How to get a Contractor license in Maryland

Maryland general contractor licenses

Maryland issues 5 general contractor credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

Rules shared by several license levels

These rules are the same for several of the Maryland general contractor licenses on this page, so they are shown once here, with the licenses they apply to. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

1. Every license level except Construction license

Renewal

How often

Every 2 years²¹⁴

2. Contractor (Maryland Home Improvement Commission license) and Salesperson (Maryland Home Improvement Commission license)

Requirements

Background check

Report convictions; the Commission weighs the crime, its relationship to the work, time passed and later behavior. An optional predetermination review costs $100, waivable on income.⁵
You can ask the board to review your record before you apply¹⁵

Fees

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

Apply online

dllr.state.md.us¹⁶

Processing time

Two to three weeks; incomplete applications take longer.⁵

Renewal

If it expires

A licensee deployed outside Maryland with the armed forces may renew after the renewal period when the lateness results directly from the deployment.¹⁷

Renew online

dllr.state.md.us¹⁸

3. Home builder registration and Home builder sales representative registration certificate

Renewal

If it expires

An expired registration or certificate cannot be renewed.¹⁴

Who needs a Contractor license

Addition to or alteration, improvement, remodeling, repair or replacement of a residence, an adjacent structure, or adjacent land. Excludes commonly owned condominium areas and buildings with four or more single-family units, and new home construction.¹³

Work that does not need this license:

• Not required for employees paid a salary or wages who do not sell, or for licensed trades such as electricians and plumbers working within their license.¹

Other rules on who may do this work:

• Marine contractors have a separate license.¹
• Commercial and agricultural work may need a clerk-issued construction license rather than an MHIC license.¹⁹

Requirements for a Contractor license

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 2 under Rules shared by several license levels.

Education or training

No required course. Comparable educational training may count in place of trade experience.³

Experience

At least 2 years²
Home improvement work, construction and/or related education²
Substitute: Military experience counts toward the two-year requirement and veteran applications are expedited.¹⁷

Exam

MHIC contractor examination³
Given by: PSI Examination Services³
Passing score: 70%³
When you can take it: Exam comes before the license application.²
55 questions³
Computer exam, two hours.³
Retakes: Wait 30 days after a failure; later requests need 60 days; the exam fee is paid each time.⁵
Time limit: Apply within two years of passing or retake.³

Surety bond

$30,000²⁰ (Only for applicants who do not meet financial solvency guidelines)

Business requirements

Each licensed business needs an individual who holds the license and qualifies; companies and new businesses meet the same requirements.⁵

Business requirements

Corporations file articles and a good standing certificate; trade names are cleared with MHIC and registered with SDAT.²

Also required

Personal financial solvency must be shown; applicants who fall short may buy a surety bond or obtain an indemnitor.⁵

Also required

Full credit report²¹

How much a Contractor license costs

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

1. Show at least two years of experience or related education.²
2. Register with PSI and pass the contractor exam.²
3. Clear any trade name with MHIC, then register the business with the Department of Assessments and Taxation. Out-of-state contractors must register too.²
4. Gather the supporting documents: financial worksheet, co-owner page, insurance certificate naming MHIC, three months of bank statements, credit report, entity papers, photo and, if needed, a bond.²⁰
5. File the application and pay the fees.²¹ dllr.state.md.us¹⁶

Renewal and continuing education

When it expires

Two-year renewal term, with a personal renewal date.¹⁸

Renewal fee

$281.25⁴ (Per place of business; plus $175 Guaranty Fund assessment)

Moving to Maryland with a license from another state

These are the routes MHIC publishes for the Contractor license. The other general contractor licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

Military service members, veterans and spouses: Military experience counts toward the two-year requirement and veteran applications are expedited.¹⁷

Construction license

Agreeing to pave or curb, excavate, or do work on or in a building or structure using building materials; excludes home improvement.⁶

Fees

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

1. Apply to the Circuit Court clerk in the county of your principal place of business and pay the license fee.²⁴
2. Out-of-state businesses apply for a nonresident construction license where they first do construction business in Maryland.²⁴

From another state

Home builder registration

A person that undertakes to build a new home.⁸

Requirements

Insurance

General liability insurance of at least $100,000 for those building new homes for sale to the public.²⁵

Fees

How to apply

1. Arrange general liability cover if you build new homes for sale to the public.²⁵
2. Submit the application under oath on the Unit's form with the nonrefundable fee.²⁶

Renewal

Renewal fee

$400¹⁴ (10 or fewer building permits for new homes in the preceding year)

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 3 under Rules shared by several license levels.

Home builder sales representative registration certificate

Individual employed by a home builder as its representative to consumers buying a new home.⁸

Fees

How to apply

1. Submit the application under oath, including your employer's name and registration number, with the nonrefundable fee.²⁶

Renewal

Renewal fee

$300¹⁴

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 3 under Rules shared by several license levels.

Salesperson license

Sells home improvements for up to two licensed contractors; cannot perform the work under this license.¹¹

Requirements

Exam

MHIC salesperson examination³
Given by: PSI Examination Services³
Passing score: 70%³
When you can take it: Exam comes before the license application.²
35 questions³
Computer exam, two hours.³
Retakes: Wait 30 days after a failure; later requests need 60 days; the exam fee is paid each time.⁵
Time limit: Apply within two years of passing or retake.³

Also required

Needs written notice signed by the contractor and salesperson of their relationship.²⁷

Also required

Only individuals qualify.²⁷

Fees

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

1. Pass the salesperson exam through PSI.⁵
2. Have a licensed contractor sign the employing contractor notice with you.⁵
3. File the original application and pay the fees.¹⁶ dllr.state.md.us¹⁶

Renewal

Renewal fee

$112.50⁴

From another state

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 2 under Rules shared by several license levels.

City and county rules

Home builder registrationHome improvement is licensed statewide, but Baltimore City requires a city-licensed contractor for demolition permits and Montgomery County registers new home builders itself.²⁸

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire a general contractor in Maryland, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Maryland is on the Maryland license lookup page.

Look up a license

dllr.state.md.us²⁹

File a complaint

labor.maryland.gov²⁹

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• Md. Code, Bus. Reg. § 8-101
• Md. Code, Bus. Reg. § 8-301
• Md. Code, Bus. Reg. § 8-302
• Md. Code, Bus. Reg. § 8-302.1
• Md. Code, Bus. Reg. § 8-303
• Md. Code, Bus. Reg. § 8-306
• Md. Code, Bus. Reg. § 8-308
• Md. Code, Bus. Reg. § 8-404
• Md. Code, Bus. Reg. § 8-601
• COMAR 09.08.07.02
• Md. Code, Bus. Reg. § 8-405
• Md. Code, Bus. Reg. § 17-601
• Md. Code, Bus. Reg. § 17-602
• Md. Code, Bus. Reg. § 17-603
• Md. Code, Bus. Reg. § 4.5-101
• Md. Code, Bus. Reg. § 4.5-301
• Md. Code, Bus. Reg. § 4.5-302
• Md. Code, Bus. Reg. § 4.5-303
• Md. Code, Bus. Reg. § 4.5-304
• Md. Code, Bus. Reg. § 4.5-304.1
• Md. Code, Bus. Reg. § 4.5-305

Rule changes since January 2024

• August 1, 2024: MHIC application and licensing fees increased; the renewal Guaranty Fund assessment rose to $175.²⁹
• June 1, 2024: General liability insurance requirement set at $500,000.²⁹

Common questions

General contractor licenses in other states

• Alabama
• Alaska
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• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
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