Plumber License in Michigan — Requirements, Fees & Exam

How to get licensed as a plumber in Michigan: PSI exam — verified from official sources.

Source-verified

Requirements below are drawn from State Plumbing Board (Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Construction Codes) (official site) and last verified October 9, 2026. Boards change fees and rules often — confirm before acting.

At a glance

Plumbing Apprentice Registration

Experience: No prior plumbing experience required. MCL 339.6117(1): 'An individual who is employed as an apprentice plumber shall register with the department on a form provided by the department not later than 30 days after… full text
No prior plumbing experience required. MCL 339.6117(1): 'An individual who is employed as an apprentice plumber shall register with the department on a form provided by the department not later than 30 days after employment.' MCL 339.6117(4): 'An apprentice plumber shall, as the apprentice plumber's principal occupation, be engaged in learning and assisting in the installation of plumbing under the direct, on-site, in-person supervision of a journey or master plumber.' The registration is renewed every year by April 30 (LARA BCC renewals page). Under MCL 339.6117(2), as amended by 2024 PA 172 (effective April 2, 2025): 'An apprentice registration is invalid after 5 years from the date of initial registration unless the registered apprentice applies for and takes the examination for journey license.' Under MCL 339.6117(3) the board may grant an extension on the apprentice's request. LARA BCC form BCC-3328 (10/24) warns: 'Please note, you must keep your apprentice registration renewed timely. Any hours accrued while your apprentice registration is lapsed or expired do not count towards the required hours for Journey Plumber licensure.'
Exam: None for registration.
Fee: $15 registration fee (form BCC-3328; MCL 339.6121(2)(b)); $15 annual renewal, due April 30… details below

Journey Plumber License

Experience: At least 6,000 hours of experience gained over a period of at least 3 years as an apprentice plumber in the practical installation of plumbing under the supervision of a master plumber (MCL 339.6115(1)(d)… details below
Exam: Two-part examination. R 339.5412(1): 'To obtain a journey license, an applicant shall take and pass the 2-part examination… full text
Two-part examination. R 339.5412(1): 'To obtain a journey license, an applicant shall take and pass the 2-part examination. The examination includes both a practical skill portion and a written examination portion.' BCC-329A: 'Effective December 15, 2021, application for Journey Plumber will be for BOTH a written examination and practical skills examination.' (1) Written examination administered by PSI Services ($100 examination fee): 125 questions, 180 minutes, minimum passing score 75%, open book with the 2021 Michigan Plumbing Code Book ('Chapter tabs only'), 1972 PA 230 and 2016 PA 407; online testing is not available for the Journey Plumber examination (PSI CIB effective 4/29/2026). (2) Hands-on practical skills examination administered by LARA BCC, scored pass or fail (R 339.5114(3)); scheduled by emailing your name and applicant ID to [email protected]. LARA does not publish a content outline for the practical; its apprentice-ratio FAQ refers to it as 'the copper project/practical testing'. R 339.5412(1): 'An applicant will have 365 days, beginning the date of receipt of the application, to achieve licensure.' Failing to pass both parts within that window 'will result in forfeiture of any fees paid to the department and the application being voided under the act.'
Fee: $40 license fee paid to LARA with the application (form BCC-329A; MCL 339.6121(2)(a)), nonrefundable (R 339.5121); $100 written examination fee paid to PSI Services (MCL 339.6121(5)(c); PSI CIB)… details below

Master Plumber License

Experience: Must be at least 18, hold a journey plumber license, and have 'gained 4,000 hours of experience in work as a journey plumber over a period of not less than 2 years immediately preceding the date of his or her… full text
Must be at least 18, hold a journey plumber license, and have 'gained 4,000 hours of experience in work as a journey plumber over a period of not less than 2 years immediately preceding the date of his or her application' (MCL 339.6113(1)(d)). Experience is documented on notarized statements from employers (MCL 339.6109; experience affidavit form BCC-3926). Two LARA BCC pages describe the effect of a licence lapse differently. The plumbing information page: 'Any lapses in licensure in the 2 years immediately preceding the application will not meet requirements.' The renewals page: 'If your license lapses more than 60 days, your time accrual starts all over again towards becoming a master plumber.' The 60-day figure appears only on the renewals page; the information page treats any lapse within the 2-year window as not meeting the requirement.
Exam: Michigan Master Plumber Examination administered by PSI Services ($100 examination fee): 130 open-book questions, 180 minutes, minimum passing score 75%… details below
Fee: $300 license fee (MCL 339.6121(7)(b)). Master plumber and plumbing contractor licenses are issued 'for a period of up to 3 years' and renew for 3-year periods (MCL 339.6121(6))… full text
$300 license fee (MCL 339.6121(7)(b)). Master plumber and plumbing contractor licenses are issued 'for a period of up to 3 years' and renew for 3-year periods (MCL 339.6121(6)); an initial license applied for 'at a time other than between April 30 and June 30 of the year in which the department issues renewal licenses' is charged 'on a yearly prorated basis' (MCL 339.6121(6)). $100 examination fee paid to PSI Services (MCL 339.6121(5)(b)); $300 renewal every 3 years by April 30 (LARA BCC renewals page). Late renewal: the BCC renewals page says 'If you do not renew before your license expires, you have to pay a $100.00 late fee'; under MCL 339.6121(8) a master or contractor license not renewed within 60 days of expiration 'may be relicensed only by applying to the board and paying the renewal fee and a $100.00 relicensure fee.' A master plumber who is also a plumbing contractor pays only the contractor fee (MCL 339.6113(4)); BCC renewals page: 'If you hold both the plumbing contractor and qualifying plumbing master licenses, you will only need to enter your plumbing contractor license number to renew both'. The initial license fee is waived for qualifying active service members, honorably discharged veterans and dependents (MCL 339.5417).

Plumbing Contractor License

Experience: Applicant must be at least 18 (BCC-329), and MCL 339.6111(2): 'Only an individual who is a sole proprietor, a partner in a partnership, an officer of a corporation, or a member of a limited liability company may apply… full text
Applicant must be at least 18 (BCC-329), and MCL 339.6111(2): 'Only an individual who is a sole proprietor, a partner in a partnership, an officer of a corporation, or a member of a limited liability company may apply for licensure as a plumbing contractor.' MCL 339.6111(1): 'To qualify for a plumbing contractor license, the applicant must either hold a master plumber license or employ the holder of a master plumber license as his or her representative.' The statutory definition of a plumbing contractor refers to a person 'who employs a licensed master plumber full-time to directly supervise the installation of plumbing' (MCL 339.6103(d)), and BCC-329 says 'The Master Plumber license holder is the person in charge of all code compliance.' MCL 339.6113(3): 'A licensed master plumber shall represent only 1 plumbing contractor at any given time.' The application lists every residence and place of business for the last 5 years (MCL 339.6111(3)(a)(i); BCC-329). If the representing master plumber leaves, the contractor 'has 30 days after the date the master plumber no longer represents the plumbing contractor in which to designate another licensed master plumber' and must notify the department in writing (MCL 339.6111(7)). R 339.5411(1) requires both the contractor and the master plumber to notify the department 'immediately', and under R 339.5411(2) the contractor license 'may be summarily suspended' until a new master plumber is designated.
Exam: Michigan Plumbing Contractor Examination administered by PSI Services ($100 examination fee): 50 open-book questions, 120 minutes, minimum passing score 75%… details below
Fee: $300 non-refundable license application fee due with the application… details below

Issuing agency: State Plumbing Board (Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Construction Codes) Official site
How to apply: Official application page
Renewal: Annual for Apprentice Plumbers and Journey Plumbers; every 3 years for Master Plumbers and Plumbing Contractors (MCL 339.6121(6); LARA BCC renewals page, which adds that 'Not all master plumbers renew the same year')… details below
Continuing education: 0 fixed annual continuing education hours. Instead, Michigan requires a state construction code update course after each code change… details below

Every requirement in the agency's own words: Requirements in detail, below.

Legal basis

State Plumbing Board (Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Construction Codes) administers plumber licensing in Michigan. Every figure below is verified against the board’s own official pages and dated. Who must personally hold a credential — the contractor, the business, or the individual worker — is set out under Requirements.

What it’s called

Michigan licenses the individual plumber under the Skilled Trades Regulation Act (2016 PA 407, Article 11), overseen by the State Plumbing Board within the Bureau of Construction Codes (BCC) of the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). Credentials are: Apprentice Plumber Registration (registered plumbing apprentice), Journey Plumber License (LARA titles its map ‘Plumbing Journeyperson License Map’), Master Plumber License, and Plumbing Contractor License. Two structural points: (1) engaging in the business of a plumbing contractor requires a separate Plumbing Contractor license, represented by a master plumber, and plumbing may not be performed unless the responsible plumbing contractor has obtained a permit (MCL 339.6107(1), 339.6111). (2) Medical gas: MCL 339.6107(2)(e) says a license is not required for ‘The installation of medical gas piping, if the installation is performed under the supervision of a licensed plumbing contractor.’ LARA’s apprentice-ratio FAQ (03/10/2025) states a different position: ‘Med-gas requires a plumbing license to conduct this activity. The certification is not recognized by the State of Michigan as a license.’ Both official statements are recorded; they conflict.

License types & fees

Type	Experience	Exam	Fee
Plumbing Apprentice Registration	No prior plumbing experience required. MCL 339.6117(1): 'An individual who is employed as an apprentice plumber shall register with the department on a form provided by the department not later than 30 days after employment.' MCL 339.6117(4): 'An apprentice plumber shall, as the apprentice plumber's principal occupation, be engaged in learning and assisting in the installation of plumbing under the direct, on-site, in-person supervision of a journey or master plumber.' The registration is renewed every year by April 30 (LARA BCC renewals page). Under MCL 339.6117(2), as amended by 2024 PA 172 (effective April 2, 2025): 'An apprentice registration is invalid after 5 years from the date of initial registration unless the registered apprentice applies for and takes the examination for journey license.' Under MCL 339.6117(3) the board may grant an extension on the apprentice's request. LARA BCC form BCC-3328 (10/24) warns: 'Please note, you must keep your apprentice registration renewed timely. Any hours accrued while your apprentice registration is lapsed or expired do not count towards the required hours for Journey Plumber licensure.'	None for registration.	$15 registration fee (form BCC-3328; MCL 339.6121(2)(b)); $15 annual renewal, due April 30. Late renewal: the LARA BCC renewals page says 'If you do not renew before your license expires, you have to pay a $20.00 late fee.' MCL 339.6121(3)(b) sets the same $20.00 apprentice relicensure fee, payable with the annual renewal fee, for a registration not renewed within 60 days of expiration. The initial fee is waived for an applicant who is actively serving, an honorably discharged veteran, or a dependent of an active member or veteran who provides proof (BCC-3328; MCL 339.5417).
Journey Plumber License	At least 6,000 hours of experience gained over a period of at least 3 years as an apprentice plumber in the practical installation of plumbing under the supervision of a master plumber (MCL 339.6115(1)(d)(i); form BCC-329A). The LARA BCC plumbing information page words the supervision requirement differently: 'as an actively registered plumbing apprentice in the practical installation of plumbing under the supervision of a licensed master or journey plumber.' Applicants must be at least 18, and BCC-329A says they 'must attach a notarized letter(s) from your current and former employers documenting your experience'; MCL 339.6109 refers to 'a notarized statement from current and past employers and master plumbers' (experience affidavit form BCC-3926). Military route, MCL 339.6115(1)(d)(ii): an applicant who, while serving in the armed forces, served as a plumber or in an equivalent job classification, 'was honorably discharged from that military service in the 1-year period preceding the date the license application is filed', and provides an affidavit signed by a commanding officer, supervisor, or military superior stating at least 6,000 hours of entry-level experience in and basic knowledge of each of seven listed areas (trade terminology and practical calculations, drainage systems, plumbing fixtures, water and backflow protection, storm and special wastewater disposal, testing and inspections, venting). Under MCL 339.6115(2), an applicant who falls short of the 6,000 hours or of one of those areas may submit an affidavit of the experience attained, and 'the department may in its discretion grant the applicant credit toward the 6,000-hour experience requirement'. Hours accrued while an apprentice registration was lapsed or expired do not count (BCC-3328).	Two-part examination. R 339.5412(1): 'To obtain a journey license, an applicant shall take and pass the 2-part examination. The examination includes both a practical skill portion and a written examination portion.' BCC-329A: 'Effective December 15, 2021, application for Journey Plumber will be for BOTH a written examination and practical skills examination.' (1) Written examination administered by PSI Services ($100 examination fee): 125 questions, 180 minutes, minimum passing score 75%, open book with the 2021 Michigan Plumbing Code Book ('Chapter tabs only'), 1972 PA 230 and 2016 PA 407; online testing is not available for the Journey Plumber examination (PSI CIB effective 4/29/2026). (2) Hands-on practical skills examination administered by LARA BCC, scored pass or fail (R 339.5114(3)); scheduled by emailing your name and applicant ID to [email protected]. LARA does not publish a content outline for the practical; its apprentice-ratio FAQ refers to it as 'the copper project/practical testing'. R 339.5412(1): 'An applicant will have 365 days, beginning the date of receipt of the application, to achieve licensure.' Failing to pass both parts within that window 'will result in forfeiture of any fees paid to the department and the application being voided under the act.'	$40 license fee paid to LARA with the application (form BCC-329A; MCL 339.6121(2)(a)), nonrefundable (R 339.5121); $100 written examination fee paid to PSI Services (MCL 339.6121(5)(c); PSI CIB); $40 annual renewal fee, due April 30. Late renewal (two official sources differ): the LARA BCC renewals page says 'If you do not renew before your license expires, you have to pay a $100.00 late fee.' MCL 339.6121(3)(a) sets a $50.00 journey plumber relicensure fee, paid with the annual renewal fee, for a license not renewed within 60 days of expiration. The application fee is waived for an applicant who is actively serving, an honorably discharged veteran, or a dependent of an active member or veteran who provides proof (BCC-329A; MCL 339.5417).
Master Plumber License	Must be at least 18, hold a journey plumber license, and have 'gained 4,000 hours of experience in work as a journey plumber over a period of not less than 2 years immediately preceding the date of his or her application' (MCL 339.6113(1)(d)). Experience is documented on notarized statements from employers (MCL 339.6109; experience affidavit form BCC-3926). Two LARA BCC pages describe the effect of a licence lapse differently. The plumbing information page: 'Any lapses in licensure in the 2 years immediately preceding the application will not meet requirements.' The renewals page: 'If your license lapses more than 60 days, your time accrual starts all over again towards becoming a master plumber.' The 60-day figure appears only on the renewals page; the information page treats any lapse within the 2-year window as not meeting the requirement.	Michigan Master Plumber Examination administered by PSI Services ($100 examination fee): 130 open-book questions, 180 minutes, minimum passing score 75%. Covers drainage systems, general knowledge, fixtures, water distribution, backflow protection, storm drains, special waste, testing, inspections, venting and the Skilled Trades Regulation Act (2016 PA 407), and includes a material take-off practical portion based on a drawing of back-to-back rest rooms, from which the candidate lists the required fittings, vent and drain sizes, and venting methods. Since February 11, 2026 the Master Plumber examination may also be taken online with a remote proctor (PSI CIB effective 4/29/2026).	$300 license fee (MCL 339.6121(7)(b)). Master plumber and plumbing contractor licenses are issued 'for a period of up to 3 years' and renew for 3-year periods (MCL 339.6121(6)); an initial license applied for 'at a time other than between April 30 and June 30 of the year in which the department issues renewal licenses' is charged 'on a yearly prorated basis' (MCL 339.6121(6)). $100 examination fee paid to PSI Services (MCL 339.6121(5)(b)); $300 renewal every 3 years by April 30 (LARA BCC renewals page). Late renewal: the BCC renewals page says 'If you do not renew before your license expires, you have to pay a $100.00 late fee'; under MCL 339.6121(8) a master or contractor license not renewed within 60 days of expiration 'may be relicensed only by applying to the board and paying the renewal fee and a $100.00 relicensure fee.' A master plumber who is also a plumbing contractor pays only the contractor fee (MCL 339.6113(4)); BCC renewals page: 'If you hold both the plumbing contractor and qualifying plumbing master licenses, you will only need to enter your plumbing contractor license number to renew both'. The initial license fee is waived for qualifying active service members, honorably discharged veterans and dependents (MCL 339.5417).
Plumbing Contractor License	Applicant must be at least 18 (BCC-329), and MCL 339.6111(2): 'Only an individual who is a sole proprietor, a partner in a partnership, an officer of a corporation, or a member of a limited liability company may apply for licensure as a plumbing contractor.' MCL 339.6111(1): 'To qualify for a plumbing contractor license, the applicant must either hold a master plumber license or employ the holder of a master plumber license as his or her representative.' The statutory definition of a plumbing contractor refers to a person 'who employs a licensed master plumber full-time to directly supervise the installation of plumbing' (MCL 339.6103(d)), and BCC-329 says 'The Master Plumber license holder is the person in charge of all code compliance.' MCL 339.6113(3): 'A licensed master plumber shall represent only 1 plumbing contractor at any given time.' The application lists every residence and place of business for the last 5 years (MCL 339.6111(3)(a)(i); BCC-329). If the representing master plumber leaves, the contractor 'has 30 days after the date the master plumber no longer represents the plumbing contractor in which to designate another licensed master plumber' and must notify the department in writing (MCL 339.6111(7)). R 339.5411(1) requires both the contractor and the master plumber to notify the department 'immediately', and under R 339.5411(2) the contractor license 'may be summarily suspended' until a new master plumber is designated.	Michigan Plumbing Contractor Examination administered by PSI Services ($100 examination fee): 50 open-book questions, 120 minutes, minimum passing score 75%. Tests knowledge of the Skilled Trades Regulation Act (2016 PA 407) and rules promulgated under it, the State Construction Code Act (1972 PA 230), and the administration and enforcement procedures of the Michigan Plumbing Code. Since February 11, 2026 the examination may also be taken online with a remote proctor (PSI CIB effective 4/29/2026).	$300 non-refundable license application fee due with the application (BCC-329 Rev. 7/2026; MCL 339.6121(7)(a)), charged on a yearly prorated basis when applied for outside the April 30-June 30 window of a renewal year (MCL 339.6121(6)); $100 examination fee paid to PSI Services (MCL 339.6121(5)(a)); $300 renewal every 3 years by April 30. Late renewal: $100 late fee if not renewed before expiration (LARA BCC renewals page); $100 relicensure fee plus the renewal fee if not renewed within 60 days of expiration (MCL 339.6121(8)). MCL 339.5417 says the department "shall waive the fee for an initial license or initial registration" for an applicant who "Is actively serving in the armed forces or the uniformed services"; who served and provides a DD214, DD215 or other satisfactory form showing separation "with an honorable character of service or under honorable conditions (general) character of service"; or who is a dependent of a service member or veteran; that section covers initial license and application processing fees, not examination fees, and form BCC-329 carries no military waiver language.

Who does NOT need this license — exemptions

Michigan’s statutory plumbing exemptions are codified in MCL 339.6107(2) and (3) of the Skilled Trades Regulation Act (2016 PA 407). A license under Article 11 is not required to perform any of the following work: ‘(a) Minor repair work. [Defined in MCL 339.6103(b): “Minor repair” means a repair that involves only the clearance of stoppages, repair, or replacement of a faucet or valve or reinstallation of that same plumbing fixture and does not involve making any modifications to the plumbing system, or residential domestic water treatment and filtering equipment. Minor repair does not include any of the following: (i) The repair or replacement of a backflow preventer and air admittance valves. (ii) A repair or replacement that is only a part of a larger or major renovation or repair.] (b) The installation of a building sewer or water service pipe, if a permit is secured from the responsible enforcing agency and inspections are performed. The installations shall comply with the applicable parts of the state construction code. (c) The installation of domestic water treatment and filtering equipment that requires modification to an existing cold water distribution supply and associated waste piping in buildings if a permit is secured, required inspections performed, and the installation complies with the applicable parts of the state construction code. If the enforcing agency determines a violation exists, the responsible installer must correct it. (d) The installation by a homeowner of his or her own plumbing, building sewer, or private sewer in his or her single-family dwelling if a permit is secured. (e) The installation of medical gas piping, if the installation is performed under the supervision of a licensed plumbing contractor. (3) This article does not prevent a person from performing any activities within the scope of licensure or registration under any other licensure or registration act or applicable codes for that licensed or registered professional adopted pursuant to law.’

Fees

Plumbing fee amounts are set in MCL 339.6121 (the plumbing article’s own fee section). (1) APPRENTICE PLUMBER: $15 initial registration (BCC-3328; MCL 339.6121(2)(b)); $15 annual renewal by April 30; $20.00 late fee if not renewed before expiration (LARA BCC renewals page), matching the $20.00 apprentice relicensure fee for a registration not renewed within 60 days (MCL 339.6121(3)(b)). (2) JOURNEY PLUMBER: $40 license fee with the application (BCC-329A; MCL 339.6121(2)(a)); $100 PSI written examination fee (MCL 339.6121(5)(c)); $40 annual renewal by April 30. Late fee - two official sources differ: the BCC renewals page states a $100.00 late fee if not renewed before expiration; MCL 339.6121(3)(a) sets a $50.00 journey relicensure fee, plus the annual renewal fee, for a license not renewed within 60 days of expiration. (3) MASTER PLUMBER: $300 license fee (MCL 339.6121(7)(b)), for a license of up to 3 years, prorated yearly when applied for outside the April 30-June 30 window of a renewal year (MCL 339.6121(6)); $100 PSI examination fee (MCL 339.6121(5)(b)); $300 renewal every 3 years by April 30; $100.00 late fee (BCC renewals page) and, after 60 days, a $100.00 relicensure fee plus the renewal fee (MCL 339.6121(8)). A master plumber who is also a plumbing contractor pays only the contractor fee (MCL 339.6113(4); BCC renewals page). (4) PLUMBING CONTRACTOR: $300 non-refundable license application fee (BCC-329 Rev. 7/2026; MCL 339.6121(7)(a)), prorated the same way; $100 PSI examination fee (MCL 339.6121(5)(a)); $300 renewal every 3 years by April 30; same $100 late and relicensure fees. (5) ADMINISTRATIVE FEES: written license verification $30 (R 339.5111); name or address change with reprint, or duplicate license, $10 (R 339.5112). (6) FEE WAIVERS: the initial license or registration fee and any application processing fee are waived for qualifying active service members, honorably discharged veterans and dependents (MCL 339.5417); examination fees are not covered by that section.

Exam

Examinations are governed by MCL 339.6109, 339.6111, 339.6113, 339.6115, R 339.5114, R 339.5412, and the PSI Michigan Plumbing Candidate Information Bulletin (effective 4/29/2026). PSI Services administers the written examinations at testing centers; since February 11, 2026 the Master Plumber and Plumbing Contractor examinations may also be taken online, but ‘Online testing will not be available for the Journey Plumber.’ Examination fee: $100 per attempt, paid to PSI (MCL 339.6121(5); PSI CIB). A score of 75% is required to pass the written examination (R 339.5114(1)). (1) JOURNEY PLUMBER: two parts (R 339.5412(1)). (a) PSI written examination: 125 questions, 180 minutes, 75% passing score; open book with the 2021 Michigan Plumbing Code Book (‘Chapter tabs only’), 1972 PA 230 and 2016 PA 407; covers drainage systems, vent systems, fixtures, water distribution, backflow prevention, special waste systems, testing and inspections, and reading an isometric drawing. (b) LARA BCC hands-on practical skills examination, scored pass or fail (R 339.5114(3)), scheduled by email to [email protected] ; LARA publishes no content outline for it. Both parts must be passed within 365 days beginning the date LARA receives the application (R 339.5412(1)). (2) MASTER PLUMBER: PSI written examination, 130 questions, 180 minutes, 75% passing score, open book, including a material take-off practical portion (a drawing of back-to-back rest rooms; list the required fittings, vent and drain sizes, and venting methods). (3) PLUMBING CONTRACTOR: PSI written examination, 50 questions, 120 minutes, 75% passing score; open book with the 2021 Michigan Plumbing Code (1972 PA 230 and 2016 PA 407 provided on screen); covers 2016 PA 407 and its rules, 1972 PA 230, and plumbing code administration and enforcement.

Renewal & continuing education

Annual for Apprentice Plumbers and Journey Plumbers; every 3 years for Master Plumbers and Plumbing Contractors (MCL 339.6121(6); LARA BCC renewals page, which adds that ‘Not all master plumbers renew the same year’). The BCC renewals page gives April 30 as the renewal date for all four plumbing credentials, and renewal can start 90 days before expiration via Express Pay or Accela. (Administrative rule R 339.5117 sets a general December 31 expiry, but only ‘Unless otherwise specified in the act’.) MCL 339.6121(1): ‘A license or apprentice registration issued under this article must be renewed not more than 60 days after the renewal date.’ Late fees: apprentice $20; journey $100 per the BCC renewals page versus a $50 statutory relicensure fee after 60 days (MCL 339.6121(3)(a)); master and contractor $100 (BCC renewals page; MCL 339.6121(8)). MCL 339.6121(4): an individual renewing within 3 years after expiry ‘is not subject to reexamination for the license but is required to pay the relicensure fee and the annual renewal fee for each year the license was not renewed. An individual who fails to renew a license for more than 3 consecutive years is required to meet the experience and other requirements and take an examination for the class of license requested.’ A lapse affects a journey plumber’s later master application: the BCC information page says “Any lapses in licensure in the 2 years immediately preceding the application will not meet requirements,” while the renewals page says “If your license lapses more than 60 days, your time accrual starts all over again towards becoming a master plumber.” 0 fixed annual continuing education hours. Instead, Michigan requires a state construction code update course after each code change. MCL 339.6115(3): ‘As a condition of renewal of a journey plumber’s license, the journey plumber must demonstrate the successful completion of a course, approved by the board, concerning any update or change in the state construction code within 12 months after the update or change in that code. This requirement applies only during or after those years that the state construction code is updated or changed.’ MCL 339.6113(2) imposes the same condition, in the same words, on master plumbers. The LARA BCC renewals page: ‘You are only required to take a code update course within one year of new code being adopted. This does not happen every year. If you do need to take a code update course, you do not need to submit proof you completed your course unless you are audited.’ The Bureau uses CE Broker to track code update courses and to list approved providers and courses (BCC Code Update Information page); course and instructor approval is governed by R 339.5119. Apprentices are ’not required to take code update courses’, and ‘Plumbing contractors are not required to take code update courses for this specific license’ (BCC renewals page).

How to apply

Applications are handled by State Plumbing Board (Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Construction Codes). Start at the official application page .

Requirements in detail

Who must hold a credential
Michigan licenses the INDIVIDUAL plumber and requires an independent Plumbing Contractor credential for businesses and contracting sole proprietors. MCL 339.6107(1) establishes: 'A person shall not engage in or work at the business of a plumbing contractor, master plumber, journey plumber, or apprentice plumber unless that person is licensed or registered under this article. Except as provided in subsections (2) and (3), only a licensed master or journey plumber shall perform plumbing. A licensed master plumber shall be in charge and responsible for proper installation and conformance with the state construction code. Plumbing shall not be performed unless the plumbing contractor who is responsible has obtained a permit from the state or a governmental subdivision authorized to issue permits.' A worker on a jobsite cannot rely on an employer's contractor license: each worker needs his or her own journey or master license, or an active apprentice registration working under direct, on-site, in-person supervision. The LARA BCC renewals page tells apprentices and journey plumbers alike: 'You are not allowed to be on the job site without an active license.'
Apprentice registration deadline, 5-year expiration cap, and 1:2 jobsite ratio
Under MCL 339.6117(1), an individual employed as an apprentice plumber must register with LARA not later than 30 days after employment, and must work as his or her principal occupation under the direct, on-site, in-person supervision of a journey or master plumber (MCL 339.6117(4)). 2024 PA 172 (effective April 2, 2025) amended MCL 339.6117 to cap apprentice registrations at 5 years: 'An apprentice registration is invalid after 5 years from the date of initial registration unless the registered apprentice applies for and takes the examination for journey license.' The same act added MCL 339.6117a(1): 'The ratio of journey plumbers or master plumbers who provide direct, on-site, in-person supervision as required under section 1117 to an apprentice is on the basis of 1 journey plumber or master plumber to not more than 2 apprentices. The department or an enforcing agency shall enforce the ratio on a jobsite basis.' Under MCL 339.6117a(2), a plumbing contractor that violates the ratio is subject to a $5,000.00 administrative fine for a first violation, a $10,000.00 administrative fine for a second violation, and for a third violation a suspension of not less than 90 days of its plumbing contractor license; after 90 days the license may be reinstated if the contractor passes the plumbing contractor examination.
Experience documentation and uninterrupted journey status for master eligibility
Practical experience is documented on notarized statements from current and past employers and master plumbers (MCL 339.6109; BCC-329A; experience affidavit form BCC-3926). Journey plumbers need at least 6,000 hours gained over at least 3 years as an apprentice plumber under the supervision of a master plumber (MCL 339.6115(1)(d)(i)). Master plumbers need 4,000 hours of experience as a journey plumber over not less than 2 years immediately preceding the application (MCL 339.6113(1)(d)). Two LARA BCC pages describe what a journey license lapse does to that 2-year window, and they differ. The plumbing information page: 'Any lapses in licensure in the 2 years immediately preceding the application will not meet requirements.' The renewals page: 'Allowing your license to expire may negatively impact your ability to apply for master plumber licensure as the law specifically requires two (2) years IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING application. If your license lapses more than 60 days, your time accrual starts all over again towards becoming a master plumber.' Separately, hours worked while an apprentice registration is lapsed or expired do not count toward the journey requirement (BCC-3328).
Two-part Journey examination (written plus practical skills exam)
Under MCL 339.6115(1)(b), R 339.5412 and form BCC-329A (effective December 15, 2021), journey plumber applicants must pass both parts of a 2-part examination: (1) a written examination administered by PSI Services (125 questions, 180 minutes, 75% passing score, open book, in person only) covering plumbing theory, the practice of plumbing and the state plumbing code, including 'the ability to gather information from an isometric drawing representing the practical side of plumbing' (PSI CIB); and (2) a hands-on practical skills examination conducted by LARA BCC and scored pass or fail (R 339.5114(3)). To schedule the practical, applicants email their name and applicant ID to [email protected]. R 339.5412(1) gives an applicant '365 days, beginning the date of receipt of the application, to achieve licensure'; failing to pass both parts in that window forfeits the fees paid and voids the application, and the applicant must then submit a new application and fees and pass both parts of the examination in effect on the date the new application is received. The LARA BCC information page adds: 'Application are only valid for one year. Passing examination scores do not carry over to new applications.'
Master Plumber examination with material take-off practical
Master Plumber candidates take a 130-question, 180-minute examination administered through PSI Services ($100 fee, 75% passing score), in person or, since February 11, 2026, online with a remote proctor. The examination includes a material take-off practical portion consisting of a drawing of back-to-back rest rooms: using the plumbing code, the candidate lists the required fittings, the vent and drain sizes, and the venting methods. Open-book references are the 2021 Michigan Plumbing Code Book ('Chapter tabs only'), with 1972 PA 230 and 2016 PA 407 provided on screen (PSI CIB effective 4/29/2026).
Plumbing Contractor license requirements and single-entity master qualifier rule
Engaging in the business of a plumbing contractor requires a Michigan Plumbing Contractor license (MCL 339.6107(1), 339.6111), and plumbing may not be performed unless the responsible plumbing contractor has obtained a permit (MCL 339.6107(1)). The applicant must be at least 18 and a sole proprietor, partner, corporate officer, or LLC member (MCL 339.6111(2); BCC-329), and must either hold a master plumber license or employ a master plumber as the contractor's representative (MCL 339.6111(1)). MCL 339.6113(3): 'A licensed master plumber shall represent only 1 plumbing contractor at any given time.' BCC-329 says the same: 'A Master Plumber can only "qualify" one Plumbing Contractor license at a time.' If the representing master plumber leaves, the contractor has 30 days to designate another and must notify the department in writing (MCL 339.6111(7)); R 339.5411 requires notice 'immediately' and allows the contractor license to be summarily suspended until a new master plumber is designated.
Advertising prohibitions for unlicensed persons
Michigan Administrative Code R 339.5102(1): 'An individual who does not hold a license issued under the act shall not advertise for work that requires a license, as that term is defined in section 105 of the act, MCL 339.5105.' R 339.5102(2): 'A violation of this rule constitutes false advertising pursuant to section 607(f) of the act, MCL 339.5607.' The rule applies to any unlicensed individual, not only to plumbing contractors.
Reciprocity and out-of-state credentials
Article 11 of the Skilled Trades Regulation Act (MCL 339.6101 to 339.6133) and the LARA BCC plumbing licensing page set out no general reciprocity or license-by-endorsement route for plumbers, and none was found in Article 2 (MCL 339.5201 to 339.5223). Two provisions do address out-of-state licensees. MCL 339.5219(1) lets the department grant a nonrenewable temporary license to an applicant who holds a current license in good standing in that occupation in another state and has never had a license denied, revoked, or suspended; it lasts until events such as the next examination results or issuance of a license (MCL 339.5219(2)). MCL 339.5223 provides licensure without examination only for members of the armed forces or uniformed services, veterans, and their dependents who hold a valid license from an equivalent authority in at least 1 other state, and requires among other things: '(i) The license or registration is in good standing and he or she has held that license or registration for at least 1 year.'; '(iv) The requirements for licensure or registration in the other state are substantially equivalent to or exceed the requirements of this act and any rule promulgated under this act for the license or registration.'; no revocation or surrender while under investigation; no unresolved discipline; and no pending complaint. BCC-329A describes the same route: 'Licensure without examination is possible IF the applicant' is a service member, veteran or dependent 'AND has an active, valid plumbing license in at least 1 other state of the United States', using the Military/Uniformed Services Examination Waiver Form.
Military service member, veteran, and dependent fee and exam waivers
MCL 339.5417: 'The department shall waive the fee for an initial license or initial registration that is otherwise required under this act, or an application processing fee charged by the department for an initial license or initial registration', for an applicant who is actively serving in the armed forces or uniformed services, an individual separated with an honorable or general (under honorable conditions) character of service shown on form DD214, DD215 or another satisfactory form, or a dependent of a service member or veteran. Forms BCC-3328 and BCC-329A carry the fee waiver; the section does not cover PSI examination fees. Licensure without examination for out-of-state licensed service members, veterans and dependents is governed by MCL 339.5223 (see Reciprocity), and MCL 339.5219(3) entitles a dependent who holds a current license in good standing elsewhere to a 6-month temporary license, renewable once for 6 months (MCL 339.5219(4)).

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a license to work as a plumber in Michigan?

Yes. Michigan licenses the individual plumber as well as the plumbing contractor entity. Under MCL 339.6107(1), a person shall not engage in or work at the business of a plumbing contractor, master plumber, journey plumber, or apprentice plumber unless that person is licensed or registered. Except for narrow statutory exemptions (minor repairs, building sewer/water service connections with permits, domestic water filtration, and homeowner installation on their own single-family home), only a licensed master or journey plumber may perform plumbing. On medical gas the two official statements conflict: MCL 339.6107(2)(e) says a license is not required for “The installation of medical gas piping, if the installation is performed under the supervision of a licensed plumbing contractor,” while LARA’s apprentice-ratio FAQ (question 7) says “Med-gas requires a plumbing license to conduct this activity.” An employed worker cannot rely solely on an employer’s license; they must personally hold an active Journey Plumber license or Apprentice Plumber registration.

How do you become a licensed Journey Plumber in Michigan?

An applicant must: (1) be at least 18; (2) have at least 6,000 hours of experience gained over at least 3 years as an apprentice plumber in the practical installation of plumbing under the supervision of a master plumber (MCL 339.6115(1)(d)(i)); (3) apply with notarized experience statements from employers and the $40 license fee; and (4) pass both parts of the journey examination within 365 days of the date LARA receives the application (R 339.5412(1)): a 125-question open-book written exam through PSI Services (75% passing score, $100 fee, in person only) and a hands-on practical skills exam conducted by LARA BCC. A veteran honorably discharged within the year before applying who served as a plumber or in an equivalent military job can qualify with a commanding officer’s affidavit of at least 6,000 hours of entry-level experience, and the department may in its discretion credit partial military experience (MCL 339.6115(1)(d)(ii), (2)).

What is the apprentice-to-journeyman ratio in Michigan?

Since April 2, 2025, MCL 339.6117a (added by 2024 PA 172) limits direct, on-site, in-person supervision to 1 journey or master plumber for not more than 2 apprentices, enforced on a jobsite basis. A plumbing contractor that violates the ratio is subject to a $5,000 administrative fine for a first violation, $10,000 for a second, and for a third a suspension of its contractor license of not less than 90 days, after which the license may be reinstated if the contractor passes the plumbing contractor examination.

How long is a Michigan plumbing apprentice registration valid, and when must you register?

An apprentice plumber must register with LARA not later than 30 days after employment (MCL 339.6117(1)). Under 2024 PA 172 (effective April 2, 2025), a registration is invalid 5 years after initial registration unless the apprentice applies for and takes the journey examination; the board may grant an extension on request (MCL 339.6117(2)-(3)). The registration must be renewed every year by April 30 ($15). Hours worked while the registration is lapsed or expired do not count toward the 6,000 hours required for journey licensure (BCC-3328).

How do you become a Master Plumber in Michigan?

An applicant must be at least 18, hold a journey plumber license, have 4,000 hours of experience as a journey plumber over not less than 2 years immediately preceding the application (MCL 339.6113(1)(d)), document it on notarized employer statements, and pass the PSI master examination (130 questions, 180 minutes, 75% passing score, including a material take-off portion). A lapse in the journey license affects master eligibility: LARA’s plumbing information page says “Any lapses in licensure in the 2 years immediately preceding the application will not meet requirements,” while its renewals page says “If your license lapses more than 60 days, your time accrual starts all over again towards becoming a master plumber.”

What is required to operate a plumbing contractor business in Michigan?

Engaging in the business of a plumbing contractor requires a Plumbing Contractor license (MCL 339.6107(1), 339.6111). The applicant must be a sole proprietor, partner, corporate officer, or LLC member, and must either hold a master plumber license or employ a master plumber as the contractor’s representative. A licensed master plumber may represent only 1 plumbing contractor at any given time (MCL 339.6113(3)). The applicant must pass a 50-question open-book contractor exam through PSI Services ($100 fee) covering 2016 PA 407, 1972 PA 230 and plumbing code administration, and pay the $300 license fee for a license of up to 3 years.

How often do Michigan plumbing licenses renew, and what are the fees?

Apprentice registrations and journey licenses renew every year by April 30 ($15 and $40). Master and contractor licenses renew every 3 years by April 30 ($300 each). LARA’s renewals page lists late fees of $20 (apprentice) and $100 (journey, master, contractor) if you do not renew before expiration. For journey plumbers the statute differs: MCL 339.6121(3)(a) sets a $50 relicensure fee, plus the renewal fee, once 60 days have passed. If you hold both a contractor license and the qualifying master license, entering the contractor license number renews both, and only the contractor fee is paid (MCL 339.6113(4)).

Does Michigan require continuing education for plumbers?

Michigan has no annual continuing education hour requirement for plumbers. Instead, MCL 339.6113(2) and 339.6115(3) require master and journey plumbers, as a condition of renewal, to complete a board-approved course on any update or change in the state construction code within 12 months after the change; the requirement applies only in years when the code changes. Proof is submitted only if you are audited, and the Bureau tracks code update courses through CE Broker. Apprentices and plumbing contractors (for that license) have no code update requirement.

Does Michigan offer plumbing license reciprocity with other states?

No general reciprocity route for plumbers was found in the Skilled Trades Regulation Act or on LARA’s plumbing licensing page. A holder of a current out-of-state license in good standing may be granted a nonrenewable temporary license while applying (MCL 339.5219). Licensure without examination is available only to service members, veterans and their dependents who have held a substantially equivalent out-of-state license in good standing for at least 1 year and meet the other conditions of MCL 339.5223, using the Military/Uniformed Services Examination Waiver Form referenced on BCC-329A.

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Sources & verification

Last verified against these sources: October 9, 2026.

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LicensingAtlas states licensing and certification requirements categorically from official sources. It is a reference, not legal or career advice, and requirements change frequently — confirm details with the issuing board before you act.