Maryland Handyman License Requirements (2026)

Maryland is not a handyman-exemption state. Unlike jurisdictions that set a minor-work dollar threshold, Maryland requires a Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) contractor license for essentially all paid residential home improvement work regardless of job size — there is no $500 or any-dollar carve-out. Md. Code, Bus. Reg. §8-601(a) makes it unlawful to act as a contractor without an MHIC license, and the statutory definition of 'home improvement' in §8-101 contains no dollar minimum; the only exclusions are new-home construction, guarantee-of-completion work, material sales without installation, apartment buildings of four or more units, and condominium common areas. The '$500' figure that circulates online is not a Title 8 licensing exemption and does not appear in the statute. A handyman who charges a homeowner to repair, replace, remodel, alter, or improve a residence must therefore hold an MHIC license. Unlicensed home improvement is a misdemeanor under §8-601(c), and an unlicensed operator may also be barred from enforcing the contract and cannot access the Home Improvement Guaranty Fund framework.

Who Issues the Maryland Handyman License?

Maryland Home Improvement Commission (Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, Maryland Department of Labor) (MHIC) administers the credential or scope-specific rules for handyman work in Maryland under Md. Code, Business Regulation §8-101 et seq.; COMAR 09.08, and whether they apply depends on the work scope and conditions explained below. Licenses and regulates residential home improvement contractors, subcontractors (no longer separately licensed), and salespersons, and administers the Home Improvement Guaranty Fund that compensates homeowners for actual losses.

Official portal: labor.maryland.gov
Address: 100 S. Charles Street, Tower I, Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: 410-230-6231 (also toll-free 1-888-218-5925)

Maryland Handyman License Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must be at least 18 years old. Applicants must provide a Social Security Number. No Maryland residency requirement; out-of-state contractors may obtain an MHIC license.

Good moral character

The Commission may deny a license for lack of good character, prior fraud, or unresolved judgments (Md. Code, Bus. Reg. §8-311).

Background investigation

MHIC reviews the applicant's criminal and financial history. A criminal record may be grounds for denial but is not an automatic bar. The applicant must demonstrate financial solvency based on assets, liabilities, a full credit report, and net worth; applicants who do not meet the guidelines may use a surety bond or indemnitor.

Disqualifying conditions

Fraud or deceptive trade practices in home improvement
Prior MHIC license revocation
Unpaid Guaranty Fund claims or judgments

How Much Experience Do You Need for a Maryland Handyman License?

A Maryland handyman license requires at least two years of experience in home improvement work, construction, and/or related education. Keep payroll, tax, project, or supervisor records for every period you claim; MHIC can ask for them when it reviews the application.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

Documentation of home improvement or construction work experience
Documentation of related education

Education substitution

MHIC counts related education toward the two-year requirement ("home improvement work, construction and/or related education").

Maryland Handyman Exam Requirements

Testing provider or authority: PSI Examination Services (on behalf of MHIC). The following examination requirements cover the pathways described in this guide; follow each part's classification, waiver, and local-scope conditions. Unpublished format details do not remove an examination requirement:

MHIC Home Improvement Contractor Exam (Maryland home improvement law and regulations plus business and project management) — 55 questions, 120 minutes, passing score 70%

Examination fee: $63

Retake policy: A candidate who fails must wait 30 days before re-registering with PSI, and any further request cannot be made until 60 days have passed; the $63 exam fee applies to each attempt. Passing scores remain valid for two years.

Maryland Handyman Insurance and Bond Requirements

Maryland attaches no contractor surety bond to handyman work below the licensing threshold, so general liability insurance is a business decision rather than a state mandate; any bond tied to a registration or a carve-out trade is set out below.

General liability

Maryland Business Regulation §8-302.1 requires applicants and licensed contractors to maintain general liability insurance of at least $500,000 (effective June 1, 2024). Proof of insurance is filed with the application and coverage must be maintained continuously.

Workers' compensation

Required if the contractor has employees, per Maryland workers' compensation law.

Additional financial requirements

The applicant must demonstrate financial solvency based on assets, liabilities, a full credit report, and net worth; those who do not meet the guidelines may obtain a surety bond or indemnitor. There is no mandatory statewide license bond, but a $100 Guaranty Fund assessment is paid on the original license ($175 at renewal); the Fund compensates homeowners up to $30,000 per claimant.

How Much Does a Maryland Handyman License Cost?

Fee	Amount
Application	$281.25
Examination	$63
Initial license	$403.75
Renewal (every 2 years)	$281.25

To turn these board fees into a realistic year-one budget — bond premium, liability insurance, and exam prep included — open the cost calculator preloaded for Maryland handyman.

Maryland Handyman License Renewal and Continuing Education

The Maryland handyman license renews every 2 years. The renewal fee is $281.25. The license term is two years from the date of original issuance. Renewal is $281.25 (plus $281.25 per additional company location) and a $175 Guaranty Fund assessment every two years, and at least $500,000 of general liability insurance must be maintained throughout the term.

Continuing education: MHIC's licensing requirements and renewal fees do not include a continuing-education requirement for contractors; confirm with MHIC when renewing.

Downloadable Asset

2026 Maryland Handyman License Roadmap (PDF) — a printable step-by-step checklist for the application process.

Download the PDF roadmap →

Does Maryland Accept Out-of-State Handyman Licenses?

A handyman exemption or registration does not transfer between states, so work in Maryland must meet Maryland's own threshold and rules; the particulars are set out below.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
No formal bilateral reciprocity agreements identified.

No true reciprocity exists for the MHIC home improvement license; all applicants must pass the MHIC exam and meet Maryland requirements. NASCLA accreditation does not waive the MHIC exam. NASCLA acceptance exists for Maryland's separate commercial general contractor and home-builder contexts, not the home improvement license.

Weighing more than one jurisdiction? The national hub compares published Handyman license requirements by state — exam, bond, fee, and experience thresholds side by side.

How to Get a Maryland Handyman License, Step by Step

Recognize there is no handyman exemption. Confirm that Maryland has no minor-work dollar threshold: an MHIC license is required for essentially all paid residential home improvement work (Md. Code, Bus. Reg. §8-101 and §8-601). Do not rely on the frequently cited '$500' figure — it is not a licensing exemption.
Assemble two years of qualifying experience. Document at least two years of home improvement work, construction, and/or related education for the license application.
Pass the MHIC contractor examination. Register with PSI and pass the 55-question MHIC Home Improvement Contractor exam (120 minutes, 70% to pass, $63 fee) covering Maryland home improvement law, regulations, and business and project management before applying for the license.
Secure insurance and prove financial solvency. File proof of at least $500,000 in general liability insurance (Business Regulation §8-302.1), carry workers' compensation if you have employees, and provide the credit report and financial information MHIC uses to assess solvency.
Submit the MHIC application and Guaranty Fund assessment. File the application with the $281.25 application fee, $22.50 processing fee, and the $100 Guaranty Fund assessment ($403.75 original total) for a two-year license term.
Use licensed trades for excluded work and check local rules. Hire or subcontract state-licensed electricians, plumbers, and HVACR contractors for those trades regardless of job size, and verify any additional county or municipal contractor/permit requirements, which are additive to the statewide MHIC license.
Use a compliant written contract on every job. Provide the statutorily required written home improvement contract (Md. Code, Bus. Reg. §8-501 et seq.; COMAR 09.08.01), including your MHIC license number and the required Guaranty Fund/notice language.

Application Checklist

Have each of these ready before you file with MHIC:

Confirm the job is 'home improvement' under §8-101 and that no dollar exemption applies before quoting any residential repair or remodeling work.
Hold a current MHIC Home Improvement Contractor license before contracting with any homeowner.
Route electrical, plumbing, HVACR, and gas work to separately state-licensed tradespeople regardless of the amount.
Provide the required written home improvement contract with your MHIC license number and Guaranty Fund/notice language (§8-501 et seq.; COMAR 09.08.01).
Maintain the required general liability insurance continuously and carry workers' compensation if you have employees.
Check the specific county or municipality (e.g., Montgomery, Prince George's, Baltimore City) for additional contractor registration and permit requirements.
Pull required building permits for the scope of work before starting.

Common Filing Mistakes

These are the problems most likely to delay or derail a Maryland Handyman application, drawn from the instructions of MHIC and the other sources cited on this page.

Assuming a '$500' or small-job exemption exists

Maryland has no minor-work dollar threshold. Relying on the widely repeated '$500' figure and working unlicensed exposes the operator to misdemeanor prosecution under §8-601(c) and loss of any right to enforce the contract.

Performing an excluded trade without its own license

Electrical, plumbing, HVACR, and gas work each require a separate state license regardless of job size. Doing that work under only an MHIC license — or with no license — is a distinct violation with its own penalties.

Ignoring additive local registration and permits

Counties and municipalities such as Montgomery, Prince George's, and Baltimore City impose their own contractor and permit requirements on top of the statewide MHIC license; local rules are additive, not a substitute, and vary by jurisdiction.

Using a non-compliant or verbal contract

Home improvement contracts must be in writing with the statutorily required terms, including the MHIC license number and Guaranty Fund/notice language (§8-501 et seq.; COMAR 09.08.01); omitting them is a regulatory violation even for a licensed contractor.

Study and Reference Materials

These references are cited in the Maryland sources for this guide or commonly used to prepare for handyman work; CLR receives no compensation for listing them.

Md. Code, Business Regulation §8-101 and §8-601 — Maryland General Assembly (mgaleg.maryland.gov). Controlling statute — defines 'home improvement,' confirms there is no dollar exemption, and sets the unlicensed-contractor penalties.
MHIC License Categories and Requirements — Maryland Department of Labor. Official 'who needs a license and how to qualify' reference for the home improvement contractor credential.
MHIC Taking the Exam — Maryland Department of Labor (PSI). Confirms exam format: 55 questions, 120 minutes, 70% passing, $63 PSI fee.
COMAR Subtitle 09.08 — Home Improvement Commission — Maryland Division of State Documents. Regulations governing home improvement contracts, licensing, and the Guaranty Fund.

Handyman Pay and Employment in Maryland

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that 23,730 general maintenance and repair workers work in Maryland, earning a median of $51,490 a year ($24.76 an hour). That is 4% above the national median of $49,590, ranking 19th of 51 jurisdictions BLS published. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $36,890 and the top 10% earn over $75,740. The trade's share of Maryland's workforce is close to the national average (location quotient 0.87).

Maintenance and Repair Workers, General wages, Maryland compared with the United States, May 2025
Measure	Maryland	United States
Median annual wage	$51,490	$49,590
Median hourly wage	$24.76	$23.84
10th–90th percentile	$36,890–$75,740	$35,350–$77,180
Employment	23,730	1,529,700

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, occupation 49-9071 (Maintenance and Repair Workers, General). Figures cover wage and salary employees and exclude self-employed owners. BLS counts general maintenance and repair workers, the closest occupation to handyman work; most are employed by property owners rather than self-employed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a license to do handyman work in Maryland?

Yes. Maryland has no handyman or minor-work exemption. Under Md. Code, Bus. Reg. §8-601(a) it is unlawful to act as a home improvement contractor without a Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) license, and this applies to essentially all paid residential repair, remodeling, and improvement work regardless of the dollar amount.

Is there a dollar threshold below which I can work without an MHIC license?

No. The definition of 'home improvement' in Md. Code, Bus. Reg. §8-101 contains no dollar minimum, and §8-601 prohibits acting or offering to act as a contractor without a license. The '$500' figure that circulates online is not a licensing exemption in Title 8.

What work always requires its own separate license regardless of the amount?

Electrical work requires a state Master Electrician license, plumbing requires a State Board of Plumbing license, and HVACR/mechanical work requires a State Board of HVACR Contractors license. Gas fitting is regulated locally and by the plumbing and HVACR boards. New-home construction is not 'home improvement' and falls under the Maryland Home Builder Registration instead.

What is the penalty for doing home improvement work without an MHIC license?

Unlicensed home improvement is a misdemeanor under Md. Code, Bus. Reg. §8-601(c): a first conviction carries up to a $1,000 fine and/or up to 6 months imprisonment, and a second or subsequent conviction up to a $5,000 fine and/or up to 2 years imprisonment. An unlicensed contractor also cannot use the Guaranty Fund framework and may be barred from enforcing the contract.

How much does the MHIC license cost and how often is it renewed?

The original contractor license costs $403.75 for a two-year term ($281.25 application + $22.50 processing + $100 Guaranty Fund assessment), plus $281.25 for each additional company location and the $63 PSI exam fee. Renewal is $281.25 plus a $175 Guaranty Fund assessment every two years, and at least $500,000 of general liability insurance must be maintained throughout the term.

Primary Sources

Regulatory requirements on this page are drawn from the official board, statute, and exam-provider materials listed below.

Verified 2026-10-26 · Next scheduled review 2027-01-24

Report a correction to this guide

Corrections and updates

2026-10-26: Stated the general liability insurance minimum as $500,000 (Maryland Business Regulation §8-302.1, effective June 1, 2024) instead of presenting $50,000 and $500,000 as conflicting figures; added PSI retake waiting periods (30 and 60 days) from MHIC's exam page; removed an unsourced 10-15 day processing estimate and an unsourced one-year education-substitution limit.

Layout changes shared by every guide are listed in the template change log; they do not change source-check dates.

Handyman Licensing in Neighboring States

Contractors working near a state line, or weighing where to qualify first, should compare Maryland's requirements against the bordering jurisdictions before committing to an application:

Delaware Handyman License Requirements — Delaware Business License (Contractor) — Division of Revenue; no minor-work dollar exemption
District of Columbia Handyman License Requirements — Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) — Basic Business License endorsement
Pennsylvania Handyman License Requirements — Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration
Virginia Handyman License Requirements — Minor-Work Exemption (Virginia DPOR $1,000 contractor-license threshold, Code of Virginia § 54.1-1100 / § 54.1-1103)
West Virginia Handyman License Requirements — Minor Work Exemption under the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Act (below $5,000 residential / $25,000 commercial threshold, W. Va. Code §30-42-3)

More guides for Maryland contractors

Other Maryland Trade Licenses

CLR also publishes these Maryland licensing guides for other trades: