The state of Michigan has education requirements for initially getting your contractor’s licenses, and then education requirements for renewal every three years. In Michigan, the most common type of contractor license is referred to as a residential builder license. With this license, a contractor can do any kind of work on a residential structure or a structure that is a combination of residential and commercial space.
Michigan also requires that all construction sales professionals and branch offices of construction companies be licensed. However, neither the salesperson or branch office licenses require any kind of initial or continuing education courses to remain valid. These licenses can be acquired and renewed through simple licensing tests.
Hit those books to earn your Michigan contractor’s license.
The Initial Education Requirements
To be able to take the residential builder licensing test in Michigan, the candidate must complete 60 hours of classroom training that has been certified and approved by the state. Every candidate is required to take six hours of certified courses in:
- Construction business management (estimating)
- Design science
- Understanding contracts, corporate liability, and risk management
- Sales and advertising
- Project management
- Michigan’s state building code for residential structures
- MIOSHA safety standards
The remaining hours can be comprised of courses that candidates can select from a list prepared by the state.
Getting the License
In order to send in a completed residential builder license application, the candidate must:
- Complete the 60 course hours
- Submit the license application and the proper fee
- Have no criminal record
- Submit their completed examination
Get your company involved in the growing Michigan contractor industry by earning your residential builder license.
Maintaining the License
Once a contractor is awarded a residential builder license, it must maintain work documentation for up to five years to prove that the company is doing the type of work outlined in the licensing information. The contractor does not need to submit this maintenance material to the state, but it needs to be on file in the event that the state decides to do an audit of the contractor’s business.
Renewing the License
A Michigan contractor’s license must be renewed by taking continuing competency courses and taking a renewal exam every three years. Contractors who have had their licenses for more than six years only need to complete three hours of class time before being able to take the renewal exam. Contractors who have had their licenses for less than six years need to take three hours of class time, and submit proof of 18 hours of other competency activities. Those activities can include:
- Successful completion of a certified safety course or a college course relating to construction
- Being part of an approved mentor program
- Participating in workshops or seminars held by approved agencies
- Having an article published in an approved construction trade publication
- Being an active member of a state review committee or a technical society
- Attending approved state safety functions
- Being a part of approved code hearings
- Cooperating with a trade agency or college on research pertaining to the construction industry
- Taking the necessary courses online
If you start a course with PDH Contractors, then you can fulfill your classroom requirements and maintain your Michigan contractor’s license. Check out the resources PDH Contractors has to offer and see how much you can learn about the construction industry and how your company can become a dominant player in your area.