Maryland Home Improvement
Test Question and Answer Latest
2026 Update!!!
Define home improvement
Correct Answer: The addition, 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 structure adjacent to that building or an
improvement to land adjacent to that building
Is a building of a swimming pool, deck, pier or porch
included in Home Improvement?
Correct Answer: Yes
Is work done on apartment complexes of more than 4
units considered home improvement?
Correct Answer: No
Is work done on individual condominium units considered
home improvement?
Correct Answer: Yes
Is installation in a residence of alarm, awning or fire alarm
considered home improvement?
Correct Answer: Yes
Is now removal or grass cutting home improvement?
Correct Answer: No
Define contractor
1
,Correct Answer: A person who performs or offers or
agrees to perform a home improvement for an owner
Define Subcontractor
Correct Answer: 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
Define salesperson
Correct Answer: A person who sells a home improvement
Define Home Improvement contract
Correct Answer: 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.
Define Owner
Correct Answer: Owner, owner's agent , tenant or other
person authorized to enter into a home improvement
contract
Define license
Correct Answer: is either a contractor or salesperson
license that is issued by the Home Improvement
Commission.
Does a handyman need a license?
Correct Answer: Yes
True or False: Home Improvement law does not apply if
one of the parties is a government agency
Correct Answer: True
Work done a residence inside a military base is excluded
from licensing requirements
2
,Correct Answer: True
Can local jurisdictions issue home improvement lincenses
Correct Answer: No, only MD Home Improvement
Commission is authorized to issue a license to solicit, sell,
or perform home improvement services in Maryland
Can two or more individuals (such as homeowner and
contractor) lawfully agree to ignore the Home
Improvement licensing requirement?
Correct Answer: No, waiver is prohibited
When was the commission established?
Correct Answer: 1962
How Many commissioners are there?
Correct Answer: 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)
What is the most important role of the Commissioners?
Correct Answer: To promulgate regulations for the
Commission. These regulations help the public better
understand the Home Improvement Law and the
Commission's policies
How often are the meetings?
Correct Answer: bi-monthly. Meetings are open to the
public.
What is the requirement for Commissioners?
Correct Answer: Must be a resident of MD for at least 5
years
How long if the Commissioner's term?
Correct Answer: 4 years
3
, Where is the Commission's office?
Correct Answer: Baltimore, MD
Who appoints the Executive Director?
Correct Answer: The Secretary of Department of Labor,
Licensing and Regulation
What is the Executive Director responsible for?
Correct Answer: the daily operations of the Commission
and signs under the seal letters affirming 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
What do investigators do?
Correct Answer: 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.
If an investigator determines that a violation may have
occurred, what actions can the Commission take?
Correct Answer: The Commission may take disciplinary
action which may include reprimand, monetary fine or
suspension or revocation of the license.
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
Correct Answer: True
How long are exams valid for?
Correct Answer: 2 years
4
Test Question and Answer Latest
2026 Update!!!
Define home improvement
Correct Answer: The addition, 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 structure adjacent to that building or an
improvement to land adjacent to that building
Is a building of a swimming pool, deck, pier or porch
included in Home Improvement?
Correct Answer: Yes
Is work done on apartment complexes of more than 4
units considered home improvement?
Correct Answer: No
Is work done on individual condominium units considered
home improvement?
Correct Answer: Yes
Is installation in a residence of alarm, awning or fire alarm
considered home improvement?
Correct Answer: Yes
Is now removal or grass cutting home improvement?
Correct Answer: No
Define contractor
1
,Correct Answer: A person who performs or offers or
agrees to perform a home improvement for an owner
Define Subcontractor
Correct Answer: 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
Define salesperson
Correct Answer: A person who sells a home improvement
Define Home Improvement contract
Correct Answer: 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.
Define Owner
Correct Answer: Owner, owner's agent , tenant or other
person authorized to enter into a home improvement
contract
Define license
Correct Answer: is either a contractor or salesperson
license that is issued by the Home Improvement
Commission.
Does a handyman need a license?
Correct Answer: Yes
True or False: Home Improvement law does not apply if
one of the parties is a government agency
Correct Answer: True
Work done a residence inside a military base is excluded
from licensing requirements
2
,Correct Answer: True
Can local jurisdictions issue home improvement lincenses
Correct Answer: No, only MD Home Improvement
Commission is authorized to issue a license to solicit, sell,
or perform home improvement services in Maryland
Can two or more individuals (such as homeowner and
contractor) lawfully agree to ignore the Home
Improvement licensing requirement?
Correct Answer: No, waiver is prohibited
When was the commission established?
Correct Answer: 1962
How Many commissioners are there?
Correct Answer: 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)
What is the most important role of the Commissioners?
Correct Answer: To promulgate regulations for the
Commission. These regulations help the public better
understand the Home Improvement Law and the
Commission's policies
How often are the meetings?
Correct Answer: bi-monthly. Meetings are open to the
public.
What is the requirement for Commissioners?
Correct Answer: Must be a resident of MD for at least 5
years
How long if the Commissioner's term?
Correct Answer: 4 years
3
, Where is the Commission's office?
Correct Answer: Baltimore, MD
Who appoints the Executive Director?
Correct Answer: The Secretary of Department of Labor,
Licensing and Regulation
What is the Executive Director responsible for?
Correct Answer: the daily operations of the Commission
and signs under the seal letters affirming 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
What do investigators do?
Correct Answer: 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.
If an investigator determines that a violation may have
occurred, what actions can the Commission take?
Correct Answer: The Commission may take disciplinary
action which may include reprimand, monetary fine or
suspension or revocation of the license.
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
Correct Answer: True
How long are exams valid for?
Correct Answer: 2 years
4
