Getting your Maryland license starts here...
In Maryland, contractor licensing is regulated by the Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) for home improvement work and by local jurisdictions for general contracting and specialty trades. Licenses are required for residential remodeling, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and other specialized services. Applicants must meet experience standards, pass exams, and maintain liability insurance and, in some cases, surety bonds.
Contractor Licensing Inc. makes the Maryland process simple. We review your qualifications, prepare complete MHIC applications, secure required bonds and insurance, and guide you through exam registration so you can get licensed quickly and compliantly.
Maryland Contractor License Requirements & Application Help
In Maryland, home improvement contracting is regulated statewide by the Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC), part of the Maryland Department of Labor, while several counties and cities layer on their own local contractor licenses. Contractor Licensing Inc. handles your MHIC application, exam registration, and required bond — and we've matched each bond below to a working application link, so you're never stuck on a dead page.
License Category: Home Improvement Contractor (MHIC)
Covers remodeling, repair, and improvement work on existing residential property (1–3 dwelling units). Your contract must include MHIC's phone/web info and notify the homeowner of their right to request a performance bond.
Financial Solvency & Bond Requirement
MHIC requires applicants to demonstrate a personal net worth of at least $30,000. If you can't meet that threshold, you must instead purchase one of two surety bonds:
- $30,000 bond — still requires submitting financial statements
- $100,000 bond — waives the financial statement requirement entirely
General Liability Insurance
As of June 1, 2024, every MHIC licensee must maintain general liability insurance of at least $500,000 — a significant increase from the previous $50,000 minimum. Proof must be filed with your application, and MHIC must be notified at least 10 days before any policy cancellation.
Need a quote? Our sister company, Artisan Insurance Inc., writes Florida and multi-state contractor GL policies — get a quote here.
MHIC Home Improvement Bonds
| Bond | Requires Financials? | Amount | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland Home Improvement Contractor Bond | Yes | $30,000 | Apply Now |
| Maryland Home Improvement Contractor Bond (waives financials) | No | $100,000 | Apply Now |
Maryland City & County Bonds
Several Maryland jurisdictions require their own separate contractor bond in addition to (or instead of) the statewide MHIC bond, depending on your trade and where you're working.
| Jurisdiction & Bond | Trade | Amount | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore — Razing Contractor | Demolition | $10,000 | Apply Now |
| Calvert County — Contractor License | General | Varies | Apply Now |
| Carroll County — Plumbing & Utility Contractor | Plumbing / Utility | $2,500 | Apply Now |
| City of Frederick — Utility & Irrigation Contractor | Utility / Irrigation | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Hagerstown — Building Contractors & Carpenters | Building / Carpentry | $20,000 | Apply Now |
| Frederick County — Plumbing Contractor | Plumbing | Varies | Apply Now |
| Prince George's County — Refrigeration & HVAC Contractor | HVAC / Refrigeration | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| Washington County — Utility Contractor | Utility | $2,000 | Apply Now |
Official Resource
Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC)
500 N. Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD 21201
410-230-6309 · 1-888-218-5925
Reciprocity
MHIC does not publish a broad reciprocity program for home improvement licensing — contractors must qualify under Maryland's own rules and disclosures, even if licensed elsewhere.
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We handle your MHIC application, exam registration, bond, and insurance — start to finish.
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Maryland Contractor License Reciprocity
MHIC does not publish a broad reciprocity program for home improvement licensing. Contractors must qualify under Maryland’s rules and disclosures. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
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