HVAC Technician licensing in Michigan

Scope

The Michigan Mechanical Contractor license is the credential that authorizes a firm to contract for mechanical work in the licensee's own name, pull mechanical permits, and employ mechanical technicians. Michigan does not issue a statewide 'mechanical journeyman' license; technicians (installers, service techs) work under a licensed mechanical contractor, and the contractor of record is responsible for code-compliant work. Licensing authority traces to the Forbes Mechanical Contractors Act, 1984 PA 192, and is now administered under Article 8 of the Skilled Trades Regulation Act, 2016 PA 407, MCL 339.5801 et seq. Source: Michigan Legislature (https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-Act-407-of-2016).

Classifications

A mechanical contractor license is issued with one or more of eight work classifications under MCL 339.5807: (1) hydronic heating and cooling and process piping; (2) HVAC equipment; (3) ductwork; (4) unlimited refrigeration; (5) limited refrigeration and air conditioning; (6) fuel gas piping; (7) specialized mechanical transportation (elevators/escalators not otherwise regulated); and (8) solid fuel and vented decorative appliances. The applicant applies, tests, and is licensed for EACH classification separately. Source: MCL 339.5807 (https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-339-5807).

Experience

MCL 339.5807 requires a minimum of 3 years or 6,000 hours of full-time employment in EACH classification sought, documented on LARA Form BCC-3012 (Work Experience Report: Mechanical Contractor) and signed under penalty of perjury by each contractor of record. An equivalent combination acceptable to the board may substitute. Source: BCC-3012 (https://www.michigan.gov/lara/-/media/Project/Websites/lara/bcc-media/Licensing/Mechanical/BCC-3012-MC-Experience-Sheet.pdf).

Exam

After LARA approves the application, PSI schedules the exam at one of five Michigan test centers. Every classification exam references the 2021 Michigan Mechanical Code (adopted under 1972 PA 230 as Part 9A, effective March 12, 2024) plus the applicable provisions of 2016 PA 407. A separate exam is administered for each classification; the HVAC Equipment exam is the most common for residential/light-commercial HVAC contractors. Source: LARA Mechanical Examination Information (https://www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/bcc/sections/licensing-section/exam-lic/mechanical-examination-licensing-registration-application-information).

EPA SECTION 608 (FEDERAL). Any technician who maintains, services, repairs, or disposes of equipment containing ozone-depleting or substitute refrigerants must hold EPA Section 608 certification under 40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F. Categories are Type I (small appliances), Type II (high-pressure), Type III (low-pressure), and Universal. This is federal and applies in addition to Michigan's state mechanical contractor license. Source: EPA Section 608 (https://www.epa.gov/section608).

FEES

Application/license fee $100 at time of application. PSI exam fee $100 for the HVAC Equipment classification and $50 for each other classification, paid to PSI when scheduling. Source: LARA Mechanical Application (https://www.michigan.gov/lara/-/media/Project/Websites/lara/bcc-media/Licensing/Mechanical/MECHANICAL-APP.pdf).

Insurance and Bonding

Michigan does not impose a statewide surety-bond requirement on mechanical contractors. Bonding and general-liability insurance are commonly required at the municipal level as a condition of pulling mechanical permits and vary by jurisdiction. Verify with the local building department before bidding.

Renewal and CE

Licenses expire August 31 every third year and must be renewed by October 31 with the LARA renewal fee; continuing competency on current Michigan Mechanical Code content is required each cycle through LARA BCC-approved providers (see ce_requirements/michigan-hvac.json). Source: LARA Licensing (https://www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/bcc/sections/licensing-section/exam-lic).

JOURNEYMAN vs CONTRACTOR

Unlike Michigan's electrical and plumbing systems, which issue a statewide journeyman license, the Mechanical Contractor is the state-issued credential in this trade. Technicians gain the 3-year / 6,000-hour experience working for a licensed contractor, then test for contractor status in each classification they wish to hold.