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How to get an electrician license in Michigan

Hours, exam, fees, renewal and continuing education for Michigan, pulled from official MI sources and checked .

Quick answer
  • Licensing body: Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes
  • State journeyman license: Yes (LARA issues the electrical journeyman license under the Skilled Trades Regulation Act (MCL 339.5715). The City of Detroit issues its own licenses.)
  • Electrical Journeyman: 8,000 hours over at least 4 years as a registered electrical apprentice, in electrical construction or maintenance, under the direct supervision of a Michigan-licensed journeyman or master electrician. You must be at least 20, and some credit may be given for a recognized training or education program.
  • Exam: open book, via PSI
  • Code edition: All electrical exams are based on the 2023 National Electrical Code and the 2023 Michigan Electrical Code Rules Part 8.

Requirements by license

Electrical Journeyman

Experience8,000 hours over at least 4 years as a registered electrical apprentice, in electrical construction or maintenance, under the direct supervision of a Michigan-licensed journeyman or master electrician. You must be at least 20, and some credit may be given for a recognized training or education program.Source: legislature.mi.gov · as of · Apprentice and supervision details: michigan.gov
ExamPSI. Open book. 80 questions, 150 minutes, 75% to pass. Bring the NEC (factory tabs or highlights only), 2016 PA 407, 1972 PA 230 and Michigan Electrical Code Rules Part 8, bound; questions are based on the 2023 NEC. After 2 failed attempts within 2 years, wait 1 year and take a Board-approved course.Source: test-takers.psiexams.com · as of · PSI bulletin effective 8/20/2026. Retake rule: legislature.mi.gov
Fees
  • Exam (paid to PSI): $100
  • Initial license: $40
  • Late renewal fee: $50
Source: legislature.mi.gov · as of · Late fee: michigan.gov
RenewalEvery year. Expires December 31 each year; you can renew up to 90 days before, online or with Express Pay. $40 to renew; $50 late fee after it expires.Source: michigan.gov · as of
CE to renewNo yearly CE hours. You need a Board-approved course on code updates only within 12 months after Michigan updates its construction code, which does not happen every year. Keep the certificate; you send it only if audited.Source: legislature.mi.gov · as of · MCL 339.5715(4). Renewal page: michigan.gov

Master Electrician

Experience12,000 hours over at least 6 years, including 4,000 hours as a licensed electrical journeyman, and at least 2 years holding the journeyman license. You must be at least 22.Source: michigan.gov · as of
ExamPSI. Open book. 76 questions, 180 minutes, 75% to pass. Same open-book references as the journeyman exam.Source: test-takers.psiexams.com · as of · PSI bulletin effective 8/20/2026.
Fees
  • Exam (paid to PSI): $100
  • Initial license: $50
  • Late renewal fee: $50
Source: legislature.mi.gov · as of · Late fee: michigan.gov
RenewalEvery year. Expires December 31 each year; you can renew up to 90 days before. $50 to renew; $50 late fee after it expires.Source: michigan.gov · as of
CE to renewNo yearly CE hours. You need a Board-approved course on code updates only within 12 months after Michigan updates its construction code, which does not happen every year. Keep the certificate; you send it only if audited.Source: michigan.gov · as of

Electrical Contractor

ExperienceNo exam or experience of its own: you must hold a Master Electrician license, or have a full-time employee who is a Michigan-resident master electrician in charge of code compliance. A master can qualify only one contractor at a time.Source: legislature.mi.gov · as of · LARA page: michigan.gov
ExamNo state exam. LARA no longer requires an exam for the Electrical Contractor license; you still apply for it.Source: michigan.gov · as of
Fees
  • 3-year license or renewal (prorated for a new license issued mid-cycle): $300
  • Late renewal fee: $50
Source: legislature.mi.gov · as of · Late fee: michigan.gov
RenewalEvery 3 years. Expires December 31 of every third year; renew up to 90 days before. $300 to renew; $50 late fee. If the qualifying master electrician lapses, the contractor license is put on hold.Source: michigan.gov · as of
CE to renewNone required for the contractor license itself (the master electrician follows the master rules).Source: michigan.gov · as of

License types in Michigan

  • Electrical Apprentice (registration)
  • Electrical Journeyman
  • Master Electrician
  • Electrical Contractor (needs a master electrician)
  • Fire Alarm Specialty Technician
  • Sign Specialist
  • City of Detroit: local licenses and registrations
Source: michigan.gov · as of

Reciprocity (licensed in another state?)

None. Michigan does not hold reciprocity with any other state or country. Out-of-state applicants send a copy of their license and that jurisdiction's licensing requirements (hours, schooling and other requirements) for review.Source: michigan.gov · as of

What we couldn't confirm yet

We only publish what we can tie to an official source. These items aren't published anywhere we could verify, so ask the office listed:

FAQ

Does Michigan have a state journeyman electrician license?

Yes. LARA issues the Michigan electrical journeyman license; you need 8,000 hours over at least 4 years as a registered apprentice under a licensed electrician, must be at least 20, and must pass the PSI exam.

Is the Michigan journeyman electrician exam open book?

Yes. The PSI journeyman exam is open book with the NEC and the Michigan acts and rules; it has 80 questions in 150 minutes and takes 75% to pass.

How do you become a master electrician in Michigan?

You need 12,000 hours over at least 6 years, including 4,000 hours as a licensed journeyman held for at least 2 years, must be at least 22, and must pass the 76-question PSI master exam.

Does Michigan have electrician license reciprocity?

No. Michigan does not hold reciprocity with any other state; out-of-state applicants send their license and that state's requirements for review.

Already licensed? See Michigan electrician license renewal & CE requirements.

Other states

Compare every state side by side: license requirements by state · renewal & CE by state.