Contractor licensing by state
How to Get a Contractor License in Michigan
Michigan requires a state license for every trade we track except landscape irrigation. The official sources do not settle the state rule for landscape irrigation. The main contractor license is the Residential Builder license, which costs $195 to start and needs two exams, Business and Law plus M&A trade exams. Of the 7 trades we could rate, general contracting is the easiest to get licensed for and HVAC work the hardest.
The Michigan contractor license
| License | Residential Builder license (or Maintenance and Alteration Contractor license by trade) |
|---|---|
| Covers | Foundation repair, general contracting, roofing, concrete flatwork, drainage and detention work, and demolition |
| Fee | $195 (individual application) |
| Exam | Business and Law; M&A trade exams. Given by PSI. |
| Experience | 60-hour prelicensure course. |
How to apply
- Complete 60 hours of approved prelicensure education.
- Apply to LARA with the $195 fee.
- After approval, pass the PSI exams.
- Pull the local building permit.
M&A contractors choose at least one trade but not all trades.
State license requirements for each trade in Michigan
| Foundation repair | Residential Builder | $195 | Business and Law | None listed | Not rated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General contracting | Residential Builder | $195 | Business and Law | None listed | Easy · 19 |
| Roofing | Maintenance and Alteration Contractor, Roofing | $195 | Business and Law | None listed | Easy · 24 |
| Plumbing | Plumbing Contractor license with a licensed Master Plumber | $300 | Master Plumber written exam | 2 years | Moderate · 31 |
| Electrical | Electrical Contractor license with a Master Electrician of record | $300 | None listed | 4 years | Moderate · 26 |
| HVAC | Mechanical Contractor license | $300 | Mechanical contractor classification exams | 3 years | Moderate · 36 |
| Irrigation | Not settled | Not rated | |||
| Concrete flatwork | Maintenance and Alteration Contractor, Concrete | $195 | Business and Law | None listed | Easy · 24 |
| Drainage and detention | Maintenance and Alteration Contractor, Excavation | $195 | Business and Law | None listed | Not rated |
| Demolition | Maintenance and Alteration Contractor, House Wrecking | $195 | Business and Law | None listed | Easy · 24 |
Tap a column to sort. Difficulty covers the state license only. Checked October 18, 2026.
Trades ranked from easiest to hardest in Michigan
- General contracting, easy (19)
- Concrete flatwork, easy (24)
- Demolition, easy (24)
- Roofing, easy (24)
- Electrical, moderate (26)
- Plumbing, moderate (31)
- HVAC, moderate (36)
Foundation repair, landscape irrigation, and drainage and detention work are not rated because their rules are not fully published.
Details for each trade
Foundation repair
| License | Residential Builder (or M&A trades Concrete (B), Masonry (I) or Basement Waterproofing (T)) |
|---|---|
| Board | Michigan LARA, Bureau of Construction Codes, Residential Builders and Maintenance and Alteration Contractors |
| Fee | $195 (individual license application) |
| Exam | Business and Law. Given by PSI. |
| Experience | 60 hours of approved prelicensure education (no years of experience). |
No foundation-repair category exists. Structural foundation repair on a home fits the Residential Builder license; narrower concrete, masonry or waterproofing work can fit the matching M&A trades. Ask LARA which applies to your scope. Applicants complete 60 hours of approved prelicensure education, then pass the PSI Business and Law exam (plus a trade exam for each M&A trade).
Ask the city or county building department whether the repair needs a permit and an engineer letter or sealed design.
- Complete 60 hours of approved prelicensure education.
- Apply to LARA with the $195 fee.
- After approval, pass the PSI exams.
- Pull the local building permit.
Checked October 18, 2026 against LARA Residential Builder / M&A application BCC-2000 (fees, trades); LARA 60-hour prelicensure education requirement.
General contracting (residential remodels, additions and home improvement)
| License | Residential Builder |
|---|---|
| Board | Michigan LARA, Bureau of Construction Codes, Residential Builders and Maintenance and Alteration Contractors |
| Fee | $195 (individual license application) |
| Exam | Business and Law. Given by PSI. |
| Experience | 60 hours of approved prelicensure education (no years of experience). |
Covers building and remodeling homes. Applicants complete 60 hours of approved prelicensure education, then pass the PSI Business and Law exam (plus a trade exam for each M&A trade).
Ask the city or county building department about building permits for remodels and additions.
- Complete 60 hours of approved prelicensure education.
- Apply to LARA with the $195 fee.
- After approval, pass the PSI exams.
- Pull the local building permit.
Difficulty 19, easy (exams 15, fees 4).
Checked October 18, 2026 against LARA Residential Builder / M&A application BCC-2000 (fees, trades); LARA 60-hour prelicensure education requirement.
Roofing
| License | Maintenance and Alteration Contractor, Roofing (M) |
|---|---|
| Board | Michigan LARA, Bureau of Construction Codes, Residential Builders and Maintenance and Alteration Contractors |
| Fee | $195 (individual license application) |
| Exam | Business and Law; M&A trade exam. Given by PSI. |
| Experience | 60 hours of approved prelicensure education (no years of experience). |
Roofing is an M&A trade. Applicants complete 60 hours of approved prelicensure education, then pass the PSI Business and Law exam (plus a trade exam for each M&A trade).
Ask the city or county building department whether a reroof needs a permit.
- Complete 60 hours of approved prelicensure education.
- Apply to LARA with the $195 fee.
- After approval, pass the PSI exams.
- Pull the local building permit.
Difficulty 24, easy (exams 15, business and law exam 5, fees 4).
Checked October 18, 2026 against LARA Residential Builder / M&A application BCC-2000 (fees, trades); LARA 60-hour prelicensure education requirement.
Plumbing
| License | Plumbing Contractor license with a licensed Master Plumber |
|---|---|
| Board | Michigan LARA, Bureau of Construction Codes |
| Fee | $300 (plumbing contractor license application) |
| Exam | Master Plumber written exam; Hands-on practical skills exam. Given by PSI. |
| Experience | Master needs an active journey plumber license and 2 years of work experience; journey needs 6,000 hours over 3 years as a registered apprentice. |
LARA will not issue a plumbing contractor license without an associated master plumber. The master exam has a PSI written part and a hands-on practical part.
Ask the city or county building department who may pull plumbing permits.
- Earn the journey license (6,000 hours over 3 years).
- Pass the master exams at PSI.
- Apply for the plumbing contractor license ($300).
Difficulty 31, moderate (exams 15, experience 10, fees 6).
Checked October 18, 2026 against LARA plumbing licensing information; LARA plumbing contractor application ($300).
Electrical
| License | Electrical Contractor license with a Master Electrician of record |
|---|---|
| Board | Michigan LARA, Bureau of Construction Codes |
| Fee | $300 (electrical contractor license) |
| Experience | Contractor needs a master electrician of record; journeyman needs 8,000 hours and 4 years as an apprentice. |
LARA no longer requires an exam for the Electrical Contractor license; the master electrician must pass the master exam at PSI.
Ask the city or county building department who may pull electrical permits.
- Hold or employ a licensed master electrician.
- Apply for the Electrical Contractor license ($300).
Difficulty 26, moderate (experience 20, fees 6).
Checked October 18, 2026 against LARA electrical licensing information; LARA electrical contractor application ($300).
HVAC
| License | Mechanical Contractor license (classifications such as HVAC equipment, ductwork, refrigeration) |
|---|---|
| Board | Michigan LARA, Bureau of Construction Codes |
| Fee | $300 (initial mechanical contractor license/classification) |
| Exam | Mechanical contractor classification exams. Given by PSI. |
| Experience | 3 years of experience in each work classification applied for. |
Exams are at PSI; ductwork requires the HVAC classification.
Ask the city or county building department who may pull mechanical permits.
- Document 3 years in each classification.
- Apply ($300) and pass the PSI exams.
Difficulty 36, moderate (exams 15, experience 15, fees 6).
Checked October 18, 2026 against LARA mechanical licensing information; LARA mechanical application ($300).
Irrigation
We could not confirm from official sources whether Michigan requires a state license for landscape irrigation.
The LARA mechanical or plumbing pages list no lawn sprinkler classification. Ask LARA which license covers the potable water connection.
Ask the city or county building department and the water utility about permits and backflow devices for the water connection.
Ask LARA and the local inspector.
Checked October 18, 2026 against LARA mechanical licensing information.
Concrete flatwork (driveways, sidewalks and work in the public right-of-way)
| License | Maintenance and Alteration Contractor, Concrete (B) |
|---|---|
| Board | Michigan LARA, Bureau of Construction Codes, Residential Builders and Maintenance and Alteration Contractors |
| Fee | $195 (individual license application) |
| Exam | Business and Law; M&A trade exam. Given by PSI. |
| Experience | 60 hours of approved prelicensure education (no years of experience). |
Concrete is an M&A trade. Applicants complete 60 hours of approved prelicensure education, then pass the PSI Business and Law exam (plus a trade exam for each M&A trade).
Ask the city or county building department about driveway, sidewalk and right-of-way permits.
- Complete 60 hours of approved prelicensure education.
- Apply to LARA with the $195 fee.
- After approval, pass the PSI exams.
- Pull the local building permit.
Difficulty 24, easy (exams 15, business and law exam 5, fees 4).
Checked October 18, 2026 against LARA Residential Builder / M&A application BCC-2000 (fees, trades); LARA 60-hour prelicensure education requirement.
Drainage and detention (grading, drainage, stormwater and detention ponds)
| License | Maintenance and Alteration Contractor, Excavation (D) |
|---|---|
| Board | Michigan LARA, Bureau of Construction Codes, Residential Builders and Maintenance and Alteration Contractors |
| Fee | $195 (individual license application) |
| Exam | Business and Law; M&A trade exam. Given by PSI. |
| Experience | 60 hours of approved prelicensure education (no years of experience). |
Excavation is an M&A trade. Applicants complete 60 hours of approved prelicensure education, then pass the PSI Business and Law exam (plus a trade exam for each M&A trade).
Ask the city or county building department about grading, drainage and stormwater approvals.
- Complete 60 hours of approved prelicensure education.
- Apply to LARA with the $195 fee.
- After approval, pass the PSI exams.
- Pull the local building permit.
Checked October 18, 2026 against LARA Residential Builder / M&A application BCC-2000 (fees, trades); LARA 60-hour prelicensure education requirement.
Demolition
| License | Maintenance and Alteration Contractor, House Wrecking (R) |
|---|---|
| Board | Michigan LARA, Bureau of Construction Codes, Residential Builders and Maintenance and Alteration Contractors |
| Fee | $195 (individual license application) |
| Exam | Business and Law; M&A trade exam. Given by PSI. |
| Experience | 60 hours of approved prelicensure education (no years of experience). |
House wrecking is an M&A trade. Applicants complete 60 hours of approved prelicensure education, then pass the PSI Business and Law exam (plus a trade exam for each M&A trade).
Ask the city or county building department about demolition permits.
- Complete 60 hours of approved prelicensure education.
- Apply to LARA with the $195 fee.
- After approval, pass the PSI exams.
- Pull the local building permit.
Difficulty 24, easy (exams 15, business and law exam 5, fees 4).
Checked October 18, 2026 against LARA Residential Builder / M&A application BCC-2000 (fees, trades); LARA 60-hour prelicensure education requirement.
Exams for a Michigan license
| Michigan mechanical contractor classification exams | PSI, for LARA Bureau of Construction Codes | $100 for HVAC Equipment (includes ductwork and gas piping); $50 for most other classifications | Unlimited retests within one year of eligibility | 180 minutes for HVAC Equipment; 60 minutes for most other classifications |
|---|
Tap a column to sort. Each exam name opens the provider's bulletin or exam page. A blank cell is a fact not confirmed from the provider, and the linked bulletin has the full rules.
Checked October 18, 2026 against PSI Michigan mechanical HVAC Equipment Candidate Information Bulletin.
Official sources
- LARA Residential Builder and M&A license application
- LARA mechanical licensing
- LARA electrical licensing
- LARA plumbing licensing
Licensing pages for nearby states cover Ohio.
Rules and fees change, and this is not legal advice. Confirm with the licensing board before you apply or bid.