Do you need a license to be a carpenter in Maryland?
No. Maryland doesn't license carpenters as a trade. Contractors need a license for home improvement work from Maryland Home Improvement Commission.
State license · By ChiselJobs Team · Updated
In short
Maryland does not license carpenters, but anyone doing home improvement work needs a license from the Maryland Home Improvement Commission. There is no state general contractor license, though counties may license contractors. The license needs two years of experience or education, a PSI exam and a $100 guaranty fund payment for new licensees, and it renews every two years. Since June 1, 2024, home improvement contractors must carry at least $500,000 in general liability insurance. Salespeople need their own license. Veterans can count military training toward the experience requirement, and active-duty members and spouses can get an expedited temporary license.
Key facts
| Carpenter license | No |
| Licensing level | State (home improvement) |
| General contractor license | No (counties may license) |
| Home improvement registration | MHIC Contractor license |
| When a license is needed | All home improvement work |
| Carpentry classification | None |
| Exam | PSI exam |
| Experience | 2 yrs experience or education |
| Fees | Guaranty Fund $100 (new) |
| Bond / insurance | Liability insurance |
| Renewal | 2 years |
| Local license | No (state license covers) |
| Board | Maryland Home Improvement Commission |
Exam
| Exam provider | PSI (for Maryland Home Improvement Commission) |
| Questions | Contractor: 55; Salesperson: 35 |
Home improvement contractor exam via PSI.
- Source: dllr.state.md.us · checked November 6, 2026
Bond and insurance
| Insurance minimum | $500,000 general liability (since June 1, 2024) |
Business Regulation Article 8-302.1 requires all home improvement contractors to carry at least $500,000 general liability.
- Source: labor.maryland.gov · checked November 6, 2026
Military and out-of-state licenses
| Military experience credit | Yes: military experience, training or education credited toward the 2-year trade experience requirement (Veterans Full Employment Act of 2013) |
| Military spouses | Practice on out-of-state license for duration of Maryland orders; expedited temporary contractor license for active duty, spouses and certain veterans while preparing for exam |
MHIC expedites all veteran applications.
- Source: labor.maryland.gov · checked November 6, 2026
- Source: labor.maryland.gov · checked November 6, 2026
Apprenticeship
| Registering agency | State Apprenticeship Agency (Maryland Labor Office of Apprenticeship) |
- Source: apprenticeship.gov · checked November 6, 2026
- Source: labor.maryland.gov · checked November 6, 2026
Building code
| Code in force | IRC 2021; IBC 2021 (Maryland Building Performance Standards) |
2021 IBC and IRC effective May 29, 2023; local jurisdictions may amend and must enforce within 12 months of state adoption.
- Source: labor.maryland.gov · checked November 5, 2026
- Source: labor.maryland.gov · checked November 5, 2026