Highway Work:
Although there is no formal prequalification process, experience and
equipment certification, liability insurance ($1,000,000/2,000,000), and applicable
state contractor licenses are required from contractors after bids have been submitted.
Home Improvement Contractors:
A passing score of 70% or greater on an open book
examination, regarding state and federal laws and regulations and various business
subjects, is required. Applicants must document a minimum of 2 years experience in
building or home improvement and/or related vocational education.
Home improvement contractors must show financial solvency, based on the intended
scope and size of the business in relation to total assets, liabilities, cred it rating and
net worth. Contractors must also show proof of $50,000 in liability insurance. Upon
receipt of the completed application, a license is usually issued within a month.
There is a Guaranty Fund which reimburses homeowners up to $20,000 for actual
losses due to poor or incomplete work by licensed contractors or the amount paid
under contract whichever is less. Contractors pay $100 into the Fund when applying
for an original license.
There is also a $150 assessment into the Fund at each 2 year renewal. Each licensed contractor is covered by the Fund for up to $100,000 for homeowner claims.
License Type / Original Fee / Renewal Fee Every 2 Years / Exam Fee
Contractors / $270 / $280.42 / $63
Salespersons / $120 / $100 / $63
1. There is an initial fee of $100 paid to the Home Improvement Guaranty Fund.
Assessment Fee upon renewal is $125. Cred it Report fee for renewals is $5.42. Total contractor license renewal every 2 years is $380.42.
2. A $20 Processing Fee is included for each License Type Original Fee.
There are no financial limits for contracts for home improvement work.
Plumbers and Gas Fitters:
All persons who provide or assist in providing plumbing and
gas services must be licensed. To qualify for an apprentice license, applicants must be at least 16 years of age. Examinations are required for the journeyman, master plumber license, and journeyman and master natural gas fitter. After October 1, 2001, applicants applying for the journeyman natural gas fitter are required to complete an examination training course and pass an examination.
Journeyman Plumber/Gas Fitter:
Applicants applying for a journeyman plumber/ gas fitter license have held an apprentice license for at least 4 years and must have completed 7,500 hours of training under the control and direction if a licensed master
plumber. Applicants must also have completed 32 hours of training in backflow
prevention device testing.
Master Plumber/Gas Fitter:
Applicants must have held a journey license for at least
2 years and completed 3,700 hours of training under the direction and control of a
licensed master plumber.
Propane Gas Fitter (Certification): Applicants must meet 1 of the following
requirements:
a. Must hold a current certification of completion of the National Propane Gas
Association certified training program for Distribution Systems Operations; or
b. Must hold a gas fitters license fr011 a county or municipal corporation
authorizing the person to provide gas services under a licensing program in
existence prior to July 1, 1995; or
c. Must demonstrate to the Board that the person's qualifications are at
least equivalent to the qualifications required by the National Propane Gas
Association training program for Distribution Systems Operations.
Fees are as follows:
License Type / License Fee / Exam Fee / Application Fee
Apprentices / $15 / N/A / N/A
Journeyman Plumber/Gas Fitter / $35 / $65 / N/A
Journeyman Natural/Gas Fitter / $35 / $65 / $25
Master Plumber/Gas Fitter / $70 / $65 / N/A
Master Natural/Gas Fitter / $70 / $65 / $50
Propane Gas Fitter's Certificate / $35 / N/A / $25
A license is used state wide except for 2 areas (Baltimore County and the area serviced by the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission), where a separate license is required. State licensed plumbers and propane gas fitters who are "insured to contract" must main ta in coverage of at least $400,000 per occurrence.
Electrician:
Applicants for a state Master Electrician license must have been engaged
or employed regularly and principally in providing electrical services for all types of
electrical equipment and apparatus for at least 7 years under the direct supervision of a master electrician or similarly qualified employee of a governmental unit and pass a state trade examination. The State Board may al low an applicant up to 3 years of credit toward the required experience with proof that the applicant has completed a formal course of study or professional training in electrical installation comparable to the required experience. The state license is required in the 3 counties that do not require local licensing.
Electrical work in the other counties of the state requires county electrical licenses,
regardless of the state license. Licenses are issued for 2 years from date of issue.
License Type / Application Fee / Renewal Fee
Master Electrician / $20 / $25
Master Electrician Inactive / $20 / $50
Inactive Master Inspector / N/A / N/A
Qualified Agent / $20 / $25
HVACR:
All applicants must pass an examination with a minimum score of 70°/o:All
Master, Master Restricted and Limited contractor applicants who are responsible for
signing and approving contracts to insta ll or service HVACR systems are required to
carry genera l liabi lity and property damage insurance. The general liabi lity insurance
coverage must be at least $300,000 property damage liability insurance must be at
least $100,000. The combined amount of the general liabi lity and property damage
insurance must beat least $400,000.
Master License:
Applicants who are applying for the Master Electrician license are
required to have been licensed as a journeyman and regularly and principally employed to provide all areas of HVACR services for at least 3 years of active experience under the direction and control of a HVACR master. Applicants must have worked a minimum of 1,875 hours in the year prior for applying and currently hold a journeyman or higher level license.
Master Restricted License:
Applicants are required to have been licensed as a
journeyman and regularly and principally employed to provide HVACR services for at least 3 years of active experience under the direction and control of a HVACR master. There are instances when applicants do not currently hold a HVACR license, and are required to provide proof of experience.
Limited License:
Applicants must have been licensed as a journeyman and regularly
and principally employed in providing HVACR services under the direction and control of licensed HVACR master for at least 2 years. There are instances when applicants do not currently hold a HVACR license, and are required to provide proof of experience.
Journeyman License:
Applicants must have been licensed as an apprentice for at least
3 years and during that period shall have completed at least 1,875 hours of training
in providing HVACR services under the direction and control of a licensed HVACR
contractor. Applicants must currently hold an apprentice license. 1,875 hours apply
when an individual currently is licensed as an apprentice.
Type of License / Application and Renewal Fee
Apprentice / $10
Journeyman (including Journeyman Restricted) / $20
Inspector / N/A
Limited / $75
*Master Restricted (each category) / $25 (max $75*)
Master / $75
Inactive Master License / $25
Inactive Master Restricted / $25
Inactive Limited Contractor / $25
*Master Restricted licenses are issued in 1 and up to 4 combinations of areas of
expertise in HVACR work (heating, forced air, heating-hydronic, ventilation, air.
conditioning and refrigeration). The assessment per category is capped once an
individual licensee qualifies in 3 areas of HVACR expertise.
RECIPROCAL AGREEMENTS
An electrical reciprocal agreement for master electricians exists with Delaware,
Virginia and West Virginia. A plumbing reciprocal agreement exists with Delaware. A
HVACR reciprocal agreement exists with Delaware and Virginia.
