Massachusetts Construction Supervisor (CSL) Exam — All Questions
9 questions
Which body issues the Construction Supervisor License (CSL) in Massachusetts?
- a.The Massachusetts Department of Revenue
- b.The Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS), Department of Public Safety✓
- c.Each city's zoning board of appeals
- d.The Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth
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.10,000 cubic feet
- b.20,000 cubic feet
- c.35,000 cubic feet✓
- d.100,000 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.A closed-book exam of 110 questions
- b.An oral interview before the BBRS
- c.A closed-book exam scored 81 of 115
- d.An open-book exam of 75 questions in 180 minutes, requiring 70% to pass✓
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 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✓
- b.The Restricted license covers high-rise towers only
- c.There is no difference between them
- d.The Restricted license authorizes electrical utility work
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.The NASCLA credential grants an automatic Massachusetts CSL
- b.Massachusetts does not accept NASCLA and offers no CSL reciprocity; the candidate must pass the Massachusetts CSL exam✓
- c.The out-of-state license transfers directly
- d.The candidate needs only to pay a fee, with no exam
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 because all commercial work is allowed
- b.The CSL holder may supervise it if the building is one story
- c.The building exceeds the 35,000-cubic-foot CSL scope, so it requires a registered design professional and falls outside the CSL✓
- 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 business license issued to a company
- b.A county competency card
- c.A federal registration
- d.A personal license issued to the individual who supervises the construction work✓
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 Massachusetts State Building Code, 780 CMR 10th Edition (2021 IBC/IRC with state amendments)✓
- b.The 2009 International Building Code only
- c.The NASCLA Contractors Guide
- d.The Florida Building Code
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)
How many questions are on the Restricted (1 & 2 Family) CSL exam?
- a.75 questions
- b.60 questions✓
- c.110 questions
- d.115 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