonding and insurance requirements, OSHA safety, building codes, project management, and business practices.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

3 hours

Passing Score

70%

Exam Fee

$200 (Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure)

MA General Contractor Exam Content Outline

30%

Business & Law

Massachusetts licensing statutes, contractor law, lien law, bonds, insurance, penalties

25%

Contract Law

Construction contracts, change orders, disputes, subcontractor agreements

20%

Safety & Codes

OSHA requirements, building codes, permits, inspections

15%

Project Management

Scheduling, estimating, supervision, quality control

10%

Financial

Accounting, taxes, payroll, financial statements, insurance

How to Pass the MA General Contractor Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70%
  • Exam length: 100 questions
  • Time limit: 3 hours
  • Exam fee: $200

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

MA General Contractor Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master Massachusetts's contractor licensing laws and regulations
2Study mechanics lien law — filing deadlines and requirements are heavily tested
3Know bond types: bid bonds, performance bonds, payment bonds
4Review OSHA safety requirements and penalties
5Understand construction contract terms and change order procedures

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Massachusetts general contractor exam cover?

The MA GC exam covers state contractor licensing law, construction contracts, mechanics lien law, bonding, insurance, OSHA safety, building codes, and business management.

What is the passing score for the MA GC exam?

A minimum score of 70% is required to pass the Massachusetts general contractor licensing exam.

Does Massachusetts accept the NASCLA exam?

Massachusetts does not currently accept the NASCLA accredited exam. You must take the Massachusetts-specific contractor licensing exam.

What experience is needed for a Massachusetts contractor license?

Massachusetts typically requires 3 years of verifiable construction experience before applying for a general contractor license.