[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":129},["ShallowReactive",2],{"guide-question-maryland-contractor-simulator-energy-code-compliance":3},{"site":4,"simulation":15,"topic":23,"question":26,"siblings":50,"prev":127,"next":128},{"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":35,"speakerAvatar":36,"audioUrl":37,"choices":38,"citations":49},"energy-code-compliance","How is energy code compliance checked on an addition?","At the insulation inspection, before drywall. Maryland adopts the IECC, most of the state is climate zone 4A, and the inspector will verify R-values, so…","At the insulation inspection, before drywall. Maryland adopts the IECC, most of the state is climate zone 4A, and the inspector will verify R-values, so keep the manufacturer's documentation on hand.",[32,33],"You're finishing an addition to a home. The inspector asks about insulation values and whether you've met the current Maryland energy code requirements.","\"What R-values did you install in the walls and ceiling? Do you have the manufacturer's certification?\"","Inspector Williams","County building inspector. Fair but thorough. Knows every code section by heart.","/media/characters/inspector_williams.png","/media/voices/energy_code_compliance.mp3",[39,44],{"text":40,"verdict":41,"label":42,"explanation":43},"Provide the insulation manufacturer's R-value documentation. Maryland follows the IECC (International Energy Conservation Code) — wall and ceiling insulation values vary by climate zone. Frederick is Climate Zone 4A, requiring R-20 or R-13+5 walls and R-49 ceilings","best","Correct","Maryland adopts the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). Energy code compliance is checked during insulation inspection, before drywall. Requirements vary by climate zone — most of Maryland is Zone 4A. Having manufacturer's documentation ready shows professionalism. The inspector needs to verify R-values before you close up walls. Energy code is often overlooked but regularly inspected.",{"text":45,"verdict":46,"label":47,"explanation":48},"Tell the inspector you used 'standard' insulation — whatever came from the supply house","wrong","Unprepared","'Standard' insulation doesn't mean code-compliant insulation. Different applications require different R-values, and the inspector needs documentation. If you can't tell the inspector what you installed, you either don't know (concerning) or didn't check (negligent). The inspection will fail until you can provide R-value documentation proving code compliance. Know what you're installing and keep the spec sheets.",[],[51,54,57,60,63,66,69,72,75,78,81,84,87,90,93,96,99,102,103,106,109,112,115,118,121,124],{"slug":52,"title":53,"topic":24},"sarah-permit-question","Who is responsible for permits on a Maryland home improvement job?",{"slug":55,"title":56,"topic":24},"dave-wants-no-permit","Can you skip permits if the homeowner asks you to?",{"slug":58,"title":59,"topic":24},"dave-comes-around","How do you build permit costs into a contract?",{"slug":61,"title":62,"topic":24},"permit-exemptions","Which home projects need a permit in Maryland?",{"slug":64,"title":65,"topic":24},"property-manager-volume","Do cosmetic bathroom refreshes in rentals need permits?",{"slug":67,"title":68,"topic":24},"unpermitted-work-discovered","What happens when an inspector finds work without a permit?",{"slug":70,"title":71,"topic":24},"dave-deck-problem","What is your liability when unpermitted work fails?",{"slug":73,"title":74,"topic":24},"inspection-day","How should you handle a problem the inspector finds?",{"slug":76,"title":77,"topic":24},"permit-inspection-sequence","Why do building inspections happen in stages?",{"slug":79,"title":80,"topic":24},"building-dept-permit-rush","How do you get a building permit approved faster?",{"slug":82,"title":83,"topic":24},"fire-blocking-code","Where is fire blocking required under IRC R302.11?",{"slug":85,"title":86,"topic":24},"egress-window-requirement","When does a basement bedroom need an egress window?",{"slug":88,"title":89,"topic":24},"smoke-detector-requirements","Where are smoke alarms required after a renovation?",{"slug":91,"title":92,"topic":24},"gfci-requirements","Can a homeowner refuse GFCI outlets in the kitchen?",{"slug":94,"title":95,"topic":24},"handrail-dispute","When does a deck stairway need a handrail?",{"slug":97,"title":98,"topic":24},"bathroom-ventilation","Does a bathroom need an exhaust fan under the IRC?",{"slug":100,"title":101,"topic":24},"deck-ledger-connection","How must a deck ledger be attached to the house?",{"slug":27,"title":28,"topic":24},{"slug":104,"title":105,"topic":24},"accessibility-code-requirements","Does the ADA apply to a single-family bathroom remodel?",{"slug":107,"title":108,"topic":24},"retaining-wall-height","When does a retaining wall need an engineered design?",{"slug":110,"title":111,"topic":24},"load-bearing-wall-question","What is required before removing a load-bearing wall?",{"slug":113,"title":114,"topic":24},"building-on-easement","Can you build a deck over a utility easement?",{"slug":116,"title":117,"topic":24},"stormwater-management","When does a patio trigger stormwater management in Maryland?",{"slug":119,"title":120,"topic":24},"hoa-interference","Does a building permit override HOA approval?",{"slug":122,"title":123,"topic":24},"abandoned-project","How do you take over a job another contractor abandoned?",{"slug":125,"title":126,"topic":24},"diy-disaster-assessment","How do you assess a homeowner's failed DIY renovation?",{"slug":100,"title":101,"topic":24},{"slug":104,"title":105,"topic":24},1792184485275]