Licensing and Regulation/273
DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATION

William A. Fogle, Jr., Secretary of Licensing and Regulation
Joseph E. Owens, Deputy Secretary
Daniel J. Minnick, Jr., Assistant Secretary
Joseph L. Padone, Assistant Secretary
Francis X. Pugh, Principal Counsel

501 St. Paul Place

Baltimore 21202 Telephone: 333-6200
Toll Free: 1-800-492-7521
TTY for Deaf: 333-7555

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; Insurance, Financial Regulation, Labor and Indus-
try, Occupational and Professional Licensing, and the Maryland Racing Commission. 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. State chartered savings and loans, credit un-
ions, consumer loan companies, sales finance companies, mortgage companies, and collection agencies.
This Division also provides insurance for certain savings and loan associations.

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.

Standards of performance for other businesses are enforced by the Division of Occupational and Pro-
fessional Licensing. This Division supervises a variety of specialized occupations including accountants,
architects, engineers, cosmetologists, barbers, home improvement contractors, and real estate brokers.
The Division also regulates the sports of boxing and wrestling. The Maryland Racing Commission regu-
lates all aspects of thoroughbred and harness racing.

The Office of the Secretary in the Department assists the operation of the five Divisions by perform-
ing services such as complaint adjudication, fiscal accountability, personnel management, data process-
ing, management analysis, printing, and legal assistance (Code 1957, Art. 41, sees. 8-101 through
8-301).