MD · Reviewed 2026-10-07
Maryland licensing for homeowners
Board lookups, licence classes, contract rules, and the verification routine — sourced to state law and official registries.
- State
- Maryland
- Boards listed
- 3
- Licence classes
- 4
Verify with the board — last reviewed 2026-10-07
Who must be licensed in Maryland
Maryland requires a Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) licence for contractors who sell or perform home improvement work on owner-occupied residential property when the contract meets statutory thresholds (commonly work above $500 — confirm current MHIC guidance). Master electricians, master plumbers, and HVACR contractors are licensed separately through the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing. Baltimore City and many counties add local business licences and permit fees. Performing home improvement without an MHIC number when one is required is a regulatory violation, and homeowners who skip verification risk losing access to the Guaranty Fund on qualifying claims.
Licensing boards and lookups
| Authority | Scope | Lookup |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) 410-230-6309 | Home improvement contractor licences for residential remodeling and repair. | Verify licence → |
| Maryland DLLR — Master electrician licence 410-230-6230 | State master electrician and limited electrician credentials. | Verify licence → |
| Maryland State Board of Master Plumbers 410-230-6233 | Master plumber and gas fitter licences. | Verify licence → |
Licence classes and what they authorize
MHIC contractor — Licensed home improvement contractor
Selling and performing home improvement on Maryland residential property subject to MHIC rules.
Master electrician — Maryland master electrician
Electrical work statewide within the master electrician scope.
Master plumber / gas fitter — Maryland plumbing licence
Plumbing and gas piping under state code.
HVACR — HVACR contractor licence
Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration contracting.
Verify a licence in about two minutes
- For remodeling contracts, search the MHIC licence lookup for the contractor’s MHIC number on the written contract.
- For electrical scope, verify a master electrician or authorised limited licence through DLLR.
- For plumbing or gas work, confirm an active master plumber or gas fitter licence.
- Match legal names across MHIC, trade licences, insurance COI, and your contract.
- Call the county or Baltimore City permit office to confirm local business licence requirements.
- Confirm the contractor carries MHIC-required insurance and is eligible for the Guaranty Fund if applicable.
Insurance and bond minimums
MHIC licensees must maintain general liability insurance and participate in the Home Improvement Guaranty Fund through assessments. Trade boards require insurance appropriate to each licence. Request certificates from the insurer, not screenshots from the contractor.
Who issues permits
Maryland adopts the International Codes statewide with local amendments. Counties and Baltimore City issue building permits and enforce inspections. MHIC and trade licences control who may contract for regulated work; the local official issues permits.
Homeowner permits — can you pull one, and should you
Owner-occupiers may obtain permits in many counties for work on their own home, but electrical, plumbing, gas, and MHIC-regulated home improvement still require licensed contractors when the law applies. Owner permits do not shield you from lien claims.
Deposits, cancellation rights, and liens
- Deposit rules
- MHIC regulations restrict how much may be collected before work begins and require licence numbers in contracts and advertisements. Read your MHIC-compliant contract before paying — large upfront demands beyond the allowed schedule are a red flag.
- Rescission / cooling-off
- Maryland Door-to-Door Sales Act and federal Cooling-Off Rule may provide cancellation windows for certain in-home sales when proper notices are delivered.
- Mechanic's lien timeline
- Maryland mechanic’s lien law (Md. Real Property Code, Title 9) sets strict notice and petition deadlines. Residential owners should use waiver forms at each payment and respond promptly to notices of intent to claim a lien.
MHIC contracts must include licence numbers, start dates, and descriptions of work. Change orders should be in writing.
Where to file a complaint
File MHIC complaints for unlicensed home improvement or contract violations. Trade complaints go to the relevant DLLR board. The Guaranty Fund may help qualifying homeowners with licensed contractor failures. Permit issues go to the county or Baltimore City inspection office.
File a complaint with the state →If you hire someone unlicensed
Unlicensed home improvement contractors cannot legally contract for MHIC-covered work — contracts may be unenforceable and Guaranty Fund protection unavailable. Unlicensed electrical or plumbing work creates safety hazards and inspection failures.
Which trades need a licence here
| Trade | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | State licence | DLLR trade licence required statewide. |
| Plumber | State licence | DLLR trade licence required statewide. |
| HVAC / refrigeration | State licence | DLLR trade licence required statewide. |
| General contractor / remodeler | State licence | MHIC licence required for qualifying home improvement contracts. |
| Roofer | Varies | May be a dedicated roofing licence, a general building classification, or local registration only. |
| Carpenter / handyman | No individual licence | No individual trade licence in most states; scope limits and contractor registration still apply to the business pulling permits. |
Reciprocity
Maryland does not grant automatic reciprocity for MHIC or trade licences. DC and Virginia contractors must obtain Maryland credentials for work on Maryland property.
Cities and counties with an extra layer
Baltimore City, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and Anne Arundel County each operate permit centres with contractor licensing, tax accounts, or registration requirements beyond MHIC.
Related guides
For contractors — getting and renewing a licence
Obtain an MHIC licence before advertising home improvement. Apply to DLLR boards for trade licences after exams and experience documentation. Display MHIC numbers on contracts and ads, and renew before expiration.
Trade-owner resources →Common questions — Maryland
Does Maryland require a home improvement contractor license?
How do I verify an MHIC license number?
Who licenses electricians in Maryland?
What is the Maryland Home Improvement Guaranty Fund?
Can I pull my own building permit in Maryland?
Is there a contractor deposit limit in Maryland?
How do mechanic's liens work in Maryland?
Does Baltimore City have extra contractor rules?
Are HVAC contractors licensed in Maryland?
What happens if I hire an unlicensed home improvement contractor in Maryland?
Do plumbers need a license in Maryland?
How do I file a complaint against a Maryland contractor?
Sources
- Maryland Home Improvement Commission
- Maryland Real Property Code — Mechanic's liens (Title 9)
- Maryland DLLR — License search
Content reviewed 2026-10-07. Statutes and board URLs were checked at publication; confirm current text on the official site before relying on it in a dispute.