In this section, “service provider” includes a mortgage lender, a mortgage broker, a real estate appraiser, a home inspector, a plumber, an electrician, and a heating, ventilation, air–conditioning, and refrigeration contractor. “Service provider” does not include a home improvement contractor. Notwithstanding any other provision of law and except as otherwise provided in subsection (c) of this section, if a licensee offers the name of a service provider to a client in the provision of real estate brokerage services, the licensee need not verify that the service provider is currently licensed by the State to perform the services. If a licensee offers the name of a home improvement contractor to a client, the licensee shall: annually verify that the home improvement contractor is licensed by the Home Improvement Commission under Title 8 of the Business Regulation Article to act as a home improvement contractor before offering the name to the client; and inform the client of the website on which the licensing information may be found, and the date on which the licensee verified the information.