Massachusetts Construction Supervisor
License (CSL) Practice Exam Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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Licensing & Regulations
1. Which Massachusetts agency administers the Construction
Supervisor License (CSL) exams?
A) Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards (DLS)
B) The Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS) via a
private testing contractor
C) Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
D) The local municipality's building department
Correct ,,,,answer,,,,: B
Rationale: The BBRS uses a private testing contractor (currently PSI) to
develop and administer the CSL exams. The candidate handbook, which
outlines all procedures, is available on Mass.gov.
2. Which document is the primary source of building standards for
one- and two-family dwellings in Massachusetts?
A) 521 CMR (Architectural Access Board)
B) 310 CMR (Environmental Code)
C) 780 CMR (Massachusetts State Building Code)
,D) 527 CMR (Fire Code)
Correct ,,,,answer,,,,: C
Rationale: The Massachusetts State Building Code is codified under
780 CMR, which governs construction, alteration, repair, and demolition
of structures, including residential dwellings.
3. An Unrestricted CSL allows a licensee to supervise the
construction of which structures?
A) Only single-family residences under 3,000 sq. ft.
B) One- and two-family dwellings and any structure up to 35,000 cubic
feet.
C) Any building not requiring a registered design professional.
D) All buildings regardless of size or occupancy.
Correct ,,,,answer,,,,: B
Rationale: The scope of an Unrestricted CSL is defined as all one- and
two-family dwellings and any building of any occupancy type up to
35,000 cubic feet in volume.
4. How often must a Construction Supervisor License (CSL) be
renewed in Massachusetts?
A) Every 1 year
B) Every 2 years
C) Every 3 years
D) Every 5 years
Correct ,,,,answer,,,,: C
Rationale: A CSL is on a three-year renewal cycle. Licensees must
complete continuing education during each cycle.
5. What is the minimum passing score for all CSL exams?
A) 60%
,B) 70%
C) 75%
D) 80%
Correct ,,,,answer,,,,: B
Rationale: A score of 70% or above is required to pass each CSL exam.
The exams are open-book and multiple-choice.
6. What is the minimum number of years of experience in building
construction or design required to be eligible for a CSL exam?
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 4 years
Correct ,,,,answer,,,,: C
Rationale: To be eligible to take a CSL exam, you must be 18 years old
and have at least three years of experience in building construction or
design in the field you wish to be licensed.
7. When must a building permit application be submitted according
to the State Building Code?
A) At the discretion of the applicant
B) Prior to any site work or land alteration
C) After the building official has performed a preliminary inspection
D) Only after all subcontractors have been hired
Correct ,,,,answer,,,,: B
Rationale: Section 105.3.1 in Chapter 1 of the building code requires
that permits be applied for before any site work or land alteration begins.
It also clarifies that a building official, including a local inspector, may
issue a building permit.
, Building & Structural Requirements
8. What is the minimum compressive strength of concrete required
after 28 days for most residential applications?
A) 2,000 PSI
B) 2,500 PSI
C) 3,000 PSI
D) 4,000 PSI
Correct ,,,,answer,,,,: B
Rationale: The minimum compressive strength of concrete after 28 days
for general construction is 2,500 PSI, as specified in the code.
9. The connection between a pressure-treated deck ledger and a 2-
inch nominal lumber band joist must be constructed with a
minimum _____ inch lag screw or bolt.
A) 1/4
B) 3/8
C) 1/2
D) 5/8
Correct ,,,,answer,,,,: C
Rationale: IRC section R502.2.2.1 requires a minimum ½-inch diameter
lag screw or bolt for this critical deck connection.
10. A foundation wall with a finished grade sloping away from the
building must have a grade drop of ____ inches at a point ____ feet
away from the wall.
A) 4, 8
B) 6, 10
C) 8, 12
License (CSL) Practice Exam Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
Licensing & Regulations
1. Which Massachusetts agency administers the Construction
Supervisor License (CSL) exams?
A) Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards (DLS)
B) The Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS) via a
private testing contractor
C) Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
D) The local municipality's building department
Correct ,,,,answer,,,,: B
Rationale: The BBRS uses a private testing contractor (currently PSI) to
develop and administer the CSL exams. The candidate handbook, which
outlines all procedures, is available on Mass.gov.
2. Which document is the primary source of building standards for
one- and two-family dwellings in Massachusetts?
A) 521 CMR (Architectural Access Board)
B) 310 CMR (Environmental Code)
C) 780 CMR (Massachusetts State Building Code)
,D) 527 CMR (Fire Code)
Correct ,,,,answer,,,,: C
Rationale: The Massachusetts State Building Code is codified under
780 CMR, which governs construction, alteration, repair, and demolition
of structures, including residential dwellings.
3. An Unrestricted CSL allows a licensee to supervise the
construction of which structures?
A) Only single-family residences under 3,000 sq. ft.
B) One- and two-family dwellings and any structure up to 35,000 cubic
feet.
C) Any building not requiring a registered design professional.
D) All buildings regardless of size or occupancy.
Correct ,,,,answer,,,,: B
Rationale: The scope of an Unrestricted CSL is defined as all one- and
two-family dwellings and any building of any occupancy type up to
35,000 cubic feet in volume.
4. How often must a Construction Supervisor License (CSL) be
renewed in Massachusetts?
A) Every 1 year
B) Every 2 years
C) Every 3 years
D) Every 5 years
Correct ,,,,answer,,,,: C
Rationale: A CSL is on a three-year renewal cycle. Licensees must
complete continuing education during each cycle.
5. What is the minimum passing score for all CSL exams?
A) 60%
,B) 70%
C) 75%
D) 80%
Correct ,,,,answer,,,,: B
Rationale: A score of 70% or above is required to pass each CSL exam.
The exams are open-book and multiple-choice.
6. What is the minimum number of years of experience in building
construction or design required to be eligible for a CSL exam?
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 4 years
Correct ,,,,answer,,,,: C
Rationale: To be eligible to take a CSL exam, you must be 18 years old
and have at least three years of experience in building construction or
design in the field you wish to be licensed.
7. When must a building permit application be submitted according
to the State Building Code?
A) At the discretion of the applicant
B) Prior to any site work or land alteration
C) After the building official has performed a preliminary inspection
D) Only after all subcontractors have been hired
Correct ,,,,answer,,,,: B
Rationale: Section 105.3.1 in Chapter 1 of the building code requires
that permits be applied for before any site work or land alteration begins.
It also clarifies that a building official, including a local inspector, may
issue a building permit.
, Building & Structural Requirements
8. What is the minimum compressive strength of concrete required
after 28 days for most residential applications?
A) 2,000 PSI
B) 2,500 PSI
C) 3,000 PSI
D) 4,000 PSI
Correct ,,,,answer,,,,: B
Rationale: The minimum compressive strength of concrete after 28 days
for general construction is 2,500 PSI, as specified in the code.
9. The connection between a pressure-treated deck ledger and a 2-
inch nominal lumber band joist must be constructed with a
minimum _____ inch lag screw or bolt.
A) 1/4
B) 3/8
C) 1/2
D) 5/8
Correct ,,,,answer,,,,: C
Rationale: IRC section R502.2.2.1 requires a minimum ½-inch diameter
lag screw or bolt for this critical deck connection.
10. A foundation wall with a finished grade sloping away from the
building must have a grade drop of ____ inches at a point ____ feet
away from the wall.
A) 4, 8
B) 6, 10
C) 8, 12
