Massachusetts law about occupational licensing

Laws, regulations, and web sources on occupational licensing in Massachusetts.

For information about the regulation of the practice of law, see Massachusetts law about lawyers. The practice of law is regulated by the judicial department of government.

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Best bet

Professional licenses & permits, Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Provides an extensive list of professions, broken down by category, that require licensing by the state. Includes links to the agencies that oversee licensure.

Massachusetts laws

MGL c. 13 Division and boards of registration

MGL c. 30A, § 13 Licenses; revocation, etc.
The licensing section of the Massachusetts Administrative Procedures Act.

MGL c. 111J Alcohol and drug counselors

MGL c. 112 Registration of certain professions and occupations

MGL c. 147, §§ 23-25 Private detective and watch, guard, patrol licenses

MGL c. 176Y Licensing and regulation of pharmacy benefit managers

Massachusetts regulations

230 CMR Division of Occupational Licensure regulations

231 CMR through 273 CMR; 309 CMR Regulations of the various Boards that oversee the registration of certain professions and occupations

Selected cases

Com. v. Plaisted, 148 Mass. 375 (1889)
"Under a power to regulate, the requirement to take out a license is free from legal objection . . . And where a license is lawfully required, a small fee may be imposed, not designed for revenue, but to cover reasonable expenses incident to enforcement of the rules."

Web sources

Bureau of Health Professions Licensure, Department of Public Health.
Oversees the licensing of health care professionals in the state of Massachusetts. Here you can:

• Check a health profession license
• File a complaint against a health care professional or facility
• Request a verification of your license

Division of Occupational Licensure
Licenses and regulates over 500,000 individuals, businesses, and schools to engage in over 100 trades and professions in Massachusetts. Here you can:

• Check an Occupational Board or Office of Public Safety and Inspections license
• Contact a Division of Occupational Licensure Board
• File a complaint against a Division of Occupational Licensure licensee
• File a complaint against an Office of Public Safety and Inspections licensee
• Search recent disciplinary actions

Office of Local and Regional Health, Department of Public Health.
Oversees the credentialing of Certified health officers and Registered sanitarians.

Manual for conducting administrative adjudicatory proceedings, MA Office of the Attorney General, 2012 edition.
Provides guidance to members of boards of registration participating in adjudicatory proceedings.

Print sources

Administrative law and practice, 2^nd ed. (Mass. Practice v. 39) Thomson Reuters, 2016 with supplement.
Chapter 13: State Licensing.

Appellate practice and procedure, 4^th ed. (Mass, Practice v. 41) Thomson Reuters, 2020 with supplement.
Section 23:53: Appeals from boards of registration suspension or revocation of professional license.

Last updated:	February 25, 2025