Michigan General Contractor License Requirements

Official classification: Residential Builder License · Issued by the Michigan LARA — Bureau of Construction Codes, Residential Builders Section.

🏗️ General ContractorMI ✔ Verified 2026-06-22

In Michigan, general contractors must hold the Residential Builder License, issued by the Michigan LARA — Bureau of Construction Codes, Residential Builders Section, and no state surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed general contractor in Michigan

Michigan licenses general contractors at the city level rather than statewide, so the path runs through your local permitting office. Here are the general steps — the verified specifics are detailed further down the page.

Start with your city, not the state. Michigan has no statewide general contractor license — registration, bonds and insurance are set by each municipality, so confirm the rules with your local permitting office first.
Carry the insurance your city requires. No specific state-mandated minimum is confirmed in statute; general liability is commonly required by clients and lenders.
Post any local bond. No state-level surety bond is required for the Residential Builder license; some counties/municipalities require a local bond.
Register and pay the local fees. $195 (nonrefundable license fee; veteran fee waiver available)
Renew on your city's schedule. Every 3 years; licenses expire May 31.

License types

Residential Builder — Authorizes contracting to build, repair, alter, add to, subtract from, or improve residential structures (up to 3 units) or combined residential/commercial buildings; the broadest residential contractor credential in Michigan
Maintenance & Alteration Contractor — Narrower license for specific trade work on existing residential structures; cannot build new homes from the foundation

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	No minimum work-hours experience requirement specified in statute; applicants must complete 60 hours of approved prelicensure education prior to application. Must maintain a Michigan place of business (P.O. Box not sufficient).
Application fee	$195 (nonrefundable license fee; veteran fee waiver available)
License fee	Included in application fee
Renewal fee	$150 every 3 years (online via MiPLUS; licenses expire May 31 on a triennial cycle)
Renewal period	Every 3 years; licenses expire May 31
Continuing education	First 6 years of licensure: 21 hours per 3-year renewal cycle (must include building codes, safety, and construction law changes); After 6 years: 3 hours per 3-year cycle
Bond required	No state-level surety bond is required for the Residential Builder license; some counties/municipalities require a local bond.
Liability insurance	No specific state-mandated minimum is confirmed in statute; general liability is commonly required by clients and lenders.
Property damage	Covered under general liability policy
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; exemption documentation required if no employees
Background check	Not explicitly required as part of standard RB application; 'good moral character' standard applies
Credit requirement	None
Reciprocity	Out-of-state applicants holding a current equivalent license may submit verification to potentially waive the 60-hour prelicensure education requirement; no full reciprocity agreement with any state
Processing time	Not publicly disclosed by LARA; PSI exam scheduling at five Michigan testing centers, six days a week

Exams

Residential Builder Examination	Provider: PSI (on behalf of LARA BCC) · Passing: Not publicly disclosed by LARA · Fee: $117 (paid to PSI)

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

Local / municipal notes

Michigan does NOT license general contractors for commercial-only work at the state level. Commercial work is regulated only by local municipalities. The Residential Builder license is Michigan's closest equivalent to a 'general contractor' license for residential projects.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Michigan general contractor license cost?

Application: $195 (nonrefundable license fee; veteran fee waiver available). License: Included in application fee. Renewal: $150 every 3 years (online via MiPLUS; licenses expire May 31 on a triennial cycle).

Do general contractors in Michigan need a surety bond?

No state-level surety bond is required for the Residential Builder license; some counties/municipalities require a local bond.

What experience is required for a Michigan general contractor license?

No minimum work-hours experience requirement specified in statute; applicants must complete 60 hours of approved prelicensure education prior to application. Must maintain a Michigan place of business (P.O. Box not sufficient).

Is insurance required for general contractors in Michigan?

Liability: No specific state-mandated minimum is confirmed in statute; general liability is commonly required by clients and lenders. 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; exemption documentation required if no employees

How often must a Michigan general contractor license be renewed?

Every 3 years; licenses expire May 31. Continuing education: First 6 years of licensure: 21 hours per 3-year renewal cycle (must include building codes, safety, and construction law changes); After 6 years: 3 hours per 3-year cycle

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, Residential Builders Section before applying. This is not legal advice.