Licensed jobs in Michigan
Michigan: 10 occupations, 7 licensing agencies. For each one: the board, the main credential, its training, application fee and renewal cycle, from the boards' own pages.
On this page
Occupations we cover in Michigan
Michigan licenses 10 of the 10 occupations below at the state level. Electricians have the most levels here (8 credentials); each occupation page covers every level.
| Occupation | Main license | Board | Training or experience | Application fee | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | Cosmetologist license 2 credentials in all | Michigan Board of Cosmetology | Training 1,500 clock hours1 | $152 | – |
| Registered nurse (RN) | Registered Professional Nurse license | Bureau of Professional Licensing | – | $754 | Every 2 years5 |
| Insurance agent | Resident Producer (insurance producer/agent) license, issued by line of authority 2 credentials in all | DIFS | Training 20 clock hours7 | $107 | – |
| Plumber | Journey plumber 4 credentials in all | Bureau of Construction Codes | Experience 6,000 hours10 | $4011 | – |
| Certified nursing assistant (CNA) | Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) — certificate of registration as a nurse aide 2 credentials in all | Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Community and Health Systems | Training 75 clock hours12 | $4013 | Every 2 years12 |
| Electrician | Electrical Journeyman 8 credentials in all | Bureau of Construction Codes | Experience 8,000 hours10 | $4010 | Every year10 |
| Security guard | Security Guard 3 credentials in all | Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau | – | – | – |
| Massage therapist | Massage Therapist (license) | Michigan Board of Massage Therapy | Training 625 clock hours14 | $2015 | Every 3 years16 |
| Real estate agent | Real Estate Salesperson 3 credentials in all | Bureau of Professional Licensing | Training 40 clock hours18 | $8819 | Every 3 years20 |
| General contractor | Individual Residential Builder 4 credentials in all | Bureau of Construction Codes | Training 60 clock hours21 | $19522 | Every 3 years21 |
Licensing boards
7 agencies issue the Michigan licenses we cover:
- Bureau of Construction Codes: plumbers, electricians and general contractors
- Bureau of Professional Licensing: registered nurses and real estate agents
- Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau: security guards
- Michigan Board of Cosmetology: cosmetologists
- Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS): insurance agents
- Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Community and Health Systems: nursing assistants
- Michigan Board of Massage Therapy: massage therapists
Moving to Michigan with a license
For nursing assistants, the Michigan board names the states whose licenses it accepts. The boards for security guards and real estate agents publish no transfer route, so you apply as a new applicant. Conditions, fees and forms are on each occupation page.
| Occupation | Routes the board publishes |
|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | License by endorsement and Military service members and spouses13 |
| Registered nurse (RN) | Temporary license or permit and Military service members and spouses6 |
| Insurance agent | Reciprocity agreements and Exam waiver89 |
| Plumber | Temporary license or permit and Military service members and spouses10 |
| Certified nursing assistant (CNA) | License by endorsement13 |
| Electrician | Military service members and spouses and Temporary license or permit10 |
| Security guard | – |
| Massage therapist | License by endorsement17 |
| Real estate agent | No reciprocity route20 |
| General contractor | Military service members and spouses23 |
Check a license
Every board above runs its own license search. The Michigan license lookup page lists them in one place, with the links to report an unlicensed or problem provider.
Sources
Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.
- Occupational Code (1980 PA 299) Article 12, Cosmetology (MCL 339.1201 to 339.1218) PDFMichigan LegislatureDated February 11, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- State License Fee Act (1979 PA 152), MCL 338.2201 et seq. PDFMichigan LegislatureDated February 11, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- MCL - Section 339.213 - Michigan LegislatureMichigan Legislature (Legislative Service Bureau)Checked November 7, 2026
- MCL 333.16327 Registered professional nurse, licensed practical nurse, or trained attendant; feesMichigan Legislature (Legislative Service Bureau)Dated April 9, 2017Checked November 7, 2026
- Public Health Code – General Rules, R 338.7001 to R 338.7005Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (Michigan Administrative Rules System)Checked November 8, 2026
- MCL - Section 333.16181 - Michigan LegislatureMichigan Legislature (Legislative Service Bureau)Checked November 6, 2026
- How to Become Licensed as a Resident ProducerMichigan Department of Insurance and Financial ServicesChecked November 8, 2026
- How to Become Licensed as a Non-Resident ProducerMichigan Department of Insurance and Financial ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- How to Become a Resident Producer When Moving to MichiganMichigan Department of Insurance and Financial ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- Skilled Trades Regulation Act, 2016 PA 407 (MCL 339.5101-339.6133), full act PDFMichigan Legislature (Legislative Council)Dated May 16, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- Mich. Admin. Code R 339.5101-339.5412 Skilled Trades Regulation RulesMichigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Construction Codes (Michigan Administrative Code via ARS)Dated May 3, 2023Checked November 7, 2026
- Mich. Admin. Code R 400.301 to R 400.357 Nurse Aide, Nurse Aide Trainer, and Nurse Aide Training Program…Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules (Michigan Administrative Code)Dated March 23, 2023Checked November 7, 2026
- Nurse Aide Registry (BCHS)Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Community and Health SystemsChecked November 7, 2026
- Massage Therapy - General Rules, R 338.701 to R 338.752Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (Michigan Administrative Rules System)Dated November 21, 2022Checked November 8, 2026
- MCL 333.16334 Massage therapist; feesMichigan Legislature (Legislative Service Bureau)Dated January 9, 2009Checked November 7, 2026
- MCL 333.17957 Massage therapy; license required; exceptionsMichigan Legislature (Legislative Service Bureau)Dated January 9, 2009Checked November 8, 2026
- MCL 333.17959 Massage therapist; license; issuance; requirementsMichigan Legislature (Legislative Service Bureau)Checked November 7, 2026
- Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons – General Rules, R 339.22101 to R 339.22667Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Professional Licensing (Administrative Rules System)Checked November 6, 2026
- Michigan Real Estate Salesperson Licensing Guide (and FAQ)Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Professional LicensingDated January 26, 2026Checked November 6, 2026
- Occupational Code, 1980 PA 299, Article 25 (Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons)Michigan Legislature (legislature.mi.gov)Checked November 6, 2026
- Occupational Code Article 24 PDFMichigan LegislatureDated February 11, 2025Checked November 6, 2026
- Residential Builder and M&A Contractor application BCC-2000Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Construction CodesChecked November 6, 2026
- Active Duty Military Personnel, Veterans and Military Spouse InformationMichigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Construction CodesChecked November 6, 2026