Contractor License from District of Columbia to Maryland: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Maryland Dept. of Labor, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (MHIC; State Board of Master Electricians; State Board of Plumbing; HVACR Contractors Board) ↗
A contractor license transfers from District of Columbia to Maryland by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Maryland Dept. of Labor, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (MHIC; State Board of Master Electricians; State Board of Plumbing; HVACR Contractors Board), verify your District of Columbia license, and meet Maryland's endorsement requirements. The Maryland Home Improvement Commission (general home-improvement contractor) offers NO reciprocity — MHIC experience and exam are required. Maryland's individual trade boards grant reciprocal licenses to holders of equivalent, exam-obtained licenses from agreement states, effectively waiving re-examination..
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Same data, interactive — with share link and board links.
Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
Maryland does not have a trade agreement covering District of Columbia for the selected trade, so this move runs on Maryland's case-by-case endorsement process. If you do commercial general-building work, check whether Maryland accepts the NASCLA exam — passing it once can replace the trade exam here and in about fourteen other states. Electricians should check Maryland's NERA status.
What changes, District of Columbia → Maryland
| District of Columbia (current) | Maryland (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | DLCP fees not verified (DLCP pages not retrievable at research time) | $25–$150 (Original license fees vary by trade/class: electrical master $25 / journeyperson $18.50; plumbing master plumber-gasfitter $87.50 (master natural gas fitter $150.50); HVACR master $94.50 / journeyman $25. MHIC contractor license (no reciprocity) is $281.25 + $100 Guaranty Fund.) |
| Processing time | Not verified | Not stated by the boards. |
| Licensing authority | District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) - Board of Industrial Trades | Maryland Dept. of Labor, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (MHIC; State Board of Master Electricians; State Board of Plumbing; HVACR Contractors Board) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Maryland sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Maryland's current requirements on the Maryland Dept. of Labor, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (MHIC; State Board of Master Electricians; State Board of Plumbing; HVACR Contractors Board) website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Maryland Dept. of Labor, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (MHIC; State Board of Master Electricians; State Board of Plumbing; HVACR Contractors Board).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Letter of Good Standing from the home-state board showing the license was obtained by examination.
- Copy of the current out-of-state license.
- Certificate of Insurance naming the Maryland board (master-level applicants).
- Copy of photo ID.
- Pay the fees ($25–$150 (Original license fees vary by trade/class: electrical master $25 / journeyperson $18.50; plumbing master plumber-gasfitter $87.50 (master natural gas fitter $150.50); HVACR master $94.50 / journeyman $25. MHIC contractor license (no reciprocity) is $281.25 + $100 Guaranty Fund.)) and allow Not stated by the boards..
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Maryland accept a District of Columbia contractor license?
A contractor license transfers from District of Columbia to Maryland by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Maryland Dept. of Labor, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (MHIC; State Board of Master Electricians; State Board of Plumbing; HVACR Contractors Board), verify your District of Columbia license, and meet Maryland's endorsement requirements. The Maryland Home Improvement Commission (general home-improvement contractor) offers NO reciprocity — MHIC experience and exam are required. Maryland's individual trade boards grant reciprocal licenses to holders of equivalent, exam-obtained licenses from agreement states, effectively waiving re-examination..
What still applies even if reciprocity covers my trade?
Maryland's business and law exam, financial statement, bond, and registration — reciprocity waives the trade exam only, not these.
What does the District of Columbia-to-Maryland move cost and how long does it take?
$25–$150 (Original license fees vary by trade/class: electrical master $25 / journeyperson $18.50; plumbing master plumber-gasfitter $87.50 (master natural gas fitter $150.50); HVACR master $94.50 / journeyman $25. MHIC contractor license (no reciprocity) is $281.25 + $100 Guaranty Fund.); processing Not stated by the boards..
Would the NASCLA exam help for this move?
If you do commercial general-building work, possibly — about 15 states accept the NASCLA Accredited Commercial General Building exam toward licensure. Check whether Maryland is one on the Maryland Dept. of Labor, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (MHIC; State Board of Master Electricians; State Board of Plumbing; HVACR Contractors Board) site.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) — home ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Maryland Board of Master Electricians — Licensing/Reciprocity ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Maryland State Board of Plumbing — Reciprocal License ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Maryland HVACR Board — Reciprocal Licensing ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- MHIC — Forms and Fees ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NASCLA - States/jurisdictions accepting the NASCLA Accredited Electrical Examination (District of Columbia listed) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]