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MHIC Exam 2026 Questions And Answers
1. John Thompson wants to apply for a Contractor's License
but does not have the two years of work experience in
construction required by the MHIC. Can he still apply?
a) No, the experience is mandatory and cannot be waived.
b) Yes, if he has a business degree from an accredited
university.
c) Yes, if he can prove he has equivalent education and
training as defined by commission regulations.
d) No, unless he works as a subcontractor for a year first.
Answer: c) Yes, if he can prove he has equivalent education
and training as defined by commission regulations.
Rationale: The MHIC allows the two-year experience
requirement to be met through a combination of education and
training if the commission determines it is equivalent .
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2. Paula Johnson has resided in Maryland for three years
and six months. She wants to become a commissioner with
the MHIC. Can she become a member?
a) Yes, she meets the residency requirement.
b) No, she must be a resident for at least five years.
c) No, she has to wait one year and six months.
d) Yes, but only as a public member.
Answer: c) No, she has to wait one year and six months.
Rationale: A commissioner must have been a resident of
Maryland for at least five years. Since she has only lived there
for three and a half years, she needs to wait another year
and a half .
3. Which of the following is required for a contractor to
legally operate as a home improvement contractor in
Maryland?
a) A contractor’s license from the State of Maryland
b) A federal business license
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c) Proof of general liability insurance
d) A Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) license
Answer: d) A Maryland Home Improvement Commission
(MHIC) license
Rationale: A contractor must have an MHIC license to legally
perform home improvement work in Maryland .
4. How often must a Maryland Home Improvement
Contractor’s license be renewed?
a) Every 1 year
b) Every 2 years
c) Every 3 years
d) Every 5 years
Answer: b) Every 2 years
Rationale: The MHIC license must be renewed every two years
to continue performing work legally .
5. Who appoints the Commission's Executive Director?
a) The Governor of Maryland
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b) The members of the MHIC Commission
c) The Secretary of the Department of Labor
d) The Maryland State Legislature
Answer: c) The Secretary of the Department of Labor
Rationale: The executive director is appointed by the
secretary of the labor department, not directly by the
governor or commission vote .
6. How many members are on the hearing board?
a) 3
b) 5
c) 7
d) 9
Answer: a) 3
Rationale: The hearing board, which hears disputes and
violations, consists of three members .
7. Who chooses the members of the hearing board?
a) The Governor
MHIC Exam 2026 Questions And Answers
1. John Thompson wants to apply for a Contractor's License
but does not have the two years of work experience in
construction required by the MHIC. Can he still apply?
a) No, the experience is mandatory and cannot be waived.
b) Yes, if he has a business degree from an accredited
university.
c) Yes, if he can prove he has equivalent education and
training as defined by commission regulations.
d) No, unless he works as a subcontractor for a year first.
Answer: c) Yes, if he can prove he has equivalent education
and training as defined by commission regulations.
Rationale: The MHIC allows the two-year experience
requirement to be met through a combination of education and
training if the commission determines it is equivalent .
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2. Paula Johnson has resided in Maryland for three years
and six months. She wants to become a commissioner with
the MHIC. Can she become a member?
a) Yes, she meets the residency requirement.
b) No, she must be a resident for at least five years.
c) No, she has to wait one year and six months.
d) Yes, but only as a public member.
Answer: c) No, she has to wait one year and six months.
Rationale: A commissioner must have been a resident of
Maryland for at least five years. Since she has only lived there
for three and a half years, she needs to wait another year
and a half .
3. Which of the following is required for a contractor to
legally operate as a home improvement contractor in
Maryland?
a) A contractor’s license from the State of Maryland
b) A federal business license
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c) Proof of general liability insurance
d) A Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) license
Answer: d) A Maryland Home Improvement Commission
(MHIC) license
Rationale: A contractor must have an MHIC license to legally
perform home improvement work in Maryland .
4. How often must a Maryland Home Improvement
Contractor’s license be renewed?
a) Every 1 year
b) Every 2 years
c) Every 3 years
d) Every 5 years
Answer: b) Every 2 years
Rationale: The MHIC license must be renewed every two years
to continue performing work legally .
5. Who appoints the Commission's Executive Director?
a) The Governor of Maryland
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b) The members of the MHIC Commission
c) The Secretary of the Department of Labor
d) The Maryland State Legislature
Answer: c) The Secretary of the Department of Labor
Rationale: The executive director is appointed by the
secretary of the labor department, not directly by the
governor or commission vote .
6. How many members are on the hearing board?
a) 3
b) 5
c) 7
d) 9
Answer: a) 3
Rationale: The hearing board, which hears disputes and
violations, consists of three members .
7. Who chooses the members of the hearing board?
a) The Governor
