How to Verify a Contractor License in Maryland

TL;DR — Verifying a Contractor License in Maryland in 60 Seconds

Maryland requires home improvement contractors to be licensed through the Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC), which operates under the Department of Labor. To verify a Maryland contractor, search their name or MHIC number on LicensedCheck.com or the MHIC license lookup.

Maryland also maintains a Home Improvement Guaranty Fund that provides homeowners with financial protection if a licensed contractor fails to perform. This fund only covers work done by MHIC-licensed contractors — another reason to verify before hiring.

Best Contractor License Verification Tools for Maryland

LicensedCheck.com will soon include Maryland MHIC data. Best for: homeowners in Baltimore, Bethesda, Silver Spring, Annapolis, and across Maryland.

The MHIC license lookup at dllr.state.md.us is the official source. It provides license status, license number, business information, and complaint history. The Maryland Board of Master Electricians and the Board of Plumbing handle trade-specific licenses.

Which Maryland Trades Require State Licenses

Maryland requires licensing through MHIC for anyone performing home improvement work including remodeling, repair, renovation, restoration, painting, and similar residential work. The MHIC license requires proof of insurance, a guaranty fund contribution, and passing a competency test.

Electricians are licensed by the Board of Master Electricians. Plumbers are licensed by the Board of Plumbing. HVAC contractors are licensed by the Board of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors (HVACR). These trade licenses are required in addition to any MHIC registration.

Maryland also requires a separate license for new home builders through the MHIC.

Protecting Yourself When Hiring in Maryland

Always verify your contractor's MHIC number before signing a contract. Only work done by MHIC-licensed contractors is covered by the Maryland Home Improvement Guaranty Fund, which can reimburse you up to $20,000 if a contractor fails to perform.

Request proof of general liability insurance and workers compensation coverage. Get a written contract — Maryland law requires written contracts for home improvement work and gives homeowners a three-day right of rescission for door-to-door sales.

Watch for these red flags: a contractor without an MHIC number, anyone who claims MHIC registration is not required for home improvement work, a contractor who refuses to provide a written contract, and anyone who demands more than one-third of the contract price as a deposit. Verify first at LicensedCheck, then hire.

Red Flags and Consumer Protections in Maryland

Maryland requires home improvement contractor licensing through the Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC), a division of the Department of Labor. Any contractor performing residential work must hold an MHIC license and display their license number on all contracts, advertisements, and correspondence. Separate licenses are required for electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians through their respective state boards.

The Maryland Home Improvement Law is one of the more detailed consumer protection statutes in the country. It requires contractors to provide a written contract for all work that includes specific elements: the MHIC license number, a detailed scope of work, total price, payment schedule, start and completion dates, and warranty terms. Contractors cannot collect more than one-third of the contract price as a deposit. The law also provides a three-day right to cancel for door-to-door sales.

Maryland operates the Home Improvement Guaranty Fund, which reimburses homeowners for actual losses caused by licensed contractors — up to $20,000 per claim. This is one of the more generous state guaranty funds and provides real financial protection, but only applies to work performed by MHIC-licensed contractors.

Verify MHIC license status on LicensedCheck before hiring any home improvement contractor in Maryland. Be wary of contractors who claim MHIC licensing is not needed for small jobs — it is required for virtually all residential work. File complaints with the MHIC, which actively investigates and can suspend or revoke licenses. The Maryland Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division also handles contractor fraud complaints.