Michigan Builders License Education

As the leading LARA approved Residential Builder online training provider, we are experienced in helping students successfully complete the education requirements to begin a new trade as a Residential Builder or Maintenance & Alteration Contractor.

Our staff of expert instructors, course specialists, and student advocates work to help you navigate the requirements -- from the pre-license training through the application and PSI testing.

$379 TOP SELLER

Deluxe Residential Builder Pre-license Training (60 Clock Hours)

60h course

This 60 hour online pre-license course prepares you for the Michigan Residential Builder PSI exam and includes a downloadable PDF so that you can take the material with you! Topics covered include construction laws, business practices and building codes. Finally, it includes a final exam you need to prepare you for the state exam.

The first step to become a licensed Residential Builder or Maintenance & Alteration Contractor in Michigan is to complete a 60 hour pre-licensure course through an approved provider.

When you enroll in this course, you will receive:

Need a payment plan? We offer an installment agreement with 4 easy payments, no credit check required!

Add the class to your cart to begin the enrollment process.

The Glencoe Carpentry and Construction textbook is highly recommended, but not required. Add it to your cart during registration if you do not already have a copy.

Residential Builder Pre-License Training (60 Clock Hours)

60h course

Need a payment plan? We offer an installment agreement with 4 easy payments; no credit check required!

Add the class to your cart to begin the enrollment process.

The Glencoe Carpentry and Construction textbook is highly recommended, but not required. Add it to your cart during registration if you do not already have a copy.

How to Get a Michigan Builders License

If you're interested in becoming a licensed builder in Michigan, you first need to decide what type of construction you're interested in doing. The state's Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) issues different license types that cover different scopes of work and project values. So do you need a builder's license to do the type of work you're thinking about? If so, what license type should you get? Let's take a look.

Who needs a builder's license in Michigan?

Generally, though, if you plan to make more than 600 dollars and work on projects outside of a property you own, you'll need to be licensed by the state.

Now, that begs the question, which license type do you need? There are two primary types of Michigan builder's licenses. Let's take a look at each.

Michigan residential builders license

This is the primary type of builder's license in Michigan. As a residential builder, you can take on projects greater than $600. This license covers work on residential structures (obviously) and structures that combine residential and commercial space. To work on exclusively commercial buildings, you might need a commercial license (there's more on that in the section below).

This license covers work like demolition, improvements, repairs, and replacements. But you'll need to hire subcontractors with the appropriate licensing for specific work like plumbing and electrical.

Michigan maintenance and alteration contractors license

These licenses are more specialized. Specifically, your license will list a trade or craft (or multiple trades or crafts) in which you're licensed to work. Maintenance and alteration licenses can cover work in the following areas:

If you're interested in working in any of the above areas, this is the license type you'll need.

Michigan commercial builders license

Wait, didn't we say there were two types of Michigan builder's license. Yes. But people commonly wonder if they'll need a specific license to do commercial work.

Commercial contracting is regulated at a local level throughout the state. Check with your city or county government to find out if you'll need a specific license to work on commercial structures like office buildings and factories.

What are the license requirements for builders in Michigan?

Now that you know the type of license you'll need, you're probably wondering how to get it. Here's what you need to know.

Michigan prelicensure courses

To be eligible for either a residential builders license or a maintenance and alterations license, you'll need to take 60 hours of pre-license education courses. During those hours, you need at least six hours on each of the following:

LARA approves certain education providers to offer courses on these topics. The goal is to have you learn what you'll need to know to safely perform your work well.

Michigan builders license application

Next up, send in your application along with the $195 fee. Once your application is approved, LARA will issue you an authorization to test letter. You'll need it for the next step.

Michigan contractors license test

Both license types need to pass an exam to get licensed. An organization called PSI proctors the exam. You can learn more about the exam you'll need at their website based on the license type you're pursuing:

In the top-right corner of those pages, you'll see a button that says Download Candidate Information Bulletin. That will download a PDF that has a bunch of helpful information about the exam. The bulletin walks you through the topics the exam will cover, the number of questions on each topic, and other useful information.

Licensing fees

As we already mentioned, there's a $195 fee for applying to get your license. And you'll need to pay for your pre-license education, too (budget around $400 there). Finally, you'll pay a fee to take the exam. The residential builder's exam costs $117. Maintenance and alterations licensees will pay at least $70 for the exam, depending on how many trades/crafts they want to get licensed in.

How hard is the Michigan builders license test?

The test is pretty extensive, but your pre-license education should teach you everything you need to know to pass. Pay attention during your course hours to prep for the test.

You don't need to ace the exam, either. Let's take the residential builder exam, for example. It consists of 160 questions, but you only need to get 116 right to pass.

Do roofers need a license in Michigan?

Yes, roofers need to get licensed by LARA. To legally do this type of work, you'll get a maintenance and alterations license with roofing as your specified trade.

What are the steps to getting a Residential Builder or Maintenance & Alteration Contractor license?

  1. Complete our 60-hour course at your own pace, on your own schedule.
  2. Apply for licensure with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs by submitting a license application and the application fee
  3. Receive an 'authorization to test' letter from the state
  4. Contact PSI Services LLC to register for the exam
  5. Take and pass both portions of the PSI exam

As a LARA-approved pre-license education provider, our 60-hour pre-license course will prepare you for the PSI exam.