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 no state 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 exams. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Check the insurance rules. 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.
Clear the background check. Not listed: LARA's electrical licensing page and application requirements do not include a criminal-history or State Police check.
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Michigan LARA — Bureau of Construction Codes, Electrical Division — Journeyman: $40; Master: $50; Electrical Contractor: $300 (form BCC-974; no exam required) application fee, plus a Included in application fee above license fee. Processing time: LARA says processing may take up to 3-5 weeks; applications are reviewed in order of receipt. Exams are scheduled with PSI.
Keep the license active. Renewal: 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.

For the general path in every state, see the Electrician guide →

Michigan electrician license lookup

To confirm an electrician 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 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: $300 (form BCC-974; no exam required)
License fee	Included in application fee above
Renewal fee	Journeyman: $40/year (late fee $50); 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	No state bond is required for Michigan electrical licenses; LARA's electrical licensing page and renewal requirements do not list one.
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	Not listed: LARA's electrical licensing page and application requirements do not include a criminal-history or State Police check.
Credit requirement	None
Reciprocity	None · other states' agreements
Processing time	LARA says processing may take up to 3-5 weeks; applications are reviewed in order of receipt. Exams are scheduled with PSI.

What a Michigan electrician license costs

Application fee	Journeyman: $40; Master: $50; Electrical Contractor: $300 (form BCC-974; no exam required).
License fee	Included in application fee above.
Journeyman Electrician Examination	$100 (paid to PSI).
Master Electrician Examination	$100 (paid to PSI).
Surety bond	No state bond is required for Michigan electrical licenses; LARA's electrical licensing page and renewal requirements do not list one.
Renewal fee	Journeyman: $40/year (late fee $50); 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.

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)

Renewing a Michigan electrician license

The Electrical Contractor License (requires qualifying Master Electrician) renews on a fixed cycle set by the Michigan LARA — Bureau of Construction Codes, Electrical Division. Finish the continuing-education requirement before you file — boards generally will not process a renewal without it. Late and lapsed renewals are handled differently by every board, so check the renewal page linked below before the deadline passes.

Renewal period	Journeyman and Master: annually by December 31 (grace period to March 1); Electrical Contractor: every 3 years by December 31
Renewal fee	Journeyman: $40/year (late fee $50); Master: $50/year; Electrical Contractor: $300 every 3 years (late fee: $50)
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
Where to renew	Michigan LARA — Bureau of Construction Codes, Electrical Division

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: $300 (form BCC-974; no exam required). License: Included in application fee above. Renewal: Journeyman: $40/year (late fee $50); Master: $50/year; Electrical Contractor: $300 every 3 years (late fee: $50).

How do I look up a electrician 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 electricians in Michigan need a surety bond?

No state bond is required for Michigan electrical licenses; LARA's electrical licensing page and renewal requirements do not list one.

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 long does it take to get a Michigan electrician license?

Processing time: LARA says processing may take up to 3-5 weeks; applications are reviewed in order of receipt. Exams are scheduled with PSI.

Is a background check required for electricians in Michigan?

Background check: Not listed: LARA's electrical licensing page and application requirements do not include a criminal-history or State Police check.

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.