Michigan Contractor Licensing: Maintenance and Alteration Requirements

In Michigan, contractors who perform certain residential construction and repair work for pay may need a state license before starting a job. The right credential depends on the type of work: a residential builder license covers broader construction, while a maintenance and alteration contractor license is limited to specified trades. Knowing which rules apply helps contractors avoid enforcement problems and gives homeowners a practical way to check credentials.

What a Michigan Maintenance and Alteration Contractor License Covers

Michigan’s Residential Builders and Maintenance and Alteration Contractors program is administered by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). A maintenance and alteration contractor, often called an M&A contractor, is licensed to perform work within one or more approved categories on residential structures. The license is not a general authorization to do every type of construction.

Michigan law generally requires a license when a person, for compensation, undertakes residential construction, alteration, repair, or related work covered by the statute. The state’s definition of a residential structure generally includes a house, townhouse, condominium, or apartment building with up to four units, along with certain associated structures. The legal definitions and exceptions are in Michigan’s Occupational Code, Article 24.

The key distinction is scope: a residential builder license allows broader residential building work, while an M&A license authorizes only the licensed specialty or specialties. A contractor should confirm the required credential before advertising, contracting, or beginning work.

Michigan M&A License Categories

An applicant selects the category or categories that match the work they intend to perform. LARA’s current application materials and exam guidance should be checked for the complete, up-to-date category list and descriptions. Commonly recognized categories include:

• Carpentry: covered carpentry work on residential structures.
• Concrete: specified residential concrete work.
• Excavation: covered excavation work associated with residential construction.
• Insulation work: installation of insulation within the category’s scope.
• Masonry: covered masonry work.
• Roofing: residential roofing work within the license category.
• Siding: installation or repair of residential siding.
• Swimming pools: covered pool construction or alteration work.
• Tile and related work: work included in the applicable category.
• Other specialties: categories may include such work as basement waterproofing, gutters, screens and storm sash, or house wrecking.

These examples are not a substitute for checking the state’s official category descriptions. Similar-sounding work can fall into different licensing or trade-permit rules depending on what is actually being installed or changed. For example, a project involving roofing, structural framing, and electrical work may require multiple licensed professionals rather than one M&A contractor operating outside their category.

When a License Is Required—and When an Exemption May Apply

A contractor should assume state licensing rules apply when performing covered residential work for compensation unless a specific legal exemption fits the situation. The statute includes exemptions for certain types of work and people, but an exemption is not a general license to perform regulated work as a business. Contractors should review the exact statutory language or ask LARA when a project is close to an exemption boundary.

Some important considerations include:

• Owner-performed work: An owner working on the owner’s own property may be treated differently from a contractor hired to perform work for pay. A property owner should not assume that hiring an unlicensed contractor is allowed simply because the owner could do the work personally.
• Employees and subcontractors: The relationship between a worker and a licensed contractor matters. A worker may be covered while working as an employee or under a properly licensed contractor, but that does not automatically authorize the worker to take independent contracts or advertise independently.
• Specialized trades: Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work can involve separate state or local licensing and permitting requirements. An M&A license in another category does not replace those credentials.
• Commercial projects: The residential builder and M&A program is focused on covered residential structures. Other rules may apply to commercial construction, public projects, or work regulated by a municipality.

Contractors should not rely on a project’s small price, a homeowner’s request, or an informal description such as “handyman work” as proof that no license is needed. The scope of work and the statutory rules matter. When uncertain, contact LARA before signing the contract.

How to Apply for a Michigan M&A Contractor License

Applicants should use LARA’s current instructions, forms, and approved education information. Requirements can change, so the state application page is more reliable than an old checklist or third-party summary. In general, an applicant should expect to complete these steps:

1. Choose the correct license and category. Identify the M&A category that matches the work. Applicants seeking broader residential construction authority should compare the M&A credential with the residential builder license.
2. Complete required prelicensure education. Michigan requires approved prelicensure education for applicants covered by the requirement. The required course and any applicable exceptions should be confirmed with LARA before enrollment.
3. Pass the required examination. Applicants generally must pass the applicable business and law examination and the trade examination for the selected category or categories. Exam registration, scheduling, and candidate bulletins are handled through the state’s designated testing provider.
4. Submit the application and fee. Follow the current application instructions, provide required information, and pay the applicable state fee. An incomplete application can delay approval.
5. Wait for license approval before contracting or working. Passing an exam alone is not the same as holding an active license. Confirm that the license has been issued and is in good standing.

Current application details are available through LARA’s occupational licensing resources. Examination candidates should use the exam provider linked by LARA and read the current candidate bulletin for eligible exams, identification rules, fees, and scheduling procedures.

Education and Examinations

Prelicensure education is intended to prepare applicants for the business, legal, and practical responsibilities of contracting. Course providers and requirements should be verified against LARA’s approved information. Applicants should also confirm whether previously completed education qualifies; a course that sounds relevant may not satisfy Michigan’s approval rules.

The examination process typically tests both general contracting knowledge and trade-specific knowledge. The business and law portion may address contracts, legal responsibilities, business practices, and applicable regulations. The trade portion focuses on the selected specialty. The exact exam format, passing score, time limits, and permitted reference materials are determined by the current testing instructions.

Practical preparation matters: study the official candidate bulletin, use the references it identifies, and schedule enough time to prepare for each required section. If an applicant fails an exam, retesting rules and fees may apply. Those details should be checked with the exam provider rather than assumed.

License Renewal and Continuing Competency

A Michigan M&A license must be kept active through timely renewal and compliance with continuing competency requirements. Licensees should monitor the expiration date shown in LARA’s records and complete any required education within the applicable period. Renewal instructions, fees, and continuing education rules can vary by credential status and may be updated by the state.

Contractors should maintain documentation of completed courses and review the state’s current renewal guidance before submitting an application. A license that has expired, been suspended, or otherwise become inactive may not authorize work. Checking status through LARA’s license verification system is a useful step before accepting a job or renewing a business relationship.

Renewal is also a good time to review business information. A licensee should make sure contact details are current and confirm that the business name used in contracts and advertising is consistent with applicable state requirements. A company’s registration with the state does not, by itself, replace the individual or entity licensing requirements that apply to the work.

Permits, Inspections, and Separate Trade Rules

A contractor license does not automatically serve as a building permit. Depending on the project, the local building department may require a permit, plan review, inspection, or other approval. Michigan communities administer many building-code and permit functions locally, so requirements can differ by city, township, or county.

Before work begins, the contractor should contact the authority having jurisdiction and determine which permits are required. This is particularly important for structural changes, additions, major renovations, and work involving electrical, plumbing, or mechanical systems. Separate licensing or registration may be required for those trades, and a local inspector may require work to be performed by an appropriately credentialed professional.

Federal rules may also apply. For example, paid renovation, repair, or painting work that disturbs paint in pre-1978 housing may be subject to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule. Contractors should consult the EPA’s RRP program guidance to determine whether firm certification, renovator training, lead-safe work practices, and records are required.

Contracts, Advertising, and Consumer Protection

Clear written agreements reduce misunderstandings and help document the scope of work. A residential contract should explain the work to be performed, materials, price or payment terms, schedule, change-order process, and responsibilities for permits and inspections. Contractors should avoid promising work outside their licensed category or implying that a license covers trades for which they have no authorization.

Homeowners can verify a contractor’s license through LARA’s online license search. They should confirm that the name and license status match the person or business offering the work, and that the credential covers the relevant category. A license check is one part of due diligence; it does not guarantee workmanship, financial stability, or a particular project outcome.

Contractors should also keep copies of signed agreements, change orders, permits, inspection records, invoices, and customer communications. These records can help resolve disputes and show that work was performed within the agreed scope. Before advertising, contractors should verify that claims about licensure, bonding, insurance, and warranties are accurate.

Common Michigan Contractor Licensing Mistakes

• Assuming an M&A license is unlimited: It authorizes only the category or categories listed on the license.
• Starting work before approval: Exam completion or an application submission does not necessarily mean the license is active.
• Confusing licensing with permits: A state contractor license does not eliminate local permit and inspection requirements.
• Overlooking other trades: Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work may require separate credentials.
• Relying on outdated online advice: Requirements, forms, fees, and exam procedures can change. LARA and the current exam bulletin are the controlling references.
• Letting a license lapse: Contractors should track renewal dates and complete required continuing competency before the deadline.

Where to Verify Michigan Requirements

The most dependable sources are the Michigan Occupational Code and LARA’s current licensing materials. The statute establishes the legal framework, while LARA provides application instructions, license verification, and program updates. Local building departments provide project-specific information about permits and inspections. For federal lead-safe renovation questions, the EPA’s RRP program is the authoritative resource.

Before taking a residential job, a contractor can use a simple compliance check: identify the structure and work scope, confirm the required license category, verify active status, check separate trade credentials, and contact the local building department about permits. That process helps protect the contractor’s business and gives property owners a clearer basis for evaluating the people they hire.