Michigan Plumber License Requirements

Official classification: Plumbing Contractor License (requires qualifying Master Plumber) · Issued by the Michigan LARA — Bureau of Construction Codes, Plumbing Division.

🔧 PlumberMI ✔ Verified 2026-06-22

In Michigan, plumbers must hold the Plumbing Contractor License (requires qualifying Master Plumber), issued by the Michigan LARA — Bureau of Construction Codes, Plumbing Division, and no state surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed plumber in Michigan

Follow these steps to earn your Plumbing Contractor License (requires qualifying Master Plumber). Every figure is verified against the Michigan LARA — Bureau of Construction Codes, Plumbing Division; full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. Journey Plumber: 6,000 hours (3 years) as registered apprentice. Master Plumber: 4,000 hours (at least 2 years) as a licensed Journey Plumber. Minimum age 18 for all levels.
Pass the Journey Plumber Examination and Master Plumber Examination and Plumbing Contractor Examination exams. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Line up insurance. You'll need liability insurance (No specific liability-insurance minimum is set by LARA's Skilled Trades rules; general liability is commonly required by clients and municipalities.), and workers' compensation coverage.
Clear the background check. Criminal background check required; $25 fee included in application; Michigan State Police criminal history review
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Michigan LARA — Bureau of Construction Codes, Plumbing Division — Apprentice registration: $15; Journey Plumber: $40; Master Plumber: $300; Plumbing Contractor: $300 (plus $10 regulatory assessment and $25 background check fee) application fee, plus a Included in application fee license fee. Processing time: Not publicly disclosed by LARA BCC; applications reviewed in order of receipt.
Keep the license active. Renew journey Plumber: annually by April 30; Master Plumber & Plumbing Contractor: every 3 years by April 30, completing Journey and Master Plumbers must complete an approved 5-hour code update course within one year of each new Michigan Plumbing Code adoption; Master Plumbers and Contractors: 6 hours per 3-year cycle under some sources — verify current requirement at LARA.

Michigan plumber license lookup

To confirm a plumber is properly licensed in Michigan — or to check the status of your own license — search the issuing agency's official license database. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Verify a license now: Search the official aca-prod.accela.com database →

License types

Apprentice Plumber — Entry-level; must register with BCC and work under Master Plumber supervision
Journey Plumber — Licensed to perform plumbing work independently under employer oversight
Master Plumber — Can supervise plumbing installations, run own business, and qualify a Plumbing Contractor license
Plumbing Contractor — Business entity license to contract for plumbing projects; must employ or be a licensed Master Plumber of record

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	Journey Plumber: 6,000 hours (3 years) as registered apprentice. Master Plumber: 4,000 hours (at least 2 years) as a licensed Journey Plumber. Minimum age 18 for all levels.
Application fee	Apprentice registration: $15; Journey Plumber: $40; Master Plumber: $300; Plumbing Contractor: $300 (plus $10 regulatory assessment and $25 background check fee)
License fee	Included in application fee
Renewal fee	Journey Plumber: $40/year (annually by April 30); Master Plumber & Plumbing Contractor: $300 every 3 years (by April 30; late fee: $100)
Renewal period	Journey Plumber: annually by April 30; Master Plumber & Plumbing Contractor: every 3 years by April 30
Continuing education	Journey and Master Plumbers must complete an approved 5-hour code update course within one year of each new Michigan Plumbing Code adoption; Master Plumbers and Contractors: 6 hours per 3-year cycle under some sources — verify current requirement at LARA
Bond required	No state-level bond required; municipal bonding may apply — check local jurisdiction
Liability insurance	No specific liability-insurance minimum is set by LARA's Skilled Trades rules; general liability is commonly required by clients and municipalities.
Property damage	—
Workers' comp	Required under Michigan Workers' Disability Compensation Act if employer has 3+ employees at any time, or 1+ full-time employee (35+ hrs/week) for 13+ weeks
Background check	Criminal background check required; $25 fee included in application; Michigan State Police criminal history review
Credit requirement	None
Reciprocity	None
Processing time	Not publicly disclosed by LARA BCC; applications reviewed in order of receipt

Exams

Journey Plumber Examination	Provider: PSI (on behalf of LARA BCC) · Passing: 70% · Fee: $100 (paid to PSI)
Master Plumber Examination	Provider: PSI (on behalf of LARA BCC) · Passing: 70% · Fee: $100 (paid to PSI)
Plumbing Contractor Examination	Provider: PSI (on behalf of LARA BCC) · Passing: 70% · Fee: $100 (paid to PSI)

Preparing for the Plumber exam? State-specific contractor exam-prep courses help you pass the first time. Start exam prep →

Local / municipal notes

Exams are open-book; approved reference materials including Michigan Plumbing Code may be used. Journey licenses expire April 30 annually; Master/Contractor expire April 30 on a triennial cycle.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Michigan plumber license cost?

Application: Apprentice registration: $15; Journey Plumber: $40; Master Plumber: $300; Plumbing Contractor: $300 (plus $10 regulatory assessment and $25 background check fee). License: Included in application fee. Renewal: Journey Plumber: $40/year (annually by April 30); Master Plumber & Plumbing Contractor: $300 every 3 years (by April 30; late fee: $100).

How do I look up a plumber license in Michigan?

Search the official license database at aca-prod.accela.com. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Do plumbers in Michigan need a surety bond?

No state-level bond required; municipal bonding may apply — check local jurisdiction

What experience is required for a Michigan plumber license?

Journey Plumber: 6,000 hours (3 years) as registered apprentice. Master Plumber: 4,000 hours (at least 2 years) as a licensed Journey Plumber. Minimum age 18 for all levels.

Is insurance required for plumbers in Michigan?

Liability: No specific liability-insurance minimum is set by LARA's Skilled Trades rules; general liability is commonly required by clients and municipalities. Workers' compensation: Required under Michigan Workers' Disability Compensation Act if employer has 3+ employees at any time, or 1+ full-time employee (35+ hrs/week) for 13+ weeks

How often must a Michigan plumber license be renewed?

Journey Plumber: annually by April 30; Master Plumber & Plumbing Contractor: every 3 years by April 30. Continuing education: Journey and Master Plumbers must complete an approved 5-hour code update course within one year of each new Michigan Plumbing Code adoption; Master Plumbers and Contractors: 6 hours per 3-year cycle under some sources — verify current requirement at LARA

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-06-22 — always confirm current requirements directly with the Michigan LARA — Bureau of Construction Codes, Plumbing Division before applying. This is not legal advice.