Maryland General Contractor License Renewal: Deadlines, Fees and CE

The Home Improvement Contractor (MHIC) - residential (Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC)) renews every 2 years and has a renewal fee of about $456. The New Home Builder Registration (Attorney General HBRU) (Home Builder Registration Unit, Office of the Attorney General) renews every 2 years and has a renewal fee of about $400. Fees change, so check the official site for the exact amount.

Full rule details

Verified dataLast checked Oct 17, 2026, next review due July 2027

Informational: verify with the issuing board.

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Home Improvement Contractor (MHIC) - residential

MHIC · State license · Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC)

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Renew on the official site 410-230-6231

Renewal cycle: Every 2 years
Continuing education: Not required
Deadline rule: 2-year term. By statute (Bus. Reg. 8-308) a license expires on the first June 30 in an odd-numbered year unless the Secretary staggers expirations; each licensee has a personal renewal date. Notice is sent about 60 days before expiration; renew before expiration (online or by mail).

Show fees, grace period, bond and insurance

Grace period: No grace period. An application filed within 2 years after expiration is presumed to be a renewal.

Fees, approximate

Renewal fee: About $456
Late fee: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
No late fee is published. A late renewal is not backdated: the renewed license takes effect when requirements are met and expires 2 years after the prior expiration date (COMAR 09.08.01.18).
Reinstatement: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
Within 2 years after expiration: presumed renewal; after 2 years: presumed new application (either can be overridden for good cause). Inactive status: about $126.75 change/continuation, about $135 reactivation.

Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Why approximate?

Boards change fees often and some charge extra processing fees. We show a recent amount so you can plan.

Bond: Not required
Insurance: General liability insurance of at least $500,000 is required for contractor licensees and proof of insurance is required at renewal (Bus. Reg. 8-302.1, 8-308); the Commission must be notified 10 days before cancellation. A credit report (or credit report fee) is also required at contractor renewal. A 2-year surety bond is required only when the applicant cannot show sufficient net worth (COMAR 09.08.01.19).
Reciprocity: Not published, check with the board

Notes

No statewide commercial general contractor license; residential home improvement (alteration, remodel, repair or replacement of a residence) requires an MHIC license. Excludes common areas of condos and buildings with 4 or more single-family units. Renewal total = $281.25 application fee per place of business ($281.25 for each additional location) + $175 Guaranty Fund assessment = $456.25 per 2 years. Phone 410-230-6231 or toll-free 1-888-218-5925. Counties and cities may also require local trade or business licenses.

HighLast checked Oct 17, 2026

Sources (6)

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New Home Builder Registration (Attorney General HBRU)

HBR · State registration · Home Builder Registration Unit, Office of the Attorney General

Remind me before this expires

Renew on the official site 410-576-6573

Renewal cycle: Every 2 years
Continuing education: Not required
Deadline rule: 2-year registration: expires on the second anniversary of its effective date (Bus. Reg. 4.5-305); the AG has described quarterly expiration dates (Mar 1, Jun 1, Sep 1, Dec 1), so confirm the date on your certificate. The Unit mails a renewal form at least 60 days before expiration.

Show fees, grace period, bond and insurance

Grace period: None.

Fees, approximate

Renewal fee: About $400
Late fee: No late renewal is allowed: once a registration expires it may not be renewed (Bus. Reg. 4.5-305).
Reinstatement: An expired registration cannot be renewed; the builder must apply for a new registration (initial 2-year fee about $800).

Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Why approximate?

Boards change fees often and some charge extra processing fees. We show a recent amount so you can plan.

Bond: Not required
Insurance: General liability insurance of at least $100,000 for anyone building new homes for sale to the public (Bus. Reg. 4.5-302(a)); a bond is required only for builders reapplying after a registration revocation.
Reciprocity: Not published, check with the board

Notes

Applies to builders constructing NEW residential homes for sale (separate from the MHIC license). Renewal fee by new-home building permits issued in the prior calendar year: 10 or fewer $400; 11-74 $800; 75 or more $1,200. Sales representative certificate renewal $300. Builders building only in Montgomery County are exempt from registration and pay a separate guaranty fund administration fee. Phone 410-576-6573.

HighLast checked Oct 17, 2026

Sources (4)

How to renew

1Check your Home Improvement Contractor (MHIC) - residential deadline: 2-year term. By statute (Bus. Reg. 8-308) a license expires on the first June 30 in an odd-numbered year unless the Secretary staggers expirations; each licensee has a personal renewal date. Notice is sent about 60 days before expiration; renew before expiration (online or by mail).
2Confirm your insurance meet the board requirements and are not expiring.
3Renew online at https://www.dllr.state.md.us/cgi-bin/ElectronicLicensing/HIC/HICrenew1.cgi?renew=yes
4Pay the renewal fee on the official site. Expect about $456, but fees change.
5If you miss the deadline: No late fee is published. A late renewal is not backdated: the renewed license takes effect when requirements are met and expires 2 years after the prior expiration date (COMAR 09.08.01.18).
6Check your New Home Builder Registration (Attorney General HBRU) deadline: 2-year registration: expires on the second anniversary of its effective date (Bus. Reg. 4.5-305); the AG has described quarterly expiration dates (Mar 1, Jun 1, Sep 1, Dec 1), so confirm the date on your certificate. The Unit mails a renewal form at least 60 days before expiration.
7Renew online at https://web.oag.state.md.us/editor/customer/login.aspx?Casetype=55
8Pay the renewal fee on the official site. Expect about $400, but fees change.
9If you miss the deadline: No late renewal is allowed: once a registration expires it may not be renewed (Bus. Reg. 4.5-305).

Maryland General contractor renewal questions

Answers come from the records above. Informational: verify with the issuing board.

When does a Maryland general contractor license expire?

Home Improvement Contractor (MHIC) - residential: renews every 2 years. 2-year term. By statute (Bus. Reg. 8-308) a license expires on the first June 30 in an odd-numbered year unless the Secretary staggers expirations; each licensee has a personal renewal date. Notice is sent about 60 days before expiration; renew before expiration (online or by mail). New Home Builder Registration (Attorney General HBRU): renews every 2 years. 2-year registration: expires on the second anniversary of its effective date (Bus. Reg. 4.5-305); the AG has described quarterly expiration dates (Mar 1, Jun 1, Sep 1, Dec 1), so confirm the date on your certificate. The Unit mails a renewal form at least 60 days before expiration. Check with Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) before you rely on it.

How many CE hours does a Maryland general contractor license need?

Home Improvement Contractor (MHIC) - residential: no CE required. New Home Builder Registration (Attorney General HBRU): no CE required. Check with Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) before you rely on it.

Is there a grace period for a Maryland general contractor license?

No grace period. An application filed within 2 years after expiration is presumed to be a renewal. Check with Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) before you rely on it.

How much does it cost to renew a Maryland general contractor license?

Home Improvement Contractor (MHIC) - residential: About $456. Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

What happens if a Maryland general contractor license expires?

No late fee is published. A late renewal is not backdated: the renewed license takes effect when requirements are met and expires 2 years after the prior expiration date (COMAR 09.08.01.18). Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Sources

Spot something out of date?

Informational only. Check it with the issuing board. Licensing rules, deadlines and CE requirements change, fee amounts are approximate, and this page can be out of date. It is not legal advice, and we are not affiliated with any state board. Read the disclaimer.

This information is here to help you plan, not to replace the board. Fee amounts are approximate and may be out of date. Deadlines and continuing education rules change too, sometimes without much notice. Always confirm with your licensing board and its official site before you rely on a date or an amount. This is not legal advice.

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