How to Search Massachusetts Professional Licenses (Start Here)

Professional and occupational licenses in Massachusetts are issued by state licensing boards — each profession has its own board with its own search tool. There is no single database of all licenses in Massachusetts.

What this page covers: Massachusetts professional license verification databases — medical, legal, real estate, contractor, financial, and other regulated professions. What it does not cover: Business entity filings (those are with the Secretary of State) or association memberships (those are private organizations).

Where to start: Identify the profession, then go to the specific licensing board for Massachusetts. For attorneys, go to the state bar. For doctors, the medical board. For contractors, the contractor licensing authority. The databases below are organized by profession.

Common mistake: A professional license and a business registration are different. A license authorizes a person to practice a profession. A business registration authorizes a company to operate. They are filed with different agencies.

Central licensing portal
Check an Occupational Board license | Mass.gov
Medical board (MD)
Board of Registration in Medicine | Mass.gov
Nursing board
Massachusetts
Insurance licensing
Producer Licensing Department | Mass.gov
Bar / attorney
To locate an attorney by name or location
Contractor licensing
Check a license issued by the Office of Public Safety and Inspections (OPSI) | Mass.gov
Population
7,136,171
Households
2,735,000
Median Income
$99,858
Median Home Value
$537,400
SearchSystems Editorial
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Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: Massachusetts professional & occupational licenses URL verified against the official state publisher at www.mass.gov on the review date. 4 primary .gov sources cited below.

Massachusetts Professional & Occupational Licenses — Key Facts (2026)

Doctors, lawyers, contractors, nurses, real estate agents in Massachusetts — who's licensed and how to verify in 2026.
State-only
License jurisdiction
Not federal
~22%
U.S. workforce licensed
Up from 5% in 1950
1,100+
Licensed occupations
NCSL national database
Free
Official verification
Never pay 3rd parties
Compacts
Cross-state reciprocity
Nursing/medical/PT
Active license ≠ clean record (verify both)
Active license
100%
Continuing-ed current
70%
No disciplinary actions
30%
No complaint history
20%
Criminal background
10%
Unit: % verified by 'active license' alone.

What Changed in 2026 — Massachusetts Professional & Occupational Licenses

2026
Massachusetts professional & occupational licenses portal active
The official Massachusetts portal at www.mass.gov continues to serve as the canonical entry point for professional & occupational licenses in 2026.
2026
Latest federal complement for professional & occupational licenses
The NCSL National Occupational Licensing Database at www.ncsl.org provides federal-level context that complements Massachusetts state records.
2026
Massachusetts access in 2026
For 2026, Massachusetts continues to publish professional & occupational licenses information through state-authorized portals; check www.mass.gov for current fees and processing times.
2026
Federal records framework refresh
Federal record types (federal liens, federal land, federal vital statistics) continue to live OUTSIDE Massachusetts's state portal — see the Primary Sources below for additional official portals.

The 4-Step Massachusetts License Verification

1
Step 1 — Identify the profession
Each occupation has its own Massachusetts board (medical, bar, contractor, real-estate, cosmetology, etc.).
2
Step 2 — Confirm the state
Licenses are state-issued. A Massachusetts license is NOT automatically valid in other states (unless via compact).
3
Step 3 — Use the official board lookup
Every Massachusetts board has a free verification tool. Never pay a third party for verification.
4
Step 4 — Check disciplinary history
Active license ≠ clean record. Always check the Massachusetts board's disciplinary actions search.

Five Things People Get Wrong About Massachusetts Professional & Occupational Licenses

❌ Myth: "There's a national license database."
✓ Truth: False. There is no federal occupational license registry. Each state licenses separately.
❌ Myth: "My Massachusetts license works in all 50 states."
✓ Truth: False. Most licenses are state-only. Compacts (nursing, medical, PT) cover some — not all.
❌ Myth: "License status equals reputation."
✓ Truth: False. Active license only means fees paid and CEs current. Check disciplinary actions separately.
❌ Myth: "All licensed pros pass background checks."
✓ Truth: Partially false. Background checks vary by state and profession. Some Massachusetts boards self-report only.
❌ Myth: "Expired = revoked."
✓ Truth: False. Expired means not renewed. Revoked means stripped for cause. Very different.

Primary Sources and Official Record Portals

Related Licenses Resources

Related Public Records
National view of this topic: All states: Licenses
Sample Massachusetts counties: Barnstable · Berkshire · Bristol · Dukes · Essex

Licenses Databases

25 official Massachusetts licenses sources.

Court Records Criminal Records Wants & Warrants Vital Records Voter Records Licenses Recorded Documents Property Records

Licenses

Adoption and Foster Care Agencies
Official Free
Adoption Agencies are licensed placement agencies place children for adoption and offer adoption related services · Foster Care Agencies are licensed placement agencies responsible for recruitment and approval of foster parents/homes to care for children in need of alternative placement
🌐 eecweb.eec.state.ma.us
Accela Citizen Access
Official Free
Welcome! This page lets you apply for, renew or change a license, search for records, and file and track a complaint for Division of Occupational Licensure, Department of Labor Standards, and Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission · Log in to: • Apply for, renew, pay for or make changes.
🌐 elicensing21.mass.gov
Appraiser Registry | ASC gov
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Appraiser Compliance Review Findings · AMC Compliance Review Findings · National Registries · Appraiser Registry · AMC Registry · Grants · State Support Grants · Appraisal Foundation Grants · Resources · ASC Governance · ASC Operating Guidance · Frequently Asked Questions ·
🌐 asc.gov
DPH Check a License
Official Free
Massachusetts Board of Allied Health Professionals license search for athletic trainers.
🌐 checkahealthlicense.mass.gov
Board of Bar Overseers | Home
Official Free
Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers attorney registration search.
🌐 massbbo.org
Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers
Official Free
Board of Bar Overseers Enhances Public Access to Disciplinary Orders and Decisions · The Board of Bar Overseers (BBO) is pleased to introduce its new website platform for the posting of orders and decisions in bar discipline and reinstatement matters. Our new platform, powered by Lexum, contains all attorney discipline cases since the BBO’s creation in 1974.
🌐 massbbo.org
Locate a bank or credit union and their regulator | Mass.gov
Official Free
A.mass.gov website belongs to an official government organization in Massachusetts. A lock icon ( ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the official website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. The Division of Banks regulates Massachusetts.
🌐 mass.gov
Boston Check Cashers, Inc. | Mass.gov
Official Free
Boston Check Cashers shall comply with all laws and regulations applicable to its conduct of the business of a check casher in Massachusetts, including, but not limited to, Massachusetts General Laws chapter 169A, the Division's regulations 209 CMR 45.00 et seq., 209 CMR 31.00 et seq., and the Bank Secrecy Act ("BSA") and its implementing regulation at 31 CFR Part 103.
🌐 mass.gov
Search Child Care Systems
Official Free
The Official Website of the Executive Office of Education (EDU) · Family Child Care Systems (Systems) administer financial assistance for child care to income eligible families in the Commonwealth and a centralized administrative function to a network of family child care providers.
🌐 eecweb.eec.state.ma.us
DPH Check a License
Official Free
License verification for Massachusetts Community Health Workers.
🌐 checkahealthlicense.mass.gov
Check a Commonwealth Licensee
Official Free
Use Check a Commonwealth Licensee to see if a business or individual has a valid license or permit · The move to the new licensing system for the Division of Occupational Licensure, eLIPSE, is complete for multiple DOL boards. The following DOL boards must use the new eLIPSE platform for all.
🌐 elicensing21.mass.gov
Massachusetts Licensed Insurance Companies | Mass.gov
Official Free
Open XLSX file, 140.31 KB, Massachusetts Eligible Surplus Lines Companies.xls (English, XLSX 140.31 KB) Open XLSX file, 165.14 KB, Licensed Health Insurers under Designation 6B-Health – All Kinds-xls (English, XLSX 165.14 KB)
🌐 mass.gov
Producer Licensing Department | Mass.gov
Official Free
The Producer Licensing Unit is responsible for the licensing of insurance producers as well as other licensed entities doing business in Massachusetts.
🌐 mass.gov
MCFM Certified Mediators | Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation
Official Free
MCFM was the first organization to certify family mediators in Massachusetts. Certification is reserved for members of the Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation with significant mediation experience, advanced training, and education.
🌐 mcfm.org
Board of Building Regulations and Standards | Mass.gov
Official Free
The Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS) monitors Massachusetts building codes and construction supervisor licensing. The Board also licenses concrete testing labs and technicians, approves manufactured buildings and related inspection procedures, approves native lumber producers, and certifies municipal building inspectors.
🌐 mass.gov
BORIM Find My Doctor
Official Free
Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine physician license verification.
🌐 findmydoctor.mass.gov
Massachusetts law about Title 5 and septic systems | Mass.gov
Official Free
Department of Environmental Protection. Best source for all things Title 5 from the agency that regulates septic systems. Includes regulations, policies, forms, and guides covering inspections, licensing, consumer tips and more.
🌐 mass.gov
File Room - Office of Consumer Affairs & Business Regulation - Mass.Gov
Official Free
Common Carrier: Company that provides telecommunication services to the general public. Pay Telephone Providers: Company that is registered to provide payphone services. Competitive Local Exchange Carrier: Local telephone company that competes against the incumbent. Data Local Exchange Carrier: Company that provides data services. Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier: Local telephone company that is the incumbent in the area. © 2023 Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
🌐 services.oca.state.ma.us
Well Driller Certification | Mass.gov
Official Free
If you are a driller not previously certified in Massachusetts, please contact the DWP Program Director at program.director-dwp@mass.gov or (617) 292-5770. Well Driller Certification applications must be submitted online via the MassDEP online filing system, eDEP.
🌐 mass.gov
Mass Vehicle Check
Official Free
Massachusetts Vehicle Check is a joint program of the Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV). Learn about vehicle safety inspections and emissions testing, find answers to frequently asked.
🌐 mavehiclecheck.com
Exhaust Vent Cleaning And Inspection | Boston.gov
Official Free
These conditions are in keeping with the guidelines of the City of Boston ordinance to "establish requirements for the cleaning of commercial cooking hoods and ventilation systems." Exhaust Vent Cleaners and Inspectors are required to pass an examination based on the most current NFPA 96 standard recognized by the Commonwealth of Mass.
🌐 boston.gov
License Verification for OPSI
Official Free
On this site you can verify the status of a license issued by Division of Standards (DOS) or the Division of Occupational Licensure (DOL), Office of Public.
🌐 madpl.mylicense.com
Massachusetts Gateway Cities Map
Official Free
You are using a browser that is no longer supported. Please use the latest version of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, or Microsoft Edge
🌐 massgis.maps.arcgis.com
ARELLO
Official Free
Our web service gives you access to over 2,976,365 real estate licensees. We receive licensee data directly from participating jurisdictions, most updated daily. With the ARELLO Licensee Verification Web Service, you can fully automate searches of our database and take the work out of licensee.
🌐 arello.com

Massachusetts Counties

All 14 Massachusetts counties. Click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.

Middlesex Worcester Essex Suffolk Norfolk Bristol Plymouth Hampden Barnstable Berkshire Dukes Franklin Hampshire Nantucket

Frequently Asked Questions

Most Massachusetts professional and occupational licenses (medical, legal, contracting, real estate, cosmetology, etc.) can be verified through the Official Massachusetts Professional & Occupational Licenses at www.mass.gov. Look for the 'License Lookup' or 'Verify a Licensee' tool — searches are typically by name or license number and return active/inactive status.

Massachusetts business licensing combines state, county, and city permits depending on activity. The Official Massachusetts Professional & Occupational Licenses at www.mass.gov is the primary state portal; local business-tax certificates are issued by the city or county where you operate. The federal usa.gov permits guide is a helpful starting overview.

That depends on the profession. Massachusetts, like most states, licenses regulated occupations such as healthcare, legal, construction, real estate, cosmetology, security, and many trades. The Official Massachusetts Professional & Occupational Licenses publishes the full list and exemption criteria at www.mass.gov.

Complaints against licensed professionals in Massachusetts are filed with the issuing board or division under the Official Massachusetts Professional & Occupational Licenses. Most boards accept online complaint submissions at www.mass.gov, plus mail-in forms. Each board reviews complaints under the standards in Massachusetts's occupational code.

Many Massachusetts boards offer license-by-reciprocity, license-by-endorsement, or expedited pathways for applicants already licensed in another U.S. jurisdiction. The Official Massachusetts Professional & Occupational Licenses at www.mass.gov publishes the reciprocity rules per profession; some require additional Massachusetts-specific exams or jurisprudence tests.