STATE LICENSE
ConditionalMaryland Home Improvement Commission (MHI…
Painting a home is improvement, modernization, repair or remodeling of a residence under Bus. Reg. § 8-101, so a painter contracting directly with a homeowner needs an MHIC contractor license with $500,000 general liability. Painters working as subcontractors to an MHIC-licensed contractor need no license since the subcontractor category ended in 2016.
Lead is the second gate: anyone or any business serving as a lead paint contractor or supervisor must be accredited by MDE after MDE-accredited training (2 days for workers and maintenance/repainting supervisors, 4 days for removal/demolition supervisors).
The state sets the license floor; the county or city permit office controls filing, inspections, and local rules wherever the job site sits.
MHIC is a statewide license; building permits, inspections and any local business registration come from the county or municipality where the work is. MHIC's own FAQ describes coverage as homes and apartment buildings of three or fewer units — larger multifamily and commercial work fall outside it.
The local offices section below names the exact permit desk for every Maryland county on file.
Each row names the issuing authority, cost, timeline, citation, and status behind the requirement — verified against the official source.
Published fees from the issuing authorities, as of October 2026. Local permit fees vary by project and jurisdiction — the basis is stated where a flat number does not exist.
Bus. Reg. § 8-302.1 now requires at least $500,000 of general liability for applicants and licensees. MHIC's requirements page still shows the older $50,000 figure — the statute controls.
Each 2-year renewal is $281.25 per place of business (COMAR 09.08.07.02) plus the $175 Guaranty Fund assessment.
No payment may be taken before the contract is signed, and the deposit at signing may not exceed one-third of the contract price (Bus. Reg. § 8-617).
A practical sequence for a new painting contractor in Maryland. Actual agency processing times are noted in the ledger above.
Each item names the issuing authority, cycle, and citation.
Statutory consequences with their citations — not estimates, not “commonly cited” guesses.
Acting or offering to act as a contractor, or selling home improvements, without an MHIC license is a misdemeanor.
The Commission may fine any violator — licensed or not — per violation, weighing seriousness, good faith, history, harm and assets.
Taking payment before signing, or a deposit above one-third, violates the title; where no greater penalty applies it is a misdemeanor.
Inside city limits, the city office listed here issues the permit; the county office serves unincorporated areas. Every office links to its official page.
Every fact in this file was checked against these official sources on October 2026.
Pending verification: PSI exam fee for the MHIC contractor exam (set by the testing service; not published on labor.maryland.gov) · MHIC's financial-solvency guideline amounts (MHIC states the standard qualitatively: assets, liabilities, credit report, net worth) · That Maryland has no state license for this trade on commercial (non-residential) work — no such license was found in the statutes reviewed, but an affirmative official statement was not located · MDE lead accreditation fees and the Environment Article section authorizing accreditation · Exactly which renovation/repainting activities on pre-1978 rental housing trigger MDE accreditation versus federal EPA RRP certification
General information, not legal advice. Always confirm requirements, deadlines, and forms with the issuing authority before filing or contracting.
Store licenses, permits, policies, and renewal dates in one place.