4-Step Process to Get Your MHIC Residential License

There are four simple steps you need to take to get your MHIC Home Improvement License. Please review these steps first, to see where you are in the process ... then come back to this page.

How to get the MHIC License, 4 Steps

Why choose Contractor Exam Prep over every other exam prep company?

• Small, in-person live classes - Ask questions ... Get answers.
  
• Every one of our exam preparation courses are Instructor-Led classes.  Advantage: You have a live, experienced instructor to guide you from start to finish and to answer your questions.  Many other exam prep companies use Computer-Based Training.  Disadvantage: You sit in front of a screen by yourself and just highlight.  Many questions go unanswered.  No clear understanding of the material. Confusion.
• Each class is designed for your specific exam.  We don't teach 'combined' classes for multiple exams at the same time like some companies. It confuses and overwhelms you.
• Everything you need to pass the exam in just one session - No need to travel multiple times.  Save time.  Save money.
  
• Attend a second, FREE bonus session, if you want more - Increase your confidence.  Know that you know the material.
  
• Our "Near 100% First Time Pass Rate Guarantee" - Know that by following our instructions, you are near 100% guaranteed to pass.
  
• Experienced instructors who've trained 1,000s of contractor students - Get solid, real-world answers.
  
• Needed, already highlighted, reference materials.  For some classes, we provide as loaner materials what you actually need - No additional costs.
• Schedule to take the exam within a few days after the class.  Test out while the information is 'fresh'. No heavy studying or cramming.
• Read our students' comments below ...

This course includes everything you'll need to Pass the Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) exam - the first time. There are no additional charges.

"Just One Class ... And You Pass ... GUARANTEED."TM

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BEFORE registering for this exam prep course, ENSURE THAT YOU'VE ALREADY SCHEDULED YOUR EXAM for within a few days of the class. If you've read the guidelines below and are ready, SIGN UP NOW.

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This MHIC License training course includes everything that you will need to successfully pass the Maryland Home Improvement license exam ... the first time.

Classes are held on Wednesdays, 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. at our offices at

1765 Greensboro Station Place
9th Floor - Tower 1
McLean, Virginia 22102

IMPORTANT NOTE BEFORE YOU SIGN UP FOR OUR MHIC LICENSE CLASS:

BEFORE you can sit for one of our Contractor classes, you will need two things (1) approval to sit for the exam and (2) to have your exam scheduled with PSI.  This ensures a smoother licensing process.

We encourage you to get the application/approval process started as early as possible and get approved for your exam BEFORE you register for any of our Contractor License Exam preparation courses as the approval process can require three weeks or more.  Please visit the PSI website for information on registering and scheduling of an exam.

What you will need to bring to class:

1.     Proof of approval sit for the exam
2.     Proof that you are scheduled for the PSI exam shortly after taking the class

Maryland Home Improvement (MHIC) Contractor License PSI Exam Prep Training Course

Prepare you to pass the MHIC Contractor License PSI Exam ... The First Time ... GUARANTEED!

WHY TRAVEL MULTIPLE TIMES AND SIT IN A CLASSROOM FOR DAYS OR WEEKS when JUST ONE CLASS  PREPARES YOU TO PASS the Maryland Home Improvement (MHIC) Contractor License PSI exam ..?

JUST ONE CLASS, AND YOU PASS ... GUARANTEED!!TM

But if you feel you need more, come to a second Bonus Class ... ABSOLUTELY FREE!! NO ADDITIONAL COST!!

Choose your date(s) and location below.

(Our Course Includes Everything You Need.  There is nothing else to buy.)

       Tyson's Corner Contractor Training Facility

1765 Greensboro Station Place

9th Floor - Tower 1
McLean, (Tyson's Corner) Virginia 22102

CLICK MAP TO ENLARGE

Greensboro Drive to Solutions Drive.

Our Training Center is the building at the end of Solutions Drive

in the 'CVENT' building.

The state of Maryland requires a license to work as a residential home improvement contractor, subcontractor and/or to sell these services. Additional information can be found below that cites the types of work or projects that generally require a Maryland Home Improvement License (MHIC License) issued through the Maryland Home Improvement Commission.

(If you have additional questions regarding the application process, we recommend that you visit the Maryland Department of Labor and Licensing website.(DLLR).

(If you have any additional questions regarding the registering and scheduling of an exam, we recommend that you visit the PSI website.)

Contractors ... (The Most Complete License!!)

Residential Contractor.  With the Maryland home improvement license a contractor can contract directly with the homeowner, selling services and can also work as a subcontractor.

Subcontractors ...

Subcontractor.  Important Notice - Maryland Senate Bill 285 Eliminates Subcontractor Licensing Category. As a result of the passage of Senate Bill 285, the Maryland Home Improvement Commission will eliminate the Subcontractor License category as of July 1, 2016. All application, examination, and renewal requirements will be eliminated.

As of July 1, 2016, home improvement subcontractors may work without a license when performing home improvements for an MHIC licensed contractor in the State of Maryland. The law continues to provide that only MHIC licensed contractors may enter into contracts with homeowners to perform home improvement work.

Salespersons ...

Salesperson. In order to apply for a sales license, the individual must present to the Commission a written notice signed by a contractor with the Maryland Contractors license and the applicant for the sales license confirming an employment or other contractual relationship between the licensed salesperson and the contractor.

Our company would like to know what are the requirements for general contactors to get licensed in the state of MD. Is there an application/testing process?
Yes, each individual who wishes to obtain a MHIC license as a contractor, subcontractor, or salesperson must register to take the licensure exam. After passing the exam, the individual receives the license application package. The exams are administered by PSI Exams, Inc. For more information about registering for the exam, please visit the PSI Exams website and follow the links to the Maryland Home Improvement Commission's Candidate Information Bulletin.

You may find if helpful to download the following PSI documents.

The Maryland Contractors License exam is administered by PSIExams.com.

It is an open-book exam, which means that you can have approved reference materials with you during the exam.  

Maryland Home Improvement License Contractor Exam

55 questions
Passing Score: 39/70% passing score
150 Minutes for the exam

Sections
Home Improvement Law (41 questions)
Door-to-Door Sales Act (4 questions)
Labor Laws (3 questions)
Safety Regulations (4 questions)
Estimating (3 questions)

The reference materials may be highlighted and underlined.  But no additional notes are allowed. 

Though it is an open-book exam, passing it can be difficult for several reasons.

1. You must be able to locate the answers in the reference materials.
2. You must be able to understand and accurately answer 'tricky' questions.
3. Some questions are not updated and are based upon much older editions of the reference materials.  This means that the answers to some questions have changed or worse yet, may not be in the reference materials at all.
4. Some questions are based upon additional reference materials that are not allowed during the exam.

IMPORTANT NOTE DIRECTLY FROM THE PSI BULLETIN:

Important: If you fail the licensing examination, there is a waiting period of 30 days before that individual is eligible to retake the test; each subsequent retest requires a waiting period of 60 days.

For these reasons and numerous others many prudent contractors decide to take our Maryland Home Improvement Contractor License (MHIC) Exam Prep Course.

Useful Information/Maryland Home Improvement Commission Guidelines

The following information is taken directly from a nearly 30-page evaluation of the Maryland Home Improvement Commission.  The entire evaluation is available at the General Assembly of Maryland, Department of Legislative Services website at http://dls.state.md.us

The Home Improvement Industry in Maryland

Statute defines home improvement to be the addition to or alteration, repair, or replacement of a building used as a residence. The definition explicitly excludes the construction of a new home or activities that fall under other occupational licensing categories such as plumbing. The definition is also somewhat fluid as standards for homes and their amenities change over time.

The home improvement industry is large and loosely organized, with more than 80 categories of work that require licensure. Many contractors do not specialize in specific home improvement trades; instead they provide multiple services. Because home improvement contractors are licensed by the State, these practitioners may be perceived as competent at performing the tasks for which they are hired; however, the required examination for licensure in Maryland does not include a skills-based assessment. Instead the examination tests the applicant’s regulatory understanding and business management aptitude.

Maryland home improvement law and regulations require at least two years of “trade experience.” Related education or business management experience may be substituted for one year of trade experience.  Maryland does not have a tiered licensing structure for home improvement contractors based on experience or the value of projects undertaken.

For a Maryland Contractors license, MHIC requires proof of financial solvency and proof of  general liability insurance but allows licensees to use their discretion regarding the type, value, and complexity of projects undertaken. Regulation of this industry is difficult because some licensees may contract only for small projects, and some licensees – who work for or own large home improvement businesses – may take on expensive projects like home remodeling or other major renovations. Regardless, a Maryland contractors license allows an individual to undertake home improvement projects large and small.

According to § 8-101 (g) of the Business Regulation Article:

“Home Improvement” means: (i) 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 a structure adjacent to that building; or (ii) an improvement to land adjacent to the building.

(2) “Home improvement” includes: (i) construction, improvement, or replacement, on land adjacent to the building, of a driveway, fall-out shelter, fence, garage, landscaping, deck, pier, porch, or swimming pool; (ii) a shore erosion control project, as defined under § 8-1001 of the Natural Resources Article, for a residential property; (iii) connection, installation, or replacement, in the building or structure, of a dishwasher, disposal, or refrigerator with an icemaker to existing exposed household plumbing lines; (iv) installation, in the building or structure, of an awning, fire alarm, or storm window; and (v) work done on individual condominium units.

(3) “Home improvement” does not include: (i) construction of a new home; (ii) work done to comply with a guarantee of completion for a new building project; (iii) connection, installation, or replacement of an appliance to existing exposed plumbing lines that requires alteration of the plumbing lines; (iv) sale of materials, if the seller does not arrange to perform or does not perform directly or indirectly any work in connection with the installation or application of the materials; (v) work done on apartment buildings that contain four or more single-family units; or (vi) work done on the commonly owned areas of condominiums.

If you perform work or projects that fall into the following categories, usually you are required to be licensed by the Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC). (Not All Inclusive). 

Take a look now.  You'll find that some of the most basic projects actually require the Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) license.

1. Acid Cleaning
2. Acoustical Treatment
3. Awnings
4. Bathrooms
5. Bricklaying
6. Bulkheads
7. Cabinet Installation
8. Carpentry
9. Carports
10. Caulking
11. Ceilings
12. Chimneys
13. Club Rooms
14. Decks
15. Doors
16. Driveways
17. Dry Walls
18. Excavating
19. Fallout Shelters
20. Fences
21. Fire Alarm Systems
22. Fire Escapes
23. Fireplaces
24. Flagstone
25. Floor Laying & Refinishing
26. Foundations
27. Garages
28. Gas Burners
29. Glaziers
30. Grating
31. Guards
32. Hot Tubs – Permanent
33. House Movers
34. Insulation
35. Iron, Ornamental
36. Jalousies
37. Kitchen Cabinets
38. Landscaping
39. Linoleum
40. Locks
41. Marble
42. Mirror Installation
43. Painting
44. Paneling
45. Patios
46. Paving
47. Piers
48. Plastering
49. Plastic Screening
50. Pointing
51. Porch Enclosures
52. Radon Gas Mitigation
53. Railings
54. Replacement of appliances
55. Roofing
56. Sandblasting
57. Screens – Doors/Windows – Door/Window
58. Sealants – Deck/Driveway
59. Sheet Metal Works
60. Shower Bath Enclosures
61. Sidewalks
62. Siding
63. Sinks & Counter Tops
64. Skylights
65. Sod (when landscaping)
66. Solar Film on Windows
67. Solar Systems
68. Stained Glass
69. Stairs
70. Stone – Cast
71. Stone Masonry
72. Storm Windows & Doors
73. Stucco
74. Swimming Pools
75. Tile
76. Terrazzo
77. Vanities
78. Wallpapering
79. Wall Coverings
80. Waterproofing
81. Windows

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