Michigan Builder license is necessary for every builder to construct any type of project from residential to commercial. Even if you have good knowledge in the construction field, obtaining a builder’s license is important and basic. Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs ( LARA ) handles every license in Michigan. Here, we are provided you a detailed guide about getting your Michigan Builder license.
Who needs a Michigan Builder license?
People who undertake construction projects whose value is $600 or more require to get their Builder license. Also, contractors who undertake alteration, repair of the buildings also needs their license, which is also called an alteration contractor. These licenses are regulated According to Article 24 of Public Act 299 of 1980.
Types of Michigan Builder license
Three types of licenses are available in Michigan.
- Michigan Builders License: This is for contractors who undertake either residential or commercial or a combination of residential and commercial.
- Michigan Maintenance and Alteration Contractors License: This license is for a contractor who undertakes residential model maintenance and alteration. This includes the following task,
- Carpentry
- Concrete
- Excavation
- Insulation Work
- Masonry
- Painting and Decorating
- Siding
- Roofing
- Screen and Storm Sash
- Gutters
- Tile and Marble
- House Wrecking
- Swimming Pools
- Basement Waterproofing
Michigan Commercial Builders License
This license differs from the above both. These license holders can run a construction company. They can take charge of supervising workers, building raw materials like subcontracting a project. In short, Commercial Builders will ensure the project is going smoothly from the start till the end.
3 steps to getting a Michigan Builder license :
- Completing 60 hours of Michigan builders license course.
- Submitting Michigan Builder license application along with course completion proof
- Clearing Builder Licensing exam.
Step 1: 60 hours – Pre-licensure courses
The first and major step for getting a license is completing your Michigan builders license course. This course covers all relevant topics, and this 60 course is approved by LARA.
These Pre-licensure courses are available online; make sure you choose the approved one. You can choose random 60 hours to complete this course. This LARA course syllabus includes the following,
- Michigan Residential Code – 6 hours
- MIOSHA construction safety standards – 6 hours
- Business management – 6 hours
- Design and building science – 6 hours
- Contracts, liability, and risk management – 6 hours
- Marketing and sales – 6 hours
- Management and scheduling – 6 hours
- Interested topics based on your approved course list – 18 hour
Step 2: Applying for Builder’s Licensing exam :
After completing your Michigan builders license course, you should complete your” Residential Builder or Maintenance and Alteration Contractor License Application. ”
This application has 2 pages with questions also related to your moral character. It also gathers personal details and the type of license.
Once you completed all the fields of your application, you can proceed to submission with the following documents,
- Proof/certificate of your completed pre-license course.
- Copy of driving license/state identification card.
- Completed application.
- License fee – $195
You can submit all these documents online or via post. Once you send your certificate copies, LARA will go through them, and they’ll decide the approval for the exam.
Step 3: Clearing Builder Licensing exam
Once your application got approved for the exam, you will attend the PSI exam, which has two parts – the business and law section – 75 minutes and the practice and trade section – 180 minutes. Clearing the exam is a crucial part of getting your license.
Conclusion
Getting your Michigan builders license may seem a bit long and hard process. But completing your Pre-licensure course effectively will help you to clear the exam easily, which makes the whole process easy. Once you clear your exam, you will receive your license through the mail. After receiving your license, you are officially a licensed builder of Michigan. Congrats!
