Tax Preparer / Maryland
2026 data Maryland board official source

Maryland Tax Preparer License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Prepares tax returns. Some states require registration beyond federal PTIN.

What the Maryland data shows for Tax Preparers

Maryland's path to tax preparer licensure runs through board-approved instruction and a passing score on a state-approved exam, plus a criminal history screening. Maryland folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Varies".

Upfront cost is $100 on a 2-year cycle. There's no continuing-education mandate tied to this profession in Maryland, which keeps the long-run cost of staying licensed lighter than in CE-heavy states.

Maryland handles out-of-state credentials on a case-by-case basis instead of a standing reciprocity list.

Licensing Ease Score

B
Licensing Ease Score
72/100
Tax Preparer · Maryland

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training A+
None required
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee C-
$100
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden N/A
N/A
Renewal fee annualized over the renewal cycle
Continuing Education N/A
N/A
Continuing-education hours annualized over the renewal cycle
Experience Required N/A
N/A
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Maryland

Education / Training Hours
Varies
Not specified
Exam Requirement
Required
Initial License Fee
$100
Renewal Fee
N/A
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Required

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Tax Preparer All Maryland licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Maryland licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Tax Preparer in Maryland? ▼
Maryland's requirements cover, a state exam, and an initial fee of $100. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Tax Preparer in Maryland? ▼
Certification as a tax preparer in Maryland means clearing the state's checklist, and a passing exam score. The Maryland licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Tax Preparer license to Maryland from another state? ▼
Out-of-state tax preparer credentials get a case-by-case review in Maryland rather than automatic recognition. Interstate compacts exist for a number of professions and might still help. Confirm the details with the Maryland licensing board.
Does Maryland require a background check for Tax Preparer licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for tax preparer licensing in Maryland. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.

Related Guides

What to do with this tax preparer license

Tax Preparer in Maryland is one requirement row in a tax preparer-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Maryland's tax preparer requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Tax Preparer in every state
  • Read the general portability rules before moving an existing license to a new state. Transfer guide
  • See how Maryland's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Maryland overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Maryland licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.