[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":128},["ShallowReactive",2],{"guide-question-maryland-contractor-simulator-bathroom-ventilation":3},{"site":4,"simulation":15,"topic":23,"question":26,"siblings":49,"prev":126,"next":127},{"name":5,"tagline":6,"title":7,"description":8,"guideTitle":9,"guideDescription":10,"ogImage":11,"disclaimer":12,"practicePitch":13,"citationsTitle":14},"Free MHIC Training","Maryland home improvement exam prep","Free MHIC Exam Prep: Maryland Home Improvement Contractor Practice","Free, narrated MHIC exam prep: 147 real Maryland contractor scenarios, every choice explained, with the law cited where it applies.","MHIC Exam Study Guide","Every scenario in the free Maryland Contractor Simulator, written out as a practice question: the situation, your options, how each choice plays out, and the Maryland law where it applies.","/og/free-mhic-training.png","Free MHIC Training is free study material for the Maryland home improvement contractor exam. It is not affiliated with the Maryland Home Improvement Commission and is not legal advice.","The free Maryland Contractor Simulator puts you in situations like these across a 40-day contracting career, narrated, with your license on the line. No account needed.","Law and codes cited",{"slug":16,"title":17,"subtitle":18,"description":19,"maxTurns":20,"characterCount":21,"scenarioCount":22},"maryland-contractor-simulator","Maryland Contractor Simulator","Learn the law by living it.","You just got your MHIC license application approved and you're starting your home improvement business in Maryland. Navigate real contractor scenarios — contracts, permits, clients, subcontractors, and inspectors. Every choice teaches you the law through consequence, not memorization. Master all five exam areas to pass.",40,20,147,{"slug":24,"title":25},"permits-codes","Permits, Inspections & Building Codes",{"slug":27,"title":28,"description":29,"takeaway":30,"situation":31,"speaker":34,"speakerDescription":34,"speakerAvatar":34,"audioUrl":35,"choices":36,"citations":47},"bathroom-ventilation","Does a bathroom need an exhaust fan under the IRC?","It needs either a window of a minimum size or mechanical ventilation under IRC R303.3, but many Maryland jurisdictions require an exhaust fan regardless…","It needs either a window of a minimum size or mechanical ventilation under IRC R303.3, but many Maryland jurisdictions require an exhaust fan regardless, especially in renovations. Check your local rules before relying on a window.",[32,33],"The homeowner's bathroom renovation doesn't currently have a vent fan. They don't want one installed.","\"We just crack the window. It's fine. We've been doing it for 20 years.\"",null,"/media/voices/bathroom_ventilation.mp3",[37,42],{"text":38,"verdict":39,"label":40,"explanation":41},"IRC R303.3 requires mechanical ventilation (exhaust fan) in all bathrooms. A window can supplement but doesn't replace the fan requirement in most jurisdictions. Install the fan — it's code","best","Correct","IRC R303.3 requires bathrooms to have either a window (with specific minimum size) OR mechanical ventilation. Many local jurisdictions have amended this to require mechanical ventilation regardless of windows. During a renovation that includes permits, the inspector will check for adequate ventilation. A bathroom exhaust fan (50 CFM minimum for standard bathrooms) prevents moisture damage and mold. It costs $150 installed. Mold remediation costs $5,000+.",{"text":43,"verdict":44,"label":45,"explanation":46},"They have a window — that satisfies the ventilation requirement","partial","Check local code","The IRC allows natural ventilation via an operable window with at least 4% of floor area. But many Maryland jurisdictions have adopted amendments requiring mechanical ventilation in all bathrooms, especially during renovations. Check YOUR jurisdiction's specific requirements before assuming a window alone is sufficient. Also consider: a window that 'cracks' open in January isn't providing ventilation.",[48],"IRC R303.3",[50,53,56,59,62,65,68,71,74,77,80,83,86,89,92,95,96,99,102,105,108,111,114,117,120,123],{"slug":51,"title":52,"topic":24},"sarah-permit-question","Who is responsible for permits on a Maryland home improvement job?",{"slug":54,"title":55,"topic":24},"dave-wants-no-permit","Can you skip permits if the homeowner asks you to?",{"slug":57,"title":58,"topic":24},"dave-comes-around","How do you build permit costs into a contract?",{"slug":60,"title":61,"topic":24},"permit-exemptions","Which home projects need a permit in Maryland?",{"slug":63,"title":64,"topic":24},"property-manager-volume","Do cosmetic bathroom refreshes in rentals need permits?",{"slug":66,"title":67,"topic":24},"unpermitted-work-discovered","What happens when an inspector finds work without a permit?",{"slug":69,"title":70,"topic":24},"dave-deck-problem","What is your liability when unpermitted work fails?",{"slug":72,"title":73,"topic":24},"inspection-day","How should you handle a problem the inspector finds?",{"slug":75,"title":76,"topic":24},"permit-inspection-sequence","Why do building inspections happen in stages?",{"slug":78,"title":79,"topic":24},"building-dept-permit-rush","How do you get a building permit approved faster?",{"slug":81,"title":82,"topic":24},"fire-blocking-code","Where is fire blocking required under IRC R302.11?",{"slug":84,"title":85,"topic":24},"egress-window-requirement","When does a basement bedroom need an egress window?",{"slug":87,"title":88,"topic":24},"smoke-detector-requirements","Where are smoke alarms required after a renovation?",{"slug":90,"title":91,"topic":24},"gfci-requirements","Can a homeowner refuse GFCI outlets in the kitchen?",{"slug":93,"title":94,"topic":24},"handrail-dispute","When does a deck stairway need a handrail?",{"slug":27,"title":28,"topic":24},{"slug":97,"title":98,"topic":24},"deck-ledger-connection","How must a deck ledger be attached to the house?",{"slug":100,"title":101,"topic":24},"energy-code-compliance","How is energy code compliance checked on an addition?",{"slug":103,"title":104,"topic":24},"accessibility-code-requirements","Does the ADA apply to a single-family bathroom remodel?",{"slug":106,"title":107,"topic":24},"retaining-wall-height","When does a retaining wall need an engineered design?",{"slug":109,"title":110,"topic":24},"load-bearing-wall-question","What is required before removing a load-bearing wall?",{"slug":112,"title":113,"topic":24},"building-on-easement","Can you build a deck over a utility easement?",{"slug":115,"title":116,"topic":24},"stormwater-management","When does a patio trigger stormwater management in Maryland?",{"slug":118,"title":119,"topic":24},"hoa-interference","Does a building permit override HOA approval?",{"slug":121,"title":122,"topic":24},"abandoned-project","How do you take over a job another contractor abandoned?",{"slug":124,"title":125,"topic":24},"diy-disaster-assessment","How do you assess a homeowner's failed DIY renovation?",{"slug":93,"title":94,"topic":24},{"slug":97,"title":98,"topic":24},1792184485263]