Are employers allowed to require job applicants to have a certain level of education or experience?

In Maryland, employers generally may require job applicants to have a certain level of education or experience. This is generally legal as long as the requirements are not based on any kind of protected characteristic, such as race, gender, age, and national origin. Maryland has employment discrimination laws prohibiting employers from discriminating against employees based on any of these characteristics. Employers are permitted to set minimum qualifications for certain positions. These qualifications can include a certain level of education, such as a high school diploma or certification in a specific field. Additionally, employers can require that applicants meet certain experience requirements, such as having a certain number of years of experience in a certain field. However, employers may not establish such qualifications in a way that discriminates against employees based on any of the protected characteristics. Overall, employers can require job applicants to meet certain education and experience qualifications; however, they must do so without unlawfully discriminating against any persons based on any protected characteristics. Such qualifications must be established purely on the basis of what is necessary to perform the job.

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