Obtaining your Massachusetts contractor license isn’t an end goal, but rather a milestone on a continuous educational journey. That’s because many of the regulations, laws, and best practices will vary from year to year, and it’s a construction supervisor’s responsibility to stay abreast of these changes.
As a result, the state of Massachusetts requires all licensees to undergo continuing education (CE) in order to remain in good standing with the state. Holders of the Construction Supervisor Specialty License (CSSL) must complete six hours of CE before renewing their license every two years. Unrestricted Construction Supervisors License (CSL) holders are required to complete 12 hours of CE, while those with a restricted Construction Supervisors (CSFA) must complete 10 CE hours.
Furthermore, all CE credits must be acquired from courses in specific topic areas depending on the licensing category. Here is a rundown of the topics which must be covered for each type of construction supervisor licensee, along with a partial list of course titles which are offered under each topical heading:
Code Review
4 hours for CSL/CSFA, 2 hours for CSSL
- IRC Code Review: Significant Changes 2009-2018
- International Building Code & More: About the Codes
- 9th Edition Code and Fire Review
- Massachusetts Code Review
- Code Review: Restricted / Unrestricted/Specialty
- ASHRAE 62.2
- Quality Control Inspector
- Meeting Code Requirements By Understanding Wood Framing
- Permitting Done Right
- Are You Ready for Solar-Ready? And Other Residential Energy Code Updates
Workplace Safety
1 hour for all license types
- Combustion Safety
- OSHA: Fatal 4, Finance, Fundamentals
- OSHA Personal Protective Equipment
- Top 5 Most Cited OSHA Violations in 2017
- Asbestos Awareness
- Fall Protection in Residential Construction
- Respiratory Protection Awareness
- Ladders, Nail Guns, and Hand Tools
- First Aid
- CPR / AED / Bloodborne
Business Practices/Workers Compensation
1 hour for all license types
- Construction Scheduling
- Construction Mediation: A Brief Overview
- Managing and Working with Subs so Everyone Wins
- Motivating Employees: Getting the Most from Your Team
- Hands-on Estimating Workshop for Residential Contractors
- Estimating, Pricing and Producing Successful Construction Projects
- Employee Relationships in Building/Remodeling Firms
- Setting Up For Success
- Marketing & Communication Strategies for Aging & Accessibility
- 10 Things You Should Have in Your Contracts to Keep You Out Of Trouble
Energy
1 hour for all license types
- Green Building & LEED Fundamentals
- Sustainable Design: Eco-efficiency of Roofing Insulation Systems
- Windows in Sustainable Residential Design
- Bath Planning: Environmental and Sustainability Considerations
- Energy Conservation for Construction Supervisors
- HVAC Systems & Controls
- What You Need to Know About MA Energy Codes
- Designing for Occupant Comfort: SPF Insulation
- Envelope and Building Science
- Lighting, Lighting Control, and other Electrical Provisions
Lead Safety
1 hour for all license types
- Lead Safety 2018
- Lead Abatement
- Lead-Safe Practices on the Construction Job site
- Lead Safety in Construction: Keeping You Safe and Compliant
- Lead Safety Isn’t Just About Lead Paint
- Lead Safe Work Practices – What They Mean for You and Your Clients
- MA Lead-Safe Renovation Supervisor Refresher
- Lead Safe Weatherization
- Moderate Risk Deleading Option for Lead-Safe Renovator Supervisors
- Recordkeeping Practices for RRP
Electives
4 hours for CSL, 2 hours for CSFA
- Commercial Structural and Building Systems Essentials
- Horizontal Construction
- Residential Construction for Coastal Areas
- Overview of Electrical Conductors for Buildings
- Intellectual Property Primer
- Movement Joints in Brick Masonry
- Climate and Humidity Controlled Facilities
- Testing Concrete
- Renovation, Repair and Painting Certification
- Purified Water & Wastewater Systems Course
As of the beginning of 2018, only six of the CE credits may be completed online. That means CSFA licensees must enroll in a classroom-style curriculum for at least four of their credit hours, while CSL holders must obtain a minimum of six of their CE credits in an in-classroom setting.
In Massachusetts, construction supervisor licenses must be renewed every two years, and the cost of renewal is $100. The cost of the CE courses varies depending on the course provider. If you want to sign up for any continuing education courses for your Massachusetts Contractor license, you can visit the Massachusetts Contractor Academy CE course web page.
As the saying goes, people should never stop learning – and that axiom is mandated by law for construction supervisors in the state of Massachusetts.
Start today! Take our Construction Supervisor License classes for free.