Maryland Painting License Requirements (2026)

Maryland treats interior, exterior, and decorative house painting as home improvement. A contractor who offers or performs that work for an owner needs a Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) contractor license. MHIC covers work on residences and apartment buildings with three or fewer units; it does not replace any local or business requirements for commercial-only work. The license path includes an exam, at least two years of home-improvement, construction, or related education, proof of financial solvency, a Guaranty Fund assessment, and current general liability insurance. For pre-1978 target housing or child-occupied facilities, painting that disturbs covered amounts of paint is subject to the federal EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) rule. Lead-abatement work is a separate regulated activity; do not treat a routine RRP project as state lead abatement without confirming the applicable MDE rules.

Regulatory Body

This license is issued and enforced by Maryland Department of Labor — Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (MD DOL) pursuant to 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

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must be at least 18 years old. Applicants must provide a Social Security Number. No Maryland residency requirement.

Good moral character

Applicants with a home-improvement-related misdemeanor or a felony must provide conviction records. MHIC considers the nature and relevance of the conviction, time elapsed, and the applicant’s conduct before and after it.

Background investigation

MHIC’s current contractor requirements call for conviction records when applicable; a fingerprint requirement was not confirmed on the official MHIC requirements page.

Experience and Education

Plan to substantiate 2 years of at least two years of experience in home improvement work (residential construction, renovation, or trade activities including painting) with hard records. Payroll, tax, project logs, and supervisor verification are what the board relies on when it reviews the claim.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

• Documentation supporting at least two years of home-improvement, construction, and/or related education
• Documents required by MHIC to show financial solvency, including the requested credit and net-worth information

Exam Requirements

Testing provider or authority: PSI Services LLC (under contract to 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 Examination — question count: confirm with the authority, timing: confirm with the authority, passing score: confirm in the current candidate bulletin

Examination fee: PSI sets and collects the contractor examination fee; confirm the current amount in the PSI candidate bulletin before registering.

Retake policy: After a first failed attempt, wait 30 days before reapplying; later requests require a 60-day wait. The exam fee is due for each attempt.

Insurance and Bonds

The cited state source set does not require a contractor license surety bond for this credential. Contractors should still confirm project-specific bond, permit-bond, or public-works bond requirements before bidding.

General liability

MHIC requires contractors to maintain at least $500,000 in general liability insurance. Proof is required for original and renewal licensure, and coverage must remain in effect.

Workers' compensation

Under Labor and Employment Article §9-402, each employer must secure compensation for covered employees through authorized insurance, an eligible self-insurance arrangement, or another statutory method.

Additional financial requirements

MHIC requires proof of financial solvency based on the business scope and size, assets, liabilities, credit report, and net worth. An applicant that does not meet the guidelines may use a surety bond or indemnitor. The separate Guaranty Fund assessment supports eligible consumer claims.

Fee Schedule

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 painting.

Renewal and Continuing Education

Expect to renew the Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) License — Painting Scope every 2 years. Renewal currently costs $456.25. MHIC licenses run for two years from original issuance. MHIC’s current renewal schedule lists a $281.25 contractor application fee plus a $175 Guaranty Fund assessment; maintain the required liability coverage continuously.

Continuing education: No CE required for MHIC renewal.

Reciprocity

Maryland does not accept the NASCLA Accredited Examination for this classification.

MHIC’s current applicant FAQ says it has no reciprocity agreement with other states. Out-of-state painters seeking to contract for Maryland home-improvement work must meet MHIC’s application, exam, financial, and insurance requirements. Special expedited military/veteran pathways are separate programs, not general reciprocity.

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

Painting 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 Painting License Requirements — Delaware Painting Contractor — Division of Revenue Business License
• District of Columbia Painting License Requirements — DC Home Improvement Contractor or General Contractor BBL, With Conditional Lead Credentials
• Pennsylvania Painting License Requirements — Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor Registration — Painting
• Virginia Painting License Requirements — Virginia Class A/B/C Contractor License — Painting and Wallcovering Specialty (PTC)
• West Virginia Painting License Requirements — West Virginia Painting Contractor — No State Trade License

Step-by-Step Application Roadmap

1. Document qualifying experience or related education. Prepare proof of at least two years of home-improvement, construction, and/or related education as required by MHIC.
2. Prepare the MHIC financial-solvency materials. Gather the assets, liabilities, credit, and net-worth information MHIC requires. If needed, ask MHIC about a surety bond or indemnitor.
3. Schedule and pass the PSI MHIC exam. All contractor applicants must pass the MHIC examination before applying. Use the current PSI candidate bulletin for the current fee and test format.
4. Procure general liability insurance. Maintain at least $500,000 in general liability insurance and include proof with the original application.
5. Set up workers compensation if hiring employees. Mandatory from the first employee.
6. Meet EPA RRP requirements when the federal rule applies. For covered pre-1978 target housing or child-occupied facilities, use an EPA-certified firm and follow the applicable RRP training, notice, work-practice, and recordkeeping rules.
7. Confirm whether lead-abatement rules apply. Lead abatement is distinct from routine renovation, repair, and painting. Confirm MDE requirements before advertising or performing abatement services.
8. Use MHIC-compliant residential contract template. Business Regulation §8-501 requires specific disclosures including the MHIC license number, Guaranty Fund notice, and cancellation rights.
9. Renew MHIC license biennially. Track the two-year renewal cycle; maintain insurance continuously.

Application Checklist

The items below are the ones worth confirming before the application is filed with MD DOL:

• Two years documented home improvement experience
• MHIC financial-solvency documentation
• $100 original Guaranty Fund assessment and current application/processing charges
• PSI MHIC exam pass
• General liability insurance ($500K minimum)
• Workers compensation (if employees)
• EPA Lead-Safe Firm Certification
• Confirm MDE accreditation if providing lead-abatement services
• MHIC-compliant residential contract template

Progress is saved in this browser, so you can return to this checklist while your application is in flight.

Common Filing Mistakes

Working from the cited board instructions, here are the snags most likely to trip up a Maryland Painting filing.

Offering house painting without MHIC

MHIC specifically lists interior, exterior, and decorative house painting as home improvement. Secure the contractor license before offering or performing this work for an owner.

Ignoring MHIC financial-solvency review

Experience and the exam are not the whole application. MHIC also reviews financial solvency and may require a surety bond or indemnitor if the applicant does not meet its guidelines.

Confusing RRP with lead abatement

Federal RRP applies to covered renovation, repair, and painting. Lead abatement is distinct, so verify MDE requirements before offering abatement work.

Guaranty Fund claim triggers

Consumer complaints that result in Guaranty Fund payouts may trigger license discipline and re-assessment of the contractor.

Letting liability insurance lapse

MHIC requires at least $500,000 of general liability coverage for original and renewal licensure and requires continuous coverage.

Study and Reference Materials

These are the preparation and reference materials tied to this credential — cited by the regulator or widely used by applicants. CLR earns nothing from listing them.

• MHIC contractor examination candidate bulletin — PSI / MHIC. Use the current PSI bulletin for the content outline, fee, format, passing standard, and retake process.
• Business Regulation Article §8 (Maryland Home Improvement Law) — Maryland General Assembly. Governing statute.
• EPA Lead-Safe Work Practices Student Manual — US EPA. Required for RRP Renovator certification.

Other Maryland Trade Licenses

CLR covers other Maryland trades as well — the published guides below may be more relevant:

• Maryland General Contractor License Requirements
• Maryland Electrician License Requirements
• Maryland Plumber License Requirements
• Maryland HVAC Technician License Requirements
• Maryland Roofing Contractor License Requirements
• Maryland Landscaping Contractor License Requirements
• Maryland Masonry Contractor License Requirements
• Maryland Concrete Contractor License Requirements
• Maryland Carpentry Contractor License Requirements
• Maryland Solar Installer License Requirements
• Maryland Low-Voltage Technician License Requirements
• Maryland Fire Sprinkler Contractor License Requirements
• Maryland Home Inspector License Requirements
• Maryland Pool Contractor License Requirements
• Maryland Handyman License Requirements
• Maryland Pest Control License Requirements
• Maryland Septic Contractor License Requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Maryland regulate residential painting?

Yes. MHIC says interior, exterior, and decorative house painting are home improvement. A contractor who offers or performs this work for an owner needs an MHIC contractor license.

What does the MHIC exam cover?

MHIC requires contractor applicants to pass its examination before applying. PSI administers the exam; use the current PSI candidate bulletin for the current content outline, fee, duration, and passing standard.

What is the Guaranty Fund?

The Home Improvement Guaranty Fund is financed by contractor assessments. MHIC’s current original contractor assessment is $100, and its current renewal assessment is $175 every two years.

When does EPA RRP apply to painting?

MHIC explains that the federal RRP rule applies to covered renovation, repair, or painting that disturbs at least six square feet of interior paint or 20 square feet of exterior paint in pre-1978 target housing or child-occupied facilities. Lead abatement is a separate activity.

Can I paint in Maryland without MHIC?

For house painting that is home improvement, no: the contractor needs an MHIC license. MHIC’s license covers residences and apartment buildings with three or fewer units; confirm local and business requirements for commercial-only work.

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