Michigan Electrician License Requirements

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

⚡ ElectricianMI ✔ Verified 2026-06-22

In Michigan, electricians must hold the Electrical Contractor License (requires qualifying Master Electrician), issued by the Michigan LARA — Bureau of Construction Codes, Electrical Division, and a $1,000 surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed electrician in Michigan

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

Build the required experience. Journeyman: 8,000 hours (4 years) as registered apprentice. Master: 12,000 total hours over at least 6 years, including at least 2 years as a licensed Journeyman. Electrical Contractor: must employ or be a licensed Master Electrician — no separate experience period.
Pass the Journeyman Electrician Examination and Master Electrician Examination and Electrical Contractor Examination exams. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Secure your surety bond. Michigan requires $1,000 surety bond required by the Michigan Electrical Administrative Board; expires December 31 annually.
Line up insurance. You'll need liability insurance (Not state-mandated at a fixed dollar amount for licensure; general liability commonly required by project owners and municipalities), and workers' compensation coverage.
Clear the background check. Criminal history review required as part of LARA BCC application process; Michigan State Police records check (results typically within 48 hours)
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Michigan LARA — Bureau of Construction Codes, Electrical Division — Journeyman: $40; Master: $50; Electrical Contractor: $55 (initial application fees) application fee, plus a Included in application fee above license fee. Processing time: Applications reviewed in order of receipt; PSI exam scheduling at one of five Michigan testing centers, six days a week.
Keep the license active. Renew journeyman and Master: annually by December 31 (grace period to March 1); Electrical Contractor: every 3 years by December 31, completing 15 hours of NEC code update CE required for Master and Journeyman electricians within 12 months of each new NEC adoption (Michigan adopted 2023 NEC effective March 12, 2024); no CE required for Electrical Contractor license itself.

License types

Apprentice Electrician — Entry-level; must work under licensed Master Electrician supervision; register within 30 days of employment
Journeyman Electrician — Works independently on electrical installations under employer oversight
Master Electrician — Can supervise all electrical work; must qualify an Electrical Contractor license (one Master per contractor)
Electrical Contractor — Business entity license to contract for electrical work; must have an associated Master Electrician of record

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	Journeyman: 8,000 hours (4 years) as registered apprentice. Master: 12,000 total hours over at least 6 years, including at least 2 years as a licensed Journeyman. Electrical Contractor: must employ or be a licensed Master Electrician — no separate experience period.
Application fee	Journeyman: $40; Master: $50; Electrical Contractor: $55 (initial application fees)
License fee	Included in application fee above
Renewal fee	Journeyman: $50/year; Master: $50/year; Electrical Contractor: $300 every 3 years (late fee: $50)
Renewal period	Journeyman and Master: annually by December 31 (grace period to March 1); Electrical Contractor: every 3 years by December 31
Continuing education	15 hours of NEC code update CE required for Master and Journeyman electricians within 12 months of each new NEC adoption (Michigan adopted 2023 NEC effective March 12, 2024); no CE required for Electrical Contractor license itself
Bond required	$1,000 surety bond required by the Michigan Electrical Administrative Board; expires December 31 annually
Liability insurance	Not state-mandated at a fixed dollar amount for licensure; general liability commonly required by project owners 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 history review required as part of LARA BCC application process; Michigan State Police records check (results typically within 48 hours)
Credit requirement	None
Reciprocity	None
Processing time	Applications reviewed in order of receipt; PSI exam scheduling at one of five Michigan testing centers, six days a week

Exams

Journeyman Electrician Examination	Provider: PSI (on behalf of LARA BCC) · Passing: 75% · Fee: $100 (paid to PSI)
Master Electrician Examination	Provider: PSI (on behalf of LARA BCC) · Passing: 75% · Fee: $100 (paid to PSI)
Electrical Contractor Examination	Provider: PSI (on behalf of LARA BCC) · Passing: 75% · Fee: $100 (paid to PSI)

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

Local / municipal notes

Detroit and Grand Rapids maintain separate local electrical licensing boards with their own exams and fees in addition to state licensing. Always confirm with the local municipality.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Michigan electrician license cost?

Application: Journeyman: $40; Master: $50; Electrical Contractor: $55 (initial application fees). License: Included in application fee above. Renewal: Journeyman: $50/year; Master: $50/year; Electrical Contractor: $300 every 3 years (late fee: $50).

Do electricians in Michigan need a surety bond?

$1,000 surety bond required by the Michigan Electrical Administrative Board; expires December 31 annually

What experience is required for a Michigan electrician license?

Journeyman: 8,000 hours (4 years) as registered apprentice. Master: 12,000 total hours over at least 6 years, including at least 2 years as a licensed Journeyman. Electrical Contractor: must employ or be a licensed Master Electrician — no separate experience period.

Is insurance required for electricians in Michigan?

Liability: Not state-mandated at a fixed dollar amount for licensure; general liability commonly required by project owners 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 electrician license be renewed?

Journeyman and Master: annually by December 31 (grace period to March 1); Electrical Contractor: every 3 years by December 31. Continuing education: 15 hours of NEC code update CE required for Master and Journeyman electricians within 12 months of each new NEC adoption (Michigan adopted 2023 NEC effective March 12, 2024); no CE required for Electrical Contractor license itself

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, Electrical Division before applying. This is not legal advice.