MHIC Contractor – Maryland Home
Improvement Commission (MHIC) / PSI –
2026/2027
SECTION I: LICENSING REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS
Question 1
What is the minimum age requirement to obtain a Maryland Home Improvement
Contractor license?
A) 16 years old
B) 18 years old
C) 21 years old
D) 25 years old
Correct Answer: B) 18 years old
Rationale: Applicants must be at least 18 years old to be eligible for MHIC
licensure. This is a standard requirement for professional licensing in Maryland
and ensures applicants have reached the age of legal majority before entering
into binding contracts with homeowners.
Question 2
How many years of full-time home improvement experience are required to
qualify for an MHIC Contractor license?
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 5 years
Correct Answer: B) 2 years
, Rationale: Applicants for a contractor's license must provide proof of at least
two years of experience in home improvement work, construction, and/or related
education. This experience requirement ensures contractors have sufficient
practical knowledge before being licensed. The experience must be verifiable and
within the past five years.
Question 3
How many questions are on the MHIC Contractor examination administered by
PSI?
A) 35
B) 45
C) 55
D) 65
Correct Answer: C) 55
Rationale: The MHIC contractor examination consists of 55
questions. Candidates have 150 minutes to complete the exam. The exam tests
candidates on Maryland Home Improvement Law and business practices.
Question 4
What is the passing score required for the MHIC license examination?
A) 60%
B) 70%
C) 75%
D) 80%
Correct Answer: B) 70%
Rationale: Candidates must pass the examination with a minimum of 70%
correct responses, which equates to 39 correct answers out of 55 questions. This
ensures a consistent standard of competency for all licensed contractors.
,Question 5
How often must an MHIC license be renewed?
A) Annually
B) Biennially (every 2 years)
C) Every 3 years
D) Every 5 years
Correct Answer: B) Biennially (every 2 years)
Rationale: MHIC licenses must be renewed every two years. For licenses
issued after July 1, 1999, the license period is two years from the date of issuance
of the original license. Renewal notices are mailed approximately 60 days prior to
expiration.
Question 6
A salesperson may be licensed to represent how many licensed contractors in the
selling of home improvements?
A) One
B) Two
C) Three
D) Unlimited
Correct Answer: B) Two
Rationale: A person may only be licensed to represent up to two licensed
contractors in the selling of home improvements. This limitation prevents a single
salesperson from overextending their representation and ensures accountability
to the contractors they represent.
Question 7
Which of the following individuals is required to hold an MHIC license to legally
perform home improvement work?
A) A homeowner performing repairs on their own residence
B) A subcontractor hired by a licensed contractor to install windows
, C) A contractor who only provides design services and no physical labor
D) A commercial general contractor building a new office building
Correct Answer: B) A subcontractor hired by a licensed contractor to install
windows
Rationale: Maryland law requires any person or entity that performs home
improvement work for compensation, including subcontractors, to be
licensed. Homeowners working on their own property are exempt, as are pure
designers who do not perform construction. Commercial new construction is
regulated separately by the Home Builder Registration Unit.
Question 8
What is the monetary threshold that triggers the requirement for a written
contract under Maryland law?
A) $100
B) $500
C) $1,000
D) $2,500
Correct Answer: B) $500
Rationale: Maryland requires a Home Improvement Contractor license for
any contractor performing residential home improvement work at $500 or
more. Written contracts are required for all work over $500 with MHIC-required
disclosure language. This is one of the lowest thresholds in the country.
Question 9
An applicant who has had a conviction of a felony must:
A) Automatically be disqualified from licensure
B) Provide the MHIC with copies of conviction records
C) Wait 10 years before applying
D) Only disclose if asked
Improvement Commission (MHIC) / PSI –
2026/2027
SECTION I: LICENSING REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS
Question 1
What is the minimum age requirement to obtain a Maryland Home Improvement
Contractor license?
A) 16 years old
B) 18 years old
C) 21 years old
D) 25 years old
Correct Answer: B) 18 years old
Rationale: Applicants must be at least 18 years old to be eligible for MHIC
licensure. This is a standard requirement for professional licensing in Maryland
and ensures applicants have reached the age of legal majority before entering
into binding contracts with homeowners.
Question 2
How many years of full-time home improvement experience are required to
qualify for an MHIC Contractor license?
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 5 years
Correct Answer: B) 2 years
, Rationale: Applicants for a contractor's license must provide proof of at least
two years of experience in home improvement work, construction, and/or related
education. This experience requirement ensures contractors have sufficient
practical knowledge before being licensed. The experience must be verifiable and
within the past five years.
Question 3
How many questions are on the MHIC Contractor examination administered by
PSI?
A) 35
B) 45
C) 55
D) 65
Correct Answer: C) 55
Rationale: The MHIC contractor examination consists of 55
questions. Candidates have 150 minutes to complete the exam. The exam tests
candidates on Maryland Home Improvement Law and business practices.
Question 4
What is the passing score required for the MHIC license examination?
A) 60%
B) 70%
C) 75%
D) 80%
Correct Answer: B) 70%
Rationale: Candidates must pass the examination with a minimum of 70%
correct responses, which equates to 39 correct answers out of 55 questions. This
ensures a consistent standard of competency for all licensed contractors.
,Question 5
How often must an MHIC license be renewed?
A) Annually
B) Biennially (every 2 years)
C) Every 3 years
D) Every 5 years
Correct Answer: B) Biennially (every 2 years)
Rationale: MHIC licenses must be renewed every two years. For licenses
issued after July 1, 1999, the license period is two years from the date of issuance
of the original license. Renewal notices are mailed approximately 60 days prior to
expiration.
Question 6
A salesperson may be licensed to represent how many licensed contractors in the
selling of home improvements?
A) One
B) Two
C) Three
D) Unlimited
Correct Answer: B) Two
Rationale: A person may only be licensed to represent up to two licensed
contractors in the selling of home improvements. This limitation prevents a single
salesperson from overextending their representation and ensures accountability
to the contractors they represent.
Question 7
Which of the following individuals is required to hold an MHIC license to legally
perform home improvement work?
A) A homeowner performing repairs on their own residence
B) A subcontractor hired by a licensed contractor to install windows
, C) A contractor who only provides design services and no physical labor
D) A commercial general contractor building a new office building
Correct Answer: B) A subcontractor hired by a licensed contractor to install
windows
Rationale: Maryland law requires any person or entity that performs home
improvement work for compensation, including subcontractors, to be
licensed. Homeowners working on their own property are exempt, as are pure
designers who do not perform construction. Commercial new construction is
regulated separately by the Home Builder Registration Unit.
Question 8
What is the monetary threshold that triggers the requirement for a written
contract under Maryland law?
A) $100
B) $500
C) $1,000
D) $2,500
Correct Answer: B) $500
Rationale: Maryland requires a Home Improvement Contractor license for
any contractor performing residential home improvement work at $500 or
more. Written contracts are required for all work over $500 with MHIC-required
disclosure language. This is one of the lowest thresholds in the country.
Question 9
An applicant who has had a conviction of a felony must:
A) Automatically be disqualified from licensure
B) Provide the MHIC with copies of conviction records
C) Wait 10 years before applying
D) Only disclose if asked
