Michigan Contractor License Lookup

Michigan licenses residential builders and residential maintenance and alteration contractors for jobs of $600 or more. Electrical, plumbing and mechanical (HVAC) contractors need trade licenses. Search contractors on the official site of the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes (residential builders, M&A contractors, electrical, plumbing, mechanical), and see the rules for trades and the job price where each applies. Runs in your browser; nothing is stored.

Search Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes (residential builders, M&A contractors, electrical, plumbing, mechanical)

Michigan rules checked against official sources on October 25, 2026.

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Labor and materials together, in dollars. Leave it blank to see the state's dollar limits.

Michigan: Remodel, repair or home improvement

  • This state rule applies to jobs of $600 or more. Credential: residential builder or maintenance and alteration contractor license.

    Building, remodeling or repairing a 1- or 2-family home or a townhouse of up to 3 stories for pay requires a LARA residential builder or maintenance and alteration contractor license when the project totals $600 or more. Source: MCL 339.601(1); 339.2401(a)-(c); 339.2403(b), (f)

    Conditions and exceptions for this rule:

    • Splitting a larger job into contracts under $600 does not avoid the license.
    • An owner working on a structure for their own use and occupancy is exempt.

Look up a contractor on the official site

Search Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes (residential builders, M&A contractors, electrical, plumbing, mechanical)

Search for a licensee by license type or license number.

What to check on the board's record

  • The name or business on the record matches the name on your contract or estimate.
  • The status is active, not expired, suspended or revoked.
  • The license type or class covers your kind of job.
  • The license number in the contractor's ads and contract is the same one.

This summarises state rules from official sources. Only the board's own record can confirm one contractor's license. Checked October 25, 2026.

How Michigan licenses contractors

Michigan licenses residential builders and residential maintenance and alteration contractors for jobs of $600 or more. Electrical, plumbing and mechanical (HVAC) contractors need trade licenses. MCL 339.601(1); 339.2401; 339.2403(f)

An unlicensed residential builder or maintenance and alteration contractor cannot sue to collect payment for work that required a license. MCL 339.2412(1)

Rules by type of work

Home improvement, new homes and roofing

  • residential builder or maintenance and alteration contractor license (residential): Building, remodeling or repairing a 1- or 2-family home or a townhouse of up to 3 stories for pay requires a LARA residential builder or maintenance and alteration contractor license when the project totals $600 or more. Issued by Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes (residential builders, M&A contractors, electrical, plumbing, mechanical). MCL 339.601(1); 339.2401(a)-(c); 339.2403(b), (f)
    • Splitting a larger job into contracts under $600 does not avoid the license.
    • An owner working on a structure for their own use and occupancy is exempt.

Electrical work

  • electrical contractor license (state or municipal): Electrical contracting in Michigan requires an electrical contractor's license from the state Electrical Administrative Board or from the municipality. Issued by Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes (residential builders, M&A contractors, electrical, plumbing, mechanical). MCL 339.5737(1)

Plumbing

  • plumbing contractor license: Plumbing contractors and master, journey and apprentice plumbers in Michigan must be licensed or registered under the state plumbing law. Issued by Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes (residential builders, M&A contractors, electrical, plumbing, mechanical). MCL 339.6107(1)

Heating and air conditioning (HVAC)

  • mechanical contractor license: Installing, altering or servicing code-regulated mechanical systems such as heating and air conditioning in Michigan requires a state mechanical contractor's license and the required permit. Issued by Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes (residential builders, M&A contractors, electrical, plumbing, mechanical). MCL 339.5809(1)

Where to look up contractors in Michigan

  • Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes (residential builders, M&A contractors, electrical, plumbing, mechanical): official license search. Search for a licensee by license type or license number.

On the record, check that the name matches your contract, the status is active (not expired, suspended or revoked), the license type covers your job, and the license number matches the one the contractor gave you.

What this tool does not do

  • It does not check any one contractor. Only the board's own record shows whether a license is active and what it covers.
  • It covers state rules. Cities and counties can add their own licenses and permits, and the tool cannot list every local rule.
  • It does not decide whether a contractor broke the law or what you can recover. For a dispute, contact the board or a lawyer.
  • It does not cover every specialty trade a state licenses (for example pest control, elevators or well drilling).

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I look up a contractor license in Michigan?

Use the official online license search from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes (residential builders, M&A contractors, electrical, plumbing, mechanical). Search by the contractor's name, business name or license number, and check that the status is active and the license type covers your job.

Do you need a contractor license for a small job in Michigan?

Building, remodeling or repairing a 1- or 2-family home or a townhouse of up to 3 stories for pay requires a LARA residential builder or maintenance and alteration contractor license when the project totals $600 or more. For jobs under $600, this state rule generally does not apply, but the conditions and exceptions listed on this page can change that, and a city or county can require its own license.

Which trades need a state license in Michigan?

Electrical: electrical contractor license (state or municipal) from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes (residential builders, M&A contractors, electrical, plumbing, mechanical). Plumbing: plumbing contractor license from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes (residential builders, M&A contractors, electrical, plumbing, mechanical). HVAC: mechanical contractor license from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes (residential builders, M&A contractors, electrical, plumbing, mechanical).

What happens if a Michigan contractor works without a required license?

An unlicensed residential builder or maintenance and alteration contractor cannot sue to collect payment for work that required a license.

Sources

Checked against official Michigan sources on October 25, 2026.

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