[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":72},["ShallowReactive",2],{"guide-question-maryland-contractor-simulator-pool-vs-home-improvement":3},{"site":4,"simulation":15,"topic":23,"question":26,"siblings":47,"prev":70,"next":71},{"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},"who-needs-a-license","Who Needs an MHIC License",{"slug":27,"title":28,"description":29,"takeaway":30,"situation":31,"speaker":33,"speakerDescription":33,"speakerAvatar":33,"audioUrl":34,"choices":35,"citations":46},"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…","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.",[32],"A homeowner asks you to build an in-ground pool with a surrounding patio deck. Your MHIC license covers the deck, but what about the pool itself?",null,"/media/voices/pool_vs_home_improvement.mp3",[36,41],{"text":37,"verdict":38,"label":39,"explanation":40},"The pool itself may require a different license or specialized contractor — check Maryland requirements for pool construction. Your MHIC license covers the deck and surrounding work, but excavation and pool shell installation may fall outside home improvement as defined in Title 8","best","Correct","Pool construction exists in a gray area that depends on your jurisdiction. In Maryland, swimming pool installation may fall under different regulatory frameworks than standard home improvement. The deck, fencing, and hardscaping are clearly MHIC territory. But the pool shell, plumbing, and filtration systems may require specialized licensing. Electrical work for pool equipment definitely requires a licensed electrician with pool-specific qualifications (NEC Article 680). Know your scope.",{"text":42,"verdict":43,"label":44,"explanation":45},"A pool is a home improvement — your MHIC covers everything","wrong","Oversimplified","Pool construction involves excavation, structural engineering, specialized plumbing, electrical work governed by NEC Article 680 (swimming pools), and potentially gas work for heaters. Claiming your MHIC license covers all of this is a stretch. Trade-specific components (electrical, plumbing, gas) require separately licensed professionals regardless. Know the boundaries of your license.",[],[48,51,54,57,60,61,64,67],{"slug":49,"title":50,"topic":24},"what-is-home-improvement","What counts as home improvement under Maryland law?",{"slug":52,"title":53,"topic":24},"unlicensed-handyman-question","Does a handyman need an MHIC license in Maryland?",{"slug":55,"title":56,"topic":24},"rental-property-exception","Can a landlord renovate their own rentals without an MHIC license?",{"slug":58,"title":59,"topic":24},"commercial-vs-residential","Does an MHIC license cover commercial renovation work?",{"slug":27,"title":28,"topic":24},{"slug":62,"title":63,"topic":24},"television-antenna","Is installing a TV antenna home improvement in Maryland?",{"slug":65,"title":66,"topic":24},"unlicensed-competitor","How do you explain the risk of an unlicensed contractor to a homeowner?",{"slug":68,"title":69,"topic":24},"storm-chaser-competition","Do out-of-state storm chasers need a Maryland MHIC license?",{"slug":58,"title":59,"topic":24},{"slug":62,"title":63,"topic":24},1792184484118]