How to look up a license in Massachusetts

Official license searches in Massachusetts

5 official searches from 8 boards cover the Massachusetts licenses on this site (some boards share one state search). 4 of the rows also link a complaint page.

What each search covers

A board's search lists only its own licenses:

• Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering: the 3 credentials it issues for cosmetologists, including Cosmetologist license, Assistant Cosmetology Instructor license and Cosmetology Instructor license.
• Board of Registration in Nursing: the Registered Nurse (RN).
• Division of Insurance: the 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).
• Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters: the 7 credentials it issues for plumbers, including Journeyman Plumber, Apprentice Gas Fitter, Apprentice Plumber, Journeyman Gas Fitter, Master Gas Fitter and Master Plumber and others.
• Nurse Aide Registry: the 2 credentials it issues for nursing assistants, including Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) and Certified Medication Aide (CMA).
• Board of State Examiners of Electricians: the 5 credentials it issues for electricians, including Journeyman Electrician (Class B), Systems Technician (Class D), Master Electrician (Class A), Electrical/Systems Business License and Systems Contractor (Class C).
• Board of Registration of Massage Therapy: the 3 credentials it issues for massage therapists, including Massage Therapist (licensed massage therapist, LMT), Multiple Therapists Establishment License and Solo Establishment License.
• Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons: the 2 credentials it issues for real estate agents, including Real Estate Salesperson and Real Estate Broker.

Occupations without a state search here

• Notaries: the Secretary of the Commonwealth pages we cite do not link a public search; ask the board to confirm a license.
• Security guards: the Massachusetts State Police (MSP) pages we cite do not link a public search; ask the board to confirm a license.

How to check a license

Search the board for the work you are hiring for, then check the status, the license type and the expiration date (what to check in the result).

The occupation pages explain what each license level allows: cosmetologists, registered nurses, insurance agents, plumbers, nursing assistants, electricians, massage therapists, real estate agents.