Massachusetts Employment Agency
Licensing requirements for Massachusetts employment, staffing and talent agencies.
This page provides an overview of employment services licensing in Massachusetts for individuals and agencies. You will find state requirements, application fees, filing instructions, and more. For assistance with licensing, please contact us to learn about our software and managed license services.
Companies that provide employment services in Massachusetts must apply for a license prior to doing business. Depending on the services offered, businesses may need to apply for more than one license type, and in some cases, an individual license will be required as well.
Company Licenses
Massachusetts Employment and Business Support Services Company Licenses
Massachusetts Employment Agency License
Agency: | Massachusetts Office of Labor and Workforce Development |
Initial Registration
This section applies to firms that are applying for a license in Massachusetts for the first time.
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $300, $500 if agency has 5 or more placement counselors |
Registration Renewal
This section applies to firms that are already licensed in Massachusetts and need to renew their license.
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $300, $500 if agency has 5 or more placement counselors |
Due: | Annually |
Massachusetts Professional Employer Organization License
Initial Registration
Form: | Application for Professional Employer Organization (PEO) Certificate of Registration |
Agency Fee: | $500 |
Required Attachments: |
If you are filing without an assurance by an independent and qualified assurance organization the following must also be filed:
|
Registration Renewal
Form: | Renewal Application for Professional Employer Organization (PEO) Certificate of Registration |
Agency Fee: | $500 |
Due: | Annually by the date of issuance. Renewal may be filed as early as 45 days prior to the due date. |
Required Attachments: |
If you are filing without an assurance by an independent and qualified assurance organization the following must also be filed:
|
Amendment
Address Change
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Due: | Within 30 days after the address is changed. |
Law: | 454 CMR 30.08 |
Notes: | PEOs seeking to change their address must notify the department in writing of their new address. Supporting documentation and or a site visit may be required by the department to verify the change of address. |
Massachusetts Talent Agency License
Agency: | Massachusetts Office of Labor and Workforce Development |
Notes: | Massachusetts does not have a separate talent agency license, but an employment agency license may be required. |
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $300, $500 if agency has 5 or more placement counselors |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $300, $500 if agency has 5 or more placement counselors |
Due: | Annually |
Massachusetts Temporary Nursing Service Agency Registration
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $750 |
Registration Renewal
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $750 |
Due: | Annually by the date of issuance. |
Employee Leasing Company - Enter into leasing contracts with other businesses that require labor. The leasing company loans its workers to the lessee while still providing specified responsibilities, such as workers compensation insurance, to the employees. This includes long term (6 months or more) temporary arrangements but often excludes temporary help arrangements. Unlike professional employer organizations, employee leasing companies are contracted when an employer needs to hire staff and does not want to handle human resources responsibilities.
Employment Agency - An entity that, for compensation, procures or attempts to procure employment for a person.
Professional Employer Organization - PEOs take on the human resources role for businesses and act as a co-employer in the sense that the client company's workers are administratively employees of the PEO but functionally these employees are controlled by the client company. Unlike employee leasing companies, PEOs are contracted when an employer already has staff and does not want to handle human resources responsibilities.
Staffing Agency - An entity that procures temporary or part-time employment for a person who then works under the supervision of a worksite employer.
Talent Agency - An entity that, for compensation, procures or attempts to procure employment or placement for an artist. (Certain art forms are excluded)
American Staffing Association
Staffing, recruiting, and workforce solution industry advocacy group.
National Association of Personnel Services (NAPS)
Education and training oriented association for personnel services providers.
National Association of Professional Employer Organizations
(NAPEO)
Provides advocacy efforts, information, and other services to members of the employment
industry.