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How to get an Individual Residential Builder license in Michigan

Michigan licenses general contractors statewide through the Bureau of Construction Codes.1 For the Individual Residential Builder license you need at least 60 clock hours2 of education, a passing score on the Residential Builder examination3 and a criminal background check2. The board lists $15 for the application4 and $50 for the exam3, each a separate charge. You renew every 3 years2 and complete at least 21 hours of continuing education2.

Last checked · 17 official sources

Who issues it

Bureau of Construction Codes

Training and experience

Training: at least 60 clock hours2

Exam

Residential Builder examination3

Fees the board lists

Application fee: $154
Exam fee: $503

Renewal

Every 3 years2, at least 21 hours of continuing education2

From another state

Military service members and spouses5 Details

On this page
  1. Michigan general contractor licenses
  2. Applies to every license level
  3. Who needs an Individual Residential Builder license
  4. Requirements for an Individual Residential Builder license
  5. How to apply
  6. Renewal and continuing education
  7. Individual Maintenance & Alteration Contractor
  8. Residential Builder Company License
  9. Residential Builder or M&A Contractor Salesperson
  10. City and county rules
  11. Check a license or report a problem
  12. Laws and rules
  13. Common questions
  14. General contractor licenses in other states

Michigan general contractor licenses

Michigan issues 4 general contractor credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

LicenseWhat it coversTraining or experienceExamApplication or license fee
Individual Residential BuilderBuilding, repairing, altering or demolishing residential structures (detached one- or two-family dwellings, and townhouses up to three stories).2Training 60 clock hours2Yes2$1956
Individual Maintenance & Alteration ContractorRepair and alteration of residential structures, limited to the trades listed on the license: carpentry, concrete, excavation, insulation, masonry, siding, roofing, screens and storm sash, gutters, tile and marble, house wrecking, swimming pools and basement waterproofing.7Training 60 clock hours2Yes2$1956
Residential Builder Company License; Maintenance & Alteration Company LicenseLets an entity act as a residential builder or maintenance and alteration contractor through its qualifying officer.2––$154
Residential Builder or M&A Contractor SalespersonSolicits or secures business for one licensed builder or M&A contractor for compensation.8–Yes8$154

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for several of the Michigan general contractor licenses on this page, so they are shown once here, with the licenses they apply to. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

1. Every license level (all 4)

Fees

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Application fee$154Bureau of Construction CodesStatutory line item

How to apply

Processing time
The department must issue an initial or renewal license within 90 days of a completed application.9

Renewal

Renewal fee
$504 (Per year; licenses run 3 years)

2. Every license level except Residential Builder or M&A Contractor Salesperson

Requirements

Business requirements
Maintain a place of business in Michigan; a P.O. box is not enough.2
Business requirements
A branch office license is needed for each extra place of business.2

Renewal

How often
Every 3 years2
If it expires
Renewal is allowed within 60 days after expiry with the license fee and a late renewal fee.9
Lapsed 61 days to 3 years: relicensure application, fees and good moral character.10
Lapsed more than 3 years: 60 hours of prelicensure education, application and fees, good moral character, and the current exam.10

From another state

Route
No reciprocity
What the board says
A nonresident can be licensed by meeting Article 24, including a Michigan place of business and consent to service of process. No reciprocity agreement appears in the sources read.2
Route
Military service members and spouses
What the board says
Temporary license for spouses of active-duty members stationed in Michigan, valid 6 months and renewable once.5
Conditions
Holds a current license in good standing elsewhere; spouse assigned to a duty station in Michigan.5

3. Individual Residential Builder and Individual Maintenance & Alteration Contractor

Requirements

Education or training
At least 60 clock hours2
Approved prelicensure courses, with at least 6 hours in each of seven areas and 18 hours from other approved topics.3
Who may teach it: High schools, intermediate school districts, community colleges, universities, the Bureau of Construction Codes, MIOSHA, trade associations or licensed proprietary schools; courses must be preapproved.3
Alternative: Honorably separated veterans with construction experience in service can be exempt, or receive partial credit at the department’s discretion.2
Background check
Background check required2
The application asks applicants to certify rehabilitation or that any offense is not reasonably related to the occupation.6
You can ask the board to review your record before you apply11
Social Security number
The application requires a Social Security number.6
Business requirements
Hold an individual license first; then a company can apply.6

Fees

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Initial license fee$1956Bureau of Construction CodesTotal new individual license payment on form BCC-2000. Not refundable
Other fee$604Bureau of Construction CodesLicense fee only for the first license cycle of an initial or renewal licensee, per year. Per year, first cycle
Exam fee$503PSIComplete exam; statutory amount
Exam retake fee$304PSILaw and rules portion only; statutory amount
Exam retake fee$304PSIPractice or trades portion only; statutory amount
Examination review$204Bureau of Construction Codes–

Some lines are combined figures, or parts of one; do not add the lines up.

How to apply

  1. Complete 60 hours of approved prelicensure courses.3
  2. When approved, PSI contacts you to schedule. Pay exam fees to PSI when scheduling.3
  3. Pass the exam; the score stays valid for 1 year and everything must be finished within 1 year of applying.12
Temporary or provisional license
Temporary license for military spouses only.5

Renewal

When it expires
Licenses run 3 years; the licensee states they hold the current Michigan Residential Code and meet continuing competency requirements.2
Continuing education
At least 21 hours each renewal period2
Required topics
At least 3 hours on codes, safety and business law changes2
At least 3 hours in each calendar year during the first 6 calendar years of licensure2
Approved courses
Same providers as prelicensure; approved construction code update, fire and workplace safety courses also count.2
Exemptions
After more than two 3-year cycles with no discipline: 3 hours per cycle (1 codes, 1 safety, 1 legal).2
Keep competency records for at least 5 years; the department can audit.2

Who needs an Individual Residential Builder license

Building, repairing, altering or demolishing residential structures (detached one- or two-family dwellings, and townhouses up to three stories).2

Exemptions and dollar thresholds:

  • No license needed when the aggregate contract price for a project is under $600, unless the work is part of a larger operation or split to evade the law.2

Other rules on who may do this work:

  • Owners building for their own use, and owners maintaining their own rental property.2
  • Subcontractors working only under contract with a licensed builder or contractor.2
  • Licensed electrical, plumbing and mechanical contractors, for that work only.2

Requirements for an Individual Residential Builder license

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 3 under Applies to every license level.

Exam
Residential Builder examination3
Given by: PSI3
When you can take it: After the 60 hours of prelicensure education; PSI contacts approved applicants to schedule.3
Law and rules portion4
Practice or trades portion4
Retakes: Veterans exempted from prelicensure who fail the first attempt must finish the course before retaking.2
Time limit: Finish all requirements, including the exam, within 1 year of applying or the application is void; a passing score is valid for 1 year.12

How to apply

  1. Apply to LARA for the individual residential builder license: application, driver’s license or state ID copy, prelicensure certificate and the non-refundable fee. Nonresidents add a consent to service of process.6 Form (PDF, michigan.gov)6

Renewal and continuing education

Renewal planner

Enter the expiration date printed on your Michigan Individual Residential Builder license. The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.

Individual Maintenance & Alteration Contractor

Repair and alteration of residential structures, limited to the trades listed on the license: carpentry, concrete, excavation, insulation, masonry, siding, roofing, screens and storm sash, gutters, tile and marble, house wrecking, swimming pools and basement waterproofing.7

Requirements

Exam
Maintenance & Alteration Contractor examination3
Given by: PSI3
When you can take it: After the 60 hours of prelicensure education; PSI contacts approved applicants to schedule.3
Law and rules portion4
Practice or trades portion4
Retakes: Veterans exempted from prelicensure who fail the first attempt must finish the course before retaking.2
Time limit: Finish all requirements, including the exam, within 1 year of applying or the application is void; a passing score is valid for 1 year.12

How to apply

  1. Apply to LARA for the individual maintenance and alteration contractor license: application, driver’s license or state ID copy, prelicensure certificate and the non-refundable fee. Nonresidents add a consent to service of process.6 Form (PDF, michigan.gov)6

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 3 under Applies to every license level.

Residential Builder Company License

Lets an entity act as a residential builder or maintenance and alteration contractor through its qualifying officer.2

Requirements

Minimum age
18 years old2
Education or training
The qualifying officer holds an individual license, which requires the prelicensure education.2
Background check
Background check required2
The application asks applicants to certify rehabilitation or that any offense is not reasonably related to the occupation.6
Business requirements
Foreign corporations must be authorized to do business in Michigan.2
Business requirements
If the qualifying officer leaves, the license is suspended unless the department allows time to qualify a new one.2

Fees

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Initial license fee$19513Bureau of Construction CodesNew company license, residential builder or maintenance & alteration (same amount). Not refundable

How to apply

  1. Obtain the individual license for the person who will be the qualifying officer.2
  2. Apply for the company license and designate the qualifying officer.6

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 2 under Applies to every license level.

Residential Builder or M&A Contractor Salesperson

Solicits or secures business for one licensed builder or M&A contractor for compensation.8

Requirements

Exam
Salesperson examination4
Exam waived: No exam for current builder or M&A licensees, or those licensed within the past 3 years.12

Fees

You pay PSI (exam fee) and the Bureau of Construction Codes (2 fees).

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Exam fee$304PSIStatutory amount
Initial license fee$19514Bureau of Construction CodesNew salesperson license; honorably separated veterans are exempt from the initial license fee. Not refundable
Builder Salesperson Transfer$1014Bureau of Construction CodesTransfer to a new employing builder or M&A contractor. Not refundable

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

  1. The employing builder or M&A contractor submits the application.2
  2. Pass the salesperson exam unless exempt.8
  3. Do not start work until the employer has the license and identification card.12
  4. When changing employers, the new employer files for a transfer.12

Renewal

If it expires
Renewal is allowed within 60 days after expiry with the license fee and a late renewal fee.9

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 under Applies to every license level.

City and county rules

Residential Builder Company License; Maintenance & Alteration Company LicenseGrand Rapids and Ann Arbor have contractors register their state license with the city before pulling permits.15

City or countyWhat it requiresLink
DetroitThe city license list covers electrical, fire alarm and boiler trades; no general or builder license is listed.16Official page16
Grand RapidsRegister the state license with the city to apply for permits.15Official page15
Ann ArborSubmit contractor licensing in the STREAM portal before permits that require state licensing.17Official page17

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire a general contractor in Michigan, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Michigan is on the Michigan license lookup page.

Look up a license
aca-prod.accela.com1
File a complaint
michigan.gov1

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Common questions

How long does it take to get an Individual Residential Builder license in Michigan?

The rules set at least 60 clock hours2 before you can be licensed. On processing, the board says: The department must issue an initial or renewal license within 90 days of a completed application.9

Can I transfer my general contractor license to Michigan?

A nonresident can be licensed by meeting Article 24, including a Michigan place of business and consent to service of process. No reciprocity agreement appears in the sources read.2 Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew an Individual Residential Builder license in Michigan?

Every 3 years2. Continuing education: at least 21 hours2. The renewal fee is $504.

General contractor licenses in other states

Sources

Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.

  1. Residential BuildersMichigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Construction CodesChecked November 7, 2026
  2. Occupational Code Article 24 PDFMichigan LegislatureDated February 11, 2025Checked November 6, 2026
  3. Prelicensure Education RequirementsMichigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Construction CodesChecked November 6, 2026
  4. MCL 338.2239Michigan LegislatureChecked November 6, 2026
  5. Active Duty Military Personnel, Veterans and Military Spouse InformationMichigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Construction CodesChecked November 6, 2026
  6. Residential Builder and M&A Contractor application BCC-2000Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Construction CodesChecked November 6, 2026
  7. Maintenance and Alteration Contractor License InformationMichigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Construction CodesChecked November 6, 2026
  8. Salesperson License InformationMichigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Construction CodesChecked November 6, 2026
  9. MCL 339.411Michigan LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
  10. RelicensureMichigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Construction CodesChecked November 6, 2026
  11. Request for Preliminary Determination (LARA/BCC-3919, Rev. 02/2024)Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Construction CodesChecked November 6, 2026
  12. Residential Builders and Maintenance and Alteration Contractors, R 338.1511-338.1566Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and RulesChecked November 6, 2026
  13. Residential Builder Company or Maintenance & Alteration Contractor Company License or Relicense…Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Construction CodesChecked November 6, 2026
  14. Residential Builder Salesperson License, Relicense or Transfer Application (BCC-2010, Rev. 02/2024)Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Construction CodesChecked November 6, 2026
  15. Registered ContractorCity of Grand RapidsChecked November 6, 2026
  16. Apply for or renew licenseCity of DetroitChecked November 6, 2026
  17. Construction and BuildingCity of Ann ArborChecked November 6, 2026