Key takeaways:
If you’re considering a plumbing career in Michigan, understanding the licensing process is essential for starting and advancing in this growing trade.
- Licensing is required at all levels. Anyone performing plumbing work in Michigan should hold a state-issued license, progressing through apprentice, journeyman, and master levels, with a separate contractor license to operate a business.
- Different requirements for each licensing journey. Becoming a licensed plumber involves specific requirements, including minimum age, supervised work experience, passing exams, and paying associated fees for registration, application, and exams.
- Step-by-step licensing process. Start by registering as an apprentice, accumulate required work hours under supervision, apply and pass exams for journeyman and master licenses, and meet further criteria for contractor licensing and business ownership.
- Ongoing education and compliance. Journeymen and master plumbers should complete approved continuing education whenever plumbing codes update, and license renewals must be done on time to avoid penalties.
- Licensing boosts earning potential and business growth. Higher-level licenses lead to increased pay and business opportunities. Master plumbers and licensed contractors earn more and can independently run or grow their operations.
Stay up to date with essential industry tips and licensing advice. Sign up for the Jobber Newsletter.
Originally published in December 2022. Last updated on August 1, 2025.
If you’re looking for a financially stable career in a competitive job market, look no further than becoming a plumber in Michigan. For that, you’ll need a plumbing license to set yourself up for an exciting future.
The state has a consistent demand for plumbers, and that doesn’t appear to be ending anytime soon. The industry is projected to grow by 2032, adding around 1,300 new plumbing jobs every year for the next 7 years. Now is the time to get your license and capitalize on this increase in demand.
Interested in getting your plumbing license in Michigan but unsure where to start? We’ll cover everything you need to know—from apprentice, to journeyman, to master plumber:
What you need to know about getting your plumbing license:
-
Do you need a license to do plumbing in Michigan?
-
Types of plumbing licenses in Michigan
-
Michigan plumbing license requirements
-
How do I get a Michigan plumbing license?
-
Michigan plumbing license costs
-
How do I renew my Michigan plumbing license?
-
Requirements for business owners
-
Does a plumbing license in Michigan increase your earning potential?
Make sure to bookmark this page for future reference on all Michigan plumbing license questions.
Do you need a license to do plumbing in Michigan?
Yes, you must hold a plumbing license to perform any plumbing work in Michigan. Licenses are issued by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).
Earning your license allows you to legally perform plumbing work, such as installing or repairing plumbing fixtures, replacing pipe systems, and cleaning drains. With a license, plumbers can work on both residential and commercial projects.
You’ll need to start the licensing process with a plumbing apprenticeship. As you continue to earn experience, you can apply for higher-level licenses that allow you to do more types of plumbing work with less supervision until you have your master plumbing license.
To run your own plumbing business, you’ll need to get your Michigan plumbing contractor license.
Types of plumbing licenses in Michigan
Michigan offers three types of plumbing licenses that vary in the type of work you’re allowed to do:
- Apprentice: able to perform limited duties under the supervision of a journeyman or master plumber
- Journeyman: an entry-level license that allows individuals to work independently under the supervision of a master
- Master: the highest license level that allows individuals to supervise journeymen, pull permits for projects, or run their plumbing businesses
- Plumbing Contractor: able to run a plumbing business and hire apprentices, journeymen, and master plumbers
Applicants must first register as an apprentice to start earning experience.
Michigan plumbing license requirements
Applicants must meet the following general requirements to be eligible for a plumbing license:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Provide a copy of your social security card
- Register as an apprentice
- Fulfill the necessary education and training requirements
- Pass any licensing examination
- Pay any applicable fees
Each stage of your licensing journey comes with requirements to reach the next level. These specific requirements include:
Apprentice:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Register as an apprentice within 30 days of being hired
- Pay $15 registration fee
Journeyman:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Complete 6,000 hours of work experience as a registered plumbing apprentice, and at least 3 years under the supervision of a master plumber
- Submit an application for a license and exam
- Pay $100 exam fee and pass written and practical skills exams
- Pay $40 licensing fee
Master:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Complete 4,000 hours of work experience as a licensed journeyman in at least 2 years
- Submit an application for a license and exam
- Pay $100 exam fee and pass the exam
- Pay $300 licensing fee
Plumbing Contractor:
- Be a licensed master plumber or employ a master plumber
- Be an officer of an LLC or corporation, or the owner of a sole proprietorship or partnership
- Provide 5 years worth of business or employment records, including addresses, type of business or employment
- Provide the name of the owner of the business or a member of the company, and the name of the applicant if it is different than the name of the business owner
- Provide the name, address, and license number of the master plumber representing the applicant (cannot receive a license without a master plumber representative)
- Submit an application for a license and exam
- Pay the exam fee of $100 and pass the exam
- Pay the $300 licensing fee
How do I get a Michigan plumbing license?
It takes around three years to earn a journeyman license and five years to earn a master license. The plumbing license application process varies depending on the path plumbers take to meet the experience requirement. The process is as follows:
- Register as an apprentice: To start the licensing process, applicants must register as an apprentice and pay the registration fee. Applicants must complete registration at least 30 days before employment.
- Gain the necessary experience: Applicants must complete three years of work experience as an apprentice to be eligible for the journeyman license. To qualify for a master license, applicants must have completed two years of work as a licensed journeyman. For a contractor license, applicants must hold a master plumbing license.
- Apply to take the exam: After an applicant gains the necessary experience to qualify for a journeyman or master license, they’ll need to submit an application for examination. The journeyman application can be found here, and the application for the master/contractor plumbing license can be found here. You can also complete the application forms online through the LARA portal.
- Pass the exam: Applicants must pass a licensing exam to receive a journeyman or master level license. Exams are administered through PSI, and both tests require a 75% or higher score to pass.
Applications can be sent to:
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Bureau of Construction Codes / Licensing Section
P.O. Box 30255, Lansing, MI 48909
Michigan plumbing license exam
To earn a journeyman or master plumbing license, applicants must pass a licensing exam. The exams are administered in person through PSI Exams. Applicants will submit their application for a license, and the board will approve or deny permission to sit for the licensing exam.
Once the Board approves an application, applicants will receive a Candidate Information Bulletin with information on how to schedule their exam. Applicants will need to bring two forms of identification, one government-issued ID with a signature and picture and the other with a signature and pre-printed name.
The Michigan journeyman plumber test consists of 125 questions, and applicants will have three hours to complete it. The exam will test applicants’ knowledge on the following topics:
- Plumbing theory
- The practice of plumbing
- Knowledge of the state plumbing code, rules, and regulations
The master license exam consists of 130 questions, and applicants will have three hours to complete it. The exam will test applicants’ knowledge on the following topics:
- The science and practice of plumbing
- Knowledge of the state plumbing code, rules, and regulations
The contractor license exam consists of 50 questions, and applicants will have two hours to complete it. The exam will test applicants’ knowledge on the following topics:
- Knowledge of the Skilled Trades Regulations Act, 2016 PA 407 (and any rules promulgated under this act)
- Knowledge of the Stille-Derossett-Hale single state construction code act (1972 PA 230)
- Knowledge of the administration and enforcement procedures of the Michigan Plumbing Code
All exams are open book and require applicants to score a 75% or higher to pass.
Continuing education for plumbers in Michigan
All journeyman and master plumbers in Michigan are required to take a state-approved training course whenever there is a plumbing code update. There is no fixed schedule for code updates, but they often happen every few years.
LARA has a partnership with CE Broker to maintain an active list of code update courses, as well as a list of course providers, and tracking of continuing education status for licensees. Journeyman and master plumbers can go through CE Broker to understand any continuing education they need to complete and where they can go to take the right course.
Does my Michigan plumbing license work in any other states?
Michigan does not currently offer any reciprocity for plumbing licenses. However, as a result of legislation in 2020, current military personnel, veterans, and their dependents may be eligible for license reciprocity.
Applicants will need to check with the Board to determine if their criterion is eligible for reciprocity.
Michigan plumbing license costs
There are a few costs associated with earning a plumbing license. You can expect to pay about $140 to get a journeyman license and $400 to get a master license.
EXAMINATION
- Journeyman license exam fee: $100
- Master license exam fee: $100
- Contractor license exam fee: $100
APPLICATION
- Apprentice registration: $15
- Journeyman license application fee: $40
- Master license application fee: $300
- Contractor license application fee: $300
RENEWAL
- Journeyman license renewal: $40
- Master license renewal: $300
How do I renew my Michigan plumbing license?
In order to maintain an active plumbing license in Michigan, applicants must renew their license before it expires. Journeyman licenses need to be renewed annually, and master licenses must be renewed every three years.
To renew a license, applicants must complete the renewal process within the LARA online portal and pay the renewal fee for their license type.
What happens if my plumbing license expires?
If your plumbing license expires, you must stop any plumbing work immediately to avoid fines or penalties. If caught performing plumbing work in Michigan without a license, you could face a fine of up to $5,000 and up to one year of jail time.
You can check your license status using the Michigan plumbing license verification tool. If your license has expired, pay any late fees and complete the renewal process as soon as you can to reactivate your license.
Requirements for business owners
If you’re looking to start a plumbing business, you’ll need to take a few additional steps beyond receiving your license. Only those with a master license can operate a plumbing business.
When starting a business, you’ll first need to establish the structure in which you’ll operate. You can choose from business structures such as an LLC, sole proprietorship, or partnership. Once you decide on your business structure, you’ll need to choose a name and register your business with your local government.
In addition, you’ll need to meet the following requirements to start your business:
- Get the necessary insurance: Business owners must obtain general liability, workers’ compensation, and commercial automobile insurance. In Michigan, business owners must maintain at least $300,000 in property damage insurance and $100,000 in general liability insurance.
- Obtain the necessary permits: The specific permits you need will depend on the local jurisdiction of the location where the project will take place. Check with your local Building and Codes office to determine the specific permits you’ll need.
On average, it costs around $10,000 to get all the tools, equipment, and insurance needed to start a plumbing business. If needed, you can apply for a small business loan to help cover the initial costs. You can also check with your local government to see if any small business grants are available.
Does a plumbing license in Michigan increase your earning potential?
Not only is a plumbing license required to do plumbing work in Michigan, it can also boost your earning potential. As you gain more experience, you qualify for higher license levels that typically come with higher pay.
For example, the median annual wage for plumbers in the U.S. is $62,970. The lowest 10% earn less than $40,670, while the top 10% make over $105,150.
In Michigan, experienced plumbers—especially those who become master plumbers—can earn even more. Master plumbers in the state average around $69,774 per year, and salaries continue to grow with additional experience, specialized skills, or owning a business. Simply put, the more you advance, the more you can earn.