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How to become a licensed electrician in Michigan. State-level licensing required. Apprenticeship: 8,000 hours. Total initial fees: $140. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Electrician
Governing Authority
Electrical Administrative Board, under the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes
Official website →Most information on this page has been verified.
91% of data points are verified against official sources. 1 field based on preliminary research. 3 fields need verification. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Yes
State Licensed?
Apprentice Hours
3 levels
License Levels
Total Initial Fees
CE Hours
NEC Version
Regulation Status
VerifiedState Licensed
Yes
Regulation Level
state
License Types
Notes
Michigan requires a strict 1:1 apprentice-to-journeyman/master supervision ratio. Apprentices must be enrolled in a related technical instruction (RTI) program. The Electrical Administrative Board oversees licensing. Contractor license requires a designated Master Electrician of record who must be a Michigan resident and full-time employee. As of 10/1/2025, no exam is required for the contractor license itself. Specialty categories include Fire Alarm Specialty Technician and Sign Specialist.
State-Level Licensing Required
Regulated by the Electrical Administrative Board, under the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes
Official Title
Apprentice Electrician (Registration)
Experience Required
No prior experience required. Must be employed by a Master Electrician and Electrical Contractor. Must be enrolled in a related technical instruction (RTI) program. Works under direct, personal, on-site supervision.
Exam Required
No
Additional Requirements
Official Title
Journeyman Electrician
Experience Required
8,000 hours AND 4 years as an electrical apprentice under supervision of a licensed Journeyman or Master Electrician. Must be at least 20 years old.
Exam Required
Yes
Additional Requirements
Official Title
Master Electrician
Experience Required
4,000 hours as a Journeyman AND held Journeyman license for at least 2 years. Total: at least 12,000 hours over at least 6 years. Must be at least 22 years old.
Exam Required
Yes
Additional Requirements
Apprenticeship
Hours Breakdown
8,000
Total Hours
4
Years
8,000
On-the-Job
Not DOL Registered
Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
Journeyman Exam
Required
Master Exam
Exam Provider
PSI Services LLC. Schedule at psiexams.com or call 855-579-4635. Preapproval from LARA required before scheduling.
NEC Version
2023 NEC (effective March 12, 2024)
Open Book
Yes
Journeyman Exam Details
80
Questions
150 min
Time Limit
75%
Passing Score
Master Exam Details
76
Questions
180 min
Time Limit
75%
Passing Score
Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Insurance Required
Bonding Required
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Journeyman License Fee $100 exam fee (paid to PSI) + $40 license fee (paid after passing exam) | |
Master License Fee $100 exam fee (paid to LARA with application) + $50 license fee (paid after passing exam) | |
Exam Fee Same $100 exam fee for both Journeyman and Master exams | |
Renewal Fee Journeyman annual renewal: $40. Master annual renewal: $50. Due by December 31. 60-day grace period to March 1. | |
Total Initial Fees Journeyman: $100 exam + $40 license = $140. Master: $100 exam + $50 license = $150. |
Renewal & CE Requirements
VerifiedAnnual (expires December 31). 60-day grace period until March 1 for late renewal. After March 1, license becomes void and must reapply and retest.
Renewal Period
15 hrs
CE Hours Required
CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$40
Journeyman annual renewal: $40. Master annual renewal: $50.
Regulatory Board
Electrician licenses must be renewed on schedule. Most states require continuing education covering NEC code updates, safety practices, and applicable state/local amendments.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedDoes Not Accept Out-of-State Credentials
Reciprocity Type
Exam required
Transfer Details
Michigan does not have formal reciprocity agreements with any other state. The Electrical Administrative Board may evaluate out-of-state licenses on a case-by-case basis, but applicants must still pass the required Michigan exam.
Additional Requirements for Transfer
Electrician license reciprocity varies significantly by state. Some states offer endorsement for experienced electricians, while others require passing the state exam regardless of prior credentials.
Michigan uses an event-driven continuing education model rather than a fixed cycle -- CE is required only when the state adopts a new NEC edition. The 75% passing score is higher than most states. Annual license renewal is strict: after the March 1 grace period, licenses become void and electricians must completely reapply and retest. The 1:1 apprentice supervision ratio is among the most restrictive in the country.
Michigan has a higher passing score (75%) than most states (typically 70%).
Strict 1:1 apprentice-to-journeyman/master supervision ratio is enforced.
Continuing education is event-driven, not annual -- CE is only required within the 12-month period following the state's adoption of a new NEC edition.
Licenses expire December 31 annually. After the 60-day grace period (March 1), the license becomes void and the electrician must reapply and retest.
Specialty categories include Fire Alarm Specialty Technician (requires NICET Level II or similar) and Sign Specialist (requires 8-hour Code Course).
Contractor license requires a designated Master Electrician of record who must be a Michigan resident and full-time employee. As of 10/1/2025, no exam is required for the contractor license itself.
Michigan does not have formal reciprocity agreements with any state.
Exam references allowed: NEC codebook (factory markings/highlights/tabs only), 2016 PA 407, Michigan Electrical Code Rules Part 8. All must be bound. No writing/highlighting during exam.
Contractor license requires a $1,000 surety bond and public liability insurance.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Michigan.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#15 of 51
Cost
#16 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Electricians (SOC 47-2111)
Entry Level
$48,890
25th percentile
Median
$72,680
+17% vs. national avg ($62,350)Experienced
$86,750
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
24,670 employed in this state
Source: BLS OEWS – Electricians (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+7.1%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+60,000
over 10 years
Annual Openings
68,500
per year (avg.)
839,600 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Electrical Career Ladder+6% salary growth potential
You are here
Electrician (Journeyman)
$72,680
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
You are here
Electrician (Journeyman)
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
$72,680
Master electrician license + contractor license
$77,020
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 212–224 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Electrical — Licensing Requirements
2–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Electrical — Licensing Requirements
Study guides and NEC code practice tests for the electrician licensing exam.
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Official regulatory agency — added during electrician audit
Accessed 2026-03-22
Primary source for MI electrical licensing
Accessed 2026-03-19
Official PSI exam guide
Accessed 2026-03-19
Third-party renewal guide
Accessed 2026-03-19
Third-party guide on specialty licenses
Accessed 2026-03-19
Third-party surety bond provider
Accessed 2026-03-19
Official homepage
Accessed 2026-03-19
Michigan requires state-level licensing. An apprenticeship of 8,000 hours is required. All licensing is managed through the Electrical Administrative Board, under the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes.
Requirements vary by state and local jurisdiction. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.