SPEC SHEET · MI · HVAC
Michigan HVAC technician license requirements
The answer
Michigan licenses HVAC at the MECHANICAL CONTRACTOR level: 3 years or 6,000 hours of experience in the work classification you apply for (HVAC equipment, ductwork, refrigeration, hydronic, etc.), then the classification exam. A 2-year recognized HVAC program earns credit toward the requirement. Technicians as employees are not state-licensed; EPA 608 applies federally.Your paths to the license
3 years / 6,000 hours → classification exam
Accrue 3 years or 6,000 hours in your classification (e.g. HVAC equipment, refrigeration) documented by a supervisor's signed statement, then pass that classification's exam.
2-year HVAC program credit
Completing a 2-year HVAC program at a recognized trade school, community college or university (or a US DOL-approved 2-year program) earns credit toward the 3-year/6,000-hour requirement — capped at 1 year / 2,000 hours (MCL 339.5807(5)).
Military mechanical experience
Armed-forces experience counts with a DD214/DD215 and a superior's affidavit describing your classification experience.
Licensed in another state
No reciprocity — equivalent experience 'acceptable to the board' can satisfy the requirement; you take the Michigan classification exam.
License levels in Michigan
| Level | What it takes | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Technician (unlicensed by the state) | Work for a licensed mechanical contractor; EPA 608 required for refrigerant work. | — |
| Mechanical contractor | 3 years / 6,000 hours per work classification + exam (MCL 339.5807). Classifications include hydronic, HVAC equipment, ductwork, refrigeration, limited/unlimited service, fire suppression. | — |
Published fees
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Exam / license / renewal | Per LARA's current fee schedule |
The exam
| Provider | LARA (via testing vendor) |
| Fees | See LARA's current mechanical fee schedule |
| Notes | One exam per work classification. |
Moving here with a license? Renewal? The rest of the picture
Reciprocity: No formal reciprocity; board-acceptable equivalent experience is evaluated case-by-case. Check your exact state pair →
Renewal & continuing education: Mechanical contractor licenses renew on LARA's cycle (see your license); no statewide technician CE.
Federal layer: EPA Section 608 certification is required federally for anyone who maintains, services, repairs or disposes of equipment that could release refrigerants.
Watch out: Pick classifications carefully — each has its own exam; service classifications are limited vs unlimited. · The 3-year renewal cycle should be confirmed on your license document.
Official sources for this page
Michigan HVAC technician licensing FAQ
How many hours do you need to become a licensed HVAC technician in Michigan?
The shortest published route requires 6,000 hours of supervised experience. Michigan licenses HVAC at the MECHANICAL CONTRACTOR level: 3 years or 6,000 hours of experience in the work classification you apply for (HVAC equipment, ductwork, refrigeration, hydronic, etc.), then the classification exam. A 2-year recognized HVAC program earns credit toward the requirement. Technicians as employees are not state-licensed; EPA 608 applies federally.
What does the Michigan HVAC technician license cost?
See LARA's current mechanical fee schedule. Fee amounts are published on the current official application — see the sources below.
Does Michigan have HVAC technician license reciprocity?
No formal reciprocity; board-acceptable equivalent experience is evaluated case-by-case.
How often does the license renew?
Mechanical contractor licenses renew on LARA's cycle (see your license); no statewide technician CE.
Get your personal route
Four questions — your experience and training matched against Michigan's actual routes.