In order to sit for the MA hoisting exam, you must submit an application to the state. Once your application has been received, the state will process your paperwork, then schedule your exam date. This process generally takes a month or two depending on the time of year and the date your application is received. Exams are proctored by the state and administered in-person.
-About Submitting an Application-
Submitting an application for the hoisting exam can be done one of two ways; by mail or electronically. Navigating the state's website is very confusing and time consuming. As an alternative, we offer a very simple way to submit your application through our website. Mass Hoisting, and our sister-company, At Leisure Contractor Licensing, are the only companies to offer this service. If you choose to use this service, you will be walked through a simple form, then we take it from there.
Alongside your application, you must include three items:
- Valid identification: (i.e. driver's license, or Massachusetts ID.) Out-of-state licenses are acceptable.
- Valid DOT Medical Card: If you are unfamiliar with DOT Medical Cards, you can learn about them here.
- Payment: The state charges $75 per exam. This means if you apply for two grades (i.e. 1C & 2A) it would be $75 x 2= $150.00
-The Exam Schedule-
Exams take place during the week, generally the second week of the month. There are four exam dates each month held in multiple locations throughout Massachusetts. The state will do their best to schedule you for the location closest to where you reside. The state will send you a Notice to Appear by USPS mail with your exam date and location. This Notice to Appear is sent out two weeks prior to your exam date. By the end of the day, you will be able to see your exam score(s) on the state's website.
To view the 2025 Exam Schedule, click here.
-Electronic Application Submission-
To make your life easier, we offer the option to submit your application through our website. After you have signed up to take our class, you may choose to use this option for a $5 processing fee. Our site will walk you through a simple form which may be completed on your computer, or mobile device.
From there, your application will be reviewed by Mass Hoisting to ensure your application was completed correctly before sending to the state. To learn more about this option, please view the video below.
M.G.L. c. 146 § 53 states that anyone who will operate derricks, cableways, machinery used for discharging cargoes, and temporary elevator cars used on excavation work or used for hoisting building material, when the motive power to operate such machinery is mechanical and other than steam, including but not limited to excavators, backhoes, front end loaders, uniloaders, skid loader, skid steer loaders, compact loaders or similar devices, lattice cranes, derricks, cranes with or without wire rope; all fork lifts, powered industrial lift trucks, overhead hoists (underhung), overhead cranes, underhung cranes, monorail cranes, lifting devices, cableways, and powered platforms, or any other equipment that has the minimum capability of hoisting the load higher than 10 feet, and either the capability of lifting loads greater than 500 pounds or the capacity of the bucket exceeds 1/4 cubic yards must hold a license from the Department. See 520 CMR 6.01.
You must be 18 years of age or older.
Yes. Provided that rental entity has an approved a short-term rental program, the hoisting machinery regulations allow individuals renting compact hoisting machinery to obtain a temporary permit from the short-term rental entity for a fourteen (14) consecutive day rental period upon completion of the entity’s training program. See 520 CMR 6.03.
No. M.G.L. c. 146, § 53 provides an exemption for hoisting machinery used exclusively for agricultural purposes.
Yes, we offer a group discount.
- Groups of 5 or more may receive $25 off per person.
- Groups of 10 or more may receive $50 off per person.
We also offer a $50 multi-class discount for individuals taking both of our combo classes
Discounts will automatically apply in shopping cart if you are ordering all items at the same time.
Yes. A Massachusetts ID is accepted when applying for a hoisting license.