Contractor licensing — Michigan

Michigan splits contractor regulation into two lanes, both administered by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) through the Bureau of Construction Codes (BCC). Residential building work: Occupational Code, 1980 PA 299, Article 24. - Residential Builder. Licensed to construct, alter, or improve residential or combination residential/commercial structures. - Residential Maintenance & Alteration Contractor (M&AC). Licensed for specific crafts or trades on residential work. Statute enumerates the crafts that may appear on an M&AC license, including carpentry, concrete, swimming pool installation, basement waterproofing, excavation, insulation, masonry, roofing, and siding (MCL 339.2404). The license specifies each craft the licensee is qualified for. Both Residential Builder and M&AC applicants must complete 60 hours of BCC-approved prelicensure education before sitting for the exam or submitting an application. The 60-hour curriculum covers required topics including business management, estimating, contracts and liability, the Michigan Residential Code, and MIOSHA construction safety, plus additional elective hours. Licenses are issued for 3-year cycles under MCL 339.2404. Skilled trades: Skilled Trades Regulation Act, 2016 PA 407. - Electrical (Master, Journeyman, Apprentice, Sign Specialist, Fire Alarm Specialty Technician, and contractor licenses). - Mechanical (contractor and journeyman, with classifications such as HVAC, hydronic heating and cooling, refrigeration, fuel gas piping, ductwork, and others). - Plumbing (Master, Journeyman, Apprentice, contractor). - Boiler, elevator, and a handful of other trades also fall under PA 407. Each trade has its own experience, exam, and continuing-education requirements, and the Electrical, Mechanical, and Plumbing boards sit inside BCC. Refer to each board's licensing page for current application steps and the fees in effect for your renewal cycle. Local layer. City and county building departments issue permits and may require separate contractor registration in addition to the state license. Detroit, Grand Rapids, and most larger municipalities have their own registration on file alongside the LARA license. Unlicensed practice. Performing residential building or M&AC work without the required license is an offense under Article 24 and can also void a contractor's ability to use Michigan courts to collect on a disputed contract.