Business Licenses 410-222-1434

Office Hours:	8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
License Applications Accepted:	8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The License Department is located in the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County, Room 101. The Circuit Court is located in historic Annapolis on Church Circle. Parking meters are located on Calvert Street and West Street. Parking garages are located on Calvert Street, Northwest Street and Main Street.

For your convenience, we are now accepting business applications online. Please visit www.mdcourts.gov/license. Your web browser must accept cookies to use this option.

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Obtaining a traders or construction license in person requires a minimum of one hour to complete and a visit to two other state and county offices that are a short walking distance form the Clerk's Office. If you prefer, you can also download the application and mail it in. Please read all of the instructions below and use the link below to download the application.

Traders & Construction License Requirements

The License Department at the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County issues state of Maryland Traders License for businesses located in Anne Arundel County. The license can be obtained by mail or by applying in person between the hours of 8:30 – 3:30 Monday through Friday.

Persons Required to Obtain a Traders License

A person or business organization other than a grower, maker or manufacturer may not offer for sale, sell or otherwise dispose of any goods within Maryland, without first obtaining a license from the Clerk of the Circuit Court.

A private individual may conduct a public sale of personal effects on his or her own property without a license, provided that no more than one sale is conducted for a period not to exceed 14 consecutive days in any one calendar year.

An exhibitor who displays and sells goods at a show is not required to obtain any license if the show is promoted by:

a church

any government agency or unit

an amateur radio organization

an antique vehicle, machine and equipment organization

a volunteer fire department or rescue squad

a model train collectors’ association

The traders license fee is based on the wholesale value of your retail inventory. The license year runs from May 1^st through the following April 30^th.

Persons Required to Obtain a Construction License

Any person or business organization must obtain a construction license from the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County on an annual basis if it agrees:

to do work on or in any building or structure, requiring the use of paint, stone, brick, mortar, wood, cement, structural iron or steel, sheet iron, galvanized iron, metallic piping, tin, lead, electric wiring or other metal, or any building material; or

to do any paving or curbing on side walks or streets, public or private property, or

to excavate earth, rock or other material for foundations or any other purpose.

The construction license fee is $17.00 payable by cash or check.

The license year runs from May 1^st through the following April 30^th.

A contractor or subcontractor who holds a license under the Maryland Home Improvement Law is NOT required to hold a construction license issued by the Clerk of the Circuit Court.

For additional information write or visit the License Department at the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County, 7 Church Circle, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. You may also call our office at 410-222-1434.

Please be advised, that the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court is prohibited by law from rendering legal advice, restating the law or recommending specific ways to pursue legal action. Nothing on this web site is intended to advise anyone as to legal remedies for a particular circumstance. Although we cannot recommend a specific attorney, you may contact the Attorney Referral Service at 410-280-6961.