MARYLAND HOME IMPROVEMENT EXAM PREP –
VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND ACCURATE ANSWERS
INCLUDED.
Define home improvement - (ANSWER)The addition, alteration, conversion, improvement,
modernization, remodeling, repair or replacement of a building or part of a building that is used
or was designed to be used as a residence or dwelling place or structure adjacent to that building
or an improvement to land adjacent to that building
Is a building of a swimming pool, deck, pier or porch included in Home Improvement? -
(ANSWER)Yes
Is work done on apartment complexes of more than 4 units considered home improvement? -
(ANSWER)No
Is work done on individual condominium units considered home improvement? -
(ANSWER)Yes
Is installation in a residence of alarm, awning or fire alarm considered home improvement? -
(ANSWER)Yes
Is now removal or grass cutting home improvement? - (ANSWER)No
Define contractor - (ANSWER)A person who performs or offers or agrees to perform a home
improvement for an owner
Define Subcontractor - (ANSWER)A subcontractor enters into contracts with contractors or
other subcontractors to perform home improvement. A subcontractor is not authorized to enter
into agreement directly with the owner
Define salesperson - (ANSWER)A person who sells a home improvement
,Define Home Improvement contract - (ANSWER)An agrement between a homeowner and a
contractor to perform a home improvement. The law requires contracts to be in writing and be
signed by the parties to the agreement.
Define Owner - (ANSWER)Owner, owner's agent , tenant or other person authorized to enter
into a home improvement contract
Define license - (ANSWER)is either a contractor or salesperson license that is issued by the
Home Improvement Commission.
Does a handyman need a license? - (ANSWER)Yes
True or False: Home Improvement law does not apply if one of the parties is a government
agency - (ANSWER)True
Work done a residence inside a military base is excluded from licensing requirements -
(ANSWER)True
Can local jurisdictions issue home improvement lincenses - (ANSWER)No, only MD Home
Improvement Commission is authorized to issue a license to solicit, sell, or perform home
improvement services in Maryland
Can two or more individuals (such as homeowner and contractor) lawfully agree to ignore the
Home Improvement licensing requirement? - (ANSWER)No, waiver is prohibited
When was the commission established? - (ANSWER)1962
How Many commissioners are there? - (ANSWER)9 (4 must have experience in the business of
home improvement; 4 are members of the general public that represent cosumers; and 1 must
have experience in banking and finance)
, What is the most important role of the Commissioners? - (ANSWER)To promulgate regulations
for the Commission. These regulations help the public better understand the Home Improvement
Law and the Commission's policies
How often are the meetings? - (ANSWER)bi-monthly. Meetings are open to the public.
What is the requirement for Commissioners? - (ANSWER)Must be a resident of MD for at least
5 years
How long if the Commissioner's term? - (ANSWER)4 years
Where is the Commission's office? - (ANSWER)Baltimore, MD
Who appoints the Executive Director? - (ANSWER)The Secretary of Department of Labor,
Licensing and Regulation
What is the Executive Director responsible for? - (ANSWER)the daily operations of the
Commission and signs under the seal letters affirming the licensing status of individuals for court
proceedings. The Executive director is also responsible for compiling and maintaining a copy of
the Commission's current regulations
What do investigators do? - (ANSWER)The Commission also employs investigators that review
the complaints and Guaranty Fund claims that are received by the Commission. The investigators
review complaints against licensed and unlicensed contractors and salespersons.
If an investigator determines that a violation may have occurred, what actions can the
Commission take? - (ANSWER)The Commission may take disciplinary action which may
include reprimand, monetary fine or suspension or revocation of the license.
True or False: An individual who holds a home improvement license as a contractor is NOT
required to obtain a construction license from the Circuit Courts - (ANSWER)True
VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND ACCURATE ANSWERS
INCLUDED.
Define home improvement - (ANSWER)The addition, alteration, conversion, improvement,
modernization, remodeling, repair or replacement of a building or part of a building that is used
or was designed to be used as a residence or dwelling place or structure adjacent to that building
or an improvement to land adjacent to that building
Is a building of a swimming pool, deck, pier or porch included in Home Improvement? -
(ANSWER)Yes
Is work done on apartment complexes of more than 4 units considered home improvement? -
(ANSWER)No
Is work done on individual condominium units considered home improvement? -
(ANSWER)Yes
Is installation in a residence of alarm, awning or fire alarm considered home improvement? -
(ANSWER)Yes
Is now removal or grass cutting home improvement? - (ANSWER)No
Define contractor - (ANSWER)A person who performs or offers or agrees to perform a home
improvement for an owner
Define Subcontractor - (ANSWER)A subcontractor enters into contracts with contractors or
other subcontractors to perform home improvement. A subcontractor is not authorized to enter
into agreement directly with the owner
Define salesperson - (ANSWER)A person who sells a home improvement
,Define Home Improvement contract - (ANSWER)An agrement between a homeowner and a
contractor to perform a home improvement. The law requires contracts to be in writing and be
signed by the parties to the agreement.
Define Owner - (ANSWER)Owner, owner's agent , tenant or other person authorized to enter
into a home improvement contract
Define license - (ANSWER)is either a contractor or salesperson license that is issued by the
Home Improvement Commission.
Does a handyman need a license? - (ANSWER)Yes
True or False: Home Improvement law does not apply if one of the parties is a government
agency - (ANSWER)True
Work done a residence inside a military base is excluded from licensing requirements -
(ANSWER)True
Can local jurisdictions issue home improvement lincenses - (ANSWER)No, only MD Home
Improvement Commission is authorized to issue a license to solicit, sell, or perform home
improvement services in Maryland
Can two or more individuals (such as homeowner and contractor) lawfully agree to ignore the
Home Improvement licensing requirement? - (ANSWER)No, waiver is prohibited
When was the commission established? - (ANSWER)1962
How Many commissioners are there? - (ANSWER)9 (4 must have experience in the business of
home improvement; 4 are members of the general public that represent cosumers; and 1 must
have experience in banking and finance)
, What is the most important role of the Commissioners? - (ANSWER)To promulgate regulations
for the Commission. These regulations help the public better understand the Home Improvement
Law and the Commission's policies
How often are the meetings? - (ANSWER)bi-monthly. Meetings are open to the public.
What is the requirement for Commissioners? - (ANSWER)Must be a resident of MD for at least
5 years
How long if the Commissioner's term? - (ANSWER)4 years
Where is the Commission's office? - (ANSWER)Baltimore, MD
Who appoints the Executive Director? - (ANSWER)The Secretary of Department of Labor,
Licensing and Regulation
What is the Executive Director responsible for? - (ANSWER)the daily operations of the
Commission and signs under the seal letters affirming the licensing status of individuals for court
proceedings. The Executive director is also responsible for compiling and maintaining a copy of
the Commission's current regulations
What do investigators do? - (ANSWER)The Commission also employs investigators that review
the complaints and Guaranty Fund claims that are received by the Commission. The investigators
review complaints against licensed and unlicensed contractors and salespersons.
If an investigator determines that a violation may have occurred, what actions can the
Commission take? - (ANSWER)The Commission may take disciplinary action which may
include reprimand, monetary fine or suspension or revocation of the license.
True or False: An individual who holds a home improvement license as a contractor is NOT
required to obtain a construction license from the Circuit Courts - (ANSWER)True
