Exam Cheat Sheet · Quick Reference
Maryland Home Improvement Contractor (MHIC)
Maryland
Verified, not estimated. Every figure below is drawn from the official exam structure we maintain — question counts, passing standard and topic weighting. Practice questions are grounded in the source law with statute citations. We omit any figure we can't verify rather than guess at it.
Total questions
55
Passing score
70%
Exam time
150 min
Format
Reference materials allowed
Maryland State Portion 55 questions
Home Improvement Law
41 Q · 75%
Definitions and scope of home improvement under Maryland lawMaryland Home Improvement Commission structure and authorityLicensing requirements, exemptions, and application processHome Improvement Guaranty Fund eligibility, claims, and payment limitsRequired elements of home improvement contractsProhibited acts, civil penalties, and criminal penaltiesMaryland Door-to-Door Sales Act cancellation rights and requirementsSalesperson licensing, conduct, and contractor relationships
Door-to-Door Sales Act
4 Q · 7%
Definition and scope of door-to-door sale under the ActCancellation rights and timeframes including extended period for buyers 65 and olderRequired content of the Notice of Cancellation formSeller's disclosure obligations at initial contact and during sales presentationContractor's obligations upon receipt of cancellation notice including deposit refundExemptions from Door-to-Door Sales Act coverageEnforcement authority and penalties for violationsWritten acknowledgment requirement for buyer's right to cancel
Labor Laws
3 Q · 5%
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) minimum wage and overtime requirementsChild labor restrictions and prohibited hazardous tasks for minorsForm I-9 employment eligibility verification requirementsAmericans with Disabilities Act (ADA) employer obligations and reasonable accommodationWorkers' compensation coverage requirements and penalties in MarylandEmployee vs. independent contractor classification under IRS guidelinesRequired workplace postings under federal and Maryland lawAnti-discrimination laws (Title VII, ADEA, Equal Pay Act) and prohibited interview questions
Safety Regulations
4 Q · 7%
OSHA standards applicable to construction (29 CFR 1926, 1910, 1904)OSHA recordkeeping requirements (Forms 300, 300A, and 301)OSHA penalty types and amounts for violationsSafety Data Sheets (SDS) and hazard communication requirementsPersonal protective equipment and safety gear requirementsEmergency action plan requirementsLead-based paint renovation rules (Lead PRE/RRP program)Maryland sediment and erosion control plan requirements and penalties
Estimating
3 Q · 5%
Bid documents and bid package requirementsEthics in bidding: bid shopping, bid peddling, and bid riggingEstimating framework: project phases, task lists, and materialsQuantity take-off method for estimating materials and laborLabor cost calculation including labor burdenDirect and indirect cost components: materials, equipment, subcontractor fees, contingencies, and allowancesOverhead calculation and markup for profit margin determinationJob cost recording system and use of historical cost data for future estimates