Maryland contractor license lookup
In Maryland, only MHIC-licensed contractors may contract with homeowners for home improvement. MHIC contractors need at least $500,000 liability insurance. Check a license free online. (source: Maryland Home Improvement Commission (opens in a new tab), source: MHIC public license search (opens in a new tab))
Check a license on the MHIC website (official site, opens in a new tab)
How: Open the MHIC public license search, find the contractor and check the license is current. (source: MHIC public license search (opens in a new tab))
Checked against official Maryland Home Improvement Commission (Maryland Department of Labor) sources. See sources.
1. Who needs a license
An MHIC license is needed for home improvement: altering, remodeling, repairing or replacing all or part of a home, including individual condo units. (source: Maryland Home Improvement Commission (opens in a new tab))
- It does not cover condo common areas or buildings with 4 or more units. (source: Maryland Home Improvement Commission (opens in a new tab))
- Only MHIC-licensed contractors may contract with homeowners. The separate subcontractor license ended on 1 July 2016. (source: Maryland Home Improvement Commission (opens in a new tab))
Salespeople
- Home improvement salespeople need an MHIC salesperson license and can represent up to 2 contractors. (source: MHIC license requirements (opens in a new tab))
Penalties
- Unlicensed home improvement is a misdemeanor: up to $1,000 and/or 6 months for a first offense; up to $5,000 and/or 2 years after that. (source: Maryland Business Regulation 8-601 (opens in a new tab))
- Civil citations include $100 (then $300) for no license number in an ad, $300 ($1,000) for a false ad, and $1,500 ($5,000) for working with or through an unlicensed person. (source: COMAR 09.08.06.02 (opens in a new tab))
2. License types and classes
| Class | Name | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| MHIC Contractor | Home Improvement Contractor | Contract with homeowners for home improvements (source: MHIC license requirements (opens in a new tab)) |
| MHIC Salesperson | Home Improvement Salesperson | Sells for up to 2 licensed contractors (source: MHIC license requirements (opens in a new tab)) |
| HVACR Master | HVACR Master | Can do all HVACR work. (source: Maryland HVACR licensing (opens in a new tab)) |
| HVACR Master Restricted | HVACR Master Restricted | Specified areas only (source: Maryland HVACR licensing (opens in a new tab)) |
| HVACR Journey | HVACR Journey / Journey Restricted | Works under master (source: Maryland HVACR licensing (opens in a new tab)) |
| HVACR Apprentice | HVACR Apprentice | Entry level (source: Maryland HVACR licensing (opens in a new tab)) |
| HVACR Inspector | HVACR Inspector | Inspector (source: Maryland HVACR licensing (opens in a new tab)) |
| Master Electrician | Master Electrician | (source: Maryland electrician license requirements (opens in a new tab)) |
| Journeyperson Electrician | Journeyperson Electrician | (source: Maryland electrician license requirements (opens in a new tab)) |
| Master Plumber/Gas Fitter | Master Plumber/Gas Fitter | (source: Maryland plumbing license requirements (opens in a new tab)) |
| Journey Plumber/Gas Fitter | Journey Plumber/Gas Fitter | (source: Maryland plumbing license requirements (opens in a new tab)) |
3. Required insurance and bonds
Insurance
- General liability: At least $500,000 for MHIC contractors, from 1 June 2024 (Business Regulation 8-302.1). (source: Maryland Home Improvement Commission (opens in a new tab))
The MHIC requirements page still says $50,000. That page is out of date. (source: Maryland Home Improvement Commission (opens in a new tab))
Ask for proof of insurance and check the bond on the official lookup before work starts.
4. How to look up a contractor
Check a license on the MHIC website (official site, opens in a new tab)
How: Open the MHIC public license search, find the contractor and check the license is current. (source: MHIC public license search (opens in a new tab))
5. Red flags when hiring
- No MHIC license number in their ad or on their vehicle. Both can lead to fines. (source: COMAR 09.08.06.02 (opens in a new tab))
- A contractor who sells or does home improvement through an unlicensed person. (source: COMAR 09.08.06.02 (opens in a new tab))
- Someone who is not MHIC-licensed offering to contract with you directly. (source: Maryland Home Improvement Commission (opens in a new tab))
6. Consumer protections and complaints
Guaranty Fund (homeowner protection)
- The Guaranty Fund pays homeowners for actual losses from poor or unfinished work by licensed contractors, up to $30,000 per claim. (source: Maryland Home Improvement Commission (opens in a new tab))
- If claims against one contractor total more than $250,000, payouts are pro-rated. (source: Maryland Home Improvement Commission (opens in a new tab))
How to file a complaint
- Complete and sign a written MHIC complaint form (available online). (source: MHIC complaint FAQ (opens in a new tab))
7. Sources and last verified
Last verified: . Next check due: . Every fact on this page links to one of these official pages. How we verify.
- Maryland Home Improvement Commission (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- MHIC public license search (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- MHIC license requirements (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- COMAR 09.08.01.23 (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- COMAR 09.08.06.02 (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- MHIC fees (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- Maryland HVACR licensing (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- Maryland HVACR: unlicensed activity (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- Maryland electrician license requirements (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- Maryland plumbing license requirements (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- Maryland Business Regulation 8-601 (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- MHIC complaint FAQ (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- EPA Section 608 technician certification (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- 40 CFR Part 82 Subpart F (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
Spot something out of date? Email [email protected].
Common questions
How much insurance does a Maryland home improvement contractor need?
At least $500,000 in liability insurance, since 1 June 2024. Some older pages still say $50,000. (source: Maryland Home Improvement Commission (opens in a new tab))
What is the Maryland Guaranty Fund?
It pays homeowners for actual losses from poor or unfinished work by licensed contractors, up to $30,000 per claim. (source: Maryland Home Improvement Commission (opens in a new tab))
What happens to unlicensed contractors in Maryland?
It is a misdemeanor: up to $1,000 and/or 6 months for a first offense, and up to $5,000 and/or 2 years after that. (source: Maryland Business Regulation 8-601 (opens in a new tab))