School Bus Driver / Massachusetts
2026 data Massachusetts board official source

Massachusetts School Bus Driver License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Transports students to and from school safely.

What the Massachusetts data shows for School Bus Drivers

Becoming a licensed school bus driver in Massachusetts means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 91 training hours, a passing score on CDL with School Bus and Passenger Endorsements, plus a background history check once the applicant turns 21. Massachusetts regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "School Bus Driver Training".

The initial price tag is $103, and renewal costs $71 every 4 years. Continuing education is not a listed requirement for this profession in Massachusetts, so the annualized maintenance burden is lower than in states that mandate ongoing hours.

On reciprocity, school bus drivers should know: Federal CDL recognized nationwide.

Licensing Ease Score

B+
Licensing Ease Score
77/100
School Bus Driver · Massachusetts

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training B
91 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee D
$103
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden A
$18/yr
$71 every 4 years
Continuing Education A+
None required
No continuing-education mandate
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Massachusetts

Education / Training Hours
School Bus Driver Training
91 hours
Exam Requirement
CDL with School Bus and Passenger Endorsements
Required
Initial License Fee
$103
Renewal Fee
$71
Renewal Cycle
Every 4 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
21 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for School Bus Driver All Massachusetts licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Massachusetts licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for School Bus Driver in Massachusetts? ▼
Massachusetts requires 91 education/training hours, passing an exam (CDL with School Bus and Passenger Endorsements), and an initial fee of $103. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a School Bus Driver in Massachusetts? ▼
Certification as a school bus driver in Massachusetts means clearing the state's checklist: 91 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Massachusetts licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my School Bus Driver license to Massachusetts from another state? ▼
Reciprocity for school bus drivers nationally works like this: Federal CDL recognized nationwide. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into Massachusetts. Verify the specifics with the Massachusetts licensing board.
Does Massachusetts require a background check for School Bus Driver licensing? ▼
Massachusetts does require a background check before issuing a school bus driver license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.

Related Guides

What to do with this school bus driver license

School Bus Driver in Massachusetts, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a school bus driver-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Massachusetts's school bus driver requirements compare to every other state before relocating. School Bus Driver in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state school bus driver license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Massachusetts's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Massachusetts overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Massachusetts licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.