Maryland Home Improvement License Renewal (MHIC)

At a glance

Who needs it

Anyone acting as a home improvement contractor in Maryland needs a contractor license; anyone selling home improvements needs a salesperson or contractor license. Licensed electricians, plumbers and HVAC contractors working only within their own trade don't

Renews every

2 years. Each licensee has a personal renewal date

Renewal notice

The MHIC sends the expiration notice and renewal instructions about 60 days before the license expires. No notice 30 days before expiration? Contact the Commission

Renew

Online, paying by credit card, or by returning the renewal form with a check or money order. Renew before the license expires

Insurance

Proof of general liability insurance of at least $500,000. The MHIC can't renew an active contractor license without it, and you must tell the Commission at least 10 days before that insurance is cancelled

Also needed

A credit report from a Commission-approved credit reporting agency, or the credit report fee; and, if you do lead paint abatement, your Department of the Environment accreditation number and expiration date

Fee

$281.25 for each place of business (salesperson: $112.50), plus a $175 Guaranty Fund payment for each two-year contractor license. A contractor incorporated or based in another state pays that state's fee for a similar nonresident business instead, if it's higher

Continuing education

None: the Home Improvement Law (Business Regulation Article, Title 8, Subtitle 3) and the MHIC regulations (COMAR 09.08) set no CE requirement for renewal

Inactive license

You can't act as a contractor on it and don't need the liability insurance, but you still renew it on time: $126.75 for a contractor

Renewing late

An application within 2 years of the expiration date is presumed to be a renewal. It isn't backdated: the license takes effect when you meet the renewal requirements and still expires 2 years from the old expiration date

After 2 years

An application more than 2 years after expiration is presumed to be an application for a new license

Tell the Commission within 10 days of a change of control in ownership or management, or of a change of address or trade name. The regulations ask for written notice by certified mail.

How to renew

1. Watch for the MHIC's renewal notice about 60 days before your license expires; contact the Commission if it hasn't arrived 30 days before.
2. Get a current certificate of general liability insurance of at least $500,000.
3. Arrange the credit report (or pay the credit report fee), and have your lead paint accreditation number ready if you do abatement work.
4. Renew online by credit card, or mail the form with a check or money order: $281.25 for each place of business plus the $175 Guaranty Fund payment, before the license expires.

Deadline checklist

• 60 days outThe MHIC's renewal notice should arrive. Ask your insurer for a current liability certificate of at least $500,000.
• 45 days outSort out the credit report or credit report fee, and your lead paint accreditation number if you need it.
• 30 days outNo renewal notice yet? Contact the Commission. Otherwise renew online and pay the $281.25 fee plus the $175 Guaranty Fund payment.
• Expiration dateRenew before today. A late renewal isn't backdated, so you can't work as a contractor until it goes through.

Put this renewal in your calendar

Know your expiration date? Download a free calendar file with reminders before it, no sign-up needed. It's made in your browser: nothing you type is sent to us (your browser keeps it only if you follow the sign-up link, for your new ledger). A Google Calendar button sends just that one event to Google.

The file covers one date: once you renew, make a new one. How to add it to your calendar

Frequently asked questions