[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":83},["ShallowReactive",2],{"guide-question-maryland-contractor-simulator-asbestos-in-basement":3},{"site":4,"simulation":15,"topic":23,"question":26,"siblings":55,"prev":81,"next":82},{"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},"safety-hazards","Job-Site Safety & Hazardous Materials",{"slug":27,"title":28,"description":29,"takeaway":30,"situation":31,"speaker":34,"speakerDescription":35,"speakerAvatar":36,"audioUrl":37,"choices":38,"citations":54},"asbestos-in-basement","Can you remove suspected asbestos during a renovation?","No. Maryland requires a licensed asbestos contractor to remove asbestos-containing materials such as old 9x9 floor tiles and pipe wrap.","No. Maryland requires a licensed asbestos contractor to remove asbestos-containing materials such as old 9x9 floor tiles and pipe wrap. Get suspect materials tested, then have them abated or encapsulated by licensed professionals.",[32,33],"Dave's basement finish is underway. Your demolition crew discovers what appears to be asbestos-wrapped pipe insulation and 9x9 floor tiles — classic asbestos indicators in a 1960s home.","Dave says, \"Just rip it out. I don't want to deal with an asbestos company — they charge a fortune.\"","Dave Kowalski","A homeowner who wants a deck and basement finished fast. Impatient and wants to cut corners.","/media/characters/homeowner_dave.png","/media/voices/asbestos_in_basement.mp3",[39,44,49],{"text":40,"verdict":41,"label":42,"explanation":43},"Refuse to disturb it. Explain that suspected asbestos must be tested by a certified lab, and if confirmed, removed by a licensed asbestos abatement contractor. This is not optional","best","Correct","Maryland requires licensed asbestos contractors for removal of asbestos-containing materials. 9x9 tiles and pipe wrap insulation in pre-1980 homes are classic asbestos indicators. Disturbing asbestos without proper containment and licensing violates Maryland Environment Article and EPA NESHAP regulations. Fines are severe, and exposure creates long-term health liability. Dave's budget doesn't override the law or worker safety.",{"text":45,"verdict":46,"label":47,"explanation":48},"Wet it down and carefully remove it yourself to save Dave the cost","wrong","Illegal","Removing asbestos without proper licensing, containment, air monitoring, and disposal is a serious violation of state and federal environmental law. 'Wetting it down' is not an acceptable abatement method for a non-certified contractor. You're exposing yourself, your workers, and the homeowner's family to asbestos fibers. Medical costs for mesothelioma lawsuits average $2.4 million. Not worth saving Dave a few thousand.",{"text":50,"verdict":51,"label":52,"explanation":53},"Leave it in place and just work around it — if you don't disturb it, it's fine","partial","Partially correct","Intact, undisturbed asbestos is generally safe to leave in place and encapsulate. However, a basement finish typically requires working near or around these materials, risking accidental disturbance. The proper approach is: get it tested, then decide whether to abate or encapsulate based on the renovation scope. 'Working around it' in a full basement finish is easier said than done.",[],[56,59,62,63,66,69,72,75,78],{"slug":57,"title":58,"topic":24},"safety-violation-site","When does OSHA require guardrails on scaffolding?",{"slug":60,"title":61,"topic":24},"lead-paint-discovery","What does the EPA RRP rule require when you find lead paint?",{"slug":27,"title":28,"topic":24},{"slug":64,"title":65,"topic":24},"mold-discovery","What should you do when demolition uncovers mold?",{"slug":67,"title":68,"topic":24},"disposal-of-materials","How must renovation debris be disposed of?",{"slug":70,"title":71,"topic":24},"winter-weather-damage","Are you liable for weather damage to an unprotected job?",{"slug":73,"title":74,"topic":24},"snow-ice-liability","Are you liable when someone slips on ice at your job site?",{"slug":76,"title":77,"topic":24},"neighbor-complaint","What hours can construction start in a Maryland neighborhood?",{"slug":79,"title":80,"topic":24},"neighbor-property-damage","What should you do when your crew damages a neighbor's property?",{"slug":60,"title":61,"topic":24},{"slug":64,"title":65,"topic":24},1792184485401]