[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":73},["ShallowReactive",2],{"guide-question-maryland-contractor-simulator-unlicensed-handyman-question":3},{"site":4,"simulation":15,"topic":23,"question":26,"siblings":48,"prev":71,"next":72},{"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":34,"speakerDescription":34,"speakerAvatar":34,"audioUrl":35,"choices":36,"citations":47},"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…","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.",[32,33],"A friend asks you where the line is between 'handyman work' and 'home improvement' that requires an MHIC license.","\"I just do small stuff — hang shelves, fix leaky faucets, paint rooms. Do I really need a license?\"",null,"/media/voices/unlicensed_handyman_question.mp3",[37,42],{"text":38,"verdict":39,"label":40,"explanation":41},"If you're doing any work that qualifies as home improvement under §8-101 for compensation, you need an MHIC license. There is no 'small job' exemption in Maryland. Painting, plumbing repairs, and even hanging shelves for pay can qualify","best","Correct","Maryland's definition of home improvement is broad. Unlike some states, Maryland does NOT have a handyman exemption with a dollar threshold. Any person performing home improvement work for compensation must be licensed. Some argue very minor maintenance tasks may not qualify, but the safe answer — and the exam answer — is that if you're being paid to improve, repair, or modify a residence, you need an MHIC license.",{"text":43,"verdict":44,"label":45,"explanation":46},"Small jobs under $500 don't require a license — that's the handyman exemption","wrong","Wrong","Maryland does NOT have a dollar-threshold handyman exemption. This is a common misconception, possibly confused with other states' laws. Under Maryland Business Regulation Title 8, home improvement work performed for compensation requires MHIC licensing regardless of the dollar amount. Telling your friend otherwise could result in them operating illegally.",[],[49,52,53,56,59,62,65,68],{"slug":50,"title":51,"topic":24},"what-is-home-improvement","What counts as home improvement under Maryland law?",{"slug":27,"title":28,"topic":24},{"slug":54,"title":55,"topic":24},"rental-property-exception","Can a landlord renovate their own rentals without an MHIC license?",{"slug":57,"title":58,"topic":24},"commercial-vs-residential","Does an MHIC license cover commercial renovation work?",{"slug":60,"title":61,"topic":24},"pool-vs-home-improvement","Does an MHIC license cover building an in-ground pool?",{"slug":63,"title":64,"topic":24},"television-antenna","Is installing a TV antenna home improvement in Maryland?",{"slug":66,"title":67,"topic":24},"unlicensed-competitor","How do you explain the risk of an unlicensed contractor to a homeowner?",{"slug":69,"title":70,"topic":24},"storm-chaser-competition","Do out-of-state storm chasers need a Maryland MHIC license?",{"slug":50,"title":51,"topic":24},{"slug":54,"title":55,"topic":24},1792184484118]