Maryland Masonry Contractor License Requirements (2026)

Maryland does not license masonry as a standalone trade. The Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC), part of the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR), licenses Home Improvement Contractors (HIC) and Salesperson under Md. Bus. Reg. Code §8-101 et seq. Masonry contractors performing residential work above $1,000 must hold an MHIC HIC license, contribute to the MHIC Guaranty Fund, pass the MHIC exam, and use the mandatory MHIC contract form. Commercial masonry has no state license. This page documents the verified path including the Guaranty Fund, MHIC exam, and OSHA silica enforcement.

The Licensing Authority

Licensing for this trade is governed by Maryland Department of Labor — Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (MD DOL), the agency that issues and regulates the credential under Maryland Code, Business Regulation and Business Occupations Articles. The Maryland Department of Labor houses the occupational boards that license home improvement contractors, master electricians, plumbers, and HVACR contractors statewide, adopts technical codes by reference, and conducts disciplinary proceedings.

Official portal: https://www.dllr.state.md.us/license/
Address: 1100 North Eutaw Street, Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: (410) 230-6231

Baseline Eligibility

Eligibility begins with two baseline checks: the applicant must be 18 or older and must provide a valid Social Security Number. No Maryland residency requirement; out-of-state entities must register with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation.

Good moral character

MHIC reviews prior license discipline and consumer complaints. Felonies relating to fraud or theft may bar issuance.

Background investigation

Mandatory criminal history disclosure on the MHIC application; MHIC requests court records for any disclosed conviction.

Experience and Education Requirements

A minimum of 2 years of demonstrated home improvement experience for the MHIC license; the qualifying party must pass the MHIC exam regardless of experience. must be documented and verified. Unless the board publishes a different lookback period, applicants should keep payroll, tax, project, or supervisor records that support the claimed experience.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

MHIC experience affidavit signed by prior employers or business owner
Project list with addresses and dates
Tax returns for self-employed applicants

The Licensing Examination

PSI Services LLC under contract to MHIC administers the required examination. Each part below must be passed before the license will issue:

Maryland Home Improvement Contractor Examination — Maryland law, business practices, contracts, MHIC regulations — 50 questions, 120 minutes, passing score 70%

Examination fee: $63 PSI exam fee.

Retake policy: Failed exams may be retaken with a new $63 fee. The MHIC application remains valid for one year.

Financial Security and Insurance

No statewide contractor license surety bond is required for this credential in the cited sources. Project-specific, permit, or public-works bonds may still apply, so confirm bonding before bidding a given job.

General liability

MHIC requires $50,000 minimum GL on the application. Most owners require $1,000,000 per occurrence.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation is mandatory under Md. Lab. & Empl. Code §9-402 for any Maryland employer with one or more employees. Masonry NCCI 5022 carries one of the highest manual rates in Maryland.

Additional financial requirements

No financial statement required. Annual contribution to the MHIC Guaranty Fund (Md. Bus. Reg. §8-401) is mandatory and ranges from $100 to $300 depending on prior claims experience.

Fee Schedule

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$370
Examination	$63
Initial license	$370
Renewal (every 2 years)	$370

License Renewal

The Maryland Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) — DLLR (Masonry Subtrade) must be renewed every 2 years. The fee to renew is presently $370. MHIC HIC licenses renew every two years. Late renewal incurs a $200 reinstatement fee plus possible re-exam.

Continuing education: No CE required for MHIC, but Guaranty Fund contributions and insurance must remain current.

Downloadable Asset

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

Download the PDF roadmap →

Reciprocity Map

Maryland grants no NASCLA reciprocity for this classification.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
Virginia	Limited endorsement	Limited bilateral reciprocity for active VA Class A/B/C contractor with HIC subtrade — exam may be waived.

Maryland MHIC has limited reciprocity with Virginia for active contractor licenses. DC and Pennsylvania masonry contractors must obtain a separate MHIC license.

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

The Licensing Roadmap

Form a Maryland or foreign entity. Register your LLC or corporation with the Maryland SDAT and obtain a Maryland sales and use tax account.
Document two years of experience. Compile signed affidavits and project lists for the MHIC application.
Pass the MHIC exam. Score 70% or better on the 50-question PSI MHIC exam covering Maryland law, contracts, and MHIC regulations.
Bind GL and workers compensation. Bind GL meeting the $50,000 MHIC minimum (most policies are $1M+) and workers comp for any employees.
Contribute to the MHIC Guaranty Fund. Pay the Guaranty Fund contribution ($100–$300 based on claims experience) at application.
Submit MHIC application. File the MHIC HIC application with $370 application fee, exam scores, GL/workers comp certificates, and Guaranty Fund contribution.
Use the MHIC contract form. Md. Bus. Reg. §8-501 mandates written contracts on residential masonry work over $1,000 with three-day right of rescission.
Implement OSHA silica program. MOSH (Maryland state OSHA plan) enforces 29 CFR 1926.1153 with state-specific recordkeeping; written exposure control plan and Table 1 controls are mandatory.

Before Filing: A Checklist

Ahead of submission to MD DOL, confirm every item on this short list:

☐ Maryland SDAT entity registration
☐ Maryland sales and use tax account
☐ Two years documented experience
☐ PSI MHIC exam pass certificate (70%+)
☐ GL ($50,000 MHIC minimum, $1M+ practical) and workers comp certificates
☐ MHIC Guaranty Fund contribution
☐ MHIC application with $370 fee
☐ MHIC-compliant contract template with 3-day rescission
☐ MOSH silica written exposure control plan

Common Application Pitfalls

These are the recurring mistakes that most often delay or reject a Maryland Masonry application, based on the official instructions cited here.

Non-compliant contract form

Md. Bus. Reg. §8-501 contracts without three-day rescission and required disclosures cannot be enforced. Contractors lose payment disputes in Maryland court routinely over this.

MHIC vs commercial confusion

MHIC covers residential only. Performing commercial masonry under an MHIC license does not require additional state licensing but may require local permits.

Guaranty Fund skipped

Skipping the annual Guaranty Fund contribution voids the MHIC license immediately at renewal.

Anchored veneer tie corrosion

Maryland coastal salt and freeze-thaw exposure require corrosion-resistant ties at TMS 402 spacing; Annapolis, Baltimore, and Eastern Shore inspectors enforce strictly.

Silica plan absent

MOSH targets Baltimore, Annapolis, and DC suburb masonry sites; missing 29 CFR 1926.1153(g) plans draw immediate citations with Maryland recordkeeping penalties.

Preparation Resources

The following references are cited by the regulator, used in the application process, or commonly used to prepare for the trade scope. Listed for reader convenience; CLR receives no compensation for these recommendations.

Maryland Home Improvement Commission Reference Manual — Maryland DLLR/MHIC. Required reference for the PSI MHIC exam.
TMS 402/602 Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures — The Masonry Society. Adopted by reference under IBC Chapter 21.
Maryland Building Performance Standards (MBPS — IBC with MD amendments) — Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. Maryland adopts IBC including Chapter 21 masonry provisions.

Other Maryland Trade Licenses

CLR maintains guides for additional Maryland trades; the published ones are listed here:

Answers to Common Questions

Does Maryland license masonry as a trade?

No. Maryland MHIC licenses Home Improvement Contractors covering masonry as a subtrade for residential work above $1,000.

What is the MHIC Guaranty Fund?

A consumer protection fund under Md. Bus. Reg. §8-401 that compensates homeowners for losses caused by licensed contractors. Annual contribution $100–$300 is mandatory.

Is there a contract form requirement?

Yes. Md. Bus. Reg. §8-501 mandates a written contract on every residential masonry job above $1,000 with three-day right of rescission. Non-compliant contracts cannot be enforced.

Do I need MHIC for commercial masonry?

No. MHIC covers residential work only. Commercial masonry has no state Maryland license but local jurisdictions may require permits.

Does Maryland enforce OSHA silica?

Yes. MOSH (Maryland state OSHA plan) enforces 29 CFR 1926.1153 with stricter recordkeeping than federal OSHA. Written exposure control plan is mandatory.

Primary Sources

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

Verified 2026-05-17 · Next scheduled review 2026-08-15