Handyman license requirements in Maryland
Short answer: Maryland requires a Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) license for most paid home improvement work, and it doesn't have the broad small-job exemption many states do. Electrical, plumbing and HVAC need their own licenses.
General information, not legal advice. Checked October 13, 2026 against the sources below. Rules change, so confirm with the agency before you take a job.
The MHIC license
The Maryland Home Improvement Commission licenses contractors who do home improvement work on residential property. Getting licensed involves experience, an exam, liability insurance and a payment into the state's Guaranty Fund, which protects homeowners. Unlike many states, Maryland doesn't offer a general dollar-amount exemption for small jobs, so ask the MHIC whether your specific work is covered before you take it.
Trade work
Electrical, plumbing and HVAC work are licensed by separate state boards, and an MHIC license doesn't cover them.
Official sources
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Questions
Do you need a license to be a handyman in Maryland?
Usually yes. Maryland requires an MHIC license for most paid home improvement work and doesn't have a broad small-job exemption. Ask the MHIC about your specific work.
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