Resources
Maryland Contractor License Lookup
Official Maryland contractor license lookup information, agency details, and homeowner notes for verifying a contractor before hiring.
Official agency
Maryland Home Improvement Commission / Maryland Department of Labor
Official MHIC home-improvement contractor page; verify MHIC license for covered work.
Visit official lookupAbout Maryland contractor licensing
Maryland is unusually homeowner-protective on home improvement work because the Maryland Home Improvement Commission covers so much of the market. The threshold is very low, which means most paid home improvement contractors should have an MHIC license, giving homeowners a clear statewide record to check before money changes hands.
How licensing works in Maryland
Maryland's MHIC system applies broadly to home improvement contracting, not just large remodeling firms. Because the threshold is so low, many repair, remodeling, replacement, and improvement jobs fall within MHIC rules. That makes Maryland simpler than many states: if someone is improving an existing home for compensation, homeowners should strongly expect an MHIC credential to be relevant. Separate trade licensing can still matter for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC scopes.
Project thresholds
Maryland generally requires an MHIC license for home improvement work over $100, which means most paid residential improvement projects are covered.
What to verify in Maryland
Use the official MHIC resources to verify the contractor's license by name or license number. Confirm the credential is active and compare the legal business name, address, and license details to the contract exactly. If the contractor says the job falls outside MHIC, ask for a clear explanation because Maryland's threshold is extremely low. For work involving licensed trades, check those trade credentials separately instead of assuming MHIC alone covers them.
State-specific tips
- › Because Maryland's threshold is only $100, be skeptical when a paid home improvement contractor says no license is needed.
- › Ask for the MHIC number on the estimate and compare it to the business taking your deposit.
- › For handyman-style companies, verify whether the actual scope grew into covered home improvement work once materials and labor were combined.
- › On condo projects, confirm whether the work is still within MHIC's home-improvement framework and which trade licenses apply.
- › If the company is advertising in DC and Maryland, make sure you are checking the Maryland credential specifically.