Requirements, license levels, and the issuing authority, sourced from Michigan's official board.
The per-classification structure is the thing to plan around: three years and one examination buys one classification, and a contractor who wants to quote both ductwork and refrigeration needs both. It also means the license itself tells a customer exactly what the holder may legally install.
| Requirements | MICHIGAN LICENSES MECHANICAL WORK BY CLASSIFICATION, NOT AS ONE TRADE. A mechanical contractor holds a license in each specific work classification they intend to perform, HVAC equipment, ductwork, refrigeration, hydronic and fuel-gas work are licensed separately, and the license names them. EXPERIENCE: a minimum of THREE YEARS of experience in EACH work classification applied for. The three years does not transfer between classifications, so a technician adding a second classification serves the experience for that one too. EXAMINATION: a separate examination must be taken and passed FOR EACH work classification desired. |
| Reciprocity | LARA publishes no standing mechanical reciprocity list; an out-of-state applicant applies to the bureau and should expect to sit the Michigan examination for each classification sought. |
| Renewal | An initial or renewal mechanical contractor's license expires on 31 AUGUST EVERY THIRD YEAR, and is renewed by filing an application and paying the fee on or before 31 OCTOBER. The renewal fee is $300.00, with a $100.00 late fee after expiry. A license expired MORE THAN THREE YEARS cannot be renewed: the holder must re-apply and re-test. Code-update courses are NOT required for the mechanical contractor license. |
| Notes | The per-classification structure is the thing to plan around: three years and one examination buys one classification, and a contractor who wants to quote both ductwork and refrigeration needs both. It also means the license itself tells a customer exactly what the holder may legally install. |
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Sources: www.michigan.gov, www.michigan.gov, www.michigan.gov, www.legislature.mi.gov. Always confirm current requirements with the issuing authority.
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