Construction Work Regulated:

Home improvement and plumbing construction is licensed at the state level. Other construction work requires registration by the state.

Prequalification is not formally required for highway work, however, a bid bond for contracts exceeding $100,000 may be required. Some municipalities may require pre qualification prior to bidding on local road system contracts.

Master electricians are licensed at the state level for the three counties in the state that do not require licensing.

License Requirements

Highway Work:

• Although there is no formal pre qualification process, experience and equipment certification, liability insurance ($1,000,000/2,000,000) and applicable state contractor licenses are required in addition to the bid bond requirement on contracts exceeding $100,000.

Home Improvement Contractors:

• A passing score of 70 percent on an open book examination, regarding state and federal laws and regulations and various business subjects is required. Applicants must also document a minimum of two years experience or education.
• Home improvement contractors shall show proof of financial responsibility in the form of "unencumbered liquid assets" of at least $10,000. Contractors shall also show proof of a workers' compensation policy, as well as $50,000 in liability insurance.
• There were 13,000 licensees as of October 1996. The average processing time on applications is two weeks.
• All applicants shall pay an initial fee of $100 into the Home Improvement Guaranty Fund and a possible assessment at renewal.

Plumbers:

• Examinations are required for the journeyman and master plumber license classes. Test fees are $50 for master and $50 for journeyman. License fees for a two year period are $100 and $50 respectively. A state license is used state wide except for 2 areas (Baltimore County and the area serviced by the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission) where a separate license is required. As of October 1996, there were 2,900 master plumber and 2,100 journeyman plumber licensees.

HVACR:

• Applicants for HVACR license (other than apprentice) must pass a state trade exam and document a minimum of two to three years of experience. Original license and biennial renewal fees range from $25 to $225. Master, master restricted and limited licensees must submit proof of liability insurance coverage in the minimum amounts of $400,00 per occurrence. There were 3,900 master, master restricted & limited licensees as of October 1996.

Reciprocal Agreements

At the present time, there are no are no reciprocal agreements with any other state.

License Types

Home Improvement:

• Contractor
• Subcontractor
• Salesman

Plumbing:

• Apprentice
• Journeyman
• Master
• Propane gas fitters certificate

HVACR:

• Apprentice
• Journeyman
• Limited
• Restricted Master
• Master

Electrical:

• Master