Contractors License Overview
- Maryland requires Statewide Licensing for Home Improvement, Electrical, HVAC and Plumbing Contractors.
- To work as a Commercial Contractor you must register with the city/county in which the company resides. It is advisable to obtain the Maryland Home Improvement License, and then acquire the registration from your city/county. This will allow you to work throughout the state.
- To work as a Maryland Residential Builder, you must register with the State Attorney General’s Office, show proof of liability insurance and pay $300.00 in fees. It is advisable to hold a Maryland Home Improvement License prior to applying for a Residential Builders License.
- Pre-Approval is required for Electrical, Plumbing and HVAC examinations.
- For additional licensing requirements including experience, financial and bonding requirements, exam information, reference books needed, reciprocity and Continuing Education Requirements, please select the appropriate License link below.
Maryland Residential
Maryland Home Improvement Contractor
The Maryland Home Improvement license allows the licensee to alter, remodel, repair, or replace a building or part of a building used as a residence. Home Improvement also includes work done on individual condominium units. It does not include work done on apartment buildings that contain 4 or more single family units or work done on commonly owned areas of condominiums.
Maryland Electrical
Maryland Master Electrician
The Maryland Master Electrician is one who has the experience, knowledge, and skill to provide electrical services in all aspects of the electrical trade, in a manner that complies with applicable plans, specifications, codes, or laws.
Maryland HVAC and Mechanical
Maryland Heating and Air Conditioning
The Master HVACR license allows the licensee to provide installation and maintenance services in all areas of HVACR work.
The Master Restricted license allows the licensee to provide installation and maintenance work in 1 or more areas of HVACR work. The categories are Air Conditioning, Full Heating, Forced Air Heating, Hydronic Heating, Refrigeration, and Ventilation. Master Restricted licenses are issued in 1 up to 4 combinations of areas of expertise in HVACR work. The assessment per category is capped once an individual licensee qualifies in 3 areas of HVACR expertise.
The Limited contractor license allows the licensee to exclusively maintain and repair 1 or more HVACR systems. The categories of HVACR work are Air Conditioning, Full Heating, Forced Air Heating, Hydronic Heating, Refrigeration, and Ventilation.
The Journeyman license allows the licensee to perform HVACR services while under the direction and control of a licensed contractor.
The Journeyman Restricted license allows an individual to perform 1 or more specialized HVACR services while under the direction and control of a licensed contractor.
An Apprentice is a person in training, to become an HVACR Journey licensee, under the direction and control of a licensed Master, Master Restricted, or Limited HVACR. An Apprentice may only assist in providing HVACR services. There are no prerequisites for this license. Apprentice applicants must still meet the registration requirements of the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Council of the Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation when applicable.
Maryland Plumbing
Maryland Plumbing
The State Board of Plumbing licenses and regulates those who provide or assist in providing plumbing and gas services in Maryland. As of October 1, 2000 the Board issues Natural Gas Fitter licenses to qualified individuals who are non-plumbers. Both of these types of licenses are required for work throughout the State except for Baltimore County and the areas served by Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC). These 2 jurisdictions issue their own licenses and have their own Plumbing code. The State Plumbing Board also issues certificates to those qualified individuals, which are non-plumbers, to provide propane gas services throughout the entire state.
An Apprentice Natural Gas Fitter is one who is licensed by the Board to assist a Master Natural Gas Fitter in providing natural gas services while under the direction and control of a Master Natural Gas Fitter and in training to become a Journeyman Natural Gas Fitter.
An Apprentice Plumber is one who is licensed by the Board to assist a Master Plumber or a holder of a Limited Master Plumber license in providing plumbing services under the direction and control of a Master Plumber or a hold of a Limited Master Plumber license and in training to become a Journeyman Plumber.
A Journeyman Plumber is one who is licensed by the Board to provide plumbing services while under the direction and control of a Master Plumber or holder of a Limited Master Plumber license.
A Journeyman Natural Gas Fitter is one who is licensed by the Board to provide natural gas services while under the direction and control of a Master Natural Gas Fitters license.
A Master Natural Gas Fitter is one who is licensed by the Board to provide natural gas services.
A Master Plumber is one who is licensed by the Board to provide plumbing services and natural gas services. Master Plumber includes a Master Plumber Gas Fitter.