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

Michigan licenses plumbers 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 plumber 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 liability-insurance minimum is set by LARA's Skilled Trades rules; general liability is commonly required by clients and municipalities.
Post any local bond. No state-level bond required; municipal bonding may apply — check local jurisdiction
Register and pay the local fees. Apprentice registration: $15; Journey Plumber: $40; Master Plumber: $300; Plumbing Contractor: $300 (plus $10 regulatory assessment and $25 background check fee)
Renew on your city's schedule. Journey Plumber: annually by April 30; Master Plumber & Plumbing Contractor: every 3 years by April 30.

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).

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.