[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":100},["ShallowReactive",2],{"guide-topic-maryland-contractor-simulator-who-needs-a-license":3},{"site":4,"simulation":15,"topic":23,"otherTopics":61},{"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,"description":26,"intro":27,"questions":28},"who-needs-a-license","Who Needs an MHIC License","Practice questions on what counts as home improvement under Maryland Business Regulation §8-101: handyman work, landlords, commercial jobs, pools, antennas and out-of-state contractors.","Maryland defines home improvement broadly. These scenarios work through where the line falls: residential versus commercial work, owners working on their own property, handyman jobs, and contractors coming in from out of state.",[29,33,37,41,45,49,53,57],{"slug":30,"title":31,"topic":24,"takeaway":32},"what-is-home-improvement","What counts as home improvement under Maryland law?","Work on residential property, as defined in Maryland Business Regulation §8-101. Repairs, replacements, remodeling, painting, fencing, and water heater replacement all count; commercial buildings fall outside MHIC licensing.",{"slug":34,"title":35,"topic":24,"takeaway":36},"unlicensed-handyman-question","Does a handyman need an MHIC license in Maryland?","Yes. Maryland has no dollar-threshold handyman exemption, so anyone paid to improve, repair, or modify a residence needs an MHIC license, whatever the size of the job.",{"slug":38,"title":39,"topic":24,"takeaway":40},"rental-property-exception","Can a landlord renovate their own rentals without an MHIC license?","Generally yes, for work they do themselves on property they own. They still need permits and code compliance, trade licenses for electrical, plumbing, or HVAC work, and anyone they hire needs an MHIC license.",{"slug":42,"title":43,"topic":24,"takeaway":44},"commercial-vs-residential","Does an MHIC license cover commercial renovation work?","No. MHIC licensing applies to residential property only. Commercial work may need a general contractor license or trade licenses instead, and taking it under your MHIC license misrepresents your credentials.",{"slug":46,"title":47,"topic":24,"takeaway":48},"pool-vs-home-improvement","Does an MHIC license cover building an in-ground pool?","Only partly; it depends on your jurisdiction. The deck, fencing, and hardscaping are MHIC work, but the pool shell, plumbing, and filtration may need specialized licensing, and pool electrical work requires a licensed electrician.",{"slug":50,"title":51,"topic":24,"takeaway":52},"television-antenna","Is installing a TV antenna home improvement in Maryland?","Yes. COMAR 09.08.01.21 specifically treats television antenna installation as home improvement work, so anyone hired to install one, with rooftop mounting and cable routing, needs an MHIC license.",{"slug":54,"title":55,"topic":24,"takeaway":56},"unlicensed-competitor","How do you explain the risk of an unlicensed contractor to a homeowner?","Explain what licensing gives them: an unlicensed contractor means no Guaranty Fund protection, no required insurance, no recourse, and possible liability for injuries on their property. Invite them to verify any license with the MHIC.",{"slug":58,"title":59,"topic":24,"takeaway":60},"storm-chaser-competition","Do out-of-state storm chasers need a Maryland MHIC license?","Yes. Out-of-state contractors are not exempt, so a contractor from another state needs an MHIC license to work in Maryland. Homeowners should verify the license, look for a local address, and insist on a complete written contract.",[62,66,70,74,78,82,86,90,93,97],{"slug":63,"title":64,"count":65},"contracts","Home Improvement Contracts",19,{"slug":67,"title":68,"count":69},"payments-change-orders","Deposits, Payments & Change Orders",11,{"slug":71,"title":72,"count":73},"licensing","MHIC Licensing & Renewal",10,{"slug":75,"title":76,"count":77},"advertising-sales","Advertising & Salespeople",13,{"slug":79,"title":80,"count":81},"consumer-protection","Cancellation Rights & Consumer Protection",9,{"slug":83,"title":84,"count":85},"permits-codes","Permits, Inspections & Building Codes",26,{"slug":87,"title":88,"count":89},"subcontractors-employees","Subcontractors, Liens & Workers",14,{"slug":91,"title":92,"count":81},"safety-hazards","Job-Site Safety & Hazardous Materials",{"slug":94,"title":95,"count":96},"complaints-guaranty-fund","Complaints, Warranties & the Guaranty Fund",15,{"slug":98,"title":99,"count":77},"running-your-business","Running a Compliant Business",1792184484118]