Michigan general contractor license & renewal
The requirements, the timing and the official sources. Everything we’ve verified, in one place.
License fee
—
Not verified yet
Required hours
60
Exam
Successfully complete the Residential Builder examination after the other application requirements are met.
Renewal
You must renew every three (3) years by 5/31. You can start renewing your license 90 days prior to the expiration date. Not all residential builder licenses renew the same year.
Before you begin
Agency guidance
Residential building and residential/commercial combination construction, repairs, alterations and improvements for compensation other than personal-labor wages are regulated.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
persons engaged in the construction of a residential structure or combination residential and commercial structure, or persons who undertake the repair, alteration, addition, subtraction or improvement of a residential structure or combination residential and commercial structure for compensation other than wages for personal labor.Official source
Agency guidance
CE applies to the individual: 21 hours for the first or second renewal, then 3 hours from the third cycle onward.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
If this is your first or second renewal cycle, you are required to complete 21 hours of continuing education. If this is your third or higher renewal cycle, you are required to complete 3 hours of continuing education.Official source
Agency guidance
Individual renewal costs $150; the renewal page links to Accela and Express Pay. A company must maintain both its license and its qualifying officer's individual license.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
It is $150.00 to renew your license. You must renew both the Company license AND qualifying officer license.Official source
How to get this license
Use the agency’s requirements below to plan your next steps. Missing details stay marked.
Start with the licensing authority
Licensing board
Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Construction Codes
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
State of Michigan/Bureau of Construction Codes
Official sourceOfficial agency page
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
RESIDENTIAL BUILDERS AND MAINTENANCE & ALTERATION CONTRACTORS
Official sourceCheck the qualifications
Required hours
60
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Complete 60 hours of approved prelicensure courses
Official sourceEducation
Approved prelicensure education: at least six hours each in business management/estimating/job costing, design/building science, contracts/liability/risk, marketing/sales, project management/scheduling, Michigan Residential Code, and MIOSHA construction safety; the remaining 18 hours are approved electives.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Business Management, Estimating, and Job Costing (6 hours); Design and Building Science (6 hours); Contracts, Liability, and Risk Management (6 hours); Marketing and Sales (6 hours); Project Management and Scheduling (6 hours); The Michigan Residential Code (6 hours); MIOSHA Construction Safety Standards (6 hours); and The remaining 18 hours can come from other topics on the approved course list.
Official sourceExam
Successfully complete the Residential Builder examination after the other application requirements are met.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Successfully complete the Residential Builder or Maintenance & Alteration Contractor examination once all other requirements are met.
Official sourceReview fees and apply
Application fee
$195.00
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Application for residential builders or maintenance and alteration contractors license | $ 195.00
Official sourceExam fee
Not verified yet
License fee
Not verified yet
Apply with the agency
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Walk-through videos on registering for an account, applying for your first license, modifying your license, and renewing your license.
Official source
Reciprocity
Not verified yet
Official sources and verification (13)
Last verified 2026-10-24. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.
RESIDENTIAL BUILDERS AND MAINTENANCE & ALTERATION CONTRACTORSOfficial source
Verified 2026-10-24
Walk-through videos on registering for an account, applying for your first license, modifying your license, and renewing your license.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Complete 60 hours of approved prelicensure coursesOfficial source
Verified 2026-10-24
Business Management, Estimating, and Job Costing (6 hours); Design and Building Science (6 hours); Contracts, Liability, and Risk Management (6 hours); Marketing and Sales (6 hours); Project Management and Scheduling (6 hours); The Michigan Residential Code (6 hours); MIOSHA Construction Safety Standards (6 hours); and The remaining 18 hours can come from other topics on the approved course list.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Successfully complete the Residential Builder or Maintenance & Alteration Contractor examination once all other requirements are met.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Application for residential builders or maintenance and alteration contractors license | $ 195.00Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
You must renew every three (3) years by 5/31. You can start renewing your license 90 days prior to the expiration date. Not all residential builder licenses renew the same year.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
If this is your first or second renewal cycle, you are required to complete 21 hours of continuing education.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
persons engaged in the construction of a residential structure or combination residential and commercial structure, or persons who undertake the repair, alteration, addition, subtraction or improvement of a residential structure or combination residential and commercial structure for compensation other than wages for personal labor.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
If this is your first or second renewal cycle, you are required to complete 21 hours of continuing education. If this is your third or higher renewal cycle, you are required to complete 3 hours of continuing education.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
It is $150.00 to renew your license. You must renew both the Company license AND qualifying officer license.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Keep exploring.
Same license in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Last verified 2026-10-24.
Official sources (4)
- https://www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/bcc/Sections/Licensing-Section/residential-builders/forms/prelicensure-education-requirements-for-residential-builder-and-maintenance-alteration-contractor-a
- https://www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/bcc/sections/licensing-section/residential-builders
- https://www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/bcc/forms/licensing/builders/license-fees
- https://www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/bcc/sections/licensing-section/license-registration-renewals
Not legal or tax advice. Confirm with the official agency before filing.