Licensed jobs in Massachusetts
Massachusetts: 10 occupations, 10 licensing agencies. For each one: the board, the main credential, its training, application fee and renewal cycle, from the boards' own pages.
On this page
Occupations we cover in Massachusetts
Massachusetts licenses 10 of the 10 occupations below at the state level. Plumbers have the most levels here (7 credentials); each occupation page covers every level.
| Occupation | Main license | Board | Training or experience | Application fee | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | Cosmetologist license 3 credentials in all | Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering | Training 1,000 clock hours1 | $682 | Every 2 years3 |
| Notary public | Notary Public (commission as notary public) | Secretary of the Commonwealth | – | $606 | Every 7 years6 |
| Registered nurse (RN) | Registered Nurse (RN) | BORN | – | – | Every 2 years7 |
| Insurance agent | Individual Insurance Producer license (one license with lines of authority: life; accident and health or sickness; property; casualty; variable life and variable annuity; personal lines; limited credit; travel) | DOI | – | $2258 | Every 3 years8 |
| Plumber | Journeyman Plumber 7 credentials in all | Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters | Experience 6,800 hours11 | $3112 | Every 2 years13 |
| Certified nursing assistant (CNA) | Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) 2 credentials in all | Nurse Aide Registry | Training 75 clock hours14 | – | – |
| Electrician | Journeyman Electrician (Class B) 5 credentials in all | Board of State Examiners of Electricians | Training 600 clock hours16 Experience 8,000 clock hours17 | $3116 | Every 3 years18 |
| Security guard | Watch Guard (WG) license (private detective or watch, guard, or patrol license) | MSP | – | $55020 | – |
| Massage therapist | Massage Therapist (licensed massage therapist, LMT) 3 credentials in all | Board of Registration of Massage Therapy | Training 650 clock hours21 | $22522 | Every year23 |
| Real estate agent | Real Estate Salesperson 2 credentials in all | Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons | Training 40 clock hours25 | – | Every 2 years26 |
Licensing boards
10 agencies issue the Massachusetts licenses we cover:
- Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters: plumbers
- Board of State Examiners of Electricians: electricians
- Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering: cosmetologists
- Board of Registration of Massage Therapy: massage therapists
- Nurse Aide Registry: nursing assistants
- Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons: real estate agents
- Secretary of the Commonwealth: notaries
- Board of Registration in Nursing (BORN): registered nurses
- Division of Insurance (DOI): insurance agents
- Massachusetts State Police (MSP): security guards
Moving to Massachusetts with a license
For electricians and real estate agents, the Massachusetts board names the states whose licenses it accepts. The boards for notaries and security guards publish no transfer route, so you apply as a new applicant. Conditions, fees and forms are on each occupation page.
| Occupation | Routes the board publishes |
|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | License by endorsement and Military service members and spouses45 |
| Notary public | No reciprocity route6 |
| Registered nurse (RN) | Military service members and spouses7 |
| Insurance agent | Reciprocity agreements and Exam waiver910 |
| Plumber | License by endorsement11 |
| Certified nursing assistant (CNA) | License by endorsement15 |
| Electrician | Reciprocity agreements and License by endorsement1917 |
| Security guard | – |
| Massage therapist | Reciprocity agreements and Military service members and spouses245 |
| Real estate agent | Reciprocity agreements27 |
Check a license
Every board above runs its own license search. The Massachusetts license lookup page lists them in one place, with the links to report an unlicensed or problem provider.
Sources
Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.
- 240 CMR 2.00: Licensure of cosmetologists, manicurists, aestheticians, demonstrators and instructorsMassachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure, Board of Registration of Cosmetology and BarberingDated October 24, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- How can I become a cosmetologist, electrologist, manicurist, aesthetician, or barber?Massachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure, Board of Registration of Cosmetology and BarberingChecked November 7, 2026
- Renew a barber, cosmetology, or electrology licenseMassachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure, Board of Registration of Cosmetology and BarberingChecked November 7, 2026
- Transfer a cosmetology, aesthetics, manicuring, barber, or electrology license to MassachusettsMassachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure, Board of Registration of Cosmetology and BarberingChecked November 7, 2026
- DOL licensing benefits for active military, spouses & veteransMassachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure, Board of Registration of Cosmetology and BarberingChecked November 7, 2026
- Apply to become a notary publicOffice of the Governor of Massachusetts (mass.gov)Checked November 6, 2026
- 244 CMR 8.00: Licensure requirementsTrial Court Law Libraries (Massachusetts Court System) copy of 244 CMR 8.00Dated April 25, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- DOI Individual and Business Entity Licensing (License Terms and Fees Chart)Massachusetts Division of InsuranceChecked November 8, 2026
- DOI Adding a New Line of Authority to An Active Producer LicenseMassachusetts Division of InsuranceChecked November 8, 2026
- DOI Individual Insurance ProducerMassachusetts Division of InsuranceChecked November 8, 2026
- 248 CMR 11.00 Education and experience standards and requirements for licensure (Mass. Register #1559,…Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries (Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters regulation)Dated October 24, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- apply-for-a-journeyman-plumber-licenseMassachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure, Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas FittersChecked November 7, 2026
- 248 CMR 3.00 General provisions governing the conduct of plumbing and gas fitting workMassachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure, Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas FittersChecked November 7, 2026
- 105 CMR 156.000: The Training of Nurse Aides in Long-term Care Facilities (PDF)Massachusetts Department of Public HealthDated June 2, 2017Checked November 7, 2026
- Learn how to become a certified nurse aide in MassachusettsMassachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Health Professions LicensureChecked November 7, 2026
- Apply for an individual electrical or systems licenseMassachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure, Board of State Examiners of ElectriciansChecked November 7, 2026
- 237 CMR 13.00 Eligibility criteria for initial licensureMassachusetts Board of State Examiners of Electricians (mass.gov regulation PDF)Checked November 7, 2026
- 237 CMR 12.00 DefinitionsMassachusetts Board of State Examiners of Electricians (mass.gov regulation PDF)Checked November 7, 2026
- Apply for reciprocity for an out-of-state electricians licenseMassachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure, Board of State Examiners of ElectriciansChecked November 7, 2026
- Apply for or renew a private investigator or watch guard licenseMassachusetts State PoliceChecked November 7, 2026
- How can I become a massage therapist? (curriculum guidelines)Massachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure, Board of Registration of Massage TherapyChecked November 8, 2026
- Apply for a massage therapy licenseMassachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure, Board of Registration of Massage TherapyChecked November 7, 2026
- 269 CMR 3.00 Procedure for RegistrationMassachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries / Board of Registration of Massage TherapyDated November 7, 2025Checked November 8, 2026
- M.G.L. c. 112, § 230 Reciprocal licensesMassachusetts General CourtChecked November 7, 2026
- Frequently Asked Questions: Real Estate Brokers and SalespersonsCommonwealth of Massachusetts, Division of Occupational Licensure, Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and SalespersonsChecked November 6, 2026
- M.G.L. c. 112, s. 87XXGeneral Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (malegislature.gov)Checked November 6, 2026
- Apply for reciprocity as an out-of-state real estate broker's or salesperson's licenseCommonwealth of Massachusetts, Division of Occupational Licensure, Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and SalespersonsChecked November 6, 2026