MARYLAND HOME IMPROVEMENT EXAM 2026/2027 NEWEST | ACCURATE CURRENTLY
TESTING REAL EXAM QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED ANSWERS | A+ GRADE ASSURED //
BRAND NEW
Question 1
Under the Maryland Home Improvement Law, which of the following projects is classified as a
"home improvement"?
A) Construction of a new detached single-family home from the foundation up
B) Construction of an in-ground swimming pool, patio deck, or residential pier
C) Routine seasonal lawn mowing and ornamental tree trimming
D) Complete renovation of a 12-unit commercial apartment building
E) Installation of a centralized municipal water main beneath a public road
Correct Answer: B) Construction of an in-ground swimming pool, patio deck, or residential
pier
Rationale: Maryland Business Regulation Article § 8-101 defines "home improvement" to
include the alteration, repair, or addition to a residential building, including the
construction of swimming pools, decks, piers, porches, garages, and driveways. New home
construction, work on apartment complexes of more than 4 units, and routine yard care are
excluded.
Question 2
Work performed on which of the following residential property configurations is excluded from
the Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) licensing requirements?
A) A privately owned townhouse occupied by a tenant
B) An individual condominium residential unit
C) An apartment building containing more than 4 dwelling units
D) A single-family suburban residence owned by an absentee landlord
E) A two-family residential duplex
Correct Answer: C) An apartment building containing more than 4 dwelling units
Rationale: Under Maryland law, commercial residential buildings containing more than 4
individual dwelling units (such as multi-family apartment complexes) are excluded from
the definition of a "home." Work performed on individual condominium units, single-
family homes, and buildings with 4 or fewer units falls under MHIC jurisdiction.
Question 3
Which of the following residential installations is legally classified as a home improvement
subject to MHIC regulation?
A) Routine seasonal snow removal from a homeowner's driveway
B) Clearing fallen leaves and dethatching residential turf
C) Installation of storm windows, residential awnings, or home security alarms
, 2
D) Construction of a brand new, never-occupied residential subdivision home
E) Pruning residential shrubs that do not interfere with building structures
Correct Answer: C) Installation of storm windows, residential awnings, or home security
alarms
Rationale: The statutory definition of home improvement explicitly covers the addition or
installation of awnings, fire and burglar alarm systems, storm doors, and storm windows
on residential premises. Grounds maintenance (such as snow removal and grass cutting) is
excluded.
Question 4
How does the Maryland Home Improvement Law define a "subcontractor"?
A) An individual who contracts directly with an owner to provide home improvement labor
B) A person who enters into a contract with a contractor or another subcontractor to perform all
or part of a home improvement, with no direct contract with the owner
C) An employee of the homeowner who performs work on an hourly basis
D) Any salesperson who solicits a home improvement contract on behalf of a builder
E) A federally licensed marine artisan working on commercial harbor bulkheads
Correct Answer: B) A person who enters into a contract with a contractor or another
subcontractor to perform all or part of a home improvement, with no direct contract with
the owner
Rationale: Under Md. Code Ann., Bus. Reg. § 8-101(h), a subcontractor is a person who
contracts with a contractor or another subcontractor to perform work, but has no direct
contractual agreement with the property owner.
Question 5
A self-employed individual advertises minor residential repairs, painting, and carpentry as a
"handyman." Does this individual require an MHIC license?
A) No, handymen are fully exempt provided single jobs do not exceed $2,500.
B) No, as long as the handyman performs repairs without hiring any employees.
C) Yes, anyone who performs, offers, or agrees to perform home improvements in Maryland
must hold an MHIC contractor license.
D) No, provided the handyman registers their trade name with the local county clerk.
E) Yes, but only if the handyman performs structural masonry or electrical rewiring.
Correct Answer: C) Yes, anyone who performs, offers, or agrees to perform home
improvements in Maryland must hold an MHIC contractor license.
Rationale: Maryland law does not recognize a "handyman exemption." Any individual who
TESTING REAL EXAM QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED ANSWERS | A+ GRADE ASSURED //
BRAND NEW
Question 1
Under the Maryland Home Improvement Law, which of the following projects is classified as a
"home improvement"?
A) Construction of a new detached single-family home from the foundation up
B) Construction of an in-ground swimming pool, patio deck, or residential pier
C) Routine seasonal lawn mowing and ornamental tree trimming
D) Complete renovation of a 12-unit commercial apartment building
E) Installation of a centralized municipal water main beneath a public road
Correct Answer: B) Construction of an in-ground swimming pool, patio deck, or residential
pier
Rationale: Maryland Business Regulation Article § 8-101 defines "home improvement" to
include the alteration, repair, or addition to a residential building, including the
construction of swimming pools, decks, piers, porches, garages, and driveways. New home
construction, work on apartment complexes of more than 4 units, and routine yard care are
excluded.
Question 2
Work performed on which of the following residential property configurations is excluded from
the Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) licensing requirements?
A) A privately owned townhouse occupied by a tenant
B) An individual condominium residential unit
C) An apartment building containing more than 4 dwelling units
D) A single-family suburban residence owned by an absentee landlord
E) A two-family residential duplex
Correct Answer: C) An apartment building containing more than 4 dwelling units
Rationale: Under Maryland law, commercial residential buildings containing more than 4
individual dwelling units (such as multi-family apartment complexes) are excluded from
the definition of a "home." Work performed on individual condominium units, single-
family homes, and buildings with 4 or fewer units falls under MHIC jurisdiction.
Question 3
Which of the following residential installations is legally classified as a home improvement
subject to MHIC regulation?
A) Routine seasonal snow removal from a homeowner's driveway
B) Clearing fallen leaves and dethatching residential turf
C) Installation of storm windows, residential awnings, or home security alarms
, 2
D) Construction of a brand new, never-occupied residential subdivision home
E) Pruning residential shrubs that do not interfere with building structures
Correct Answer: C) Installation of storm windows, residential awnings, or home security
alarms
Rationale: The statutory definition of home improvement explicitly covers the addition or
installation of awnings, fire and burglar alarm systems, storm doors, and storm windows
on residential premises. Grounds maintenance (such as snow removal and grass cutting) is
excluded.
Question 4
How does the Maryland Home Improvement Law define a "subcontractor"?
A) An individual who contracts directly with an owner to provide home improvement labor
B) A person who enters into a contract with a contractor or another subcontractor to perform all
or part of a home improvement, with no direct contract with the owner
C) An employee of the homeowner who performs work on an hourly basis
D) Any salesperson who solicits a home improvement contract on behalf of a builder
E) A federally licensed marine artisan working on commercial harbor bulkheads
Correct Answer: B) A person who enters into a contract with a contractor or another
subcontractor to perform all or part of a home improvement, with no direct contract with
the owner
Rationale: Under Md. Code Ann., Bus. Reg. § 8-101(h), a subcontractor is a person who
contracts with a contractor or another subcontractor to perform work, but has no direct
contractual agreement with the property owner.
Question 5
A self-employed individual advertises minor residential repairs, painting, and carpentry as a
"handyman." Does this individual require an MHIC license?
A) No, handymen are fully exempt provided single jobs do not exceed $2,500.
B) No, as long as the handyman performs repairs without hiring any employees.
C) Yes, anyone who performs, offers, or agrees to perform home improvements in Maryland
must hold an MHIC contractor license.
D) No, provided the handyman registers their trade name with the local county clerk.
E) Yes, but only if the handyman performs structural masonry or electrical rewiring.
Correct Answer: C) Yes, anyone who performs, offers, or agrees to perform home
improvements in Maryland must hold an MHIC contractor license.
Rationale: Maryland law does not recognize a "handyman exemption." Any individual who
