Bathroom Remodel — Maryland license requirements

Verified 2026-10-058 official sources3 classification relations7 scope assertionsIndexation gate: passed

01 The project

The starting point is the work itself — Bathroom Remodel in Maryland. The job determines which trades are involved, and the trades determine which license classifications may be required.

Component	Trade
Plumbing	Plumbing
Electrical	Electrical
Tile	Tile
Framing	Framing
Drywall	Drywall
Painting	Painting

02 Jurisdiction

This project is evaluated for Maryland — the home-improvement licence state. There is no project-value general-contractor licence: the MHIC home improvement contractor licence (Business Regulation Art. Title 8) covers residential alteration/remodel/repair on 1–3 unit buildings, the trades are licensed individually (electrician BOP Title 6, plumber/gas fitter Title 12, HVACR BR Title 9A), and new-home construction is a Home Builder Registration. Maryland jurisdiction page.

Limitation — local permit fees are unread; no unconditional statewide bond

Local building and permit fees, and the electrician/plumbing/HVACR/Home-Builder licence fees, were not read — LOCAL_AUTHORITY_REQUIRED / NOT_VERIFIED. Maryland imposes no unconditional statewide surety bond on these credentials (an MHIC applicant who fails the solvency guidelines may buy a bond or obtain an indemnitor). State requirements are not the complete story for any locality.

03 Trade → license

Relations below are recorded per state — only this jurisdiction's classifications are shown.

Trades involved: Plumbing, Electrical, Tile, Framing, Drywall, Painting.

May require HOME-IMPROVEMENT-CONTRACTOR — Home Improvement Contractor (MHIC) confirmed S-MD-BR-8-301 rule MD-MHIC-LICENSE
A bathroom remodel is home improvement — the MHIC contractor licence is the business-scope credential the homeowner's remodeler must hold.
May require MASTER-PLUMBER — Master Plumber (Gas Fitter) confirmed S-MD-PL-MAIN rule MD-PLUMBING-LICENSE
Plumbing work (fixtures, drains, water supply, gas) requires a Maryland Board of Plumbing licence; a master plumber provides plumbing AND natural gas services. NOTE the 32-hour backflow testing requirement for the journey class.
May require MASTER-ELECTRICIAN — Master Electrician confirmed S-MD-ELEC-MAIN rule MD-ELECTRICAL-LICENSE
Electrical work (lighting, exhaust fan, GFCI receptacles) requires a licensed electrician; §6-605(b) job-site presence rule.

04 Scope

What the official sources say about the work involved — typed assertions, never a boolean "covers". Interpretations are marked as such.

Officially excluded HOME-IMPROVEMENT-CONTRACTOR Construction Of A New Home (may_not_perform) Business Regulation §8-101(g)(3)(i) S-MD-BR-8-101
Officially excluded HOME-IMPROVEMENT-CONTRACTOR No Mhic License For A Licensed Electrician Plumber Hvacr Contractor Or Architect Acting Within Scope (requires) Business Regulation §8-301(c)(4) S-MD-BR-8-301
Officially excluded HOME-IMPROVEMENT-CONTRACTOR Subcontracting Home Improvement Work For An Mhic Licensed Contractor Without A License (may_perform) MHIC home page (subcontractor category eliminated) S-MD-MHIC-MAIN
Officially included MASTER-ELECTRICIAN Provide Electrical Services In All Aspects Of The Electrical Trade (may_perform) Business Occupations and Professions §6-101(g),(j); §6-605(b) S-MD-BOP-6-101
Officially included MASTER-PLUMBER Provide Plumbing Services And Natural Gas Services (may_perform) Business Occupations and Professions §12-101(l) S-MD-BOP-12-101
Officially excluded HOME-IMPROVEMENT-CONTRACTOR Work On Apartment Buildings With Four Or More Single Family Units Or Common Area Condominiums (may_not_perform) Business Regulation §8-101(g)(3)(v)-(vi) S-MD-BR-8-101
Officially included HOME-IMPROVEMENT-CONTRACTOR Act As A Contractor Performing Or Agreeing To Perform A Home Improvement For An Owner (may_perform) Business Regulation §8-301(a); §8-101(c),(g) S-MD-BR-8-301
The MHIC licence is a scope licence, not a project-value GC licence: it is the credential a homeowner's remodeler must hold.

05 Requirements

Requirement	Kind	Statement	Source
A contractor licence is required to act as a contractor or sell a home improvement in Maryland Business Regulation §8-301(a)-(b) verbatim (read 2026-10-05)	license	Business Regulation §8-301(a) verbatim: 'Except as otherwise provided in this title, a person must have a contractor license whenever the person acts as a contractor in the State.' §8-301(b): a person must have a salesperson license or contractor license whenever the person sells a home improvement in the State. The MHIC home-improvement contractor licence is the business-scope credential for residential alteration, remodeling, repair or replacement on buildings used as a residence.	S-MD-BR-8-301 Source S-MD-BR-8-301 — Maryland General Assembly — Annotated Code of Maryland (mgaleg.maryland.gov) Business Regulation §8-301 — License required; exclusions (incl. the (c)(4) trade exemption) — Business Regulation §8-301(a)-(b) verbatim (read 2026-10-05) https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gbr&section=8-301&enactments=false Retrieved 2026-10-05 · last verified 2026-10-05 §8-301(a): a contractor licence is required to act as a contractor in the State; (b): a salesperson or contractor licence to sell a home improvement. §8-301(c)(4) exempts a licensed electrician / plumber / HVACR contractor (or other licensed occupation) acting within scope, or installing a central heating/air-conditioning system.
Licensed electricians, plumbers and HVACR contractors are EXEMPT from the MHIC licence within their scope Business Regulation §8-301(c)(4) verbatim (read 2026-10-05)	exemption	Business Regulation §8-301(c)(4) verbatim: the MHIC licence does not apply to 'an architect, electrician, plumber, heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, or refrigeration contractor, or other person who: (i) is required by State or local law to meet standards of competency or experience before engaging in an occupation or profession; (ii) currently is licensed in that occupation or profession under State or local law; and (iii) is: 1. acting only within the scope of that occupation or profession; or 2. installing a central heating or air-conditioning system.'	S-MD-BR-8-301 Source S-MD-BR-8-301 — Maryland General Assembly — Annotated Code of Maryland (mgaleg.maryland.gov) Business Regulation §8-301 — License required; exclusions (incl. the (c)(4) trade exemption) — Business Regulation §8-301(c)(4) verbatim (read 2026-10-05) https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gbr&section=8-301&enactments=false Retrieved 2026-10-05 · last verified 2026-10-05 §8-301(a): a contractor licence is required to act as a contractor in the State; (b): a salesperson or contractor licence to sell a home improvement. §8-301(c)(4) exempts a licensed electrician / plumber / HVACR contractor (or other licensed occupation) acting within scope, or installing a central heating/air-conditioning system.
Plumbing and gas services require a Maryland Board of Plumbing licence (statewide, with carve-outs) Board overview + BOP §12-101 verbatim (read 2026-10-05)	license	Maryland State Board of Plumbing, verbatim: the Board 'licenses and regulates individuals who provide or assist in providing plumbing and gas services in Maryland.' The statutory licence classes (Business Occupations and Professions §12-101) are master plumber (providing plumbing AND natural gas services, including a master plumber gas fitter), journey plumber, apprentice plumber, limited master/journey plumber, master/journeyman/apprentice natural gas fitter, and a propane gas fitter certificate. State licences are required throughout Maryland EXCEPT Baltimore County and the WSSC area.	S-MD-PL-MAIN Source S-MD-PL-MAIN — Maryland State Board of Plumbing — Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing Maryland Board of Plumbing — overview and the Baltimore County / WSSC carve-out — Board overview + BOP §12-101 verbatim (read 2026-10-05) https://labor.maryland.gov/license/pl/ Retrieved 2026-10-05 · last verified 2026-10-05 State plumbing/gas-fitter licences are required statewide EXCEPT Baltimore County and the WSSC area (Prince George's & Montgomery Counties), which issue their own licences and have their own plumbing code; the Board also issues natural-gas fitter licences to non-plumbers and a propane gas fitter certificate that applies statewide.
Baltimore County and the WSSC area (Prince George's & Montgomery) issue their own plumbing licences Board overview verbatim (read 2026-10-05)	license	Maryland State Board of Plumbing, verbatim: state plumbing and gas-fit licenses 'are required for work throughout the state except for Baltimore County and the areas served by the Washington Suburban Sanitary Committee - "WSSC" (Prince George's and Montgomery Counties). These two jurisdictions issue their own licenses and have their own plumbing code.' The Board separately issues the statewide propane gas fitter certificate.	S-MD-PL-MAIN Source S-MD-PL-MAIN — Maryland State Board of Plumbing — Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing Maryland Board of Plumbing — overview and the Baltimore County / WSSC carve-out — Board overview verbatim (read 2026-10-05) https://labor.maryland.gov/license/pl/ Retrieved 2026-10-05 · last verified 2026-10-05 State plumbing/gas-fitter licences are required statewide EXCEPT Baltimore County and the WSSC area (Prince George's & Montgomery Counties), which issue their own licences and have their own plumbing code; the Board also issues natural-gas fitter licences to non-plumbers and a propane gas fitter certificate that applies statewide.
All electrical work in Maryland must be performed by a licensed master, journeyperson or apprentice electrician Board notice + BOP §6-605 verbatim (read 2026-10-05)	license	Maryland State Board of Electricians, verbatim: 'All electrical work in Maryland must be performed by a licensed Master, Journeyperson, or Apprentice Electrician. Apprentices must be supervised at all times by a licensed Master or Journeyperson and may not perform work independently. Unlicensed electrical work is illegal. Violations may result in fines of up to $5,000, imprisonment, or both.' §6-605 restates the employment restriction and the job-site presence rule.	S-MD-ELEC-MAIN Source S-MD-ELEC-MAIN — Maryland State Board of Electricians — Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing Maryland State Board of Electricians — overview, insurance requirements, unlicensed-work penalty — Board notice + BOP §6-605 verbatim (read 2026-10-05) https://labor.maryland.gov/license/elec/ Retrieved 2026-10-05 · last verified 2026-10-05 All electrical work must be done by a licensed master, journeyperson or apprentice (apprentices supervised at all times); unlicensed work is illegal and may bring fines up to $5,000, imprisonment, or both. Insurance to hold a licence: GL ≥ $300,000 and property damage ≥ $100,000; insurer must notify the Board 10 days before cancellation.
At least one licensed master or journeyperson electrician must be present at each electrical job site BOP §6-605(a)-(b) verbatim (read 2026-10-05)	license	Business Occupations and Professions §6-605(b) verbatim: 'At least one licensed master electrician or journeyperson electrician shall be present at each job site in which electrical services are provided.' A person may not employ an individual to provide (or assist in providing) electrical services unless the individual is a licensed master, a licensed journeyperson within scope, or a licensed apprentice within scope.	S-MD-BOP-6-605 Source S-MD-BOP-6-605 — Maryland General Assembly — Annotated Code of Maryland (mgaleg.maryland.gov) Business Occupations and Professions §6-605 — Employment restriction and job-site presence rule — BOP §6-605(a)-(b) verbatim (read 2026-10-05) https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gbo&section=6-605&enactments=false Retrieved 2026-10-05 · last verified 2026-10-05 Verbatim: a person may not employ an individual to provide (or assist in providing) electrical services unless the individual is a licensed master, a licensed journeyperson within scope, or a licensed apprentice within scope; (b) at least one licensed master or journeyperson electrician shall be present at each job site where electrical services are provided.

06 Rule: MD-MHIC-LICENSE

Business Regulation §8-301(a): 'a person must have a contractor license whenever the person acts as a contractor in the State'; (b): a salesperson or contractor licence to sell a home improvement. Applies to home improvement as defined by §8-101(g). Test MD-MHIC-TRADE-EXEMPTION first when a licensed trade professional acts within scope.

Outcome	Conclusion	Caveats
mhic-required	mhic_license_required	Only an MHIC licensed contractor may contract with a homeowner for home improvement. The MHIC licence does NOT cover new-home construction or 4+ unit apartment buildings (§8-101(g)(3)).
not-home-improvement	mhic_not_required	New-home construction needs the Home Builder Registration; trade work needs the relevant trade licence; local permits may still apply.

Rule confidence: confirmed. Missing inputs produce NOT_DETERMINED — never a forced answer. Sources: S-MD-BR-8-301 S-MD-BR-8-101

07 Rule: MD-PLUMBING-LICENSE

Maryland Board of Plumbing licences individuals who provide or assist in providing plumbing and gas services; classes are master/journey/apprentice plumber-gas fitter, limited master/journey plumber, master/journeyman/apprentice natural gas fitter, and a propane gas fitter certificate.

Outcome	Conclusion	Caveats
license-required	plumbing_license_required	—

Rule confidence: confirmed. Missing inputs produce NOT_DETERMINED — never a forced answer. Sources: S-MD-PL-MAIN S-MD-BOP-12-101

08 Rule: MD-ELECTRICAL-LICENSE

All electrical work in Maryland must be performed by a licensed master, journeyperson or apprentice electrician (apprentices supervised at all times). Unlicensed electrical work is illegal; fines up to $5,000, imprisonment, or both.

Outcome	Conclusion	Caveats
license-required	electrical_license_required	A licensed master or journeyperson must be present at the job site (§6-605(b)).

Rule confidence: confirmed. Missing inputs produce NOT_DETERMINED — never a forced answer. Sources: S-MD-ELEC-MAIN S-MD-BOP-6-101

09 Rule: MD-PLUMBING-LOCAL

State plumbing/gas-fitter licences are required throughout Maryland EXCEPT Baltimore County and the WSSC area (Prince George's & Montgomery Counties), which issue their own licences and have their own plumbing code.

Outcome	Conclusion	Caveats
local-carveout	local_plumbing_license_applies	The local licence and code details are LOCAL_AUTHORITY_REQUIRED.
state-license	state_plumbing_license_required	—

Rule confidence: confirmed. Missing inputs produce NOT_DETERMINED — never a forced answer. Sources: S-MD-PL-MAIN

10 Rule: MD-ELECTRICAL-JOBSITE

Business Occupations and Professions §6-605(b): at least one licensed master or journeyperson electrician shall be present at each job site where electrical services are provided.

Outcome	Conclusion	Caveats
jobsite-required	jobsite_presence_required	—
apprentice-alone	jobsite_presence_violation	—

Rule confidence: confirmed. Missing inputs produce NOT_DETERMINED — never a forced answer. Sources: S-MD-BOP-6-605

11 Which credential for which part

Part of the job	Maryland credential	Source
The remodel / replacement itself	MHIC home improvement contractor licence (rule MD-MHIC-LICENSE)	S-MD-BR-8-301
Plumbing / gas	Maryland Board of Plumbing licence (master plumber covers plumbing AND natural gas) — rule MD-PLUMBING-LICENSE; state licence except Baltimore County / WSSC	S-MD-PL-MAIN
Electrical	licensed electrician, present at the job site (rules MD-ELECTRICAL-LICENSE, MD-ELECTRICAL-JOBSITE)	S-MD-ELEC-MAIN
Trade acting within scope	exempt from the MHIC licence (§8-301(c)(4)) — rule MD-MHIC-TRADE-EXEMPTION	S-MD-BR-8-301

Note: the Baltimore-County/WSSC plumbing carve-out and the §6-605(b) electrical job-site rule (licensed master or journeyperson present at each electrical job site) are stated in full on the Maryland jurisdiction page.

Evidence

S-MD-BOP-6-101statute

Maryland General Assembly — Annotated Code of Maryland (mgaleg.maryland.gov)

Business Occupations and Professions §6-101 — Electrician definitions (master/journeyperson/apprentice; local boards)

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gbo&section=6-101&enactments=false