Maryland general contractor license & renewal
The requirements, the timing and the official sources. Everything we’ve verified, in one place.
License fee
—
Not verified yet
Required hours
—
Not verified yet
Exam
Pass the licensing exam before applying.
Renewal
The license period is two years from the date of issuance of the original license.
Before you begin
Agency guidance
The contractor category authorizes performing or agreeing to perform home improvement for a homeowner.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
A contractor may perform or agree to perform a home improvement for a homeowner.Official source
Agency guidance
An original contractor license also carries a $100 Guaranty Fund assessment and $22.50 processing fee; additional company locations have a separate $281.25 fee.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
$281.25 Per Each Additional Company Location $100 Guaranty Fund Assessment $ 22.50 Processing FeeOfficial source
Agency guidance
New home construction is outside MHIC: builders must register with the Attorney General's Home Builder Registration Unit.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
The Home Improvement Commission 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.Official source
Agency guidance
Renew online using the link at https://labor.maryland.gov/license/mhic/mhicrenew.shtml; each licensee has a personal renewal date.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Renew your license online Each licensee has a personal renewal date.Official source
How to get this license
Use the agency’s requirements below to plan your next steps. Missing details stay marked.
Start with the licensing authority
Licensing board
Maryland Home Improvement Commission
Official agency page
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
License Categories and Requirements - Home Improvement Commission
Official sourceCheck the qualifications
Experience
At least two years of home improvement, construction and/or related education.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Applicants for a contractor's license must provide proof of at least two years of experience in home improvement work, construction and/or related education.
Official sourceExam
Pass the licensing exam before applying.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
All applicants must take and pass the licensing exam before they can apply for a license.
Official sourceBond
An applicant who does not meet the financial solvency guidelines may purchase a surety bond or obtain an indemnitor.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Any applicant who does not meet the financial solvency guidelines may purchase a surety bond or obtain an indemnitor.
Official sourceEducation
No exam-preparation course is required.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Is any course required in order to apply for an MHIC license? Many community colleges offer an MHIC exam prep course. A course is not required.
Official sourceInsurance
Maintain general liability insurance.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
all Maryland home improvement contractors maintain general liability insurance
Official sourceReview fees and apply
Application fee
$281.25
Exam fee
Not verified yet
License fee
Not verified yet
Apply with the agency
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Contractor and Salesperson Original Application
Official source
Reciprocity
No reciprocity with other states.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
The Maryland Home Improvement Commission does not offer reciprocity with any other states because each licensee must demonstrate knowledge of Maryland laws and regulations.Official source
Official sources and verification (17)
Last verified 2026-10-24. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.
License Categories and Requirements - Home Improvement CommissionOfficial source
Verified 2026-10-24
Applicants for a contractor's license must provide proof of at least two years of experience in home improvement work, construction and/or related education.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
All applicants must take and pass the licensing exam before they can apply for a license.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Any applicant who does not meet the financial solvency guidelines may purchase a surety bond or obtain an indemnitor.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Is any course required in order to apply for an MHIC license? Many community colleges offer an MHIC exam prep course. A course is not required.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
all Maryland home improvement contractors maintain general liability insuranceOfficial source
Verified 2026-10-24
The license period is two years from the date of issuance of the original license.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
The license period is two years from the date of issuance of the original license.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
A contractor may perform or agree to perform a home improvement for a homeowner.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
$281.25 Per Each Additional Company Location $100 Guaranty Fund Assessment $ 22.50 Processing FeeOfficial source
Verified 2026-10-24
The Home Improvement Commission 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.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Renew your license online Each licensee has a personal renewal date.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
There is no continuing education requirement to renew an MHIC license.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
The Maryland Home Improvement Commission does not offer reciprocity with any other states because each licensee must demonstrate knowledge of Maryland laws and regulations.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Keep exploring.
Same license in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Last verified 2026-10-24.
Official sources (7)
- https://labor.maryland.gov/license/mhic/mhiclicreq.shtml
- https://labor.maryland.gov/license/mhic/mhicfaqlic.shtml
- https://labor.maryland.gov/license/mhic/
- https://www.labor.maryland.gov/license/mhic/mhicaff.shtml
- https://labor.maryland.gov/license/mhic/mhicrenew.shtml
- https://labor.maryland.gov/license/mhic/mhicapply.shtml
- https://labor.maryland.gov/license/mhic/mhiceduc.shtml
Not legal or tax advice. Confirm with the official agency before filing.