Contractor License from Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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.

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Verdict

Licensure by endorsement

Maryland does not have a trade agreement covering Pennsylvania 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, Pennsylvania → Maryland

Side-by-side: Pennsylvania vs Maryland (Contractor (GC/electrical/plumbing/HVAC)), verified 2026-07-21
	Pennsylvania (current)	Maryland (destination)
Application fee	$100 ($100 registration every two years (non-refundable); online card payment adds a $2 processing fee. There is no state contractor license fee; electrical/plumbing licensing is handled at the municipal/local level.)	$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	2–3 weeks (Registration certificate arrives by mail within 2 to 3 weeks unless the application is incomplete.)	Not stated by the boards.
Licensing authority	Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General — Home Improvement Contractor Registration (HICPA)	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

Maryland Dept. of Labor, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (MHIC; State Board of Master Electricians; State Board of Plumbing; HVACR Contractors Board) ↗

Frequently asked questions

Does Maryland accept a Pennsylvania contractor license?

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 Pennsylvania-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)
PA OAG — Home Improvement Contractor Registration System (fee, insurance, PA#, processing) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
PA OAG — Home Improvement Contractor FAQ ($5,000 threshold, out-of-state contractors must register) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)

Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21

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