Maryland Apprenticeship Incentive Program - Office of Apprenticeship
Apprentice Registration & Eligibility
- Question: I am an individual and want to be an apprentice. How can a person register for an apprenticeship?
Answer: The Apprenticeship Locator on the Maryland Office of Apprenticeship website can be used to search for apprenticeship programs across Maryland. Applicants will need to use the Locator information to reach out to programs individually for more information about how and when to apply.
- Question: High school students usually start apprenticeship at the beginning of a new semester (September and January). Would this affect their qualification for reimbursements?
Answer: No. The start date of the apprenticeship does not affect eligibility for reimbursement. Applicants must apply for funding within 30 days of when the apprentice is first registered with the Office of Apprenticeship. The Maryland Department of Labor (MD Labor) encourages Sponsors or employers to submit 30 days prior to registration, but will accept applications up to 30 days after the Apprentice’s registration. (please see #7 below for more information)
- Question: If an apprentice passes a skip test and is placed directly into Year 2, but this is their first time being registered in an apprenticeship program, would they be eligible?
Answer: Yes. An apprentice who is newly registered but placed into an advanced position in the program through a placement test or other assessment for credit is still considered a new apprentice and is eligible to seek funding, provided the apprentice is in their initial year of employment as a Registered Apprentice with the Sponsor or employer. Additionally, in order to qualify for reimbursement, the individual must have been employed as a Registered Apprentice for at least seven months.
- Question: Is the apprentice eligible only once for this funding?
Answer: Yes. In order to be eligible for funding, an apprentice must have been employed as a Registered Apprentice for at least seven months and be within the initial year of employment as a Registered Apprentice with the Sponsor or employer. Sponsors or employers must submit applications within 30 days of the registration of the Registered Apprentice with MD Labor. MD Labor encourages Sponsors or employers to submit 30 days prior to registration, but will accept applications up to 30 days after the Apprentice’s registration.
- Question: If an apprentice was previously registered, left the company, and has since returned and re-registered, are they eligible for funding, even if they never completed the original apprenticeship?
Answer: No. Eligibility is based on new registration status, not completion history. An apprentice who was previously registered, regardless of whether or not they completed the program, would not qualify as a new apprentice for the purposes of this program. To be eligible, the individual must be registering for the first time with the company.
- Question: If an employee has been working at a company for several months prior to being formally registered as an apprentice, does their prior employment time count toward the seven-month eligibility requirement?
Answer: No. The seven-month period begins on the date the individual is officially registered as an apprentice with MD Labor. Prior employment with the company, regardless of its duration, does not count toward the seven-month requirement. That being said, in order to be eligible, the individual must be within the initial year of employment as a Registered Apprentice with the Sponsor or employer.
- Question: Since the program accepts applications retroactively to July 1, 2025, do apprentices registered between July 2025 and the present count toward the current program year's cap, or toward a prior year? Answer: The DWDAL Assistant Secretary has approved a one-time blanket exception to the 30-day MAIP application deadline for certain employers or sponsors.
An employer or sponsor may qualify for this exception if they:
- Hired a new Registered Apprentice between March 1, 2025 and January 28, 2026, who has completed or will complete seven months in a Registered Apprenticeship on or after October 1, 2025;
- Registered the apprentice with MD Labor within 30 days of hire; and
- Otherwise meets all requirements outlined in the MAIP policy and grant agreement.
This exception is intended to ensure that employers and sponsors who became eligible for reimbursement on or after October 1, 2025, the date the MAIP authorizing statute took effect, are able to access reimbursement available through the MAIP program. All other MAIP program terms and requirements remain in effect as outlined in the MAIP policy.
- Question: Does the seven-month employment requirement mandate continuous work at a single job site, or does the apprentice simply need to remain employed as a Registered Apprentice for seven months, regardless of site changes?
Answer: In order to be eligible, the apprentice must remain employed as a Registered Apprentice for the full seven-month period. There is no requirement for a minimum number of hours worked, consistent site placement, or continuous assignment. Movement between job sites does not affect eligibility.
- Question: Is there a minimum age requirement for participation in a Registered Apprenticeship program, including for high school students?
Answer: Yes. Per Maryland state regulations, the minimum age for a Registered Apprentice is 16 years old. Individual Apprenticeship programs also set their own age and education requirements.
- Question: Must apprentices reside or physically work in Maryland to be eligible, or is registration with the MD Labor sufficient?
Answer: There is no residency requirement. Apprentices are not required to live or work in Maryland. The only requirement is that their apprenticeship agreement is on file with MD Labor.
- Question: Can an apprentice perform their apprenticeship duties remotely, for example in an IT-based program?
Answer: Yes. Registered Apprentices may work remotely. The program does not impose a requirement for in-person or on-site work, provided the apprenticeship agreement is registered with MD Labor.
- Question: If an employer offers seasonal employment, and during the winter their employees/apprentices are part time, does that still count towards the seven months of employment to be eligible for a refund or does it have to be full-time only?
Answer: There is no requirement around the number of hours worked by Registered Apprentices during the seven month employment period. Registered Apprentices must remain employed and registered as an apprentice for the duration of the 7 months and be within their first year of employment to be eligible.
Employer Eligibility & Incentives
- Question: If an employer hired an apprentice a few months ago and never received any other funding, does this employer qualify for the $3K?
Answer: The DWDAL Assistant Secretary has approved a one-time blanket exception to the 30-day MAIP application deadline for certain employers or sponsors. An employer or sponsor may qualify for this exception if they:
- Hired a new Registered Apprentice between March 1, 2025 and January 28, 2026, who has completed or will complete seven months in a Registered Apprenticeship on or after October 1, 2025;
- Registered the apprentice with MD Labor within 30 days of hire; and
- Otherwise meets all requirements outlined in the MAIP policy and grant agreement.
This exception is intended to ensure that employers and sponsors who became eligible for reimbursement on or after October 1, 2025, the date the MAIP authorizing statute took effect, are able to access reimbursement available through the MAIP program. All other MAIP program terms and requirements remain in effect as outlined in the MAIP policy.
- Question: Would current Apprenticeship Maryland Program (AMP) or School to Apprenticeship (STA) employers with high school students employed as apprentices now need to become a registered apprentice to be eligible for the grant?
Answer: Apprenticeship Maryland Program (AMP) employers are not eligible on their own, as MAIP only serves Registered Apprentices. AMP employers can convert their AMP apprentices to Registered Apprentices by converting their program to Registered Apprenticeship. Contact your local Office of Apprenticeship Navigator for assistance. School to Apprenticeship (STA) is a form of Registered Apprenticeship. STA apprentices are eligible for MAIP funding, provided they meet all other program requirements.
- Question: Could employers apply for the high school senior apprentices in their spring semester, since they will not meet the seven months benchmark before graduation?
Answer: Employers can apply for any eligible Registered Apprentice who will complete the required seven months of employment. This includes the High School Level of Registered Apprentices. It is not required for an apprentice to complete the seven months of employment as a Registered Apprentice prior to high school graduation.
- Question: Do participants in the School to Apprenticeship (STA) program qualify?
Answer: Yes. School to Apprenticeship (STA) is a form of Registered Apprenticeship. STA apprentices are eligible for MAIP funding, provided they meet all other program requirements.
- Question: Do vendors, mentors, or training providers engaged as part of an apprenticeship program need to be Maryland-registered businesses or be located in Maryland?
Answer: No. Vendors and training providers are not required to be Maryland businesses or based in Maryland. However, the services they provide must be directly connected to and documented as part of the registered apprenticeship program. Costs for unrelated business activities are not eligible for reimbursement.
- Question: Can both the sponsor and the employer submit separate applications claiming funding for the same apprentice?
Answer: No. Only one payment will be issued per apprentice. Sponsors and employers should coordinate in advance of submitting an application to avoid duplication.
- Question: Can the employer submit multiple applications with different apprentices?
Answer: Per the policy, sponsors or employers are limited to awards for 10 Registered Apprentices, per employer, per calendar year. There is no limit in applying for high school level registered apprentices (HSLRA). As long as the totality of requests does not exceed this limit, multiple applications are permitted. There is no limit on the number of applications.
Funding & Reimbursement
- Question: What does it mean that expenses sought for reimbursement should not be covered by another funding source such as federal, state, other?
Answer: Funds from different sources cannot cover the same expense. For example, if $3,000 is paid through another funding source for the apprentices' training, the employer/sponsor cannot then request reimbursement under the MAIP. There is no expense for MAIP to reimburse in that situation because the costs were covered by another source.
- Question: Can the funds be stacked or braided?
Answer: Yes.
- Question: How does an employer or sponsor apply recruitment costs (e.g., printing) to a specific apprentice when the costs are incurred before the apprentice is registered?
Answer: Recruitment costs may be incurred prior to registration and can still be claimed at the time of application. For example, if $250 is spent on a job fair and two apprentices are recruited, the cost may be reasonably divided between the two apprentices.
- Question: Is the cost of a required software program seat, for example, access needed by an apprentice to work on cases alongside their supervising mentor, considered a reimbursable expense under the program?
Answer: Yes. The cost of a required software seat may be classified as either an instructional expense or a mentorship expense, depending on how it is used. Both categories are allowable under MAIP, , and there is flexibility in how such costs are categorized. The total reimbursement cap of $3,000 per apprentice still applies.
- Question: Can the funds be used to develop a mentor training program?
Answer: No. Reimbursements are sought for expenses directly serving the apprentice. MD Labor also offers a separate grant program, the Industry Apprenticeship Accelerator, which supports apprenticeship programs in developing mentorship structures. (https://www.labor.maryland.gov/employment/appr/appr-industryappraccelerator.shtml)
- Question: Can the mentors be paid an extra stipend per hour they are with an apprentice? Would that amount potentially be reimbursable under this program?
Answer: Yes.
- Question: Do all funds have to go to employers? Is there no way for sponsors or intermediaries to recover a portion of their costs related to brokering apprenticeships?
Answer: Funds should be directed to the party who pays the eligible expenses. If sponsors or intermediaries are paying the costs associated with training the apprentices, then the sponsors or intermediaries could recover their costs from the MAIP reimbursement.
- Question: Is the reimbursement amount ($3,000/$7,500) per year or quarter, etc.?
Answer: The reimbursement cost of $3,000 for registered apprentices and $7,500 for High School Level Registered Apprentices is a one-time payment per application, paid after the apprentice has been employed as a Registered Apprentice for at least seven months.
- Question: Is the payment issued to the employer or sponsor or to the apprentices?
Answer: Reimbursements are made to the applicant. Checks are not sent to the apprentices. Applicants may distribute funds to their employers or sponsors to reimburse their individual eligible expenses.
- Question: When do the employer or sponsor send an invoice to be reimbursed? Does the $3,000 per apprentice have to be spent and invoiced by a certain date?
Answer: Applicants will receive a draft invoice from MD Labor at the end of the seven month period. Applicants verify the invoice, and return it as the final copy of the invoice, at which time the payment will be processed by MD Labor assuming the invoice and the applicant meet the requirements specified in the grant agreement.
- Question: How is the prevailing wage monitored?
Answer: MD Labor will monitor if apprentices are employed on prevailing wage projects by verifying contractors’ certified payroll submissions and apprentice records.
- Question: If an apprentice works on equipment (e.g., as a diesel mechanic) that services a prevailing wage project but is not directly employed on that project, are they considered subject to prevailing wage restrictions and therefore ineligible for the incentive?
Answer: Eligibility is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Sponsors and employers are encouraged to submit their application regardless, and MD Labor will cross-reference the apprentice against the prevailing wage certified payroll records.
- Question: Our member employers may send their apprentices on both prevailing wage jobs and non-prevailing wage jobs. How does that affect the restriction?
Answer: Non-High School Level of Registered Apprentices are ineligible for reimbursement if they perform work on prevailing wage projects. At the time of application, applicants must attest that the apprentices claimed are not performing work on prevailing wage projects.
- Question: Can the funds be used to provide housing support to apprentices?
Answer: Yes. With prior approval, the funds may be used to provide housing, as well as other supportive services outlined in the policy.
- Question: Can the applicant seek funding for the purchase and development of apprentices’ tracking database?
Answer: No. Purchasing or development of data systems or other program infrastructure is not an approved use of MAIP funds. Funds may be used to pay per-apprentice costs, which could include license seats, subscriptions, or fees that are required for the apprentice to participate in employment or training.
- Question: Can the funds be used to buy apprentices a laptop to use to complete the required online related instruction?
Answer: The MAIP policy specifies that reimbursements must be for expenses that directly serve the apprentice. If the purchase of a laptop directly enables an apprentice to complete the required related instruction or employment, it may be considered allowable if properly documented and not covered by another funding source. Applicants should maintain purchase receipts and documentation showing the laptop is required for the apprentice’s training.
- Question: Does approved equipment purchases using grant funds (e.g., a laptop, workstation, or adaptive equipment) need to be transferred to the apprentice upon completion of the program, or can it be retained by the organization for use by future apprentices?
Answer: Approved equipment purchases using grant funds do not need to be transferred to the apprentice. The organization may retain the equipment for use by future apprentices or within the program. This applies equally to standard equipment such as laptops and to adaptive or accommodative equipment purchased to support a specific apprentice.
- Question: Can the funds be carried across fiscal and calendar years? For example, can we apply for reimbursement for expenses in August 2027 for our 18-month apprenticeship even though we are applying for the funds now?
Answer: No. MAIP is meant to help employers and sponsors offset costs, including recruitment, education, training, and accommodations for disabilities or materials, associated with hiring newly Registered Apprentices. In order to be eligible, all newly Registered Apprentices must have been employed as a Registered Apprentice for at least seven months; and be within the initial year of employment as a Registered Apprentice with the Sponsor or employer. In order to be eligible for reimbursement, expenses should be incurred within the first seven months of the apprentice’s registration.
- Question: Are the costs for the entire apprenticeship, or only for the first seven months? Also, should this include costs covered by another grant, or only those that are or may be eligible for MAIP reimbursement?
Answer: In order to be eligible for reimbursement, expenses should be incurred within the first seven months of the apprentice’s registration. Only include costs for which you are seeking for reimbursement from the Maryland Apprenticeship Incentive Program on the application.
- Question: Can the applicant provide estimated amounts for mentoring costs, accommodations, or supportive services since these may vary? For example, an apprentice may not know the exact costs for childcare, transportation, or uniforms in advance.
Answer: Yes, an estimate is fine for the purposes of the application. However, the invoice must be updated to reflect actual costs for which the grantee is seeking reimbursement.
- Question: Can the total costs listed be more than $3,000 in the application as long as the applicant does not request reimbursement for more than $3,000?
Answer: No, only costs for which you are seeking reimbursement should be included. Applicants will be asked to revise their submissions if the amount requested exceeds the program limits.
Documentation & Outreach Materials
- Question: When submitting the application, besides the application form, do you require any documents from the sponsor or employer?
Answer: No. However, MD Labor may ask applicants to provide additional verification documents during and after the grant period.
- Question: What type of documentation do we need to keep of employer-related expenses? We would like to be able to use these funds in part to reimburse employers for the added cost of mentoring apprentices but want to make sure we have the appropriate documentation from employers of their expenses.
Answer: Employers should maintain clear documentation showing that the expense directly supports the apprentice. This could include but is not limited to:- Payroll records or stipend documentation showing mentor compensation
- Timesheets or logs documenting mentor time spent with apprentices with signatures
- Internal accounting records or invoices supporting the cost with approvals
- Bank statements showing the payroll transactions
Records do not need to be submitted at the time of invoice or application, but they must be retained and made available for review by request for a period of five years.
- Question: What type of documentation do we need to keep of apprentice expenses if we use the funds to reimburse apprentices for things like childcare or transportation that they need to get to the apprenticeship?
Answer: Applicants should maintain records demonstrating that the support was provided to assist the apprentice’s participation in the program. Examples include but are not limited to:
- Dated receipts or invoices for services provided
- Payment records or reimbursement logs
- Documentation linking the expense to a specific apprentice
- Acknowledgement of receipt for payments of such items from the apprentice
Records do not need to be submitted at the time of invoice or application, but they must be retained and made available for review by request for a period of 5 years.