License path
Maryland contractor exam prep
Maryland contractors are licensed by the Maryland State Board of Plumbing. Most classifications sit a trade paper plus Law & Business. Need only the business paper? It is sold standalone. If you buy a Maryland classification that sits that exam, that paper is half off where we offer it.
Confirm question count, time, open-book rules, and passing score on the live board bulletin before you sit. We do not publish a single Q-count for every classification on this page, and we do not guarantee a passing result.
Getting your Maryland contractor license? Contractor Pathway offers an original, exam-focused study guide and four full-length practice exams for every Maryland classification that requires a state board exam — currently 3 courses across Electrical and Plumbing. Choose your classification below and study with 30-, 60-, or 90-day access at $99, $129, and $169.
Who licenses contractors in Maryland
These are the Maryland classifications we build exam prep for, each licensed by its responsible board:
| Trade area | Licensing authority | Exam basis |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical | Maryland State Board of Master Electricians | National Electrical Code (NEC) |
| Plumbing | Maryland State Board of Plumbing | Adopted plumbing & fuel-gas codes |
Always confirm the current code edition, experience requirements, fees, and passing score with the board and testing vendor before you schedule. Contractor Pathway is an independent exam-prep provider and is not affiliated with any Maryland board or testing vendor.
How to get licensed in Maryland
Maryland licenses plumbing through the State Board of Plumbing at the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing. Maryland combines plumbing and gas fitting into a single credential ladder, and the hours are counted precisely — there is no rounding up.
- Start as a licensed apprentice — and don’t linger. An apprentice plumber/gas fitter or apprentice natural gas fitter licence may be renewed for only two consecutive cycles before you must sit the journey examination. The clock is deliberate: Maryland expects apprentices to progress.
- Journey plumber/gas fitter: four years and 7,500 hours. Hold an apprentice licence for at least four years, complete 7,500 hours of training under the control and direction of a licensed master plumber/gas fitter, complete 32 hours of training in backflow prevention device testing, and pass the written examination.
- Master plumber/gas fitter: two more years and 3,750 hours. Hold the journey licence for at least two years and complete 3,750 hours of training under the direction and control of a licensed master plumber/gas fitter, then pass the master examination.
- Budget for the backflow module separately. The 32-hour backflow prevention device testing requirement sits outside the general trade curriculum and is a condition of journey licensure — schedule it well before your exam date rather than discovering it at application.
- No continuing education to keep the licence. Maryland imposes no continuing education requirement to maintain a plumbing licence. The exception is the plumbing inspector identification card, which requires eight hours of continuing education each calendar year.
Sources: Maryland Department of Labor, Board of Plumbing licence requirements and licensing FAQs; electrician requirements at the State Board of Electricians. Contractor Pathway is an independent exam-preparation provider and is not affiliated with either Board.
Choose your Maryland classification
Each course includes a comprehensive study guide — often 10,000 words or more — worked calculations, code-section breakdowns, common exam traps, a glossary, and a 30/60/90-day study plan — plus four full-length practice exams matched to the topic weightings of the Maryland test.
Maryland contractor licensing — FAQ
Who licenses home improvement contractors in Maryland?
The Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC), within the Department of Labor Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing. Most residential contractors need an MHIC license.
What is the Maryland MHIC exam?
A 55-question, computer-based exam with a two-hour time limit, administered by PSI. You need 70% to pass, and it covers the laws and regulations of running a home improvement business.
What happens if I fail the Maryland exam?
You must wait 30 days to reapply after a failure, and 60 days for any subsequent retake – so first-attempt preparation really pays off.
Which Maryland licenses do you build courses for?
The MHIC home improvement contractor exam, plus the licensed trades (plumbing, HVAC, electrical) that are regulated by their own state boards. Confirm your category with the relevant board.
How long should I study for the Maryland exam?
Most candidates do well on a 30-, 60-, or 90-day plan depending on experience, which is why we offer access at all three terms ($99 / $129 / $169). Each guide includes a day-by-day study plan.