MD HOME IMPROVEMENT LAW AND
REGULATIONS EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
What is Home Improvement Law?
is a statute which was passed, amended by the General Assembly, and signed into law by the
Governor.
What is COMAR?
Code of Maryland Regulations
What is one of the most important roles of the Home Improvement Commission?
is to make widely known the regulations(which help and explain the law and are made by the
Home Improvement Commission) in order to help judges, attorneys, licensees, and home owners
better understand the requirements of the Home Improvement Law
True or False: Home Improvement Law applies to work performed on property that is
owned by the federal, state, or local government?
False
Define the term Home Improvement
addition to or 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 a structure adjacent to that building or an improvement to land
adjacent to the building.
I.E. structure adjacent to residence shed, garage, pool house, or guest house, building a pool,
patio, or a wall, is also home improvement.
True or False: New home construction or work done to comply with a guarantee of
completion for a new building is home improvement?
false (neither is connection, installation or replacement in the building or structure, of a
dishwasher, disposal, or refrigerator with an icemaker, that requires alteration of the plumbing
lines)
I have an apartment building that has 5 single-family apartment units that need work done
on them. Does this fall under the definition of Home Improvement?
No, only work done to individual condominium units and installation in the residence of an
awning, fire alarm, or storm window. Also excluded work done on commonly owned areas of
condominiums does not fall under the definition.
Does a Handyman need an MHIC license?
, Yes
I'm the Governor of MD and want work done on the State owned Governor's mansion.
Does Home Improvement law apply?
No ,it doesn't apply because the mansion is state owned. Also if a residence is located on a
military base or owned by the U.S. military.
True or False: Only MHIC can authorize a home improvement license?
True
What entity issues permits and conducts inspections and can enforce local building codes
and Home Improvement Law to protect the public health and safety?
Local jurisdictions; I.E. city or county governments
What year was the MD Home Improvement Commission established?
1962
How many Commissioners are there and who appoints them?
9 and the Governor appoints them
How often do the Commissioners meet?
bimonthly
What are the eligibility requirements to be a Commissioner?
Reside in MD for at least 5 years have experience in business, business banking or finance, and
or home improvement experience
Who appoints the Executive Director for the Commission?
Secretary of the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation
Investigators are hired by the Commission. What is the job of an investigator?
when a homeowner files a complaint, the investigator's review the complaint and the contractor's
written response to see if the contractor violated the Home Improvement Law or regulations
What disciplinary action can the Commission take on contractor?
a reprimand, a monetary fine, or suspension or revocation of the license
Regulations and what are they?
provide additional details to explain how the law shall be applied. They provide more details to
help explain the statutory requirements so both homeowners and contractors better understand
the law
REGULATIONS EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
What is Home Improvement Law?
is a statute which was passed, amended by the General Assembly, and signed into law by the
Governor.
What is COMAR?
Code of Maryland Regulations
What is one of the most important roles of the Home Improvement Commission?
is to make widely known the regulations(which help and explain the law and are made by the
Home Improvement Commission) in order to help judges, attorneys, licensees, and home owners
better understand the requirements of the Home Improvement Law
True or False: Home Improvement Law applies to work performed on property that is
owned by the federal, state, or local government?
False
Define the term Home Improvement
addition to or 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 a structure adjacent to that building or an improvement to land
adjacent to the building.
I.E. structure adjacent to residence shed, garage, pool house, or guest house, building a pool,
patio, or a wall, is also home improvement.
True or False: New home construction or work done to comply with a guarantee of
completion for a new building is home improvement?
false (neither is connection, installation or replacement in the building or structure, of a
dishwasher, disposal, or refrigerator with an icemaker, that requires alteration of the plumbing
lines)
I have an apartment building that has 5 single-family apartment units that need work done
on them. Does this fall under the definition of Home Improvement?
No, only work done to individual condominium units and installation in the residence of an
awning, fire alarm, or storm window. Also excluded work done on commonly owned areas of
condominiums does not fall under the definition.
Does a Handyman need an MHIC license?
, Yes
I'm the Governor of MD and want work done on the State owned Governor's mansion.
Does Home Improvement law apply?
No ,it doesn't apply because the mansion is state owned. Also if a residence is located on a
military base or owned by the U.S. military.
True or False: Only MHIC can authorize a home improvement license?
True
What entity issues permits and conducts inspections and can enforce local building codes
and Home Improvement Law to protect the public health and safety?
Local jurisdictions; I.E. city or county governments
What year was the MD Home Improvement Commission established?
1962
How many Commissioners are there and who appoints them?
9 and the Governor appoints them
How often do the Commissioners meet?
bimonthly
What are the eligibility requirements to be a Commissioner?
Reside in MD for at least 5 years have experience in business, business banking or finance, and
or home improvement experience
Who appoints the Executive Director for the Commission?
Secretary of the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation
Investigators are hired by the Commission. What is the job of an investigator?
when a homeowner files a complaint, the investigator's review the complaint and the contractor's
written response to see if the contractor violated the Home Improvement Law or regulations
What disciplinary action can the Commission take on contractor?
a reprimand, a monetary fine, or suspension or revocation of the license
Regulations and what are they?
provide additional details to explain how the law shall be applied. They provide more details to
help explain the statutory requirements so both homeowners and contractors better understand
the law
