SPEC SHEET · MI · PLUMBER
Michigan plumber license requirements
The answer
Michigan licenses plumbers statewide under the Skilled Trades Regulation Act. Journey plumber: 6,000 hours over at least 3 years as a registered apprentice under a master plumber (age 18+). Master plumber: journey license plus 4,000 more hours over 2 years.Your paths to the license
Register and earn 6,000 hours
Register as an apprentice plumber, work 3+ years (6,000 hours) in practical plumbing installation under a master plumber, then pass the journey exam.
Apply on documented hours
Document your 6,000 supervised apprentice hours with the application, pay the exam fee, and pass the state exam.
Military plumber route
Armed-forces service as a plumber with 6,000 hours of entry-level experience, honorably discharged within the past year, qualifies via a commanding-officer affidavit.
Licensed in another state
No blanket reciprocity — out-of-state experience is evaluated by the department; a journey license from another state (2002 PA 733 equivalence) can support a master application after the required journey hours.
License levels in Michigan
| Level | What it takes | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Registered apprentice plumber | Register with LARA; work under a master plumber's supervision. | — |
| Journey plumber | 6,000 hours over ≥3 years as an apprentice under a master + exam (age 18+). MCL 339.6111. | — |
| Master plumber | Journey license + 4,000 hours as a journey plumber over ≥2 years immediately preceding application + exam. MCL 339.6113. | — |
Published fees
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Exam / license / renewal | Per LARA's current fee schedule |
The exam
| Provider | LARA (board-provided exam) |
| Fees | Exam fee per section 207; license fee per Article 4 — see LARA's current plumbing fee schedule |
Moving here with a license? Renewal? The rest of the picture
Reciprocity: No formal reciprocity. Check your exact state pair →
Renewal & continuing education: Master plumbers have code-update conditions of renewal per the act; see LARA for the current cycle.
Watch out: Plumbing contractor (business) licensing is separate — a master plumber must qualify it. · Fee amounts are on LARA's current application forms.
Official sources for this page
Michigan plumber licensing FAQ
How many hours do you need to become a licensed plumber in Michigan?
The shortest published route requires 6,000 hours of supervised experience. Michigan licenses plumbers statewide under the Skilled Trades Regulation Act. Journey plumber: 6,000 hours over at least 3 years as a registered apprentice under a master plumber (age 18+). Master plumber: journey license plus 4,000 more hours over 2 years.
What does the Michigan plumber license cost?
Exam fee per section 207; license fee per Article 4 — see LARA's current plumbing fee schedule. Fee amounts are published on the current official application — see the sources below.
Does Michigan have plumber license reciprocity?
No formal reciprocity.
How often does the license renew?
Master plumbers have code-update conditions of renewal per the act; see LARA for the current cycle.
Get your personal route
Four questions — your experience and training matched against Michigan's actual routes.