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General Contractor
Total cost: $312
Governing Authority
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes (BCC), Licensing Section
Official website →Yes
License Required?
0 years
Experience Required
Yes
Bonding Required?
$312
Total Initial Fees
3 years
Renewal Period
21 hrs
CE Hours
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Residential contractor license for Michigan. Covers construction, remodeling, and repair of residential properties.
Project Limit
License required for projects over $600
Additional Requirements
Description
Residential Builder License. Full construction + all M&A work. 160-question combined exam (50 B&L + 110 trade), 240 min, closed book, ~72% passing (116/160). Exam fee: $117. Covers everything M&A does plus new construction.
Project Limit
License required for projects over $600
Additional Requirements
Description
Maintenance & Alteration (M&A) Contractor License. Specific trades only: carpentry, concrete, excavation, gutters, house wrecking, insulation, masonry, roofing. 50 B&L + 25-50 trade per classification, 135 min. Exam fee: $114. Does NOT cover new construction — Residential Builder required for that.
Additional Requirements
Experience & Documentation
Verified0
Years Required
Required
Documented Project History
Journeyman/Trade Experience
No experience required if 60-hour prelicensure course completed. Alternative: 3 years qualifying experience.
Alternative Pathways (Education Substitutions)
Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
Trade Exam
Required
Business & Law Exam
Exam Provider
PSI (PSI Services LLC)
Passing Score
72%
Open Book
No
Trade Exam Details
Residential Builder: 160 questions (50 B&L + 110 trade), 240 min, closed book (no reference materials — unusual), ~72% passing (116/160). M&A: 50 B&L + 25-50 trade per classification, 135 min. Exam fee: Builder $117, M&A $114. Testing centers: Dearborn, Holt-Lansing, Southfield, Grand Rapids, Gaylord, Marquette. Pass rate: ~55-65% first time.
Business & Law Exam Details
Business and law examination covering contract law, lien law, and business management
Retake Policy
Candidates may retake the exam after a waiting period. Contact the board for specific retake policies.
Overall licensing difficulty: 11/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
Contractor Licensing Exam
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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General Contractor Licensing Exam
Passing Score
72%
Administered By
PSI (PSI Services LLC)
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the General Contractor Licensing Exam.
Study Materials & Exam Prep — Contractor's License Exam
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Bonding Requirements
VerifiedSurety Bond Required
Required (amount unspecified in statute)
Surety Bond Amount
Bond Types
Surety bonds protect consumers by providing financial recourse if a contractor fails to complete a project or violates licensing regulations. Bond costs are typically 1-3% of the bond amount annually.
Insurance & Workers' Comp
VerifiedRequired
General Liability
Required
Workers' Compensation
Minimum Coverage
$100,000 per occurrence (per MCL 339.2412). Some third-party sources incorrectly cite $500,000.
Additional Insurance Requirements
Workers' Comp Threshold
Required if 1+ employees working 35+ hours/week for 13+ weeks OR 3+ part-time/full-time employees for 5+ weeks
Workers' Comp Details
Michigan requires workers' compensation insurance if employer has 1+ employees working 35+ hrs/week for 13+ consecutive weeks, or 3+ part-time/full-time employees for 5+ weeks in the preceding 52 weeks.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Nonrefundable. Waived for veterans. Same for both license types. | $195 |
Exam Fee Residential Builder: $117. M&A: $114. | $117 (Residential Builder exam) |
License Fee Application fee, same for both types | $195 |
Renewal Fee Every 3 years, expires May 31. Online via Accela Citizen Access (ACA). | $150 |
Total Initial Fees $195 application + $117 exam (Residential Builder) | $312 |
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Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified3 years
Renewal Period
21 hrs
CE Hours Required
CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$150
Every 3 years, expires May 31. Online via Accela Citizen Access.
Regulatory Board
Contractor licenses must be renewed on schedule. Many states require continuing education covering building codes, safety practices, business law, and energy efficiency standards.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedDoes Not Accept Out-of-State Credentials
ICC Certification Not Accepted
Reciprocity Type
Exam required
Transfer Details
Michigan does not offer reciprocity. Out-of-state contractors must meet all Michigan licensing requirements including examinations.
General contractor license reciprocity varies significantly by state. Some states recognize ICC certifications, while others require passing the state exam regardless of prior credentials. Always verify current policies with the state licensing board.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Michigan with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Michigan exam is CLOSED BOOK (unusual). Two-tier CE: 21 hrs/3 yrs first 6 years, then only 3 hrs/3 yrs after. Residential Builder covers everything M&A does, but not vice versa. GL minimum is $100,000 per MCL 339.2412 (commonly miscited as $500K).
Michigan licenses residential builders and M&A contractors at state level. Commercial GC is local only. Detroit has no additional GC requirements beyond state.
60-hour prelicensure education is MANDATORY before exam or application (unless 3 years qualifying experience).
Exam is CLOSED BOOK — no reference materials allowed. This is unusual among states.
Two-tier CE: 21 hrs/3 yrs for first 6 years, then only 3 hrs/3 yrs.
GL insurance: $100,000 per occurrence per MCL 339.2412 (NOT $500K as some sources cite).
Threshold: $600 for residential construction, repair, alteration, improvement.
Penalties: $5,000-$25,000 first violation, up to 1 year jail.
No reciprocity, no NASCLA for residential builder.
Agency: LARA, Bureau of Construction Codes. Phone: 517-241-9316. Email: LARA-BCC-Licensing@michigan.gov
Lien Law Basics
Preliminary Notice: Required
Lien Deadline: 90 days after completion
Michigan construction lien law: Preliminary notice is required to preserve lien rights. Lien filing deadline: 90 days after completion.
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General Contractor requirements in Michigan verified against Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes (BCC), Licensing Section, March 2026.
Accessed 2026-03-06
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