Michigan License Classes

'Residential builder' means a person engaged in the construction of a residential structure that, for a fixed sum, price, fee, percentage, valuable consideration, or other compensation, other than wages for personal labor only, undertakes with another … the erection, construction, replacement, repair, alteration, or addition to, subtraction from, improvement, wrecking of, or demolition of, a residential structure' — plus prefabricated/preassembled/precut/packaged/shell housing dealers and assemblers, and persons erecting a residential structure other than for their own use. A 'residential structure' is a detached 1- or 2-family dwelling with appurtenant facilities, or a townhouse of not more than 3 stories above the grade plane with separate means of egress.

'Residential maintenance and alteration contractor' means a person that, for compensation other than wages for personal labor only, undertakes with another for the repair, alteration, or addition to, subtraction from, improvement of, wrecking of, or demolition of a residential structure, or building of a garage, or laying of concrete on residential property — or engages in the purchase, substantial rehabilitation or improvement, and resale of a residential structure more than twice in 1 calendar year (the serial-flipper rule, with own-use, all-work-let-to-a-licensed-contractor and owner-employee exceptions). The license 'includes the following crafts and trades: carpentry; concrete; swimming pool installation; waterproofing a basement; excavation; insulation work; masonry work; roofing; siding and gutters; screen or storm sash installation; tile and marble work; and house wrecking', and 'shall specify the particular craft or trade for which the licensee is qualified'.

A corporation, partnership, association, limited liability company or other entity applies for its license by designating a qualifying officer who 'takes and passes the examination and meets all other requirements of this article' and who 'is responsible for exercising the supervision or control of the building or construction operations necessary to secure full compliance with this article'; the qualifying officer 'shall also obtain and maintain a license under this article as an individual'. Every partner, trustee, director, officer, member and control person must be at least 18 and meet the license requirements other than knowledge and experience.

'A residential builder or residential maintenance and alteration contractor shall maintain a place of business in this state. If a residential builder or residential maintenance and alteration contractor maintains more than 1 place of business in this state, the department shall issue a branch office license to the builder or contractor for each place of business maintained by the builder or contractor.'

'Salesperson' means an employee or agent, other than a qualifying officer, of a licensed residential builder or residential maintenance and alteration contractor, who, for a salary, wage, fee, percentage, commission, or other consideration, sells or attempts to sell, negotiates or attempts to negotiate, solicits for or attempts to solicit for, obtains or attempts to obtain a contract or commitment for, or furnishes or agrees to furnish the goods and services of a licensed residential builder or M&A contractor — except an individual working for a licensed RB or M&A contractor whose sales are occasional and incidental to the individual's principal employment.

The qualifying individual license behind every Electrical Contractor license: the master is 'in charge of and responsible for Michigan code compliance of all installations of electrical wiring and equipment' and may associate with only one electrical contractor at a time. Initial license and renewal fee $50.00 (MCL 339.5707(2)(a)); examination fee $100.00; license expires December 31 each year and is renewed by March 1 (renewals page: yearly by 12/31, $50 renewal with a $50 late fee).

'This is required if you want to do business as an electrician' (LARA, verbatim). The contractor license requires an associated Master Electrician — held by the contractor or hired — who 'is to be in charge of and responsible for Michigan code compliance of all installations of electrical wiring and equipment'; a Master Electrician can associate with only ONE Electrical Contractor at a time, and without a master the contractor license is put on hold. Statutory fee $300.00 for the three-year cycle (MCL 339.5707(7)(a)); the license 'expires December 31 of every third year'.

Individual electrical license: initial and renewal fee $40.00 (MCL 339.5707(2)(b)), examination fee $100.00, license expires December 31 each year. LARA's renewals page: renew every year by 12/31, $40.00 with a $50.00 late fee, and 'You are not allowed to be on the job site without an active license.'

'An apprentice electrician or specialty apprentice technician registration expires on August 31 of each year and is renewable within 30 days after that date if a renewal fee is paid. The amount of the fee is $15.00. An applicant for registration under this subsection must submit proof of a sponsoring employer for initial or renewal registration.'

'To qualify for a plumbing contractor license, the applicant must either hold a master plumber license or employ the holder of a master plumber license as his or her representative.' Only an individual who is a sole proprietor, partner, corporate officer or LLC member may apply; the application lists the representing master plumber's name, residence address and license number; the applicant pays the applicable examination fee and passes the examination provided by the board and the department. 'The contractor license will not be issued without master plumber representation' (LARA, verbatim).

The qualifying plumbing license: a plumbing contractor must hold it or employ a holder as the representative (MCL 339.6111(1)). LARA's renewals page: 'You must renew every three (3) years by 4/30 … It is $300.00 to renew your license. If you do not renew before your license expires, you have to pay a $100.00 late fee.' Masters pull permits and sign for apprentices' time.

Individual plumbing license: the official application charges 'JOURNEY PLUMBER LICENSE $ 40.00'. LARA's renewals page: 'You must renew every year by 4/30 … It is $40.00 to renew your license. If you do not renew before your license expires, you have to pay a $100.00 late fee.' Examination through PSI with the exam fee paid to PSI.

LARA's renewals page: 'You must renew every year by 4/30 … It is $15.00 to renew your license. If you do not renew before your license expires, you have to pay a $20.00 late fee.' The registration must be linked to an Accela account and shows the sponsoring employer's license.

The statewide HVAC credential. Official application verbatim: 'INITIAL Mechanical Contractor License/Classification $300.00'; adding a classification in the first/second/third year of the license cycle costs $300.00/$200.00/$100.00; the license fee must be paid at time of application and is non-refundable; veterans are exempt from the initial licensing fee under MCL 339.5417. Examination through PSI with the exam fee paid to PSI.