Massachusetts General Laws Part I. Administration of the Government (Ch. 1-182) Ch. 112, § 195

Uncertified and unlicensed persons may not maintain an action for a fee on non-exempted transactions. No action or suit shall be instituted, nor recovery had, in any court of the commonwealth by any person for compensation for any act done or service rendered as a state-certified general real estate appraiser, state-certified residential real estate appraiser or state-licensed real estate appraiser, unless such person held a certificate or license to practice under this chapter at the time of offering to perform any act or service as a real estate appraiser or procuring any promise to contract for the payment of compensation for any contemplated act or service as a real estate appraiser.