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Plumber
Total cost: $140
Governing Authority
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) — Bureau of Construction Codes, Plumbing Division
Official website →Yes
State Licensed?
8,000
Apprentice Hours
4
License Levels
$140
Total Fees
None
CE Hours
Michigan Plumbing Code (state-specific)
Code Version
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Get the Roadmap — $20Apprentice Registration Fee
$15
Apprentice registration fee
Journeyman License Fee
$40
Application/license combined fee
Master Plumber License Fee
$300
Application/license combined fee
Exam Fee
$100
Paid to PSI
Regulation Status
VerifiedState Licensed
Yes
Regulation Level
state
License Types Available
State-Level Licensing Required
Regulated by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) — Bureau of Construction Codes, Plumbing Division
Apprenticeship Program
8,000
Total Hours
4 yrs
Duration
576
Classroom Hours
7,424
OJT Hours
Registered Apprenticeship Program Required
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Experience Required
Registration required; no prior experience
No exam required
Additional Requirements
Experience Required
Not less than 6,000 hours over a period of not less than 3 years as an actively registered plumbing apprentice under supervision of a licensed master or journey plumber
Exam required
Additional Requirements
Experience Required
4,000 hours over a period of not less than 2 years IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING the application date as a licensed journey plumber. Any lapses in licensure in the 2 years immediately preceding application will NOT meet requirements.
Exam required
Additional Requirements
Exam Information
VerifiedJourneyman Exam
RequiredMaster Exam
RequiredExam Provider
PSI
Plumbing Code Version
Michigan Plumbing Code (state-specific)
Open Book Exam
Passing Score
70%
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Overall licensing difficulty: 29/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Insurance Required
Bonding Required
Not sure if you need a plumber license? Check whether your state requires one.
Michigan has 6% below average — nationally the ratio is 1 per 746 residents.
Michigan has average plumbers density relative to population.
Michigan ranks #34 out of 51 states by plumbers per capita.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Apprentice Registration Apprentice registration fee | $15 |
Journeyman License Application/license combined fee | $40 |
Master License Application/license combined fee | $300 |
Exam Fee Paid to PSI | $100 |
Total Initial Fees Journey: license ($40) + exam ($100) = $140; Master: license ($300) + exam ($100) = $400 | $140 |
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Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified1 year (journey) / 3 years (master/contractor)
Renewal Period
—
CE Hours Required
—
Renewal Fee
No CE Requirement
Regulatory Board
Journeyman: annual April 30; Master/Contractor: triennial April 30
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedDoes Not Accept Out-of-State Licenses
Transfer Type
Endorsement
Additional Requirements for Transfer
Most states require plumbers to pass the local exam or apply for endorsement when transferring an out-of-state license. Requirements vary by state.
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 journey plumber exam uniquely requires BOTH written AND practical (hands-on) components passed on a single application. Master plumber requires 4,000 hours in the 2 years IMMEDIATELY preceding application with no licensure lapses. Split renewal cycles: journey = annual, master/contractor = triennial. No reciprocity. Uses state-specific Michigan Plumbing Code rather than IPC/UPC.
Journey plumber exam has BOTH written AND practical (hands-on) components — both must be passed on a single application
Practical exam scheduled separately through LARA
NEW: Apprentice ratio rules effective 4/2/2025
Master requires 4,000 hours in the 2 years IMMEDIATELY preceding application — any licensure lapses disqualify
Journey requires 6,000 hours over 3+ years (not generic 8,000/4 years)
Applications valid for 1 year only; passing scores do NOT carry over
Can retest unlimited times during 1-year eligibility
Plumbing Contractor requires master license or employed master plumber
Split renewal: journey = annual; master/contractor = triennial
CE varies: 5 hrs (journey) / 6-8 hrs (master/contractor) per cycle
Uses Michigan Plumbing Code (state-specific)
No reciprocity — out-of-state licenses do not transfer
Apprentice registration fee: only $15; must register within 30 days
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Official Sources
Plumber requirements in Michigan verified against Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) — Bureau of Construction Codes, Plumbing Division, April 2026.
Official regulatory agency — added during plumber audit
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-06
Accessed 2026-03-06