- No license is needed for minor repair work, or for a homeowner doing plumbing in their own single family home with a permit.
- Master: a journey plumber license and 4,000 hours as a journey plumber over at least two years right before applying. Journey: 6,000 hours over at least three years as a registered apprentice.
- Plan for a trade exam.
- Master and contractor licenses renew every three years by April 30, for $300. Masters must take an approved code update course within 12 months of a code change.
Do you need a state license in Michigan?
Michigan licenses plumbing work at the state level through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes. Below is what the board asks for, in the order you will run into it.
No license is needed for minor repair work, or for a homeowner doing plumbing in their own single family home with a permit.
Michigan license types for plumbing work
Michigan splits the work into 4 licenses. Pick the one that matches the jobs you take, since working outside its scope is the same as working without one.
| License | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Plumbing Contractor | The business license; the owner must hold a master license or employ a master as representative |
| Master Plumber | In charge of and responsible for plumbing installations; represents one contractor at a time |
| Journey Plumber | Plumbing work after an apprenticeship |
| Apprentice Plumber registration | Registered learner |
Steps to get licensed in Michigan
- Register as an apprentice plumber and log 6,000 hours over three years.
- Pass the journey plumber written and practical exams.
- Work 4,000 hours over two years as a journey plumber.
- Apply to LARA, pay the $100 exam fee and pass the master plumber exam.
- Apply for the plumbing contractor license, pass its exam and pay the license fee.
- Renew every three years by April 30.
Experience and other requirements
Experience. Master: a journey plumber license and 4,000 hours as a journey plumber over at least two years right before applying. Journey: 6,000 hours over at least three years as a registered apprentice.
The license to apply for. Plumbing Contractor license (with a Master Plumber license).
Michigan plumbing exams
Trade exam. Yes. Contractor and master applicants must pass an exam. The journey exam has a written part through PSI and a hands on practical part.
Business and law exam. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
What it costs in Michigan
The board lists 5 fees along the way. These are the state's own numbers. Insurance, any bond, exam prep and your business registration come on top.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Plumbing contractor exam | $100 |
| Master plumber exam | $100 |
| Plumbing contractor license (3 years) | $300 |
| Master plumber license (3 years) | $300 |
| Relicensure fee, more than 60 days late | $100 |
Insurance and bond
Insurance. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Bond. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Renewal and licenses from other states
Renewal. Master and contractor licenses renew every three years by April 30, for $300. Masters must take an approved code update course within 12 months of a code change.
Reciprocity. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Good to know in Michigan
- A master plumber can represent only one plumbing contractor at a time.
- A licensed plumbing contractor must post a sign at the business entrance with the business name and the master plumber's name and license number in letters at least 3 inches high.
- The responsible plumbing contractor must get a permit before plumbing is done.
After you are licensed
The license lets you take the work. Getting the work is the next job.
- Register the business. If you work under a name other than your own, register it where your state asks (often the Secretary of State, sometimes the county), and keep the name the same on your license, your truck and your invoices.
- Claim your Google Business Profile. It is the listing people see when they search for a plumber near them. Fill in your service area, hours and real photos of your work.
- Put up a website that shows the license. Customers look for it before they call. Koira builds a contractor website for you and keeps it current.
- See where you stand. The free Koira report checks how your business shows up in search and on maps against shops near you.
Where this comes from
Every fact on this page comes from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes and the official pages below, checked October 8, 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the board before you file.
More for your trade: how plumbing companies run on Koira.