How to become a handyman in Maryland

The path in Maryland, step by step

Maryland licenses handyman work at the state level through the Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC), Maryland Department of Labor. These are the steps it lays out, in order.

1. Pass the MHIC contractor's exam through PSI.
2. Get at least $500,000 general liability insurance.
3. Fill out the contractor's personal financial statement.
4. Apply to the Maryland Home Improvement Commission and pay the license fee and Guaranty Fund assessment.
5. Renew every two years.

The full license guide, with every fee and form: handyman license in Maryland.

Finding an apprenticeship in Maryland

Maryland runs Registered Apprenticeship through its own State Apprenticeship Agency, recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor to register and oversee programs there. Its staff are state employees, and it may use the federal paperwork or forms of its own. Apprenticeship.gov lists the Maryland State Apprenticeship Agency as the contact.

Either way, a registered program means paid work with a mentor, raises as you progress, classroom instruction and a credential recognized in every state. Search open spots in the Apprenticeship Job Finder.

Across the country. Some maintenance and repair workers complete an apprenticeship, which usually combines paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction.

License levels and exams in Maryland

The license to aim for: MHIC Home Improvement Contractor license.

Trade exam. Yes. The MHIC contractor's exam, given by PSI.

Keeping it. Every two years. The Guaranty Fund renewal assessment is $175.

What the Maryland license costs

The fees the Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC), Maryland Department of Labor lists. Exam fees from a testing company, insurance and any bond come on top.

What handymen earn in Maryland

The median handyman in Maryland earned $24.76 an hour in May 2025, 19th of 51 states, with 23,730 on payrolls. The national median was $23.84.

At the bottom of the range, a quarter of handymen in Maryland earned under $21.16 an hour and a tenth under $17.74. At the top, a quarter earned over $30.02 and a tenth over $36.41.

BLS has no separate figure for handymen. These are its numbers for general maintenance and repair workers, the closest group: people who keep buildings and equipment in repair using the skills of two or more trades. Real estate, schools and government are among the top industries BLS lists for them. Every state, the neighbors and what a business should charge: handyman salary in Maryland.

Jobs ahead in Maryland

Maryland's labor market office projects jobs for handymen growing from 23,150 in 2022 to 24,780 in 2032, a change of 7%. Counting people who retire or change careers, that is about 2,310 openings a year.

Jobs are projected to grow 7% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the 3.6% projected nationally, ranking 32nd of the 50 states in the file.

These are the state's own long-term projections, published together on Projections Central for the occupation group maintenance and repair workers, general.

Starting your own handyman business in Maryland

To contract on your own in Maryland, the license is the MHIC Home Improvement Contractor license.

Insurance. At least $500,000 general liability insurance, required since June 1, 2024.

Bond. Only if you do not meet financial solvency guidelines. Then an indemnitor or a $30,000 or $100,000 surety bond.

Pricing comes next. Paying yourself the Maryland median of $24.76 an hour, the labor rate calculator's starting numbers (one person, 2 unbilled hours a day, $90,000 of overhead, 15% profit) come to $114.07 per billable hour. Try your own in the labor rate calculator.

The full checklist is in how to start a handyman business. The free Koira Office plan gives you a website on a Koira address, estimates customers sign with a deposit, invoices with card payments and your day's jobs in one place, with no per-person fee. See the plans.