Massachusetts § 57 - Installation, repair or maintenance of security systems; licensure; exceptions

Full text of Massachusetts Massachusetts General Laws § 57 — Installation, repair or maintenance of security systems; licensure; exceptions, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 57. Installation, repair or maintenance of security systems; licensure; exceptions

Section 57. The words ''security system'', as used in sections fifty-seven to sixty-one, inclusive, shall mean wires, conduits, apparatus, devices, fixtures, or other appliances installed and interconnected electrically or electronically to permit access control, proprietary signalling, surveillance and the detection of burglary, intrusion, holdup, or other conditions requiring response or the transmission of signals or audible alarms.

No person, firm or corporation shall engage in, advertise, or hold himself or itself out as being engaged in the business of installing, repairing, or offering maintenance for security systems, notwithstanding the name or title used in describing such business, unless licensed for such purpose as provided in sections fifty-eight and fifty-nine of this chapter and section three of chapter one hundred and forty-one. Whoever violates any provision of this section shall be punished by a fine of not less than two hundred nor more than one thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.

Nothing in this section shall apply either to the work of companies subject to regulation by the department of public utilities or the department of telecommunications and cable and incorporated for the transmission of intelligence by electricity in installing, maintaining or repairing wires, apparatus, fixtures, or other appliances used by such companies and necessary for, or incident to, their business, whether or not such wires, conduits, apparatus, fixtures or other appliances are on its own premises; or the work in connection with the installation, construction, maintenance, repair and renovation of telephone equipment or computer systems by a person, firm or corporation primarily engaged in the telecommunications or information systems industry.

Source: official Massachusetts text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Massachusetts § 57

What does Massachusetts General Laws § 57 cover?

Section 57 ("Installation, repair or maintenance of security systems; licensure; exceptions") is part of the Massachusetts General Laws, the codified statutory law of Massachusetts. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Massachusetts § 57?

A common citation format is "Massachusetts General Laws § 57" (Massachusetts). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Massachusetts law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Massachusetts official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney.

How does Massachusetts § 57 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Massachusetts can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Massachusetts.