Business Occupations and Professions (GBO) — Title 1. Definitions; General Provisions
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Subtitle 1. Definitions
Md. Code Ann., Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 1-101 (2026)
Title 1. Definitions; General Provisions
Subtitle 1. Definitions
§ 1–101LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In this article the following words have the meanings indicated.
(a–1)
“Active duty” has the meaning stated in § 9–901 of the State Government Article.
(b)
“Clock hour” means a minimum of 50 minutes of actual class time for each 60–minute hour.
(c)
“Consumer member” means a nonprofessional member of a regulatory unit who is appointed from the general public.
(d)
“County” means a county of the State and, unless expressly provided otherwise, Baltimore City.
(e)
“Department” means the Maryland Department of Labor.
(f)
“Partnership” includes a partnership registered as a limited liability partnership authorized by Title 9A of the Corporations and Associations Article.
(g)
“Person” means an individual, receiver, trustee, guardian, personal representative, fiduciary, or representative of any kind and any partnership, firm, association, corporation, or other entity.
(h)
“Secretary” means the Secretary of Labor.
(i)
“State” means:
(1)
a state, possession, territory, or commonwealth of the United States; or
(2)
the District of Columbia.
Subtitle 2. General Provisions
Md. Code Ann., Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 1-201 (2026)
Title 1. Definitions; General Provisions
Subtitle 2. General Provisions
§ 1–201LinkCopy Citation
(a)
A requirement in this article that a document be under oath means that the document shall be supported by a signed statement made under the penalties of perjury that the contents of the document are true to the best of the knowledge, information, and belief of the individual making the statement.
(b)
The oath or affirmation shall be made:
(1)
before an individual authorized to administer oaths, who shall certify in writing to have administered the oath or taken the affirmation; or
(2)
by a signed statement that:
(i)
is in the document or attached to and made part of the document; and
(ii)
is made expressly under the penalties for perjury.
(c)
If the procedures provided in subsection (b)(2) of this section are used, the affidavit subjects the individual making it to the penalties for perjury to the same extent as an oath or affirmation made before an individual authorized to administer oaths.
Md. Code Ann., Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 1-202 (2026)
Title 1. Definitions; General Provisions
Subtitle 2. General Provisions
§ 1–202LinkCopy Citation
Before any license or permit may be issued under this article to an employer to engage in an activity in which the employer may employ a covered employee, as defined in § 9-101 of the Labor and Employment Article, the employer shall file with the issuing authority:
(1)
a certificate of compliance with the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Act; or
(2)
the number of a workers’ compensation insurance policy or binder.
Md. Code Ann., Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 1-203 (2026)
Title 1. Definitions; General Provisions
Subtitle 2. General Provisions
§ 1–203LinkCopy Citation
(a)
This section does not apply in Baltimore City or Prince George’s and Worcester counties.
(b)
Except as otherwise provided in this article or Title 13, Subtitle 1 and Subtitle 3, Part I and §§ 13–205 and 16–115 of the Local Government Article and Title 17, Subtitle 4, Parts V and VI of the Business Regulation Article, a county, municipal corporation, or other political subdivision of the State may not:
(1)
require a local license in that county, municipal corporation, or political subdivision to engage in a business or occupation for which a State license is required under this article; or
(2)
impose a local fee or tax to engage in a business or occupation for which a State license is required under this article.
(c)
A county, municipal corporation, or other political subdivision of the State may require a local license if necessary for regulatory purposes in the interest of the public health, safety, or morals.
(d)
A public local law passed after October 1, 1941 does not repeal any provision of this section unless the public local law expressly refers to and repeals the provision.
Md. Code Ann., Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 1-204 (2026)
Title 1. Definitions; General Provisions
Subtitle 2. General Provisions
§ 1–204LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Before any license or permit may be issued under this article, the applicant shall certify to the issuing authority that the applicant has paid all undisputed taxes and unemployment insurance contributions payable to the Comptroller or the Maryland Department of Labor or has provided for payment in a manner satisfactory to the unit responsible for collection.
(b)
Before any license or permit may be renewed under this article, the issuing authority shall verify through the Office of the Comptroller that the applicant has paid all undisputed taxes and unemployment insurance contributions payable to the Comptroller or the Secretary of Labor or that the applicant has provided for payment in a manner satisfactory to the unit responsible for collection.
Md. Code Ann., Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 1-205 (2026)
Title 1. Definitions; General Provisions
Subtitle 2. General Provisions
§ 1–205LinkCopy Citation
(a)
This section does not apply to a licensed real estate associate broker or salesperson affiliated with a licensed real estate broker as an independent contractor.
(b)
By August 31 of each year, the Department shall provide to the Department of Assessments and Taxation a list of persons issued licenses, certificates, or permits under this article during the previous fiscal year, to assist the Department of Assessments and Taxation in identifying new businesses within the State.
(c)
The list provided under this section shall:
(1)
be provided free of charge; and
(2)
include, for each person on the list:
(i)
the name and mailing address of the person; and
(ii)
the federal tax identification number of the person or, if the person does not have a federal tax identification number, the Social Security number of the person.
Md. Code Ann., Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 1-206 (2026)
Title 1. Definitions; General Provisions
Subtitle 2. General Provisions
§ 1–206LinkCopy Citation
(a)
A person who must have a license issued by the Department under this article but does not get the license on time shall pay, in addition to the required license fee, a late fee.
(b)
The late fee shall be the sum of:
(1)
up to 20% of the required license fee for the calendar month following the calendar month when the required license fee is due; and
(2)
up to 4% of the required license fee for each calendar month or part of a month after that.
Md. Code Ann., Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 1-207 (2026)
Title 1. Definitions; General Provisions
Subtitle 2. General Provisions
§ 1–207LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In this section, “license” means all or any part of permission that:
(1)
is required by law to be obtained from a unit;
(2)
is not required only for revenue purposes; and
(3)
is in any form, including:
(i)
an approval;
(ii)
a certificate;
(iii)
a charter;
(iv)
a permit; or
(v)
a registration.
(b)
This section:
(1)
applies only to a fee for an initial license issued for a 2-year term under the provisions of this article;
(2)
does not apply to a fee renewal of a license; and
(3)
may not affect any other law that requires a unit to prorate a fee on any basis for the issuance or renewal of a license.
(c)
(1)
For a license issued at any time during the first year of the term of the license, the issuing authority shall charge the full amount of the fee to the license applicant.
(2)
For a license issued in the second year of the term of the license, the issuing authority shall charge the license applicant:
(i)
one-half of the fee, if issued in the first 6 months of the second year; or
(ii)
one-quarter of the fee, if issued in the last 6 months of the second year.
Md. Code Ann., Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 1-208 (2026)
Title 1. Definitions; General Provisions
Subtitle 2. General Provisions
§ 1–208LinkCopy Citation
(a)
If payment of the fee for the issuance or renewal of a license, issued by the Department or by a unit within the Department, is made by a check or other negotiable instrument that is dishonored, the license for which the fee was paid shall be suspended by operation of law. Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c) of this section, the suspension is effective beginning on the tenth business day after the day on which notice is sent in accordance with subsection (b) of this section until the date that payment of the fee, and any late charge provided for in this article, has been made.
(b)
(1)
When the Department or a unit within the Department receives notice that a check or other negotiable instrument, given by an applicant in payment of a license issuance or renewal fee, has been dishonored, it shall inform the applicant by regular mail sent to the applicant’s last known business address, that the license will be suspended by operation of law if within 10 business days from the date of the notice the applicant fails to make payment of the fee, and any late charge, or fails to present evidence to the Department or unit that the notice of dishonor was in error.
(2)
An applicant shall be given a prompt opportunity to make payment of the fee, and any late charge, or to present evidence to the Department or unit that the notice of dishonor was in error.
(c)
If a license is suspended under subsection (a) of this section, the license shall be reinstated effective the date that the license was suspended, if within 5 business days after the date of the suspension the applicant:
(1)
pays the late fee and any late charge; or
(2)
presents evidence to the Department or the unit that the notice of dishonor was in error.
(d)
Suspension of a license under this section may not affect any otherwise valid claim under any guaranty fund made by a person who dealt in good faith with a licensee, without knowledge of the suspension.
Subtitle 3. Survey Stations
Md. Code Ann., Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 1-301 (2026)
Title 1. Definitions; General Provisions
Subtitle 3. Survey Stations
§ 1–301LinkCopy Citation
(a)
“Authorized person” means:
(1)
a professional engineer who is licensed under Title 14 of this article;
(2)
a professional land surveyor who is licensed under Title 15 of this article; or
(3)
an authorized representative of the professional engineer or the professional land surveyor who is executing a survey.
(b)
If entry is for the purpose of using the horizontal or vertical position data in controlling surveys of land for cadastral purposes or for other private or public engineering purposes, an authorized person may enter on any private land on which there is a marked survey station for which the horizontal or vertical position has been determined:
(1)
by or under the direction of the National Geodetic Survey;
(2)
as a part of the Maryland coordinate system; or
(3)
by or under the direction of any other organization whose survey stations have been established by or in accordance with the requirements of the State agency authorized to administer the Maryland coordinate system.
Md. Code Ann., Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 1-302 (2026)
Title 1. Definitions; General Provisions
Subtitle 3. Survey Stations
§ 1–302LinkCopy Citation
(a)
An authorized person may not unnecessarily damage the property on which a survey station stands.
(b)
(1)
Prior to entry on the property, an authorized person and the owner of the property shall agree on the amount to be paid for any damage to the property.
(2)
On the completion of the work at the survey station, the authorized person shall promptly reimburse the owner of the property for any damage done to the property by the authorized person who entered on the property.
(c)
If, prior to entry on the property, the authorized person and the owner of the property have not agreed on the amount to be paid for any damage to the property, the authorized person shall file a surety bond in the circuit court of the county in which the property is located in an amount to be approved by the court, conditioned on the payment of all damages and costs as provided under subsection (d) of this section.
(d)
(1)
The circuit court shall appoint three appraisers who are residents of the county in which the property is located to determine the amount to be paid for any damage to the property.
(2)
The proceedings for the ascertainment of damages shall be in accordance with the provisions of Title 8, Subtitle 3 of the Transportation Article relating to the acquisition of private property for a public purpose.
Md. Code Ann., Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 1-303 (2026)
Title 1. Definitions; General Provisions
Subtitle 3. Survey Stations
§ 1–303LinkCopy Citation
(a)
If the damages awarded under § 1-302(d) of this subtitle do not exceed the amount tendered by the authorized person under § 1-302(b) of this subtitle, the owner of the property shall pay the costs of the proceeding under § 1-302(d) of this subtitle.
(b)
If the damages awarded under § 1-302(d) of this subtitle exceed the amount tendered by the authorized person, the authorized person shall pay the costs of the proceeding.
Md. Code Ann., Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 1-304 (2026)
Title 1. Definitions; General Provisions
Subtitle 3. Survey Stations
§ 1–304LinkCopy Citation
(a)
This section applies to any survey station established by or under the direction of:
(1)
the National Geodetic Survey;
(2)
the State agency administering the Maryland coordinate system;
(3)
any other organization whose survey stations have been established by or in accordance with the requirements of the State agency authorized to administer the Maryland coordinate system; or
(4)
any other State, municipal, or county agency.
(b)
Any person who willfully injures, defaces, or destroys the mark or monument at any survey station described in subsection (a) of this section or offers any obstacles to the proper, reasonable, and legal use of the station is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction shall be sentenced to pay a fine not to exceed $250 for each offense and costs, or shall be imprisoned for a term of not less than 6 months, or both.