Massachusetts Construction Supervisor (CSL) Exam — All Questions

Which body issues the Construction Supervisor License (CSL) in Massachusetts?

• a.The Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth
• b.The Massachusetts Department of Revenue
• c.The Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS), Department of Public Safety✓
• d.Each city's zoning board of appeals

The CSL is issued by the Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS) within the Department of Public Safety (DPS), under M.G.L. c.143. It is a personal license to supervise code-regulated construction.M.G.L. c.143 (Construction Supervisor License)

A Construction Supervisor License is required to supervise buildings that contain less than how much enclosed space, plus any one- and two-family dwelling regardless of size?

• a.20,000 cubic feet
• b.100,000 cubic feet
• c.35,000 cubic feet✓
• d.10,000 cubic feet

A CSL is required to supervise construction of buildings containing less than 35,000 cubic feet of enclosed space, and of any one- and two-family dwelling regardless of size. Larger buildings require a registered design professional.M.G.L. c.143; 780 CMR (CSL scope)

Which best describes the Massachusetts Unrestricted CSL examination?

• a.An oral interview before the BBRS
• b.A closed-book exam scored 81 of 115
• c.An open-book exam of 75 questions in 180 minutes, requiring 70% to pass✓
• d.A closed-book exam of 110 questions

The Unrestricted CSL exam, administered by PSI, is open book with 75 questions in 180 minutes and requires 70% to pass. It is based on the Massachusetts State Building Code, 780 CMR 10th Edition.Massachusetts CSL examination structure (PSI)

How does the Restricted (1 & 2 Family) CSL differ from the Unrestricted CSL?

• a.The Restricted license authorizes electrical utility work
• b.The Restricted license covers high-rise towers only
• c.There is no difference between them
• d.The Restricted license is limited to detached one- and two-family dwellings and accessory structures, while the Unrestricted covers buildings under 35,000 cubic feet including small commercial✓

The Restricted (1 & 2 Family) CSL is limited to detached one- and two-family dwellings and their accessory structures, while the Unrestricted CSL covers buildings under 35,000 cubic feet, including small commercial work.Massachusetts CSL classes (Unrestricted vs. Restricted)

A candidate holds a NASCLA credential and a contractor license from another state. What is the effect for a Massachusetts CSL?

• a.Massachusetts does not accept NASCLA and offers no CSL reciprocity; the candidate must pass the Massachusetts CSL exam✓
• b.The out-of-state license transfers directly
• c.The candidate needs only to pay a fee, with no exam
• d.The NASCLA credential grants an automatic Massachusetts CSL

Massachusetts does not accept the NASCLA exam and provides no CSL reciprocity. Regardless of out-of-state credentials, a candidate must pass the Massachusetts CSL exam to be licensed.NASCLA acceptance / reciprocity (Massachusetts)

A CSL holder is asked to supervise a new 60,000-cubic-foot commercial warehouse (not a 1-2 family dwelling). What is correct?

• a.The CSL holder may supervise it if the building is one story
• b.The building exceeds the 35,000-cubic-foot CSL scope, so it requires a registered design professional and falls outside the CSL✓
• c.The CSL holder may supervise it because all commercial work is allowed
• d.No license or design professional is needed

Because the warehouse contains 35,000 cubic feet or more and is not a one- or two-family dwelling, it exceeds the CSL scope and requires a registered design professional. The CSL authorizes supervision only under that threshold (plus 1-2 family dwellings).M.G.L. c.143; 780 CMR (large-building limit)

Is the Massachusetts CSL a business license or a personal license?

• a.A personal license issued to the individual who supervises the construction work✓
• b.A business license issued to a company
• c.A federal registration
• d.A county competency card

The CSL is a personal license held by the individual construction supervisor, not a business entity. A business that does residential remodeling separately needs a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration.Massachusetts CSL as a personal license

The Massachusetts CSL exam is based on which code?

• a.The Florida Building Code
• b.The 2009 International Building Code only
• c.The Massachusetts State Building Code, 780 CMR 10th Edition (2021 IBC/IRC with state amendments)✓
• d.The NASCLA Contractors Guide

The CSL exam is based on the Massachusetts State Building Code, 780 CMR 10th Edition, which adopts the 2021 International Building Code and International Residential Code with Massachusetts amendments.780 CMR 10th Edition (code basis of exam)

A remodeler will sign contracts with homeowners and also pull permits and supervise the work on existing homes. Which credentials are generally needed in Massachusetts?

• a.Only a CSL
• b.Only an HIC registration
• c.Neither, if the homeowner agrees
• d.Both a CSL (to supervise code-regulated work) and a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration (to contract with the homeowner)✓

Massachusetts separates the technical license from the business registration. A remodeler generally needs a CSL under M.G.L. c.143 to supervise code-regulated work and an HIC registration under M.G.L. c.142A to contract with the homeowner.M.G.L. c.143 (CSL) vs. M.G.L. c.142A (HIC)

Massachusetts Home Improvement Contractor registration under M.G.L. c.142A applies to residential improvement work on what kind of property?

• a.Vacant land with no structure
• b.Only new commercial construction
• c.Only state-owned buildings
• d.Existing owner-occupied one-to-four-family dwellings✓

The HIC law (M.G.L. c.142A) governs contracts to improve existing owner-occupied one-to-four-family residential dwellings. It is the consumer-protection statute for residential remodeling, distinct from the CSL.M.G.L. c.142A (Home Improvement Contractor)

Under M.G.L. c.142A, a required residential home-improvement contract must include which of the following?

• a.Only the contractor's phone number
• b.Only the total price
• c.The contractor's name, address, and registration number; the total price and payment schedule; start and completion dates; and required notices✓
• d.Nothing specific is required

M.G.L. c.142A requires a written, signed home-improvement contract that includes the contractor's name, address, and HIC registration number, the total price and payment schedule, start and completion dates, a description of the work, and required consumer notices.M.G.L. c.142A (required contract terms)

What is the purpose of the Massachusetts Residential Contractors' Guaranty Fund?

• a.To reimburse a homeowner who wins a judgment or arbitration award against a registered contractor but cannot collect it, up to the statutory limit✓
• b.To pay contractors who lose money on a bad project
• c.To provide free permits to homeowners
• d.To fund state building inspections

The Guaranty Fund, financed by HIC registration fees, reimburses a homeowner who obtains a judgment or arbitration award against a registered contractor and cannot collect it, up to the statutory per-transaction limit. It covers only registered contractors.M.G.L. c.142A (Residential Contractors' Guaranty Fund)

A homeowner hired an unregistered contractor and cannot collect a judgment. Can the homeowner recover from the Guaranty Fund?

• a.No, the Guaranty Fund covers only work performed by registered contractors✓
• b.Yes, the fund covers all contractors
• c.Yes, but only if the contractor held a CSL
• d.Yes, the fund pays automatically without a judgment

The Residential Contractors' Guaranty Fund reimburses homeowners only for work performed by contractors registered under M.G.L. c.142A. Hiring an unregistered contractor forfeits access to the fund, which is why registration matters to consumers.M.G.L. c.142A (Guaranty Fund eligibility)

Under Massachusetts home-improvement law, what is true about the deposit a contractor may require before starting work?

• a.No deposit is ever allowed
• b.The deposit must equal the Guaranty Fund limit
• c.The deposit is limited by law, and the contract must set out the payment schedule✓
• d.The contractor may require 100% up front

M.G.L. c.142A limits the deposit a home-improvement contractor may collect before work begins and requires the contract to state the payment schedule, protecting homeowners from paying too much up front.M.G.L. c.142A (deposit limits)

Why can't a business simply supervise code-regulated construction in Massachusetts without any individual CSL?

• a.Because supervision requires a design degree in every case
• b.Because the CSL is a personal license, an individual holding a CSL must supervise the code-regulated work and pull the building permit✓
• c.Because the business needs a federal permit instead
• d.Because Massachusetts issues only county licenses

Massachusetts requires a licensed individual — the construction supervisor — to oversee code-regulated construction and take out the building permit. Because the CSL is personal, a company must have a CSL holder supervising the work.M.G.L. c.143 (unlicensed supervision)

How much experience must an Unrestricted CSL applicant document?

• a.Six months of any employment
• b.At least three years (36 months) of relevant construction experience within the past ten years✓
• c.No experience is required
• d.At least ten years within the past twenty

An Unrestricted CSL applicant must document at least three years (36 months) of relevant experience with buildings subject to 780 CMR, obtained within the past ten years.Massachusetts CSL experience requirement

After passing the CSL exam, within what time must a candidate submit the license application before the passing result expires?

• a.Five years
• b.There is no time limit
• c.30 days
• d.One year✓

A candidate must apply for the CSL within one year of passing the exam. If the application is not submitted in that window, the passing result expires and the exam must be retaken.Massachusetts CSL application window

How many hours of continuing education must an Unrestricted CSL holder complete each two-year renewal cycle?

• a.12 hours✓
• b.None
• c.40 hours
• d.6 hours

An Unrestricted CSL holder must complete 12 hours of BBRS-approved continuing education per two-year cycle. A Restricted (1 & 2 Family) license holder must complete 10 hours.Massachusetts CSL continuing education

How many continuing-education hours are required each cycle for a Restricted (1 & 2 Family) CSL holder?

• a.None
• b.20 hours
• c.12 hours
• d.10 hours✓

A Restricted (1 & 2 Family) CSL holder must complete 10 hours of continuing education per two-year cycle, compared with 12 hours for an Unrestricted license.Massachusetts Restricted CSL continuing education

Which reference may a candidate use during the open-book Massachusetts CSL exam?

• a.Any laptop with internet access
• b.No reference; the exam is closed book
• c.The NASCLA Contractors Guide only
• d.The Massachusetts State Building Code, 780 CMR 10th Edition✓

The CSL exam is open book and based on 780 CMR 10th Edition. Candidates may use the code during the exam, so quick navigation of its chapters is essential to finishing in time.Massachusetts CSL exam format (open book)

How many questions are on the Restricted (1 & 2 Family) CSL exam?

• a.115 questions
• b.75 questions
• c.110 questions
• d.60 questions✓

The Restricted (1 & 2 Family) CSL exam has 60 questions, compared with 75 questions on the Unrestricted CSL exam. Both are open book and based on 780 CMR.Massachusetts Restricted CSL exam length

Who must take out the building permit for code-regulated construction in Massachusetts?

• a.A licensed construction supervisor (CSL holder), because the CSL authorizes supervising the work and pulling the permit✓
• b.The building inspector, on the contractor's behalf
• c.No permit is required for residential work
• d.Any employee of the company, licensed or not

Under M.G.L. c.143 and 780 CMR, code-regulated construction must be supervised by a licensed construction supervisor, and a CSL holder takes out the building permit. This is why a company doing such work must have a CSL holder responsible for the job.M.G.L. c.143 (permit / licensed supervision)