Handyman License Requirements in Glen Burnie, MD

By Ray Duke, Founder of Bulletproof Handyman · Last reviewed July 2026

Glen Burnie is an unincorporated community in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Any handyman performing home improvement work for pay must obtain a Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) license—Maryland has NO dollar-threshold exemption. The MHIC license costs approximately $403.75 to obtain (application, processing, and Guaranty Fund fees) plus a $63 PSI exam fee, and requires $500,000 minimum general liability insurance. Since Glen Burnie is unincorporated, there is no city business license; all licensing flows through Anne Arundel County. Specialty trades (electrical, plumbing, HVAC) require separate state and county licenses.

⚠️ What Requires a Contractor License

The following work requires a state-issued contractor license in MD. Performing this work without a license exposes you to fines, stop-work orders, and civil liability:

• ANY home improvement work on 1–3 unit residential properties performed for pay, including: painting, drywall repair, carpentry, roofing, siding, deck construction, kitchen/bathroom remodeling, basement finishing, window/door replacement, flooring, and general renovation.
• Electrical work beyond simple fixture changes (requires separate state and county electrical license in addition to MHIC).
• Plumbing work beyond simple fixture replacement (requires separate state and county plumbing license in addition to MHIC).
• HVAC system work (requires separate state and county HVAC license in addition to MHIC).
• Gas fitting work (requires separate state and county license in addition to MHIC).
• Any work on condominium units (MHIC license required; work on common areas of condominiums or buildings with 4+ units may have different rules).
• All home improvement contracts must be in writing and comply with Maryland home improvement law (Md. BR §8-101 et seq.).

State Contractor Licensing Law (MD)

Maryland Statute: Business Regulation Article §8-101 et seq. No dollar threshold exists. Every home improvement contract must be in writing. Unlicensed work is a criminal offense and contracts may be voided. This is one of the strictest handyman licensing regimes in the United States.

County Requirements — Anne Arundel County

Business license: Not required at the county level.

Special Jurisdictions & Zones

The following special jurisdictions may have separate licensing requirements:

• Fort Meade (NSA Campus) — Work on Fort Meade requires federal contractor status, not Maryland MHIC licensing. Verify all requirements with the Fort Meade Directorate of Contracting before bidding or performing work on base.
• Joint Base Andrews (Andrews Air Force Base) — Federal contractor status required; Maryland MHIC license does not apply on federal property.
• Aberdeen Proving Ground — Federal contractor status required; Maryland MHIC license does not apply on federal property.
• Naval Support Activity Annapolis — Federal contractor status required; Maryland MHIC license does not apply on federal property.

City Business License — Glen Burnie

Not required at the city level.

Permit vs. Contractor License — The Legal Difference

A LICENSE is permission from the state or county to perform a specific trade or profession (e.g., MHIC license, electrical license, plumbing license). A PERMIT is permission from the local building/code authority to perform a specific project or work at a specific location. In Maryland, you need BOTH: an MHIC license to legally perform home improvement work, AND building permits for specific projects that trigger permit requirements. Even if you hold an MHIC license, you must still obtain building permits for work that affects structure, safety, electrical systems, plumbing, or mechanical systems. Failure to obtain required permits can result in fines, work stoppage, and liability issues.

Business Entity Registration (MD)

To operate legally you must register your business. LLC filing fee in MD: $100 (one-time).

Compliance Notes for Glen Burnie, Anne Arundel County, Maryland

• Insurance Requirement: All MHIC-licensed contractors must maintain general liability insurance of at least $500,000 (effective June 1, 2024, per HB 738). This is a significant increase from the previous $50,000 minimum. Verify current coverage with your insurance provider.
• Written Contracts Required: Every home improvement contract in Maryland must be in writing and must comply with Md. BR §8-203. Verbal agreements are not enforceable and may expose you to liability.
• No Dollar Exemption: Maryland has NO dollar-threshold exemption. Even a $100 job requires an MHIC license if it is home improvement work on a 1–3 unit residential property.
• Criminal Penalties: Performing home improvement work without an MHIC license is a criminal offense. Penalties include fines and potential imprisonment.
• Subcontractor Exception: Subcontractors working under an MHIC-licensed contractor do NOT need their own MHIC license. However, if you deal directly with homeowners, you must be licensed.
• Trade Licenses Are Separate: An MHIC license does NOT cover electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or gas work. You must obtain separate state and county licenses for these trades.
• County Trade Licenses Required: Anne Arundel County requires separate county-level licenses for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work in addition to state licenses. Specific county fees were not confirmed—contact the Anne Arundel County Licensing Division at (410) 222-1434.
• Federal Property: Work on military bases (Fort Meade, Joint Base Andrews, Aberdeen Proving Ground, NSA Annapolis) is on federal land and requires federal contractor registration via SAM.gov. Maryland MHIC and county licenses do NOT apply on federal property.
• Exam Requirement: You must pass the PSI MHIC exam (70% minimum) before applying for your license. The exam fee is $63.
• Guaranty Fund: The Guaranty Fund assessment ($100 at initial application, $175 at renewal every two years) is mandatory and protects consumers if a contractor fails to complete work.

Legal Registration Steps for Glen Burnie

Follow these steps to operate legally as a handyman in Glen Burnie, Anne Arundel County, Maryland:

1. Step 1: Register your business entity with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). You may form an LLC ($100 filing fee) or operate as a sole proprietor. Register a trade name (DBA) if needed (~$25 fee). Visit https://businessexpress.maryland.gov or call (410) 767-1330.
2. Step 2: Study for and pass the Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) exam. The exam is administered by PSI Exams (1-800-367-1565). Exam fee is $63. Minimum passing score is 70%. Study materials are available from MHIC at https://labor.maryland.gov/license/mhic/.
3. Step 3: Submit your MHIC license application to the Maryland Home Improvement Commission. Required documents include proof of exam passage, proof of business registration with SDAT, and proof of general liability insurance ($500,000 minimum). Application fee is $281.25 + $100 Guaranty Fund + $22.50 processing = ~$403.75. Mail to: Maryland Home Improvement Commission, 500 N. Calvert Street, Room 202, Baltimore, MD 21202. Or apply online at https://labor.maryland.gov/license/mhic/.
4. Step 4: Obtain general liability insurance of at least $500,000 (required before MHIC license approval). Contact an insurance broker or agent for quotes.
5. Step 5: If you plan to perform electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or gas work, obtain separate state licenses from the Maryland State Board of Electricians, Board of Plumbing, or Board of HVACR Contractors. Then obtain corresponding county-level licenses from Anne Arundel County Licensing Division (contact (410) 222-1434 for fee schedules and application procedures).
6. Step 6: Verify with Anne Arundel County Inspections and Permits (https://www.aacounty.org/inspections-and-permits/) which building permits are required for your specific projects. Obtain permits before starting work.
7. Step 7: Keep your MHIC license, insurance, and all trade licenses current. Renew your MHIC license every two years (renewal fee ~$281.25 + $175 Guaranty Fund assessment).

Work You Can Do Without a Contractor License

• NOTHING — Maryland has no dollar-threshold handyman exemption. Any home improvement work performed for pay requires an MHIC license.
• The only exception is subcontractors working under an MHIC-licensed contractor—subcontractors may work without a license when performing work for a licensed contractor.
• Even minor repairs, painting, drywall work, or fixture replacements performed for pay on a 1–3 unit residential property require an MHIC license.
• Work on your own property (not for pay) does not require a license.
• Work on commercial buildings (4+ units, non-residential) may have different licensing requirements—verify with MHIC.

Licensing rules and fees change over time, so this information may be out of date. Verify all information with local authorities before making business decisions.