The answer to this question depends on the type of work being performed. A home improvement license is required to perform “home improvement” work in Maryland. “Home improvement” means “the addition to or alteration, conversion, improvement, modernization, remodeling, repair, or replacement of a building or part of a building that is used or designed to be used as a residence or dwelling place…”, and includes “construction, improvement, or replacement of a driveway, shelter, fence, garage, landscaping, deck, pier, porch, or swimming pool”, “connection, installation or replacement of a dishwasher, disposal, or refrigerator with an icemaker to existing exposed household piping lines”, and installation of an “awning, fire alarm, or storm window.” MD Bus. Reg. Code § 8-101.
A person may not act or offer to act as a contractor in Maryland for home improvement work unless the person has a home improvement license, and may not sell, or offer to sell a home improvement unless the person has a home improvement license or salesperson license. MD Bus. Reg. Code § 8-601. A contractor who holds a home improvement license is not required to also hold a construction license issued under Title 17 of the Maryland Code, Business Regulation Article. Title 17 requires anyone who does “construction business” to possess a construction license issued by the Clerk. “Construction business” is defined as follows:
- 17-601 [Definitions].
- In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
- “Construction license” means a license issued by the clerk to do construction business.
(c) “Do construction business” means to agree to:
(1) pave or curb a sidewalk, street, or other public or private property;
(2) excavate earth, rock, or other material for a foundation or other purpose; or
(3) do work on or in a building or other structure that requires the use of a building material, including:
(i) paint; (ii) stone; (iii) brick; (iv) mortar; (v) wood; (vi) cement; (vii) structural iron; (viii) structural steel; (ix) sheet iron; (x) galvanized iron; (xi) metallic piping; (xii) tin; (xiii) lead; (xiv) electric wiring; or (xv) any other metal.
Subject to certain exceptions, “a person must have a construction license whenever the person does construction business in the State.” MD Bus. Reg. Code §17-602(a)[Requirement of a License]. A construction license is required to perform any of the above-referenced functions in a building or home.
Between the definition of “home improvement” work under Title 8 and various categories of “construction business” defined in Title 17 of Maryland’s Business Regulation Article, a license is required for many of the tasks a handyman is typically called upon to remedy.
One of many reasons not to perform home improvement work without a license in Maryland, in addition to being guilty of a criminal misdemeanor subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 6 months or both, is that an unlicensed contractor may be legally prohibited from filing a lawsuit to recover unpaid money from a property owner (regardless of whether the work was properly and completely performed).
Maryland Home Improvement License Requirements for Handymen
Maryland’s Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) administers the home improvement licensing program under Title 8 of the Maryland Business Regulation Article. To obtain a home improvement contractor license in Maryland, an applicant must generally meet the following requirements:
Experience. Applicants must demonstrate at least two years of experience in the home improvement trade or field in which they are seeking licensure. This experience must be verifiable and may need to be supported by references or documentation.
Financial responsibility. Applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility. The MHIC evaluates credit history and financial standing as part of the application review. Contractors with unresolved judgments or financial irregularities may face additional scrutiny.
Passing the MHIC examination. Applicants must pass a written examination administered by the MHIC covering Maryland home improvement law, business practices, and trade knowledge relevant to the type of work being performed.
Application and fees. Applicants must submit a completed application to the MHIC along with the required application fees. The MHIC reviews applications and may request additional information before issuing a license.
Surety bond or guaranty fund contribution. Licensed home improvement contractors in Maryland are required to contribute to the Maryland Home Improvement Guaranty Fund, which provides a source of compensation for homeowners harmed by licensed contractors. This contribution is made at the time of licensure.
Handymen who regularly perform work that falls within the definition of “home improvement” under MD Bus. Reg. Code § 8-101 should obtain an MHIC license before taking on additional work. Operating without a license exposes a handyman to both criminal penalties and the loss of the right to collect payment for completed work.
Maryland Handyman License FAQ
What happens if a handyman works without a license in Maryland?
The consequences of performing home improvement work without a license in Maryland are serious. First, performing unlicensed home improvement work is a criminal misdemeanor. A conviction may result in a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment of up to six months, or both.
Second — and often more immediately significant — an unlicensed contractor loses the right to sue for unpaid work. Maryland courts have held that an unlicensed home improvement contractor cannot file a lawsuit to collect payment from a property owner, even if the work was properly performed and fully completed. This means an unlicensed handyman has no legal recourse to recover money owed for labor or materials.
Third, a homeowner who hired an unlicensed contractor may be entitled to pursue affirmative claims against that contractor. If you are a homeowner or contractor involved in a dispute related to unlicensed work, contact Mike Bramnick at (301) 945-7800 for a consultation.
How does a handyman get a home improvement license in Maryland?
A handyman seeking a home improvement contractor license in Maryland must apply through the Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC). The process generally requires demonstrating at least two years of relevant trade experience, passing the MHIC examination, demonstrating financial responsibility, and paying the required fees and guaranty fund contribution. The MHIC website provides current application forms, examination schedules, and fee information. Because licensing requirements can change, handymen should verify current requirements directly with the MHIC before applying.
Does a handyman need a license for small jobs in Maryland?
Maryland law does not include a blanket dollar-amount exemption that allows handymen to perform home improvement work without a license simply because a job is small. The licensing requirement under MD Bus. Reg. Code § 8-601 applies whenever a person acts or offers to act as a home improvement contractor, regardless of the size of the job. Some very limited types of work may fall outside the statutory definition of “home improvement,” but this is determined by the nature of the work rather than its cost. When in doubt, a handyman should confirm whether a license is required before starting any project.
Is a handyman license the same as a contractor license in Maryland?
No. Maryland does not issue a specific “handyman license.” Handymen who perform work that falls within the statutory definition of “home improvement” must obtain a home improvement contractor license from the MHIC. Separately, certain types of work — such as paving, excavation, or structural work using specific building materials — require a construction license under Title 17 of the Maryland Business Regulation Article. A contractor holding an MHIC home improvement license is not automatically required to also hold a Title 17 construction license, and vice versa. The applicable license depends on the type of work being performed.
Can a homeowner sue an unlicensed handyman in Maryland?
Yes. A homeowner who hires an unlicensed home improvement contractor in Maryland may have legal claims against that contractor. Depending on the circumstances, a homeowner may be able to pursue claims for violation of Maryland’s home improvement licensing statutes, breach of contract, or consumer protection violations. In some cases, a homeowner may be entitled to recover money already paid to an unlicensed contractor, even if the work was completed. Mike Bramnick regularly represents homeowners in disputes involving unlicensed contractors in Maryland. Contact him at (301) 945-7800 or Mike@BramnickCreed.com for a consultation.
Does Maryland require a handyman to be bonded or insured?
Maryland’s home improvement licensing requirements include a mandatory contribution to the Maryland Home Improvement Guaranty Fund, which functions similarly to a bond and provides a compensation mechanism for homeowners harmed by licensed contractors. While the MHIC does not require contractors to carry private liability insurance as a condition of licensure, many homeowners and general contractors require proof of insurance before allowing work to begin. Handymen operating in Maryland should carry general liability insurance regardless of whether it is technically required, as it provides important protection for both the contractor and the homeowner.
Michael J. Bramnick, principal at Bramnick Creed, LLC handles construction law matters and is available for consultations. Mike’s phone number is (301) 945-7800 and he can be reached by email at Mike@BramnickCreed.com.