Maryland contractor licensing
Licensing in Maryland — Sources checked
Who and what this applies to
Maryland home-improvement licensing and construction-business licensing are separate requirements.
Thresholds and scope
The required credential depends on the work, business and statutory exemptions.
The rules
- Subject to Title 8 exemptions, acting as a home-improvement contractor requires the contractor license; selling a home improvement requires a salesperson or contractor license. Section 8-301(c) preserves specified licensed-trade and employee exceptions. Source
- Except as section 8-317 provides, construction business requires the construction license under section 17-602; an out-of-state corporation or business with its principal office elsewhere requires the nonresident construction license. The county issues the applicable license. Source
Primary sources
Sources reviewed 2026-09-30. This guide covers the projects and rules stated above.
Not legal advice. This is general legal information. Laws and project facts differ; confirm the applicable requirements for your project.
Back to Maryland contractor law · Licensing topic guide.
Related tools and support
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