Michigan plumbing license: Complete 2026 Guide

Official-source review: August 27, 2026

Michigan plumbing license: Michigan registers plumbing apprentices and licenses journey plumbers, master plumbers and plumbing contractors. A contractor must be represented by a licensed master plumber, and permit applications identify both licenses.

Fast answer: Register as an apprentice, complete at least 6,000 hours over three years, and pass the journey route. After 4,000 journey hours over the two years immediately before application, pass the master examination. A contractor must be a qualifying owner, partner, officer or LLC member, pass the contractor exam and name its master representative.

Michigan plumbing license authority education experience exams fees insurance renewal — Michigan requirements summarized from the responsible agencies. Local permits, employers and certifying bodies may impose additional conditions.

What the Michigan plumbing license covers

Michigan registers plumbing apprentices and licenses journey plumbers, master plumbers and plumbing contractors. A contractor must be represented by a licensed master plumber, and permit applications identify both licenses.

Plumbing installation and contracting under the active individual and business licenses.
Work only within the issued classification.
Obtain all local permits and inspections.

Compare related occupations and states in the License Finder.

Michigan plumbing license requirements at a glance

Requirement	Current rule or route
Route	Registered apprentice, Journey Plumber, Master Plumber and represented Plumbing Contractor licenses
Eligibility	Journey: 6,000 registered-apprentice hours over at least three years. Master: 4,000 journey hours over the two years immediately preceding application.
Exam	State journey, master and plumbing-contractor examinations as applicable.
Fees	Application, license and PSI examination fees apply. Journey renewal is currently $40; master and contractor cycles and local permits are separate.
Bond or insurance	The contractor business maintains required liability, workers compensation and permit documentation.
Renewal	Journey plumbers renew annually by April 30; master and contractor credentials renew every three years by April 30.

Do not treat this table as an approval notice. The agency, certification organization or local jurisdiction makes the final eligibility decision and may request additional evidence.

How to complete the Michigan plumbing license process

Identify the exact individual and business credential.
Complete the published education and experience.
Pass each required examination.
Submit applications, verification and fees.
Obtain insurance and project permits.
Renew on time and retain required records.

Keep copies of every experience certificate, examination result, bond or insurance filing and payment receipt. Names and business entities should match across the application and supporting documents.

Important Michigan rules and boundaries

Apprentice, journey, master and contractor licenses are separate.
A contractor license is not issued without master-plumber representation.
License lapses can interrupt master-eligibility experience.
Project permits remain mandatory.

Michigan may separate the credential held by a worker from the contractor license held by the business, while preserving local authority over permits and inspections. Confirm every applicable layer before bidding, advertising or beginning regulated work.

Michigan plumbing license cost and renewal

Budget separately for applications, examinations, education, insurance and project permits.

Renew each individual, business and local credential separately and verify current charges before filing.

Government charges are only part of the expected cost. Training, examination preparation, fingerprints, surety premiums, insurance, equipment calibration and local permits can add to the total.

Michigan plumbing license checklist

Confirm that this credential matches the exact work you will perform.
Check whether the applicant is an individual, sole owner or separate business entity.
Collect experience and training records before submitting the application.
Use the current official form and fee schedule.
Complete every required examination or approved certification route.
File bonds, insurance and fingerprints when applicable.
Check county, city, water supplier and building-permit rules.
Save the expiration date and renewal requirements.

Frequently asked questions

Is this credential statewide?

It depends on the occupation. Michigan licenses several skilled trades statewide while home inspection and septic installation rely on business, professional or local requirements.

Is an exam required?

State journey, master and plumbing-contractor examinations as applicable.

When does it renew?

Journey plumbers renew annually by April 30; master and contractor credentials renew every three years by April 30.

Are project permits separate?

Yes.

Official sources used

Verified licensing details

Licensing authority: Michigan LARA Bureau of Construction Codes
Fees: Application, license and PSI examination fees apply. Journey renewal is currently $40; master and contractor cycles and local permits are separate.
Experience: Journey: 6,000 registered-apprentice hours over at least three years. Master: 4,000 journey hours over the two years immediately preceding application.
Exams: State journey, master and plumbing-contractor examinations as applicable.
Insurance or bond: The contractor business maintains required liability, workers compensation and permit documentation.
Continuing education: Complete the Michigan plumbing code-update course within one year after a new code is adopted when required.
Renewal period: Journey plumbers renew annually by April 30; master and contractor credentials renew every three years by April 30.

Official sources

Official sources last checked August 26, 2026.

Requirements can change and local rules may apply. Confirm the current requirements with the official authority before paying a fee or beginning work.