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How to become a licensed Painting Contractor in Michigan. Residential Builder or Maintenance & Alteration Contractor License required. Total initial fees: $258-$436. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Painting Contractor — PC
Some information on this page has not been fully verified.
41% of data points are verified against official sources. 20 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Yes
License Required
Residential Builder or Maintenance & Alteration Contractor License
License Type
Yes
Exam Required
3 years
Experience Required
No
Bonding Required
$258-$436
Total Initial Fees
State contractor licensing requirements for painting contractors
VerifiedLicense Required
Yes
License Type
Residential Builder or Maintenance & Alteration Contractor License
License Threshold
All residential work
Exemptions
Michigan requires a contractor license for painting work. Requirements are administered by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). Always verify current requirements directly with the licensing authority.
Experience, Education & Examination Requirements
Mostly verifiedExperience Required
3 Years
3 years of experience or completion of approved training program for Residential Builder license
Exam Required
Yes
Examination covering building code, business practices, and trade knowledge
Education
High school diploma or equivalent typically required
Michigan requires passing an examination to obtain a painting contractor license. Exams typically cover trade knowledge, business practices, and state law. All painting contractors working on pre-1978 homes should obtain EPA RRP certification for lead paint safety.
Insurance & Bonding Requirements
Mostly verifiedGeneral Liability
Required — $100,000
Workers' Compensation
Required for employers with 3+ employees
Surety Bond
Not required by state
Insurance requirements vary by state. Even in states that do not mandate insurance for painting contractors, carrying general liability insurance ($1,000,000+ recommended) and workers' compensation insurance is strongly recommended to protect your business and clients. Surety bonds protect consumers if a contractor fails to complete work or meet obligations.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
License Application Fee Application fee for contractor license | $25 |
License Fee License issuance fee | $120-$185 |
Exam Fee Exam administration fee | $63-$126 |
Business License Fee General business license/registration fee for Michigan | $50-$100 |
Total Initial Fees Includes application, license, exam, and business license fees. Bond premiums and insurance costs are additional. | $258-$436 |
Renewal Requirements & Ongoing Obligations
Mostly verifiedTriennial
Renewal Period
$120-$185
Renewal Fee
21 Hours
Continuing Education
CE Details
21 hours of continuing education required per renewal period
Regulatory Board
Painting contractor licenses in Michigan must be renewed triennial. Ensure all insurance and bonding requirements remain current between renewal periods. EPA RRP certification must be renewed every 5 years.
Michigan requires a Residential Builder or Maintenance & Alteration Contractor license for painting contractors working on residential projects. LARA administers the exam and licensing.
Michigan requires Residential Builder or Maintenance & Alteration Contractor License for painting contractors.
License is required for projects valued at All residential work.
EPA Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule certification is required for work on pre-1978 homes that disturbs lead-based paint. This is a federal requirement that applies in all states.
Workers' compensation insurance is required in Michigan: Required for employers with 3+ employees.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Michigan.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Salary
#18 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Painters, Construction and Maintenance (SOC 47-2141)
Entry Level
N/A
25th percentile
Median
$46,400
+1% vs. national avg ($46,080)Experienced
N/A
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
Source: BLS OEWS – Painters, Construction and Maintenance (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2022-2032
Projected Growth
+3%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
N/A
over 10 years
Annual Openings
N/A
per year (avg.)
N/A currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2022-2032 (September 2023)
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.
Source: Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA)
Estimated total: 6–10 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA)
6-10 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA)
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Accessed 2025-01-15
Michigan requires Residential Builder or Maintenance & Alteration Contractor License for painting contractors. License is required for projects valued at All residential work. An examination is required. All painting contractors working on pre-1978 homes must obtain EPA RRP certification. Licensing is managed through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).
Requirements vary by state and locality. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.