MARYLAND HIC FAQ

Home improvement construction, HVAC and plumbing require state licensing, other construction work requires registration by each jurisdiction.

Step 1) All applicants must take and pass the licensing exam before they can apply for a license.

Our course gives you everything you need to know to pass the exam, as well as links to all the necessary information and forms needed to apply for your license.  The exam is open book and is taken through PSI Examination Services.

Step 2) Apply for a License from the Maryland Home Improvement Commission.

Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation–Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing
Maryland Home Improvement Commission
500 North Calvert Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202-3651
410-230-6309
1-888-218-5925
Email: mhic@dllr.state.md.us
Website: http://www.dllr.state.md.us/license/mhic/

Maryland Contractors License Requirements

Any applicant who has had a conviction of a misdemeanor relating to a home improvement transaction or a felony must provide the Maryland Home Improvement Commission with copies of conviction records.

Contractors:

Applicants for a Maryland contractor’s license must provide proof of at least two years of experience in home improvement work, construction and/or related education.

Applicants must provide proof of financial solvency based on the scope and size of their business in relation to total assets, liabilities, credit rating and net worth (A credit report application form can be found at this address: http://www.dllr.state.md.us/license/mhic/mhicaff.shtml#forms ).

If a contractor represents a corporation, articles of incorporation and a certificate of good standing from the Department of Assessments and Taxation must be submitted.

A contractor using a trade name must first check with the Commission to make sure the name is available for use with the Commission and then register the name with the Department of Assessments and Taxation .

A certificate of trade name registration must be submitted with the license application.

Proof of current $50,000 liability insurance must be filed with the application for licensure.

Liability Insurance

Contractors must show proof of current $50,000 liability insurance at time of application for original and renewal license. This insurance must be in effect at all times. As of October 1, 2002 , contractors must give the Commission notice of cancellation of liability insurance at least 10 days before the effective date of the cancellation.

License Period

For licenses issued prior to July 1, 1999, each licensee was issued a personal renewal date from which the license must be renewed every two years. For licenses issued after July 1, 1999, the license period is two years from the date of issuance of the original license.

Temporary licenses are no longer issued. The provision for temporary licenses was removed from the law in 1999.

All applicants must take and pass the licensing exam before they can apply for a license.

Any applicant who has had a conviction of a misdemeanor relating to a home improvement transaction or a felony must provide the Commission with copies of conviction records.

The Home Improvement license does not cover new home construction. All builders who build homes in Maryland must be registered with the Home Builder Registration Unit of the Office of the Attorney General.

Home Builder Registration Unit
Consumer Protection Division
(410) 576-6573 / Toll Free: (877) 259-4525
Fax: (410) 576-6566
E-mail: homebuilder@oag.state.md.us
  • Contractor
  • Subcontractor
  • A subcontractor may only work for a licensed contractor.
  • A subcontractor may not enter into contracts with homeowners.
  • Salespersons

A person may only be licensed to represent two licensed contractors in the selling of home improvements.

Contractors must show proof of current $50,000 liability insurance at time of application for original and renewal license. This insurance must be in effect at all times. As of October 1, 2002 , contractors must give the Commission notice of cancellation of liability insurance at least 10 days before the effective date of the cancellation.

Any applicant who has had a conviction of a misdemeanor relating to a home improvement transaction or a felony must provide the Maryland Home Improvement Commission with copies of conviction records.

For licenses issued prior to July 1, 1999, each licensee was issued a personal renewal date from which the license must be renewed every two years. For licenses issued after July 1, 1999, the license period is two years from the date of issuance of the original license.

Temporary licenses are no longer issued. The provision for temporary licenses was removed from the law in 1999.

All applicants must take and pass the licensing exam before they can apply for a license.

Any applicant who has had a conviction of a misdemeanor relating to a home improvement transaction or a felony must provide the Commission with copies of conviction records.

The Home Improvement license does not cover new home construction. All builders who build homes in Maryland must be registered with the Home Builder Registration Unit of the Office of the Attorney General.

Home Builder Registration Unit
Consumer Protection Division
200 St. Paul Place
Baltimore, MD 21202

(410) 576-6573 / Toll Free: (877) 259-4525

Fax: (410) 576-6566

E-mail: homebuilder@oag.state.md.us

  • The Maryland Home Improvement Exam Prep course takes approximately 8-hours, but we move rapidly through the materials. For a thorough review, you may want to allow twice that amount of time.

Once you register, you have up to 6 months before your course is deactivated. If you need longer, just give us a call and we can arrange an extension.

No

Licenses are required for commercial work and new home construction, but passing a test is not required. These licenses are issued by the Clerks of the Circuit Court. Contact the State License Bureau at http://www.marylandtaxes.com or call 410-260-6240

No

  • Information Last Updated: 04/2020
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