How to Verify Your Maryland Kitchen Contractor's MHIC License

Before you hire anyone for a kitchen remodel in Maryland, confirm they hold a valid license. It takes a few minutes, it is free, and it protects you. Here is how to do it and why it matters.

Why MHIC Licensing Matters

Maryland law requires most residential remodeling contractors to hold a license from the Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC), which operates under the Maryland Department of Labor. The license exists to protect homeowners. Among other things, it ties the contractor to the state's Guaranty Fund, which can reimburse homeowners for certain losses caused by a licensed contractor. Hiring someone unlicensed usually means giving up that protection entirely.

A valid MHIC license also signals that the contractor has met the state's requirements for insurance and standing. It is one of the clearest dividing lines between a legitimate remodeler and someone working off the books.

How to Look Up a License

The Maryland Department of Labor publishes a free online license lookup for MHIC contractors. To verify a company:

  1. Go to the Maryland Department of Labor's occupational and professional license search, which includes the MHIC database.
  2. Search by the company name or the licensee's name. If the contractor gave you a license number, you can search by that too.
  3. Open the matching record and confirm the license status is active and not expired, suspended, or revoked.
  4. Check that the name on the license matches the business you are actually hiring. Some contractors operate under a DBA, so make sure the legal entity lines up.

If you cannot find a record, or the name does not match, treat that as a red flag and ask the contractor to explain before you sign anything.

What to Confirm Before You Sign

Beyond an active license, a careful homeowner checks a few more things:

  • The license is current, not lapsed or pending renewal.
  • The business name and address on the license match what is on your contract.
  • Insurance is in force, and you can request a certificate of insurance.
  • The written contract lists the MHIC license number, a clear scope, a payment schedule, and start and completion expectations.

We Make This Easy

We are MHIC-licensed, and we want you to verify it. When you reach out, we will give you the information you need to confirm our license in the state database yourself. Hiring a kitchen contractor is a big decision, and you should never have to take licensing on faith. When you are ready, see our FAQ or call us to talk through your project.