Having been in this business over 15 years, one thing that has always kept us on our toes as a MA Hoisting License Prep Class provider is the Mass. Hoisting License Test Schedule.
For years, the rule was “if you submit your application this month, you will be scheduled to take your exam next month.”
Then COVID happened. For two years, the exam schedule was unpredictable, and we saw people waiting for up to 6 months before seeing an exam date. Fortunately, as of when this blog is being written, we seem to be back to normal.
While the exam schedule is back to normal, some things are certainly different now, with some drastic changes taking place in the last couple of years. In this article, we will discuss what’s new surrounding such topics as...
- How to apply for the MA Hoisting License Exam
- Current exam locations
- About the exam and what is new
- Where to find the exam application
How to apply for the MA Hoisting exam
In order to take the MA Hoisting exam, you need to submit an application to the state. The state, upon receiving your application, will process everything and add you to the queue. You do not get to pick your exam date; your exam date is selected by the state.
About two weeks prior to your exam date, you will receive a letter in the mail labeled “Notice to Appear”. This Notice to Appear will provide both your exam date and location. Of course, two weeks is not a lot of time, so before submitting an application, it’s best to take a look at the exam schedule to ensure the exam dates being offered the following month (or two) will work for you.
In the unfortunate event your scheduled exam conflicts with your pre-planned family vacation, you can sometimes get your exam rescheduled, but we have heard of people having to submit another application, AND another exam fee.
Later in this blog, we will discuss where to find the exam application in detail.
Current MA Hoisting License Test Locations
Prior to the COVID pandemic, the MA Hoisting Exam was offered in 5 locations across the state. As of the date this blog was written, the state now offers the exam in 3 locations:
- Taunton, MA
- Devens, MA
- Amherst, MA
Generally, your exam location will be selected based on where you reside. As mentioned earlier, you do not get to pick your exam date or the location; the state will schedule these based on availability.
In 2023, the exams are typically held the second week of each month, and take place during the week. They are even offering exams in the month of December, which did not happen in the past due to the holidays.
Here is a full list of the 2023 MA Hoisting License Exam Schedule: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/2023-engineering-exam-schedule
About the Exam
The MA Hoisting License Exam is a combination of Regulatory (state law) and Equipment Specific questions. Each exam will host somewhere between 30 - 40 questions; you must receive a 70% or better to pass.
This is a written exam compiled of varying multiple choice questions. The exam questions are randomly generated by a computer, so while we have seen many of the same exam questions over the years, each exam is different.
There is no practical component for the MA Hoisting License Test.
When taking your exam, you will be asked to bring two #2 pencils. Cell phones are not allowed, and in the event you are caught with your phone, you will be asked to leave.
You are allowed to test for multiple grades (i.e. 1C and 2A) at the same time. This will be presented to you as two different exams, meaning you could pass one and fail the other. On the top of each exam, you will be given a sheet of paper that you take home which has a unique Exam Identification Number. The purpose of this ID Number will be so you can check on the state’s website later that evening and see whether or not you have passed your exam(s).
Massachusetts Hoisting License Test Application
As of today, there are three ways to apply for a hoisting exam. We will discuss these three ways and the benefits behind each.
Paper Application: Call it old school, but you can’t fix what is not broken. Simply print, fill out, and mail in. One major benefit behind paper applications is you can see when your check has been deposited by the state. This will give you a good indication that things are progressing. You can download the paper application here
Online: For the tech savvy user, the state now allows you to submit directly through the state portal. This will require you to create an account, and upload documents. One benefit is you get to pay by credit card plus a convenience fee, but the system has a reputation for being clunky and not very user-friendly. You can get started here.
At Leisure Contractor Licensing E-Submission: Something we offer our customers for both Exam Prep and Continuing Education is electronic submission to the state on your behalf. Of course, this option is only available to At Leisure customers, but it has been available for years (even before the state offered it) and is extremely user-friendly.
The first major benefit behind this service is that your paperwork goes through two rigorous checks, one by artificial intelligence (AI), then a second time by a human professional. If you were to submit your application on your own and didn’t notice an error in your paperwork, it can cause major delays in scheduling your exam and obtaining your license. At Leisure’s e-submission process eliminates this worry.
The second major benefit is simplicity, meaning the system is designed to be very easy-to-use. You don’t even need a scanner; you can just take a picture of required documentation using a smartphone. Our world class customer support team is available 7 days a week to solve any problems you encounter, which is something you won’t find anywhere else.
In years past, if you were trying to obtain multiple grades, it would all be woven into one exam. This has since changed, and each grade requires a separate exam. For a short while, the state would only allow you one exam at a time, but this has also since changed, and you can now take multiple exams at the same time. It used to be that you were required to complete individual applications for each grade. This is no longer necessary, and you can now check off multiple grades on one application. You do, however, need to pay an application fee for each grade.