Massachusetts Department of Public Safety

DPS Incident Hotline

Please be advised that the Department of Public Safety (DPS) has instituted a new protocol for the reporting of incidents that require the immediate attention of the DPS. If there is an Emergency involving a DPS regulated activity please contact the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency at (508) 820-1444 to report DPS related incident.
This number should be used for all DPS related events, including but not limited to the following: Incident involving:
1. Building collapse/failure
2. Elevators/escalators
3. Boiler or air tank failure/explosion
4. Amusement or tramway incidents
5. Horse carriage incidents
6. Incidents involving hoisting and
excavating equipment.
For all Non-Emergency calls please dial 617-727-3200

DPS License Lookup

All licenses issued, renewed or otherwise updated by the Department of Public Safety, are posted to the DPS Website within 48 hours

Home Improvement Contractor has moved to the Office of Consumer Affairs

Effective July 1, 2009, the Home Improvement Contractor ("HIC") Program will be transferred to the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation. After July 1, 2009, please contact the Office of Consumer Affairs with any inquiries regarding the HIC program at www.mass.gov/oca or by calling 617-973-8787 or 888-283-3757 (toll free, in MA only).
Click here for direction

The Department of Public Safety Amends the Excavation and Trench Safety Regulations (520 CMR 14.00 et. seq.)

The Department of Public Safety and the Division of Occupational Safety have filed emergency amendments to the Excavation and Trench Safety Regulations (520 CMR 14.00). Read more..

Vertical Reciprocating Conveyors

As of April 13, 2009, the law was amended to give the Board of Elevator Regulations and Department of Public Safety jurisdiction over the installation ... read more...

Architectural Access Board Celebrates 40 Years

Front Row: Gerald LeBlanc, Chairperson, Carol Steinberg, and Nancy Angney
Back Row: D. Mark Trivett, Diane McLeod, Donald Lang, Myra Berloff, Office on Disability Designee, Walter White, Designee for Executive Office of Public Safety, Richard Flippin, Secretary of Elder Affairs Designee ... read more....

New Grandfather License Application for Insulation CSL

Effective June 15, 2009 all insulation installers for 1 & 2 family dwellings and buildings less than 35,000 cu. ft., will be required to be licensed to work in Massachusetts. Read more...

Salem Harbor Incident Report

On July 31, 2008, the Department of Public Safety issued its findings relative to the explosion of the boiler at the Salem Harbor generating station on November 6, 2007. The explosion led to the death of three plant workers. The full report may be accessed by clicking on the link above.

Announcement of the Promulgation of The 7th Edition Basic Building Code

The Department of Public Safety and the Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS) are pleased to announce the completion of the Seventh Edition Basic Building Code (780 CMR). Read more...

BOILER RECALL ALERT - Viessmann Boilers

In cooperation with Viessmann Manufacturing, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has released a voluntary recall of the Viessmann Vitodens 200 boilers due to a fire hazard. Please see the bulletin on the link listed: Read more...

Continuing Educational Requirements for Individuals Licensed to Operate Boilers under a Special License have Changed

Please be advised that the law regarding license renewal and continuing education requirements for special licenses to operate boilers has been amended. Read more...

New Trench Safety Regulations To Protect The Public Become Law

On November 2, 2007, the Department of Public Safety ("Department"), in conjunction with the Division of Occupational Safety ("DOS"), promulgated regulations that establish standards to prevent unauthorized access to unattended trenches ..more..

Archived Feature Story