MA
Massachusetts Licensing Requirements
Burden Rank: #14 of 51 Medium Burden
97
Professions Licensed
1,350
Avg Education Hours
$154
Avg Initial Fee
41.5
Burden Score
Agriculture
| Profession | Edu. Hours | Exam | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arborist / Tree Surgeon | — | Yes | $50 | — | 3 yrs |
| Pesticide Applicator (Commercial) | — | Yes | $50 | — | 3 yrs |
| Water Well Driller | — | Yes | $50 | — | 3 yrs |
Animal Care
| Profession | Edu. Hours | Exam | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Breeder | — | No | $50 | — | 2 yrs |
| Farrier / Horseshoer | — | No | $50 | — | 2 yrs |
| Veterinarian | 5,270 | Yes | $354 | $291 | 2 yrs |
| Veterinary Technician | 2,135 | Yes | $177 | $145 | 2 yrs |
Construction
| Profession | Edu. Hours | Exam | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrician | 6,541 | Yes | $170 | $136 | 1 yr |
| Elevator Installer | 6,541 | Yes | $241 | $209 | 2 yrs |
| Fire Sprinkler Installer | — | Yes | $150 | — | 2 yrs |
| General Contractor | — | Yes | $345 | $281 | 2 yrs |
| Glazier | — | Yes | $150 | — | 2 yrs |
| HVAC Technician | 4,541 | Yes | $136 | $104 | 2 yrs |
| Land Surveyor | — | Yes | $150 | — | 2 yrs |
| Locksmith | — | Yes | $150 | — | 2 yrs |
| Mobile Home Installer | — | Yes | $150 | — | 2 yrs |
| Painter (Contractor) | — | Yes | $150 | — | 2 yrs |
| Pest Control Applicator | 25 | Yes | $136 | $120 | 3 yrs |
| Plumber | 6,541 | Yes | $201 | $170 | 1 yr |
| Roofer | — | Yes | $150 | — | 2 yrs |
| Security Alarm Installer | — | Yes | $150 | — | 2 yrs |
| Septic System Installer | — | Yes | $150 | — | 2 yrs |
Cosmetology
| Profession | Edu. Hours | Exam | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barber | 1,318 | Yes | $114 | $60 | 2 yrs |
| Body Piercer | 1,500 | Yes | $75 | — | 2 yrs |
| Cosmetologist | 1,381 | Yes | $130 | $66 | 2 yrs |
| Electrologist | 742 | Yes | $136 | $104 | 2 yrs |
| Esthetician | 730 | Yes | $114 | $57 | 2 yrs |
| Funeral Director / Embalmer | 1,500 | Yes | $75 | — | 2 yrs |
| Hair Braider | 1,500 | Yes | $75 | — | 2 yrs |
| Massage Therapist | 756 | Yes | $142 | $74 | 2 yrs |
| Nail Technician | 499 | Yes | $101 | $52 | 2 yrs |
| Tattoo Artist | 1,500 | Yes | $75 | — | 2 yrs |
Design
| Profession | Edu. Hours | Exam | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interior Designer | — | No | $50 | — | 2 yrs |
| Landscape Architect | — | Yes | $281 | $218 | 2 yrs |
Education
| Profession | Edu. Hours | Exam | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Childcare Center Director | 76 | No | $136 | $104 | 2 yrs |
| Elementary School Teacher | — | Yes | $172 | $108 | 5 yrs |
| School Counselor | — | Yes | $203 | $140 | 5 yrs |
| School Librarian / Media Specialist | 2,000 | Yes | $100 | — | 5 yrs |
| Secondary School Teacher | — | Yes | $172 | $108 | 5 yrs |
| Substitute Teacher | 2,000 | Yes | $100 | — | 5 yrs |
Engineering
| Profession | Edu. Hours | Exam | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Engineer (PE) | — | Yes | $345 | $281 | 2 yrs |
| Professional Geologist | — | Yes | $200 | — | 2 yrs |
Finance
| Profession | Edu. Hours | Exam | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Public Accountant (CPA) | — | Yes | $336 | $272 | 2 yrs |
| Debt Collector | — | Yes | $100 | — | 2 yrs |
| Insurance Agent | 58 | Yes | $166 | $134 | 2 yrs |
| Mortgage Loan Originator | 20 | Yes | $487 | $329 | 1 yr |
| Tax Preparer | — | Yes | $100 | — | 2 yrs |
Food & Hospitality
| Profession | Edu. Hours | Exam | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bartender / Alcohol Server | — | No | $50 | — | 2 yrs |
| Food Handler / Food Safety Certification | — | No | $50 | — | 2 yrs |
Healthcare
| Profession | Edu. Hours | Exam | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer | 3,135 | Yes | $177 | $145 | 2 yrs |
| Certified Nurse-Midwife | 1,000 | Yes | $100 | — | 2 yrs |
| Dental Assistant | 1,000 | Yes | $100 | — | 2 yrs |
| Dental Hygienist | 3,135 | Yes | $250 | $145 | 2 yrs |
| Dietetic Technician | 1,000 | Yes | $100 | — | 2 yrs |
| Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) | 171 | Yes | $120 | $104 | 2 yrs |
| Hearing Aid Specialist | 1,000 | Yes | $100 | — | 2 yrs |
| Home Health Aide | 1,000 | Yes | $100 | — | 2 yrs |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | 1,318 | Yes | $154 | $114 | 2 yrs |
| Medical Assistant | 1,000 | Yes | $100 | — | 2 yrs |
| Medical Lab Technician | 1,000 | Yes | $100 | — | 2 yrs |
| Occupational Therapist | 3,635 | Yes | $218 | $186 | 2 yrs |
| Optician (Dispensing) | 1,000 | Yes | $100 | — | 2 yrs |
| Optometrist | 4,635 | Yes | $345 | $281 | 2 yrs |
| Paramedic | 1,708 | Yes | $177 | $145 | 2 yrs |
| Pharmacist | 4,953 | Yes | $259 | $227 | 2 yrs |
| Pharmacy Technician | 1,000 | Yes | $100 | — | 2 yrs |
| Phlebotomist | 1,000 | Yes | $100 | — | 2 yrs |
| Physical Therapist | 3,635 | Yes | $250 | $218 | 2 yrs |
| Physician Assistant | 3,953 | Yes | $291 | $259 | 2 yrs |
| Radiologic Technologist | 2,245 | Yes | $177 | $145 | 2 yrs |
| Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist | — | Yes | $209 | $177 | 2 yrs |
| Registered Nurse | 2,635 | Yes | $186 | $129 | 2 yrs |
| Respiratory Therapist | 2,135 | Yes | $177 | $145 | 2 yrs |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | 3,635 | Yes | $250 | $186 | 2 yrs |
| Surgical Technologist | 1,000 | Yes | $100 | — | 2 yrs |
Legal & Security
| Profession | Edu. Hours | Exam | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armed Security Guard | 54 | No | $168 | $103 | 2 yrs |
| Court Reporter / Stenographer | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs |
| Notary Public | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs |
| Private Investigator | 3,825 | Yes | $272 | $241 | 2 yrs |
| Process Server | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs |
Mental Health
| Profession | Edu. Hours | Exam | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) | 3,635 | Yes | $186 | $154 | 2 yrs |
| Licensed Professional Counselor | 3,135 | Yes | $181 | $149 | 2 yrs |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | 3,135 | Yes | $218 | $186 | 2 yrs |
| Psychologist | 6,270 | Yes | $354 | $291 | 2 yrs |
Miscellaneous
| Profession | Edu. Hours | Exam | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amusement Ride Operator | — | No | $50 | — | 2 yrs |
| Athletic Agent | — | No | $50 | — | 2 yrs |
| Auctioneer | 156 | Yes | $200 | $136 | 2 yrs |
| Casino/Gaming Dealer | — | No | $50 | — | 2 yrs |
| Sign Language Interpreter | — | No | $50 | — | 2 yrs |
Real Estate
| Profession | Edu. Hours | Exam | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Inspector | 142 | Yes | $272 | $209 | 2 yrs |
| Real Estate Agent / Salesperson | 129 | Yes | $201 | $167 | 2 yrs |
| Real Estate Broker | 193 | Yes | $272 | $225 | 2 yrs |
Transportation
| Profession | Edu. Hours | Exam | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chauffeur / Limousine Driver | 25 | Yes | $103 | $71 | 4 yrs |
| Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) | 262 | Yes | $134 | $71 | 4 yrs |
| School Bus Driver | 91 | Yes | $103 | $71 | 4 yrs |
| Taxi/Ride-Share Driver | — | Yes | $50 | — | 4 yrs |
| Tow Truck Operator | — | Yes | $50 | — | 4 yrs |
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice. Verify current requirements with Massachusetts licensing authorities.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
Data sourced from official state occupational-licensing board records and federal interstate compacts. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCredential Editorial
| Publisher | Kiznis Studio |
| Sources | Public state occupational-licensing board records and federal interstate compacts |