The Michigan contractor license is good for two years.
The state of Michigan has certain requirements that must be met when applying for a contractor’s license. The type of license you apply for depends on what trades you work in and whether you want a builder’s license or alteration and maintenance license. Contractor requirements differ for each type, but both require that the contractor take continuing education courses to renew a license.
Michigan Residential Builder’s License
To get licensed as a residential builder with the Builder’s Unit of the Michigan Department of Licensing & Regulatory Affairs, you have to complete 60 hours of courses with at least six hours in each of the following areas: MIOSHA construction safety, business management, project management, contracts, design and building, marketing and sales and Michigan business code. Being licensed as a residential builder lets you work in areas such as the following: carpentry, concrete, excavation, basement waterproofing, gutters and downspouts, house wrecking, insulation, masonry, painting and decorating, roofing, siding, swimming pools, storms and screens, tile and marble, and replacement doors, windows and garage doors. This does not include plumbing, electrical or mechanical work.
All contractors in Michigan must be licensed.
The Residential Builder Licensing Exam
The licensing exam for a residential building contractor has two parts, one on trade and the other on law and business, which is a higher requirement than for the alteration and maintenance contractor exam. Testing consists of 100 questions about trade and 50 about law and business. The largest number of questions on the business and law exam are about statutory and regulatory requirements followed by contracts. The largest number of questions on the trade exam concern carpentry, estimating and plan specification and safety. Licenses are good for two years, and you must take continuing education courses before your license expires in order to renew it.
Michigan Alteration and Maintenance Contractor License
To get an alteration and maintenance contractor license from the Builder’s Unit of the Department of Licensing & Regulatory Affairs, you must take and pass the business and law exam. Licensing is available in basement waterproofing, carpentry, excavation, gutters and downspouts, house wrecking, masonry, insulation, concrete, roofing, siding, painting and decorating, swimming pools, storms and screens, and tile and marble. An individual licensed as an alteration and maintenance contractor cannot do mechanical, electrical or plumbing work.
The Alteration and Maintenance Contractor Exam
Being licensed as this type of contractor consists of one exam. However, you have to pass an exam for each area you want to be licensed in. Exams have between 25 and 50 multiple-choice questions and take about one and one-half hours to complete. Every two years, you have to take continuing education courses to renew your license.
Continuing Education Courses to Fulfill Michigan Contractor Requirements
As in other states, Michigan requires continuing education in order to renew a contractor’s license. For those who were licensed before Jan. 1, 2009, three hours is required. Those licensed after this date require 21 hours to maintain a license. Builders are required to complete a total of three hours of continuing education that includes construction changes and laws on business management, building laws and codes and safety.
PDH Contractor Academy offers online and correspondence courses to fulfill continuing education Michigan contractor requirements. Courses are user-friendly and let you study when and where you wish. Once you have successfully passed the exams, you can download your completion certificate.
Learn more about what PDH Contractor Academy has to offer, or browse courses by state.