Home / States / Michigan

Large states · 4 trades verified · checked 2026-10-20

Michigan trade licenses

Electrician, Plumber, HVAC and General contractor credentials in Michigan, from the issuing board's page or the statute: who issues each one, the levels, the time it takes and the exam.

1234
  1. 1Electrician 6 years
  2. 2Plumber 5 years
  3. 3HVAC 3 years
  4. 4General contractor MA
TradeIssued byTop credentialTime to topExamFees printed
ElectricianMichigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory AffairsMaster Electrician6 yearsYesNo
PlumberMichigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory AffairsPlumbing Contractor5 yearsYesNo
HVACMichigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory AffairsMechanical Contractor (per classification)3 yearsYesNo
General contractorMichigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory AffairsMaintenance and Alteration Contractortime not statedYesNo
Electrician6 yearsPlumber5 yearsHVAC3 years
Years to the top credential in each Michigan trade covered here, from the hours and years in each source. "+" means the earlier level's time is not stated.

Electrician in Michigan

Statewide journeyman and master electrician licenses under the Skilled Trades Regulation Act (2016 PA 407). Master Electrician: 6 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.

Electrical Journeyman — 4 years, exam. Master Electrician — 6 years, exam. No reciprocity partner is named in the source.

What the top level asks for: At least 22 years old, at least 12,000 hours of experience obtained over 6 years or more under a master electrician, and an electrical journeyman's license held for at least 2 years. MCL 339.5713.

Michigan electrician details · Electrician in every state

Plumber in Michigan

Statewide journey plumber, master plumber and plumbing contractor licenses under the Skilled Trades Regulation Act; only a licensed master or journey plumber may perform plumbing (MCL 339.6107). Plumbing Contractor: 5 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.

Journey Plumber — 3 years, exam. Master Plumber — 5 years, exam. Plumbing Contractor — 5 years, exam. No reciprocity partner is named in the source.

What the top level asks for: Hold a master plumber license or employ a master plumber, and pass the board's examination. MCL 339.6111.

Michigan plumber details · Plumber in every state

HVAC in Michigan

A mechanical contractor license is required to install, alter or service work in the mechanical classifications (MCL 339.5809). Licenses are issued by work classification. Mechanical Contractor (per classification): 3 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.

Mechanical Contractor (per classification) — 3 years, exam. No reciprocity partner is named in the source.

What the top level asks for: A minimum of 3 years or 6,000 hours of experience in the work classification sought (or an equivalent the board accepts), then the classification examination. MCL 339.5807.

Michigan HVAC details · HVAC in every state

General contractor in Michigan

Residential builder and maintenance and alteration contractor licenses issued by LARA. Maintenance and Alteration Contractor: the source states no minimum time, plus an exam.

Residential Builder — time not stated, 60 classroom hours, exam. Maintenance and Alteration Contractor — time not stated, 60 classroom hours, exam. No reciprocity partner is named in the source.

What the top level asks for: The same 60 hours of prelicensure education, then the maintenance and alteration contractor examination through PSI.

Michigan general contractor details · General contractor in every state

Moving to or from Michigan

Electrician: no route is named in the source. Plumber: no route is named in the source. HVAC: no route is named in the source. General contractor: no route is named in the source. Conditions differ by board, so read the state page for each trade before relying on a partner list.

Nearby and comparable: California · Florida · Georgia · North Carolina · Ohio. Guides: how long each state takes · license or registration.

General information from the Michigan sources on 2026-10-20, not legal advice. Each board is the authority; confirm before applying.