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STATE FILE · MDCAPITAL · ANNAPOLISADMITTED · 1788REVIEWED · Jul 10, 2026
Public Compliance Directory · State Hub

Maryland.

Maryland licenses home improvement contractors through MHIC and regulates several trades through state boards, while counties and cities control permit filing.

County guides
4
Indexed cities
4
State code
MD
Last reviewed
Jul 10, 2026
FAST FACTS

Maryland at a glance

Quick-reference card
Licensing authorityMaryland Home Improvement Commission; Maryland Department of Labor
ReciprocityTrade-specific - verify Maryland board
Workers' compensationRequired with employees; verify exemptions
Bond ruleMHIC fund/insurance plus local bonds vary
Renewal cycle2 years for many licenses
Continuing educationTrade-specific; verify board
Browse counties→Source register↓
State of
MD
· ACTIVE FILE ·
ARTICLE I · STATE AUTHORITY
LICENSING & LOCAL CONTROL
Maryland Home Improvement Commission; Maryland Department of Labor
Article I · State Baseline

Licensing sets the baseline. Local offices control the job.

County and municipal offices control permits, inspections, local registration, zoning, and job-site approvals.

Maryland licenses home improvement contractors through MHIC and regulates several trades through state boards, while counties and cities control permit filing.

Use MHIC or the relevant trade board for license status, then use the county or city permit desk for the project.

Insurance and risk

Workers' compensation, liability, and bond requirements should be verified by employer status, license, and local permit office.

Official source · Maryland Home Improvement Commission ↗Reviewed · Jul 10, 2026
ARTICLE II · OPERATING FILE
WHAT TO CONFIRM
STATE · COUNTY · CITY
Article II · Operating File

Three checks before work starts.

Use the state authority as the baseline, then confirm the local process before filing.

LICENSE

State authority

Maryland licenses home improvement contractors through MHIC and regulates several trades through state boards, while counties and cities control permit filing.

AgencyMaryland Home Improvement Commission; Maryland Department of Labor
ReciprocityTrade-specific - verify Maryland board
Renewal2 years for many licenses
PERMITS

Local filing path

County and municipal offices control permits, inspections, local registration, zoning, and job-site approvals.

Before workUse MHIC or the relevant trade board for license status, then use the county or city permit desk for the project.
JurisdictionConfirm city or county
RISK

Insurance and bonds

Workers' compensation, liability, and bond requirements should be verified by employer status, license, and local permit office.

Workers' compRequired with employees; verify exemptions
BondMHIC fund/insurance plus local bonds vary
EducationTrade-specific; verify board
ARTICLE III · INDEXED COUNTIES
COUNTIES IN MARYLAND
4 GUIDES
Article III · Browse by County

4 compliance guides in Maryland.

Choose a county to find indexed cities, permit offices, and trade-specific requirements.

Anne Arundel CountyOn file
1 files
Baltimore CityOn file
1 files
Frederick CountyOn file
1 files
Montgomery CountyOn file
1 files
Showing 4 counties →
ARTICLE IV · SOURCES
OFFICIAL SOURCE REGISTER
3 PRIMARY AUTHORITIES
Article IV · Sources & Citations

Primary authorities, not secondary summaries.

These official sources were reviewed together on Jul 10, 2026. Confirm with the authority before filing.

Article V · Neighboring States

Working across state lines?

Open the neighboring state file to confirm licensing, reciprocity, and local registration.

DE
Delaware
Open file
DI
District of Columbia
Open file
PE
Pennsylvania
Open file
VI
Virginia
Open file
WE
West Virginia
Open file

Open the file. Choose the county.

Maryland compliance guides are public. Start with the county where the work will happen.

Browse counties→Back to top↑