Business Licenses for Title Services
Who needs a title service license?
If you process vehicle titles/registrations for customers in Maryland, you must be licensed by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA):
- Businesses are licensed as a title service agent.
- Title service representatives are persons who are authorized to assist the Title Service Agent.
You may not operate a title service business in Maryland without a valid license. Contact the Business Licensing and Compliance Division if you are unsure which license you need.
Requirements to note
- Surety bond requirement: $50,000 required for each licensed business entity. See Surety Bond of Title Service Agent and Out-of-State Motor Home and/or Recreational Vehicle Dealer (CS-071) - PDF - 94.37 KB for more information.
- Business location requirement: You must have a permanent, established place of business that meets MVA requirements, including compliance with local zoning laws. See the Title Service Agent License Application for more information.
- Title service agent responsibilities: As a licensed title service agent, you must:
- Follow the Maryland Transportation Article
- Submit accurate and complete title and registration paperwork
- Maintain your required surety bond
- Comply with all MVA rules and procedures
Violations may result in civil penalties, suspension, or revocation of your license.
How to apply for a title service agent license
Thank you for your interest in obtaining a Maryland Titel Service Agent License. Follow the steps below to apply.
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Complete the Title Service Agent License Application
Fill out the Title Service Agent License Application (CS-054) in its entirety. Read carefully through all instructions to make sure all information is complete and accurate — incomplete applications will delay processing. Checklist below:
- Title Service Agent License Application (CS-054)
- Zoning Approval Form (CS-053)
- Business Licensing Orientation Request (CS-303)
- Criminal Background Check (CS-011)
- Surety Bond of Title Service Agent (CS-071)
- Tax Verification from Comptroller of Maryland
- ERT Contract
If you have questions, contact the Business Licensing & Compliance Division.
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Submit application online to Business Licensing & Compliance
Submit your completed application and all supporting documents online with the myMVA Business Portal.
Do not begin operating until ALL STEPS have been completed and your license has been approved.
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Schedule and complete site inspection
As part of the Business Licensing review process prior to becoming licensed, you must schedule a site inspection with an MVA Compliance Inspector to ensure your place of business is in compliance with state code.
- The MVA Compliance Inspector will contact you to schedule the inspection appointment.
- Upon completion of your site inspection, the Compliance Inspector will upload the report and site photos to your application, which will be reviewed by Business Licensing.
- You will be notified if you passed or failed and what to do next.
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Schedule and complete orientation
Before a license can be issued, you must attend a business licensing orientation. The Business Licensing Orientation Request (CS-303) - PDF - 75.43 KB should be submitted with your application. You will be contacted to sign up for the orientation, which takes place monthly online.
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Pay fees, get approval & title service agent license
Once your license has been approved, the Business Licensing and Compliance division will contact you about how to pay for and obtain the license, photo ID cards for you and your employees, and complete any other steps needed to operate a new vehicle dealership.
Mandatory fraud training
Once a new title service representative license is approved, the newly licensed agent will need to contact the MVA’s Division of Investigations and Security Services at 410-768-7541 to register for the next available fraud training session. As a general practice, a newly licensed tag and title representative should attend the training scheduled for the following month after the new license was issued and approved. For example, if an agent’s license is issued in January, the agent should take the January class if there is still room or the February class. If the newly licensed agent is unable to attend that session or the class is full that month, the agent must register for the following month’s class.
This training is also required if:
- If you held a previous tag and title representative license that was cancelled or expired, and you were issued a new license
- If you transfer to a new agency and have not taken the fraud training after January 1, 2026
If an agent does not take this required course, their ERT privileges may being suspended and/or MVA may take further administrative action.
Frequently asked questions
Title service agent faq
The Business Licensing and Compliance division will send you a renewal notice in the Business Portal 60 days prior to the expiration date of your license(s). If you do not receive a renewal notice, please contact the Business Licensing and Compliance division.
- Complete the Business License Renewal via the Business Portal. You must submit it at least 15 working days prior to your license expiration date.
- Once your renewal request has been approved, you will be notified through the Business Portal that the renewal fee is available for payment.
- Once paid, the new wall license will be available for printing directly on the Business Portal, the updated gratis ID card(s) will be mailed to the business address.
Please note:
- The MVA will assume your Title Service Agency is going out of business if you do not request renewal before your expiration date.
- 30 days past expiration, the account will no longer be eligible for renewal. All Maryland State properties must be surrendered, including, but not limited to, wall license, sales licenses, dealer plates, etc. All ERT Inventory must be surrendered to the MVA Warehouse.
- If another license is desired, a new, complete application packet must be submitted for review.
Contact the Business Licensing and Compliance division or start the process in the Business Portal. Typically, you must submit the following documentation:
- Title Service Representative Form (CS-018)
- Criminal Record Request Form (CS-011) - PDF - 76.85 KB
Once your request to add a Title Service Representative has been approved, the Business Licensing and Compliance division will send you the Photo Authorization form(s) to request an ID card from any MVA's branch offices.
If removing a Title Service Representative, you would simply submit the form with their ID card back to the MVA Business Licensing and Compliance division.
Maryland law requires that you report all changes affecting your license to the MVA within 30 days after the change occurs.
- You can initiate a name or address changes in the Business Portal, but there are additional steps to complete the change. You will be contacted by the Business Licensing and Compliance division to complete next steps:
- Packet of forms to be completed: The documents required vary by the type of change involved.
- Instructions for other actions that you must take in order to request the change
- Once your change request has been reviewed and approved, the change fee will be available for payment in the Business Portal. The new wall license will be available for printing directly on the Business Portal, the updated ID card(s) will be mailed to the business address (if applicable, depending on the type of change).
- Need more help? Contact the Business Licensing and Compliance division.
Contact the Business Licensing and Compliance division, as soon as possible, and report the corrections needed. The unit will send you instructions with next steps to be completed to request the corrections.
Once your correction request has been reviewed and approved, the new wall license will be available for printing directly on the Business Portal (if applicable, depending on the type of change), the updated sales ID card will be mailed to the business address as well as the registration cards and stickers (if applicable, depending on the type of change).
Contact the Business Licensing and Compliance division. The unit will send you a packet of forms to be completed, as well as instructions for other actions, if any, that you must take in order to obtain the duplicate. Typically, you must submit the following documentation:
- Letter of request – the letter must be on your business letterhead and state that you wish to receive a duplicate license and/or photo ID card.
The Business Licensing and Compliance division will send you the photo authorization form which is used to request an ID card. You will receive the duplicate Title Service Agent License for printing directly in the Business Portal.
If your Title Service Agent business is forced out of business, the Business Licensing and Compliance division will contact you. Otherwise, contact the Business Licensing and Compliance division and indicate that you are going out of business. The Business Licensing and Compliance division will advise you which materials must be returned to the MVA. Typically, you must return the following items:
- Title Service Agent License (existing) - This document is often referred to as a “wall license”.
- Photo ID cards – all ID cards held by you and your employees must be returned.
- All MVA forms – any unused forms held by you must be returned.
Need help?
Contact the Business Licensing and Compliance Division. We are here to help you understand the licensing process.
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