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Licensing and Regulation/251
DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATION
Frederick L. Dewberry, Secretary of Licensing and Regulation
Edward E. dine. Deputy Secretary
Daniel J. Minnick, Jr., Assistant Secretary
Francis X. Pugh, Principal Counsel
501 St. Paul Place
Baltimore 21202 Telephone: 659-6200
Toll Free: 1-800-492-7521
The Department of Licensing and Regulation, created in 1970, consolidated over thirty State agencies
and boards responsible for licensing and regulating businesses, professions, and trades. The oldest of these
date back to the nineteenth century: the Insurance Department (1872), the Bureau of Statistics and
Information (1884), the State Board of Examining Engineers (1892). In 1951 the Central License Office
was authorized to house five boards (Chapter 280, Acts of 1951). The Office was abolished when the
Department was created in 1970 (Chapter 402, Acts of 1970). The Department supervises many of the
State's licensing and regulatory boards.
The Department is organized into five Divisions. The Insurance Division supervises all aspects of
insurance services that are used by Maryland residents. The Division of Financial Regulation controls the
operation of banks, savings and loans, credit unions, consumer loan companies, sales finance companies,
mortgage companies, and collection agencies.
Protection for workers is provided by the Division of Labor and Industry, which establishes safety
standards and promotes harmony among employers and their employees. This Division also protects
public safety through the inspection of railroads, boilers, elevators, and amusement rides.
The Division of Sports and Recreation regulates boxing and wrestling matches and horse racing.
Standards of performance for other businesses are enforced by the Division of Occupational and
Professional Licensing. This Division supervises a variety of specialized occupations including
accountants, architects, engineers, cosmetologists, barbers, home improvement contractors, and real
estate brokers.
The Office of the Secretary in the Department assists the operation of the five Divisions by performing
services such as complaint adjudication, fiscal accountability, personnel management, data processing,
management analysis, printing, and legal assistance (Code 1957, Art. 41, secs. 221-221E).
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STATE INSURANCE DIVISION
Edward J. Muhl, Insurance Commissioner
Thomas P. Barbera, Deputy Insurance
Commissioner
501 St. Paul Place
Baltimore 21202 Telephone: 659-6300
Toll Free: 1-800-492-6116
The State Insurance Division was first created in
1872 as a part of the office of the Comptroller of
the Treasury (Chapter 388, Acts of 1872). The
Division became an independent agency by Chap-
ter 106, Acts of 1878. It is under the direction of
the Insurance Commissioner, who is appointed by
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the Secretary of Licensing and Regulation with the
approval of the Governor and advice and consent
of the Senate (Code 1957, Art. 48A, sec. 15).
The Commissioner ensures that all the laws of
the State governing insurance companies or relat-
ing to the business of insurance are faithfully
executed. He authorizes and licenses insurance
companies, agents, brokers, approved attorneys,
and advisors for fire, casualty, life, accident,
health, title, and other insurance and annuities.
The Commissioner also approves all policies for
insurance offered for sale in the State by autho-
rized companies, authorizes rating bureaus and
advisory organizations, and approves or disap-
proves the rates for most lines of insurance.
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