How to Get Your
Michigan Plumbing License
Your complete guide to becoming a licensed plumber in Michigan. Learn about requirements, exams, costs, and the step-by-step process to launch your plumbing career.
Michigan Plumbing License Quick Facts
Minimum Age
18 years (Journey/Master)
Experience Required
3 years apprentice + 2 years journey
License Fee
$15 - $300
Licensing Body
LARA
Exam Fee
$100
Reciprocity
Exam exemption available
Who Provides Plumbing Licenses in Michigan?
The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) in the state of Michigan is authorized for providing you with a plumbing license. It receives and approves/rejects applications based on whether they meet the required criteria.
Michigan Licensing Authority
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
LARAIssues all plumbing licenses throughout Michigan, including apprentice, journey, master, and contractor licenses
Types of Plumbing Licenses in Michigan
License Types Available
Choose Your License Path
Apprentice Plumber License
Entry-level license that allows you to perform plumbing services under the supervision of a master plumber.
Key Requirements
- High school diploma or GED
- Employment by a licensed master plumber
- Submit application within 30 days of employment
Journey Plumber License
Full license to work as a plumber after completing apprenticeship requirements.
Key Requirements
- Be at least 18 years of age
- 6,000+ hours supervised experience over 3 years
- Pass written and practical exams
Master Plumber License
Advanced license that demonstrates expertise and allows supervision of other plumbers.
Key Requirements
- Be at least 18 years of age
- 4,000+ hours experience as journey plumber over 2 years
- Pass written and practical exams
Master Contractor License
Required for starting your own plumbing business and winning contracts in Michigan.
Key Requirements
- Hold master plumber license or employ one
- Sole proprietor, partner, officer, or LLC member
- Pass contractor examination
Requirements for Michigan Plumbing Licenses
LARA Requirements
Michigan Plumbing License Requirements
1Apprentice Plumber
Entry-level registration
Apprentice Plumber
Entry-level registration
- High school diploma or GED
- Be employed as an apprentice plumbing pursuant
- Submit application within 30 days of employment
- Pay $15 registration fee (check payable to 'State of Michigan')
- Mail completed application and payment to LARA
2Journey Plumber License
Requirements for journeyman
Journey Plumber License
Requirements for journeyman
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Gather more than 6,000 hours of supervised plumbing experience over 3 years minimum
- Experience must be as a registered apprentice plumber in practical installation of plumbing
- Work must be under supervision of licensed master plumber
- Submit application with required documents and $40 fee
- Provide notarized letter(s) from employer(s) proving experience
- Pay examination fee of $100
- Pass written and practical examinations
3Master Plumber License
Requirements for master plumber
Master Plumber License
Requirements for master plumber
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Gather more than 4,000 hours of plumbing experience over 2 years minimum
- Experience must be as a licensed journey plumber
- Submit application with required documents and $300 fee
- Provide notarized letter(s) from employer(s) proving experience
- Pay examination fee of $100
- Pass written and practical examinations
4Master Contractor License
Requirements for business owners
Master Contractor License
Requirements for business owners
- Hold a master plumber license OR employ a licensed master plumber as representative
- Applicant must be a sole proprietor, partner in a partnership, officer of a corporation, OR member of a limited liability company
- Provide statement listing complete address of each residence and business location during last 5 years
- Include length of time at each residence and type of businesses/employment
- Provide name of business owner, president, or member/manager
- Provide name, residence address, and license number of licensed master plumber representative
- Pay license fee of $300
- Pay examination fee of $100
- Pass contractor examination
The notarized document of your experience letter(s) from your employer(s) must include all the following details:
- Dates from (mm/dd/yyyy) and to (mm/dd/yyyy) employed with the company
- Hours of plumbing experience attained
- Type of plumbing experience
- Licensed supervision – name & license number
- Signed by both a Michigan licensed MASTER plumber AND employer
Important: The notary MUST date and sign the notary stamp, or the document will not be accepted.
Plumbing License Costs in Michigan
All LARA Plumbing Fees
Michigan License Fees
| License Type | Exam Fee | License Fee | Renewal Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice | - | $15 | |
| Journey Plumber | $100 | $40 | |
| Master Plumber | $100 | $300 | |
| Master Contractor | $100 | $300 |
Get Professional Plumbing Estimate Templates
Use InvoiceOwl's free plumbing estimate templates to provide full clarity over your service costs to clients. Create professional, customized estimates that help you win more jobs.
Start Your FREE TrialSteps to Become a Licensed Plumber in Michigan
Step-by-Step Guide
Your Path to Becoming a Licensed Plumber
Meet Basic Requirements
Be at least 18 years of age and have a high school diploma or GED to get employed as a plumbing apprentice.
Get Employed as Apprentice
Find employment as a plumbing apprentice pursuant to a licensed master plumber.
Register as Apprentice Plumber
Fill out the application for apprentice registration and mail it to LARA with a check for $15 payable to 'State of Michigan'.
Download Apprentice Registration FormComplete Apprentice Experience
Gather 6,000 hours of plumbing experience under the supervision of a master plumber in no less than 3 years.
Apply for Journey Plumber Exam
Submit your journey plumber application with notarized proof of experience and pay the $40 license fee.
Apply Online for Journey PlumberPass Journey Plumber Examination
Once your application is approved, schedule and pay for your exam ($100), then pass both written and practical examinations.
Congratulations! You're a Journey Plumber!
You are now a licensed journey plumber in Michigan.
Gain Journey Experience
Gather 4,000 hours of plumbing experience as a licensed journey plumber under a master plumber in no less than 2 years.
Apply for Master Plumber Exam
Submit your master plumber application with notarized proof of experience and pay the $300 license fee.
Apply Online for Master PlumberPass Master Plumber Examination
Once your application is approved, schedule and pay for your exam ($100), then pass both written and practical examinations.
Congratulations! You're a Master Plumber!
You are now a licensed master plumber in Michigan.
Form Legal Business Structure (Optional)
If you want to start your plumbing business, form a legal business structure - Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, LLC, or Corporation.
Apply for Master Contractor License
Submit your master contractor application with all required business details and pay the $300 license fee.
Pass Contractor Examination
Once your application is approved, schedule and pay for your exam ($100), then pass the contractor examination.
Congratulations! You're a Licensed Contractor!
You can now legally operate a plumbing business and take contracts from clients in Michigan.
Remember that you don't need to have a master plumber license yourself to become a master contractor. In that case, you will need to employ a licensed master plumber as your representative.
Streamline Your Plumbing Business Operations
InvoiceOwl's professional invoicing solution helps you create digital custom-based estimates & invoices, e-sign them in no time, send them instantly to clients with in-built emailing, and get paid faster.
Start Your FREE TrialFrequently Asked Questions
Yes. Currently, the average wage of a plumber in Michigan is $26 per hour, according to Indeed. This makes plumbing a lucrative career option in the state.
No, there are no such existing agreements between Michigan and other US states. This means that irrespective of whether you already have a license in any other US state, you still need to obtain a journey or master plumbing license in Michigan.
However, you can get an exemption from the plumbing examination if you are a licensed plumber in any other US state.
No, you cannot. Even after starting a plumbing business, you cannot provide any plumbing service in Michigan without an appropriate plumbing license. You must be properly licensed to legally work as a plumber in the state.
The typical path takes about 5 years total. You'll need 3 years minimum (6,000 hours) as an apprentice plumber to become a journey plumber, then an additional 2 years minimum (4,000 hours) as a journey plumber to qualify for the master plumber exam.
Mail your completed apprentice registration form and $15 check (payable to "State of Michigan") to:
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Bureau of Construction Codes / Licensing Section P.O. Box 30255 Lansing, MI 48909
You must submit this within 30 days of your employment as an apprentice.
Conclusion
Now that you have all the information needed to become a licensed plumber in Michigan, the only thing missing is your action. Get yourself registered and start your plumbing journey today.
Consider working toward your master contractor license to maximize your earning potential. With the average plumber in Michigan earning $26/hour, owning your own plumbing business can significantly increase your income and give you the freedom to get more plumbing leads and grow your business.
Ready to Grow Your Plumbing Business?
Once you're licensed, InvoiceOwl helps you manage estimates, invoices, and payments like a pro. Enhance the chance of winning more jobs and raise your revenues by 10x.
Try InvoiceOwl Free