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How to become a licensed Painting Contractor in Maryland. Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) Registration required. Total initial fees: $700-$402. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Painting Contractor — PC
Some information on this page has not been fully verified.
47% of data points are verified against official sources. 18 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Yes
License Required
MHIC
License Type
No
Exam Required
No
Experience Required
$20,000 (guaranty fund contribution)
Bonding Required
$700-$402
Total Initial Fees
State contractor licensing requirements for painting contractors
VerifiedLicense Required
Yes
License Type
Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) Registration
Class: MHIC
License Threshold
All home improvement work (no monetary threshold)
Exemptions
Maryland requires a contractor license for painting work. Requirements are administered by the Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC). Always verify current requirements directly with the licensing authority.
Experience, Education & Examination Requirements
Mostly verifiedExperience Required
No
Exam Required
No
Maryland does not require specific experience or exams for painting contractors at the state level. All painting contractors working on pre-1978 homes should obtain EPA RRP certification for lead paint safety.
Insurance & Bonding Requirements
Mostly verifiedGeneral Liability
Required — $50,000
Workers' Compensation
Required for all employers with 1+ employees
Surety Bond
Required — $20,000 (guaranty fund contribution)
Insurance requirements vary by state. Even in states that do not mandate insurance for painting contractors, carrying general liability insurance ($1,000,000+ recommended) and workers' compensation insurance is strongly recommended to protect your business and clients. Surety bonds protect consumers if a contractor fails to complete work or meet obligations.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
License Application Fee Application fee for contractor license | $100 |
License Fee License issuance fee | $500 (2-year) |
Bond Cost Surety bond face amount (annual premium is typically 1-10% of bond amount) | $20,000 (guaranty fund contribution) |
Business License Fee General business license/registration fee for Maryland | $100-$300 |
Total Initial Fees Includes application, license, exam, and business license fees. Bond premiums and insurance costs are additional. | $700-$402 |
Renewal Requirements & Ongoing Obligations
Mostly verifiedBiennial
Renewal Period
$500 (biennial)
Renewal Fee
Not Required
Continuing Education
Regulatory Board
Painting contractor licenses in Maryland must be renewed biennial. Ensure all insurance and bonding requirements remain current between renewal periods. EPA RRP certification must be renewed every 5 years.
Maryland requires painting contractors to register with the Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC). A $20,000 guaranty fund contribution is required in lieu of a traditional surety bond.
Maryland requires Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) Registration for painting contractors.
License is required for projects valued at All home improvement work (no monetary threshold).
EPA Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule certification is required for work on pre-1978 homes that disturbs lead-based paint. This is a federal requirement that applies in all states.
Workers' compensation insurance is required in Maryland: Required for all employers with 1+ employees.
A surety bond of $20,000 (guaranty fund contribution) is required for contractor licensing.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Maryland.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Salary
#19 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Painters, Construction and Maintenance (SOC 47-2141)
Entry Level
N/A
25th percentile
Median
$46,200
At national averageExperienced
N/A
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
Source: BLS OEWS – Painters, Construction and Maintenance (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2022-2032
Projected Growth
+3%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
N/A
over 10 years
Annual Openings
N/A
per year (avg.)
N/A currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2022-2032 (September 2023)
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 4–6 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
4-6 weeks
Estimated processing time
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Accessed 2025-01-15
Maryland requires Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) Registration for painting contractors. License is required for projects valued at All home improvement work (no monetary threshold). A surety bond of $20,000 (guaranty fund contribution) is required. All painting contractors working on pre-1978 homes must obtain EPA RRP certification. Licensing is managed through the Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC).
Requirements vary by state and locality. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.