The Queen Anne’s County Department of Economic Development, Agriculture and Tourism is sponsoring a free workshop on the Maryland Home Improvement Commission’s license regulations and requirements on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 160 Coursevall Drive in Centreville. The workshop is open to building contractors, those who want to start a home improvement or landscaping business, those currently working in construction trades and anyone considering working in the construction business.

The purpose of the workshop is to provide an overview of the Maryland Home Improvement Contractor licensing rules and regulations, which are constantly changing to include previously unregulated services, like marine construction. Information will also be provided with respect to the state Critical Area Law, which now requires contractors doing certain work to be MHIC licensed.

Steve Cohoon, Chief of Land Use and Planning at the county Department of Land Use, Growth Management and Environment will talk about the Critical Area Laws. Stephen Smitson from the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation will give an overview of the law and how it affects small businesses involved in construction. Mr. Smitson will also be discussing preparation for the MHIC exam.

The workshop is open to the first 70 registrants. For more information or to register, contact Jean Fabi via e-mail at jfabi@qac.org or during regular business hours at 410-758-4418.