In Maryland, individuals seeking a contractor license must obtain a Maryland Contractor License Bond as an integral component of the license application procedure. This bond guarantees that contractors will meet their obligations in construction work, abide by state regulations, and offer restitution to the public if they fail to adhere to Maryland's licensing requirements, thereby causing financial harm.
Explore our table below and easily find your Maryland contractor license bond. We have a range of options available for you to choose and purchase from.
In Maryland, individuals engaged in home improvement activities must secure a Maryland contractor license bond to operate within the state legally. Under the Maryland Home Improvement Law, home improvement encompasses a wide range of activities, such as:
These activities pertain to any building or part of a building intended for residential use or as a dwelling place, as well as any structure adjacent to that building. Additionally, it covers improvements made to land adjoining the building. In addition to home improvement contractors, contractors working within Calvert county, City of Frederick, Hagerstown and Frederick County are also required to be bonded.
The [Maryland Home Improvement Commission], under the Maryland Department of Labor, is responsible for licensing and overseeing contractors in the state of Maryland.
Email: DLOPLMHIC-LABOR@maryland.gov
Phone: (410) 230-6231
Mailing address:
Maryland Home Improvement Commission
1100 N Eutaw Street, Room 121
Baltimore, MD 21201
Yes, all businesses need to register before they can operate in Maryland. Contractors must complete online application with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation to ensure legal operation within the state. Additionally, contractors must:
Following approval, the Department of Assessments and Taxation will provide you with an SDAT (State Department of Assessment and Taxation) Identification Number, which initiates with one of the following letters: "D," "F," "W," "L," "T," or "Z." This number serves as Maryland’s unique identifier for your business.
Before applying for a home improvement contractor license in Maryland, contractors must pass the licensing exam conducted by the testing organization PSI, which comes with a $63 fee.
Afterward, to apply for a Home Improvement Contractors license in Maryland, contractors must do the following:
Mail the completed application package to the following address:
Maryland Home Improvement Commission
PO Box 17409
Baltimore, Maryland 21297-1409
Individuals interested in becoming electrical contractors in Maryland must obtain a Master's Electrician license. To qualify for this license in Maryland, you must meet one of the following criteria:
To initiate the application process, prospective contractors must take and pass an examination administered by PSI.
Afterward, the application can be filled out through this portal.
In Maryland, plumbing licensing is overseen by the Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation. The state mandates that plumbing contractors possess one of the following to engage in plumbing contracts:
To qualify for a journey-level license, applicants must have held an apprentice license for a minimum of four years and completed 7,500 hours of training under the guidance of a master plumber. Additionally, they are required to complete a 32-hour course in backflow prevention and successfully pass a written examination.
As for master plumber applicants, they should have held a journey-level license for at least two years and completed a minimum of 3,750 training hours under the supervision of a licensed master plumber. They are also required to pass a written examination.
In Maryland, a subcontractor specializes in a particular trade or service within the construction or home improvement industry and is hired by a home improvement contractor to perform a specific portion of a construction project.
As of July 1, 2016, Maryland removed the subcontractor license category, meaning all application, examination, and renewal requirements related to subcontractor licenses were abolished. Home improvement subcontractors can work without a license as long as they perform home improvements for a contractor with a valid Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) license in Maryland.
However, it's important to note that according to the law, only contractors with MHIC licenses can enter into contracts with homeowners to carry out home improvement projects. Therefore, the Maryland Home Improvement Commission encourages anyone aspiring to work as a contractor to apply for the official MHIC contractor license.
Yes, there are consequences if you operate as an unlicensed contractor in Maryland. Individuals who operate as contractors without the required license can face legal repercussions in Maryland. A first offense is regarded as a misdemeanor, resulting in a fine of up to $1,000 and a potential 30-day jail sentence. For repeat offenses, the penalties become more severe, with fines of up to $5,000 and the possibility of up to two years of imprisonment.
