01Does Michigan require a residential builder license?+
Yes. Michigan licenses residential builders and maintenance & alteration contractors through LARA. State guidance says contractors offering covered work totaling $600 or more in labor and materials generally must be licensed.
02What is the difference between Residential Builder and M&A?+
A Residential Builder may build a complete residential structure and perform residential maintenance/alteration work. An M&A contractor is limited to the specific approved crafts printed on the license.
03What trades can be listed on an M&A license?+
Michigan lists carpentry, concrete, excavation, insulation, masonry, siding, roofing, screens and storm sash, gutters, tile and marble, house wrecking, swimming pools and basement waterproofing.
04How much prelicensure education is required for a new builder or M&A applicant?+
Michigan requires 60 hours of approved prelicensure education before the examination/application process, including required subject-area minimums.
05How often do individual residential builder and M&A licenses renew?+
Current LARA renewal guidance states that individual Residential Builder and M&A licenses renew every three years by May 31, with continuing-education obligations depending on renewal cycle.
06Does Michigan license electrical contractors statewide?+
Yes. An Electrical Contractor license is required to do business as an electrician and must be associated with a Master Electrician. Detroit has a separate local license path for work in the city.
07Does Michigan license mechanical contractors?+
Yes. Mechanical contractors are licensed by classifications including HVAC equipment, ductwork, refrigeration, hydronics, heating service, fire suppression and specialty work.
08Does Michigan license plumbing contractors?+
Yes. A Plumbing Contractor applicant must hold or employ a Master Plumber who is responsible for code compliance.
09Can one Master Plumber qualify multiple plumbing contractors?+
Michigan guidance states that a Master Plumber may qualify only one Plumbing Contractor license at a time.
10Does Michigan license elevator contractors?+
Yes. LARA BCC handles elevator contractor and journeyperson licensing along with elevator certificates of competency.
11Who regulates asbestos abatement in Michigan?+
The MIOSHA Asbestos Program licenses covered asbestos abatement contractors. Some licensed trade groups have a narrow incidental-work exemption when the statutory conditions are met.
12Who certifies lead abatement firms in Michigan?+
Michigan Lead Safe / MDHHS maintains certification for lead abatement firms and individual professionals such as supervisors, workers, inspectors and risk assessors.
13Does a Michigan permit mean the job is open for bidding?+
No. A permit is a project signal. It can indicate scope and timing, but it does not prove an open bid or guaranteed job.
14Where should a Michigan license be verified?+
Use the live LARA/BCC license search or the specific program lookup for residential builders, skilled trades, asbestos and lead credentials.
15Are commercial general contractors covered by the Residential Builder license?+
The Residential Builder law focuses on residential structures and combination residential/commercial structures. Pure commercial general contracting can involve local permit-registration requirements and should be checked with the enforcing jurisdiction.
16Are roofing contractors separately licensed statewide?+
Michigan does not use a separate statewide roofing-contractor license family for residential work; roofing is one of the approved Maintenance & Alteration crafts, and Residential Builders may perform covered residential remodeling work.
17Do building codes change independently of licensing?+
Yes. Michigan updates code rules separately from licensing statutes. Contractors should verify the current adopted code and local amendments before relying on an older edition reference.
18Why does TigerLeads separate licenses from permit signals?+
Because the permit identifies project activity while the license identifies who is legally eligible for regulated work. Keeping them separate improves trade matching without misrepresenting the permit as an open job.
