Worcester, Massachusetts: door-to-door solicitor permit

• The answer: Yes — a Solicit and Canvas License from the police, plus a police-issued badge worn on an outer garment. It is per person: "Every individual solicitor or canvasser shall possess an individual license" (Ch. 11, § 13(f)). The definition covers taking orders house to house for goods or services, home improvement contracts included (§ 13(b)). A rep already licensed or exempt under chapter 101 of the General Laws is outside the section (§ 13(a)).
• Where it comes from: The Worcester Police Department License Division, Police Headquarters, 9-11 Lincoln Square. The applicant calls the License Unit for an appointment, per the department's Solicit and Canvas License form, which is posted on its Permits & Licensing page.
• Fee: $10.00 per applicant, per the police department's form. The ordinance says the same in words: "a fee of ten dollars to the police department" at the time of filing (§ 13(d)).
• Hours you may knock: The section sets no knocking hours. § 13 was read in full, (a) through (l), and it has no clock times.
• What the rep carries: The identifying badge issued by the police department, worn on an outer garment while soliciting. The badge carries the rep's name, address, photograph, issue date, term and license number (§ 13(f)).
• What takes the time: An appointment with the License Unit, a state or federal ID, a criminal record check (an out-of-state rep brings a CORI from his own state), a letter from the company he works for, fingerprinting and a photograph, per the police form. The ordinance has the police investigate the applicant's reputation before the chief approves (§ 13(e)). No processing time is published.
• Code: City of Worcester Revised Ordinances of 2008, Part I, Chapter Eleven (Licenses), § 13 Solicitors & Canvassers. The city's PDF is marked "As amended through July 21, 2026."
• Worth knowing: Every license runs to December 31 following issue, whatever month it was issued (§ 13(i)). Licensed or exempt, a rep may not misrepresent the buyer's right to cancel under chapter 255D of the General Laws (§ 13(k)), or use a ruse about who he is to get in the door (§ 13(l)).
• Read it yourself: Worcester Revised Ordinances of 2008, Ch. 11 § 13 · Worcester Police, Solicit and Canvas License form · Worcester Police, Permits & Licensing · checked 18 September 2026

Ask the clerk, and write the answer down: Are there set hours for door-to-door sales, by police policy or another ordinance? How long from the appointment to the license and badge in hand? Does a rep who holds a state hawker and peddler license under chapter 101 need anything from Worcester? Does the city honor No Soliciting signs by ordinance? Clerk’s name ______________   Direct line ______________   Date called ______________