Maryland Home Improvement Test
1. Define home improvement: The addition, alteration, conversion, improvement,
modernization, remod- eling, 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
2. Is a building of a swimming pool, deck, pier or porch included in
Home
Improvement?: Yes
3. Is work done on apartment complexes of more than 4 units
considered home improvement?: No
4. Is work done on individual condominium units considered home
improve- ment?: Yes
5. Is installation in a residence of alarm, awning or fire alarm
considered home improvement?: Yes
6. Is now removal or grass cutting home improvement?: No
7. Define contractor: A person who performs or otters or agrees to perform a home improvement
for an owner
,8. Define Subcontractor: 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
9. Define salesperson: A person who sells a home improvement
10. Define Home Improvement contract: 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.
11. Define Owner: Owner, owner's agent , tenant or other person authorized to enter into a
home improvement contract
12. Define license: is either a contractor or salesperson license that is issued by the
Home Improvement Commission.
13. Does a handyman need a license?: Yes
14. True or False: Home Improvement law does not apply if one of
the parties is a government agency: True
15. Work done a residence inside a military base is excluded
from licensing requirements: True
16. Can local jurisdictions issue home improvement lincenses: No,
only MD Home Improvement Commission is authorized to issue a license to solicit, sell, or perform
home improvement services in Maryland
,17. Can two or more individuals (such as homeowner and
contractor) lawfully agree to ignore the Home Improvement licensing
requirement?: No, waiver is pro- hibited
18. When was the commission established?: 1962
19. How Many commissioners are there?: 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)
20. What is the most important role of the Commissioners?: To
promulgate regulations
for the Commission. These regulations help the public better understand the Home Improvement Law and
the Commission's policies
21. How often are the meetings?: bi-monthly. Meetings are open to the public.
22. What is the requirement for Commissioners?: Must be a resident of MD
for at least 5 years
23. How long if the Commissioner's term?: 4 years
24. Where is the Commission's office?: Baltimore, MD
25. Who appoints the Executive Director?: The Secretary of Department of Labor,
Licensing and Regulation
26. What is the Executive Director responsible for?: the daily operations of the
, Commission and signs under the seal letters aflrming 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
27. What do investigators do?: 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.
28. If an investigator determines that a violation may have
occurred, what
actions can the Commission take?: The Commission may take disciplinary action which
may include reprimand, monetary fine or suspension or revocation of the license.
29. 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: True
30. How long are exams valid for?: 2 years
31. If a candidate fails the exam, how long must he/she wait
before retaking it?: 30 days the first time. After each subsequent failure a candidate must
wait 60 days.
32. What is the insurance requirement for contractor?: General Liability at
1. Define home improvement: The addition, alteration, conversion, improvement,
modernization, remod- eling, 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
2. Is a building of a swimming pool, deck, pier or porch included in
Home
Improvement?: Yes
3. Is work done on apartment complexes of more than 4 units
considered home improvement?: No
4. Is work done on individual condominium units considered home
improve- ment?: Yes
5. Is installation in a residence of alarm, awning or fire alarm
considered home improvement?: Yes
6. Is now removal or grass cutting home improvement?: No
7. Define contractor: A person who performs or otters or agrees to perform a home improvement
for an owner
,8. Define Subcontractor: 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
9. Define salesperson: A person who sells a home improvement
10. Define Home Improvement contract: 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.
11. Define Owner: Owner, owner's agent , tenant or other person authorized to enter into a
home improvement contract
12. Define license: is either a contractor or salesperson license that is issued by the
Home Improvement Commission.
13. Does a handyman need a license?: Yes
14. True or False: Home Improvement law does not apply if one of
the parties is a government agency: True
15. Work done a residence inside a military base is excluded
from licensing requirements: True
16. Can local jurisdictions issue home improvement lincenses: No,
only MD Home Improvement Commission is authorized to issue a license to solicit, sell, or perform
home improvement services in Maryland
,17. Can two or more individuals (such as homeowner and
contractor) lawfully agree to ignore the Home Improvement licensing
requirement?: No, waiver is pro- hibited
18. When was the commission established?: 1962
19. How Many commissioners are there?: 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)
20. What is the most important role of the Commissioners?: To
promulgate regulations
for the Commission. These regulations help the public better understand the Home Improvement Law and
the Commission's policies
21. How often are the meetings?: bi-monthly. Meetings are open to the public.
22. What is the requirement for Commissioners?: Must be a resident of MD
for at least 5 years
23. How long if the Commissioner's term?: 4 years
24. Where is the Commission's office?: Baltimore, MD
25. Who appoints the Executive Director?: The Secretary of Department of Labor,
Licensing and Regulation
26. What is the Executive Director responsible for?: the daily operations of the
, Commission and signs under the seal letters aflrming 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
27. What do investigators do?: 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.
28. If an investigator determines that a violation may have
occurred, what
actions can the Commission take?: The Commission may take disciplinary action which
may include reprimand, monetary fine or suspension or revocation of the license.
29. 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: True
30. How long are exams valid for?: 2 years
31. If a candidate fails the exam, how long must he/she wait
before retaking it?: 30 days the first time. After each subsequent failure a candidate must
wait 60 days.
32. What is the insurance requirement for contractor?: General Liability at
