How to check if a painter is licensed in Maryland

Let’s face it—hiring someone to paint your house can feel overwhelming. Everyone promises the best results, but how do you know if they’re actually qualified? With so many scam artists out there today, it’s important to know how to check if your painter is actually licensed or not.

This blog is all about showing you how to check if a painter is licensed and insured in Maryland. If you’re not doing this homework, you could end up with poor-quality work, unexpected costs, or even legal headaches. Let’s make sure that doesn’t happen.

Licensed painters in Maryland are required to meet certain standards. This means they know their stuff, follow safety protocols, and don’t cut corners.

Hiring someone without a license? You might save a few bucks upfront, but if the quality’s bad or they disappear halfway through the job, you’re stuck!

A license isn’t just a piece of paper—it’s proof that a painter has met certain standards. In Maryland, licensing means they’ve gone through the proper training, understand safety protocols, and know how to do the job right.

It’s also a way to protect you. Licensed painters are held to a higher standard because their reputation and ability to work legally depend on it.

Think of it this way: if a contractor isn’t willing to get licensed, what corners are they willing to cut on your project? A license shows they’re serious about their work and about providing quality results.

And here’s something you might not realize: licensed contractors are usually required to carry insurance. That means if something goes wrong—like accidental damage or injuries—you’re not the one footing the bill!

Here’s the hard truth: hiring an unlicensed painter can cost you way more than you think. Sure, they might offer a lower price upfront, but what happens when something goes wrong?

If they mess up your walls or damage your property, you’re stuck with the repair bill. Without a license, there’s no governing body holding them accountable, and good luck trying to get them to fix their mistakes.

And then there’s liability. Let’s say an unlicensed painter gets hurt on your property. Guess who might be held responsible for their medical bills? That’s right. You.

It’s not just about money, either. Unlicensed painters often lack the training or expertise to do the job right. You could end up with uneven paint, peeling walls, or a project that drags on way longer than it should.

When you hire someone licensed, you’re not just paying for the work. You’re paying for peace of mind—knowing your project is in the hands of a qualified, accountable professional.

Insurance is just as important. When hiring a painter, insurance isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential.

What if there’s an accident on the job? Without insurance, you could be on the hook for medical bills or property damage. Licensed and insured painters protect you from that.

Imagine this: a painter slips on your property and gets injured. Without proper insurance, you could be held responsible for medical bills and legal fees.

Insurance ensures that accidents like these don’t become your financial burden. It’s peace of mind for you and protection for everyone involved in the project.

Mistakes happen, even with the best contractors. A spilled bucket of paint or damage to your floors can cost you big time.

A licensed and insured painter will have coverage that takes care of these situations, saving you from unexpected repair bills.

By making sure your painter is insured, you’re not just protecting your home—you’re protecting your wallet.

Checking if a painter is licensed in Maryland isn’t as hard as you might think. Here’s how to do it in just a few steps:

The MHIC is the governing body that issues licenses to contractors, including painters, in Maryland. Their website has an easy-to-use search tool.

You can find their website directly by clicking the MHIC Link Here.

Or, go to the Maryland Department of Labor – Licensing Queries page and clicking the Home Improvement link, as shown below.

In order to search the database, you’ll need to know either their Name, their business Trade Name, or the license number, as shown below.

This is usually the easiest, most direct way. Ask your contractor for their registration number so you can verify it in the MHIC database.

Every licensed contractor will fully understand this and be more than happy to provide their license registration number to you. If they don’t that’s a pretty good indication that they may not actually be licensed after all.

Alternatively, you can check their website. Most contractors should also realize that their registration number should be listed on any advertising and marketing material they publish, such as their website.

If you notice at the top and bottom of our Dorsey Painting Company website, we have our MHIC License Registration #95518 listed in both the top header and bottom footer of every page on our website.

Let’s check the MHIC database for our registration number.

If you can’t find their registration number easily, then you can also search by their trade name, which is usually just their business name.

If you’re still unable to find them by their trade name, then perhaps you could search by their personal name, using first and last name.

As a last resort, you could search for the city they’re in. Though I’d probably recommend against this for a couple reasons:

1. You’re most likely going to need to search through a lot of records using this method, as there could be hundreds of records in any given city
2. If you’re needing to go through all that work just to find out if your contractor is licensed, then you should probably just find a different contractor who’s more transparent about their licensing.

Again, any reputable contractor will be glad to give you their registration number. They worked hard to get licensed, they’ll be happy to let you know about it because they understand it established a level of trust and confidence in them and their quality of work.

Any professional painter worth hiring should be able to provide a Certificate of Insurance. If they can’t—or won’t—that’s a huge red flag. Here’s what you should be looking for:

This covers accidental damage to your property. For example, if a ladder knocks over an expensive light fixture or paint splatters onto your hardwood floors, general liability insurance ensures those damages are taken care of.

This protects you if a painter gets injured on the job. Without it, you could be on the hook for medical bills or lawsuits if someone gets hurt while working on your property.

Asking for proof of insurance isn’t just about being cautious; it’s about making sure you’re not left holding the bag if something goes wrong. Any reputable painting contractor will provide these details without hesitation.

Hiring a licensed and insured painter may cost a bit more upfront, but it’s money well spent. Here’s why:

Choosing a licensed and insured painter can actually save you money in the long run. Professional painters get the job done right the first time. That means fewer mistakes, less rework, and a better finished product that lasts longer.

You might think hiring an unlicensed painter will save you a few bucks, but that shortcut could end up costing you more. An inexperienced or uninsured painter may cause damage to your property, and if something goes wrong, you’ll be the one footing the bill.

Having the right licenses and insurance means that the painter is accountable for their work. If anything goes wrong—whether it’s an accident, property damage, or incomplete work—you’re covered. You won’t have to worry about hidden costs or unexpected legal trouble.

While hiring a professional may seem more expensive upfront, it’s an investment in the quality and longevity of your home improvement project. Plus, you can rest easy knowing you’re working with someone who has the credentials and insurance to back up their work.