When it’s time to replace or repair your roof, the contractor you choose matters as much as the materials they install. Maryland regulates roofing work — but not every contractor operating in the state meets the legal requirements, and many homeowners don’t know what to check until something goes wrong. Here’s exactly how to verify a roofing contractor’s credentials in Maryland before you sign anything.
Does Maryland Require Roofing Contractors to Be Licensed?
Yes. Any contractor performing roofing or other home improvement work on a residential property in Maryland must hold a license issued by the Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC). This requirement applies to every contractor working in the state — including those based out of state.
To earn an MHIC license, a contractor must:
- Pass a 55-question licensing exam administered by PSI
- Demonstrate at least two years of hands-on experience in home improvement or construction
- Carry a minimum of $50,000 in liability insurance, which must remain active for the life of the license
- Register their business with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation
Pro Tip: Maryland does not issue a standalone “roofing license.” The MHIC Home Improvement license is the required credential for all residential roofing work statewide.
How to Verify a Roofing Contractor’s License in Maryland
The MHIC maintains a free, publicly accessible database called the MHIC Home Improvement Public Query tool. You can search by contractor name, license number, or location and confirm active status in real time. If a contractor doesn’t appear in the results, they are not licensed to perform home improvement work in Maryland.
Fichtner Home Exteriors holds MHIC license #50157.
Why does it matter if a contractor is unlicensed?
Unlicensed contractors cannot legally pull building permits in Maryland. More importantly, homeowners who hire unlicensed contractors lose access to the MHIC Guaranty Fund — the state-administered fund that compensates homeowners for actual financial losses caused by poor workmanship or a contractor who fails to complete the job. That protection exists specifically for situations where something goes wrong. It only applies when the contractor holds a valid MHIC license.
What Insurance Should a Maryland Roofing Contractor Carry?
A valid license and current insurance are separate requirements. Confirm both before any work begins. Ask for a certificate of insurance — but don’t just accept a PDF from the sales rep. Have the certificate emailed to you directly by the contractor’s insurance carrier so you can verify the policy is current and authentic.
Request that you’re listed as the certificate holder so you’ll be notified if the policy is cancelled before or during your project. And ensure you’re listed as additionally insured, which means the contractor’s policy extends coverage to you as the property owner for any claims arising from the work. If a contractor’s coverage is lapsed or fraudulent and a worker is injured on your property, the homeowner can be held liable — these steps prevent that.
Does the roofing contractor need general liability insurance?
Yes. General liability insurance covers damage to your property caused during the project. Without it, repair costs resulting from contractor error can fall to you. Maryland requires MHIC license holders to carry a minimum of $50,000 in liability coverage, but many established contractors carry significantly more. Ask for the certificate and check the coverage amount.
Does the roofing contractor need workers’ compensation insurance?
Yes. Workers’ compensation covers injuries sustained by workers on your property. Maryland law requires it for most employers. If a contractor is operating without it and a worker is injured on your roof, you as the homeowner can be held liable for medical expenses and lost wages. Do not accept verbal assurances — request the certificate and confirm the policy is current.
Pro Tip: Do not accept verbal assurances. Request the certificate, check the coverage amounts, and confirm the policy is current.
Questions to Ask a Roofing Contractor Before You Hire
Use this checklist before signing any contract with a Maryland roofing contractor:
- What is your MHIC license number, and can I verify it online?
- Can you provide current certificates of general liability and workers’ compensation insurance?
- Are you a GAF Master Elite contractor?
- What manufacturer certifications do you hold, and what warranties do they allow you to offer?
- Will you pull all required permits, and will you provide documentation when the work is complete?
- What is your process if unexpected damage or structural issues are discovered during the project?
A contractor who is properly licensed, insured, and credentialed will answer all of these without hesitation. One who pushes back, deflects, or promises to follow up later is giving you useful information.
A Note for Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Homeowners
Annapolis homeowners carry a specific set of risk factors: older homes, Chesapeake Bay humidity, and consistent storm exposure from coastal weather and nor’easters. Roofing failures in this environment are rarely minor.
The cost of hiring an unqualified contractor — through voided warranties, failed installation, or no legal recourse — is substantially higher than the 10 minutes it takes to verify credentials before you commit.
If you’re evaluating roofing contractors in the Annapolis area and want to understand what fully credentialed looks like in practice, Fichtner Home Exteriors has served Anne Arundel County homeowners for more than 30 years.
Our credentials are publicly verifiable and covered in detail here: https://www.fichtnerservices.com/blog/annapolis-roofing-contractor-credentials.
