Contractor licensing by state
How to Get a Contractor License in Maryland
Maryland requires a state license for every trade we track except demolition. It has no state license for demolition, so cities and counties set any rules for that work. The main contractor license is the Home Improvement Contractor license, which costs $403.75 to start and needs the MHIC home improvement exam. Of the 7 trades we could rate, demolition is the easiest to get licensed for and roofing the hardest.
The Maryland contractor license
| License | Home Improvement Contractor license (MHIC) |
|---|---|
| Covers | Foundation repair, general contracting, roofing, landscape irrigation, concrete flatwork, and drainage and detention work |
| Fee | $403.75 (original 2-year license with Guaranty Fund and processing) |
| Exam | MHIC home improvement exam. Given by PSI. Exam fee $63. $63. |
| Renewal | Every 2 years. |
How to apply
- Pass the MHIC exam at PSI ($63, 70 percent).
- Apply within 2 years of passing with the personal financial statement.
- Pay $281.25 license, $100 Guaranty Fund and $22.50 processing.
- Pull the county or city permit.
Covers work on existing homes. New home construction rules were not checked here.
State license requirements for each trade in Maryland
| Foundation repair | Home Improvement Contractor license | $403.75 | MHIC home improvement contractor examination | None listed | Moderate · 32 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General contracting | Home Improvement Contractor license | $403.75 | MHIC home improvement contractor examination | None listed | Moderate · 32 |
| Roofing | Home Improvement Contractor license | $403.75 | MHIC home improvement contractor examination | None listed | Moderate · 32 |
| Plumbing | Master Plumber license | None listed | None listed | Not rated | |
| Electrical | Master Electrician license | None listed | None listed | Not rated | |
| HVAC | HVACR Contractor license | None listed | None listed | Not rated | |
| Irrigation | Home Improvement Contractor license | $403.75 | MHIC home improvement contractor examination | None listed | Moderate or harder · 32+ |
| Concrete flatwork | Home Improvement Contractor license | $403.75 | MHIC home improvement contractor examination | None listed | Moderate or harder · 32+ |
| Drainage and detention | Home Improvement Contractor license | $403.75 | MHIC home improvement contractor examination | None listed | Moderate or harder · 32+ |
| Demolition | No state license | Easy · 0 |
Tap a column to sort. Difficulty covers the state license only. Checked October 18, 2026.
Trades ranked from easiest to hardest in Maryland
- Demolition, easy (0)
- Concrete flatwork, moderate or harder (32+)
- Drainage and detention, moderate or harder (32+)
- Foundation repair, moderate (32)
- General contracting, moderate (32)
- Irrigation, moderate or harder (32+)
- Roofing, moderate (32)
Plumbing, electrical work, and HVAC work are not rated because their rules are not fully published.
Details for each trade
Foundation repair
| License | Home Improvement Contractor license |
|---|---|
| Board | Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC), Maryland Department of Labor |
| Fee | $403.75 (original 2-year license, $281.25 license + $100 Guaranty Fund + $22.50 processing; renewal includes a $175 Guaranty Fund assessment) |
| Exam | MHIC home improvement contractor examination. Given by PSI. Exam fee $63. $63. |
| Bond | Surety bond only if you do not meet the financial solvency guidelines. |
| Background check | Required. Personal financial statement for solvency review. |
| Renewal | Every 2 years. |
Foundation repair on an existing home is home improvement work. Applicants must show financial solvency, or use an indemnitor or a surety bond ($30,000 or $100,000 forms). The Guaranty Fund pays homeowners up to $20,000.
Ask the city or county building department whether the repair needs a permit and an engineer letter or sealed design.
- Pass the MHIC exam at PSI ($63, 70 percent).
- Apply within 2 years of passing with the personal financial statement.
- Pay $281.25 license, $100 Guaranty Fund and $22.50 processing.
- Pull the county or city permit.
Difficulty 32, moderate (exams 15, fees 9, bond 4, background check 4).
Checked October 18, 2026 against MHIC forms and fees; MHIC exam (PSI, $63, 70 percent); MHIC original application (financial solvency or bond); MHIC "Do I need a license" FAQ; MHIC licensing FAQ (Guaranty Fund up to $20,000).
General contracting (residential remodels, additions and home improvement)
| License | Home Improvement Contractor license |
|---|---|
| Board | Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC), Maryland Department of Labor |
| Fee | $403.75 (original 2-year license, $281.25 license + $100 Guaranty Fund + $22.50 processing; renewal includes a $175 Guaranty Fund assessment) |
| Exam | MHIC home improvement contractor examination. Given by PSI. Exam fee $63. $63. |
| Bond | Surety bond only if you do not meet the financial solvency guidelines. |
| Background check | Required. Personal financial statement for solvency review. |
| Renewal | Every 2 years. |
Covers remodeling, repair and additions to existing homes. Applicants must show financial solvency, or use an indemnitor or a surety bond ($30,000 or $100,000 forms). The Guaranty Fund pays homeowners up to $20,000.
Ask the city or county building department about building permits for remodels and additions.
- Pass the MHIC exam at PSI ($63, 70 percent).
- Apply within 2 years of passing with the personal financial statement.
- Pay $281.25 license, $100 Guaranty Fund and $22.50 processing.
- Pull the county or city permit.
Difficulty 32, moderate (exams 15, fees 9, bond 4, background check 4).
Checked October 18, 2026 against MHIC forms and fees; MHIC exam (PSI, $63, 70 percent); MHIC original application (financial solvency or bond); MHIC "Do I need a license" FAQ; MHIC licensing FAQ (Guaranty Fund up to $20,000).
Roofing
| License | Home Improvement Contractor license |
|---|---|
| Board | Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC), Maryland Department of Labor |
| Fee | $403.75 (original 2-year license, $281.25 license + $100 Guaranty Fund + $22.50 processing; renewal includes a $175 Guaranty Fund assessment) |
| Exam | MHIC home improvement contractor examination. Given by PSI. Exam fee $63. $63. |
| Bond | Surety bond only if you do not meet the financial solvency guidelines. |
| Background check | Required. Personal financial statement for solvency review. |
| Renewal | Every 2 years. |
Roofing on homes is home improvement. Applicants must show financial solvency, or use an indemnitor or a surety bond ($30,000 or $100,000 forms). The Guaranty Fund pays homeowners up to $20,000.
Ask the city or county building department whether a reroof needs a permit.
- Pass the MHIC exam at PSI ($63, 70 percent).
- Apply within 2 years of passing with the personal financial statement.
- Pay $281.25 license, $100 Guaranty Fund and $22.50 processing.
- Pull the county or city permit.
Difficulty 32, moderate (exams 15, fees 9, bond 4, background check 4).
Checked October 18, 2026 against MHIC forms and fees; MHIC exam (PSI, $63, 70 percent); MHIC original application (financial solvency or bond); MHIC "Do I need a license" FAQ; MHIC licensing FAQ (Guaranty Fund up to $20,000).
Plumbing
| License | Master Plumber license |
|---|---|
| Board | Maryland State Board of Plumbing |
Requirements and fees were not checked in detail on the board page.
Ask the city or county building department who may pull plumbing permits.
Check the State Board of Plumbing licensing page.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Maryland State Board of Plumbing.
Electrical
| License | Master Electrician license |
|---|---|
| Board | Maryland State Board of Master Electricians |
MHIC notes a licensed master electrician must connect solar panels to the electrical system. Board requirements were not checked in detail.
Ask the city or county building department who may pull electrical permits.
Check the State Board of Master Electricians licensing page.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Maryland State Board of Master Electricians; MHIC FAQ.
HVAC
| License | HVACR Contractor license |
|---|---|
| Board | Maryland State Board of Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors |
Board requirements were not checked in detail.
Ask the city or county building department who may pull mechanical permits.
Check the HVACR Board licensing page.
Checked October 18, 2026 against Maryland HVACR Board.
Irrigation
| License | Home Improvement Contractor license |
|---|---|
| Board | Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC), Maryland Department of Labor |
| Fee | $403.75 (original 2-year license, $281.25 license + $100 Guaranty Fund + $22.50 processing; renewal includes a $175 Guaranty Fund assessment) |
| Exam | MHIC home improvement contractor examination. Given by PSI. Exam fee $63. $63. |
| Bond | Surety bond only if you do not meet the financial solvency guidelines. |
| Background check | Required. Personal financial statement for solvency review. |
| Renewal | Every 2 years. |
MHIC states that landscape contractors are licensed by MHIC; irrigation was not named specifically. Applicants must show financial solvency, or use an indemnitor or a surety bond ($30,000 or $100,000 forms). The Guaranty Fund pays homeowners up to $20,000.
Ask the city or county building department and the water utility about permits and backflow devices for the water connection.
- Pass the MHIC exam at PSI ($63, 70 percent).
- Apply within 2 years of passing with the personal financial statement.
- Pay $281.25 license, $100 Guaranty Fund and $22.50 processing.
- Pull the county or city permit.
Difficulty 32+, moderate or harder (exams 15, fees 9, bond 4, background check 4).
Checked October 18, 2026 against MHIC forms and fees; MHIC exam (PSI, $63, 70 percent); MHIC original application (financial solvency or bond); MHIC "Do I need a license" FAQ; MHIC licensing FAQ (Guaranty Fund up to $20,000).
Concrete flatwork (driveways, sidewalks and work in the public right-of-way)
| License | Home Improvement Contractor license |
|---|---|
| Board | Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC), Maryland Department of Labor |
| Fee | $403.75 (original 2-year license, $281.25 license + $100 Guaranty Fund + $22.50 processing; renewal includes a $175 Guaranty Fund assessment) |
| Exam | MHIC home improvement contractor examination. Given by PSI. Exam fee $63. $63. |
| Bond | Surety bond only if you do not meet the financial solvency guidelines. |
| Background check | Required. Personal financial statement for solvency review. |
| Renewal | Every 2 years. |
MHIC consumer guidance warns about unlicensed driveway sealcoaters, which suggests driveway work is treated as home improvement; confirm with MHIC. Applicants must show financial solvency, or use an indemnitor or a surety bond ($30,000 or $100,000 forms). The Guaranty Fund pays homeowners up to $20,000.
Ask the city or county building department about driveway, sidewalk and right-of-way permits.
- Pass the MHIC exam at PSI ($63, 70 percent).
- Apply within 2 years of passing with the personal financial statement.
- Pay $281.25 license, $100 Guaranty Fund and $22.50 processing.
- Pull the county or city permit.
Difficulty 32+, moderate or harder (exams 15, fees 9, bond 4, background check 4).
Checked October 18, 2026 against MHIC forms and fees; MHIC exam (PSI, $63, 70 percent); MHIC original application (financial solvency or bond); MHIC "Do I need a license" FAQ; MHIC licensing FAQ (Guaranty Fund up to $20,000).
Drainage and detention (grading, drainage, stormwater and detention ponds)
| License | Home Improvement Contractor license |
|---|---|
| Board | Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC), Maryland Department of Labor |
| Fee | $403.75 (original 2-year license, $281.25 license + $100 Guaranty Fund + $22.50 processing; renewal includes a $175 Guaranty Fund assessment) |
| Exam | MHIC home improvement contractor examination. Given by PSI. Exam fee $63. $63. |
| Bond | Surety bond only if you do not meet the financial solvency guidelines. |
| Background check | Required. Personal financial statement for solvency review. |
| Renewal | Every 2 years. |
MHIC licenses landscape contractors; whether residential grading or drainage work counts as home improvement was not confirmed. Ask MHIC. Applicants must show financial solvency, or use an indemnitor or a surety bond ($30,000 or $100,000 forms). The Guaranty Fund pays homeowners up to $20,000.
Ask the city or county building department about grading, drainage and stormwater approvals.
- Pass the MHIC exam at PSI ($63, 70 percent).
- Apply within 2 years of passing with the personal financial statement.
- Pay $281.25 license, $100 Guaranty Fund and $22.50 processing.
- Pull the county or city permit.
Difficulty 32+, moderate or harder (exams 15, fees 9, bond 4, background check 4).
Checked October 18, 2026 against MHIC forms and fees; MHIC exam (PSI, $63, 70 percent); MHIC original application (financial solvency or bond); MHIC "Do I need a license" FAQ; MHIC licensing FAQ (Guaranty Fund up to $20,000).
Demolition
MHIC says demolition and clean-up alone are not home improvement, so an MHIC license is not required for demolition-only jobs. Counties may require their own demolition permits or licenses.
Ask the city or county building department about demolition permits.
Ask the county about demolition permits and any local license.
Difficulty 0, easy (nothing in the rubric applies).
Checked October 18, 2026 against MHIC "Do I need a license" FAQ (demolition).
Exams for a Maryland license
| Maryland Home Improvement Contractor | PSI, for the Maryland Home Improvement Commission | $63 | $63 again; wait 30 days, then 60 days before each later retest | Open book | 55 | 150 minutes | 39 correct (70%) |
|---|
Tap a column to sort. Each exam name opens the provider's bulletin or exam page. A blank cell is a fact not confirmed from the provider, and the linked bulletin has the full rules.
- Study references for Maryland Home Improvement Contractor are NASCLA Contractor's Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, Maryland Home Improvement Commission, 7th edition.
Checked October 18, 2026 against PSI Maryland Home Improvement Commission Candidate Information Bulletin, updated October 10, 2025; MHIC examination page.
Official sources
- Maryland Home Improvement Commission
- State Board of Plumbing
- State Board of Master Electricians
- State Board of HVACR Contractors
Licensing pages for nearby states cover Pennsylvania and Virginia.
Rules and fees change, and this is not legal advice. Confirm with the licensing board before you apply or bid.