MARYLAND HOME IMPROVEMENT
SALESPERSON EXAM 2026–2027 | MHIC
LICENSING PRACTICE QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS STUDY GUIDE | VERIFIED TEST
PREP WITH EXPLANATIONS
• This 200-question practice guide mirrors the Maryland Home Improvement
Salesperson (MHIC) licensing exam format, covering every tested domain with
verified answers and clear EXPERT RATIONALE to sharpen your exam readiness.
• Work through all questions in sequence, review each EXPERT RATIONALE
carefully after answering, and revisit any missed items — this material is designed
to build both knowledge and test-taking confidence.
1. Who is required to hold a Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC)
license to legally perform home improvement work in Maryland?
A. Any person who sells home improvement goods only
B. Any person who advertises or performs home improvement work for
compensation
C. Only licensed electricians and plumbers
D. Only contractors who work on commercial buildings
E. Only out-of-state contractors working in Maryland
✓ B. Any person who advertises or performs home improvement work for
compensation
EXPERT RATIONALE: Under Maryland law, any contractor who advertises, solicits,
or performs home improvement work for compensation must be licensed by the
MHIC. This applies broadly to protect consumers.
2. What is the primary purpose of the Maryland Home Improvement
Commission (MHIC)?
A. To regulate the sale of building materials
,B. To license and regulate home improvement contractors and salespersons
C. To set property tax assessments for renovated homes
D. To enforce building codes on new construction
E. To manage zoning regulations for residential areas
✓ B. To license and regulate home improvement contractors and salespersons
EXPERT RATIONALE: The MHIC was established to protect Maryland consumers by
licensing and regulating individuals and businesses involved in home improvement
work, ensuring professional standards are met.
3. A home improvement salesperson in Maryland works under which of the
following?
A. The Maryland Real Estate Commission
B. A licensed home improvement contractor
C. The Maryland Department of Labor independently
D. A building inspector's office
E. The Maryland Board of Public Works
✓ B. A licensed home improvement contractor
EXPERT RATIONALE: A home improvement salesperson must be employed by and
work under a licensed home improvement contractor. They cannot operate
independently without contractor sponsorship.
4. Which of the following is NOT considered a home improvement under
Maryland law?
A. Installation of a new roof
B. Construction of a new single-family dwelling
C. Remodeling a kitchen
,D. Installing a deck on an existing home
E. Replacing windows in a residential property
✓ B. Construction of a new single-family dwelling
EXPERT RATIONALE: Home improvement under Maryland law refers to alterations,
remodeling, repair, or replacement on existing residential structures. New
construction of a dwelling is not classified as home improvement.
5. What is the minimum age requirement to obtain a Maryland Home
Improvement Salesperson license?
A. 16 years old
B. 18 years old
C. 21 years old
D. 25 years old
E. There is no minimum age
✓ B. 18 years old
EXPERT RATIONALE: Applicants for a Maryland Home Improvement Salesperson
license must be at least 18 years of age, consistent with general licensing
requirements for professional credentials in Maryland.
6. How must a home improvement contract in Maryland be delivered to the
consumer?
A. Via email only
B. Verbally with two witnesses present
C. In writing and signed by both parties
D. Submitted to the MHIC for approval before signing
E. Recorded with the county clerk
, ✓ C. In writing and signed by both parties
EXPERT RATIONALE: Maryland law requires all home improvement contracts
exceeding $500 to be in writing and signed by both the contractor and the
homeowner to be legally enforceable and consumer-protective.
7. What is the minimum contract amount that triggers the requirement for a
written home improvement contract in Maryland?
A. $100
B. $250
C. $500
D. $1,000
E. $5,000
✓ C. $500
EXPERT RATIONALE: Maryland's Home Improvement Law mandates a written
contract for any home improvement project with a total price of $500 or more,
protecting consumers from disputes over verbal agreements.
8. Which of the following must be included in a home improvement contract
under Maryland law?
A. The contractor's personal bank account number
B. The homeowner's credit score
C. The starting and completion dates of the work
D. The names of all subcontractors' employees
E. A list of all materials available on the market
✓ C. The starting and completion dates of the work
SALESPERSON EXAM 2026–2027 | MHIC
LICENSING PRACTICE QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS STUDY GUIDE | VERIFIED TEST
PREP WITH EXPLANATIONS
• This 200-question practice guide mirrors the Maryland Home Improvement
Salesperson (MHIC) licensing exam format, covering every tested domain with
verified answers and clear EXPERT RATIONALE to sharpen your exam readiness.
• Work through all questions in sequence, review each EXPERT RATIONALE
carefully after answering, and revisit any missed items — this material is designed
to build both knowledge and test-taking confidence.
1. Who is required to hold a Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC)
license to legally perform home improvement work in Maryland?
A. Any person who sells home improvement goods only
B. Any person who advertises or performs home improvement work for
compensation
C. Only licensed electricians and plumbers
D. Only contractors who work on commercial buildings
E. Only out-of-state contractors working in Maryland
✓ B. Any person who advertises or performs home improvement work for
compensation
EXPERT RATIONALE: Under Maryland law, any contractor who advertises, solicits,
or performs home improvement work for compensation must be licensed by the
MHIC. This applies broadly to protect consumers.
2. What is the primary purpose of the Maryland Home Improvement
Commission (MHIC)?
A. To regulate the sale of building materials
,B. To license and regulate home improvement contractors and salespersons
C. To set property tax assessments for renovated homes
D. To enforce building codes on new construction
E. To manage zoning regulations for residential areas
✓ B. To license and regulate home improvement contractors and salespersons
EXPERT RATIONALE: The MHIC was established to protect Maryland consumers by
licensing and regulating individuals and businesses involved in home improvement
work, ensuring professional standards are met.
3. A home improvement salesperson in Maryland works under which of the
following?
A. The Maryland Real Estate Commission
B. A licensed home improvement contractor
C. The Maryland Department of Labor independently
D. A building inspector's office
E. The Maryland Board of Public Works
✓ B. A licensed home improvement contractor
EXPERT RATIONALE: A home improvement salesperson must be employed by and
work under a licensed home improvement contractor. They cannot operate
independently without contractor sponsorship.
4. Which of the following is NOT considered a home improvement under
Maryland law?
A. Installation of a new roof
B. Construction of a new single-family dwelling
C. Remodeling a kitchen
,D. Installing a deck on an existing home
E. Replacing windows in a residential property
✓ B. Construction of a new single-family dwelling
EXPERT RATIONALE: Home improvement under Maryland law refers to alterations,
remodeling, repair, or replacement on existing residential structures. New
construction of a dwelling is not classified as home improvement.
5. What is the minimum age requirement to obtain a Maryland Home
Improvement Salesperson license?
A. 16 years old
B. 18 years old
C. 21 years old
D. 25 years old
E. There is no minimum age
✓ B. 18 years old
EXPERT RATIONALE: Applicants for a Maryland Home Improvement Salesperson
license must be at least 18 years of age, consistent with general licensing
requirements for professional credentials in Maryland.
6. How must a home improvement contract in Maryland be delivered to the
consumer?
A. Via email only
B. Verbally with two witnesses present
C. In writing and signed by both parties
D. Submitted to the MHIC for approval before signing
E. Recorded with the county clerk
, ✓ C. In writing and signed by both parties
EXPERT RATIONALE: Maryland law requires all home improvement contracts
exceeding $500 to be in writing and signed by both the contractor and the
homeowner to be legally enforceable and consumer-protective.
7. What is the minimum contract amount that triggers the requirement for a
written home improvement contract in Maryland?
A. $100
B. $250
C. $500
D. $1,000
E. $5,000
✓ C. $500
EXPERT RATIONALE: Maryland's Home Improvement Law mandates a written
contract for any home improvement project with a total price of $500 or more,
protecting consumers from disputes over verbal agreements.
8. Which of the following must be included in a home improvement contract
under Maryland law?
A. The contractor's personal bank account number
B. The homeowner's credit score
C. The starting and completion dates of the work
D. The names of all subcontractors' employees
E. A list of all materials available on the market
✓ C. The starting and completion dates of the work
