Michigan licenses every plumber at the state level. Here are the apprentice registration rules, the 6,000 hour journey requirement, the master plumber path, the PSI exams at 75%, and every LARA fee.
Michigan licenses plumbers at the state level. Every rung, from registered apprentice to journey plumber to master plumber, is issued by the Bureau of Construction Codes (BCC) inside the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) under the Skilled Trades Regulation Act, 2016 PA 407. A journey plumber license takes at least 6,000 hours over at least 3 years as a registered apprentice, and a master license takes 4,000 more hours over at least 2 years as a journey plumber. For the wider licensing picture, start with the Michigan contractor license requirements, and for every other state see how to get a contractor license in each state.
At a glance
- Who issues it: LARA's Bureau of Construction Codes, under Article 11 of the Skilled Trades Regulation Act.
- Journey plumber: 6,000 hours over at least 3 years as a registered apprentice, then a written exam and a hands on practical.
- Master plumber: 4,000 hours over at least 2 years as a licensed journey plumber, then a 130 question exam.
- The exams: run by PSI, $100 per attempt, open book, 75% to pass.
- Renewal: apprentice and journey every year by April 30; master every 3 years by April 30.
This guide covers the individual licenses: how apprentice hours count, each exam, the state fees, and the renewal traps that can reset your clock. The company license has its own exam and is covered in our Michigan plumbing contractor license guide.
Who Licenses Plumbers in Michigan
Plumbing in Michigan is governed by Article 11 of the Skilled Trades Regulation Act (MCL 339.6101 to 339.6133), administered by the BCC with the State Plumbing Board. No one may work as a plumbing contractor, master, journey plumber or apprentice unless licensed or registered, and apart from listed exemptions, only a licensed master or journey plumber may perform plumbing (MCL 339.6107(1)).
Local governments cannot add their own plumbing license: MCL 339.6125(1) bars a governmental subdivision from requiring local licensing.
That contrasts with building. Michigan's builder licenses under MCL 339.2401 cover residential structures (a detached 1 or 2 family dwelling, or a townhouse of not more than 3 stories), and there is no statewide commercial general contractor license, yet plumbing is licensed at every level. See the Michigan general contractor guide.
The Four Michigan Plumbing Credentials
Three rungs are for individuals; the fourth is the business license a master plumber stands behind.
| Credential | What it takes | Exam | LARA fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbing apprentice | Register within 30 days of hire | None | $15 a year |
| Journey plumber | 6,000 hours over at least 3 years | Written plus hands on practical | $40 a year |
| Master plumber | 4,000 hours over 2 years as journey | Written, 130 questions | $300 per 3 years |
| Plumbing contractor | A master plumber of record | Written, 50 questions | $300 per 3 years |
Notes on the table
- Fees are set in MCL 339.6121; each PSI exam attempt adds $100 (MCL 339.6121(5)).
- Master and contractor: a master plumber who is also the plumbing contractor pays only the contractor fee (MCL 339.6113(4)).
- The contractor license has its own exam and rules, covered in the plumbing contractor guide linked above.
Registering as a Plumbing Apprentice
An individual employed as an apprentice plumber must register with LARA on the department's form no later than 30 days after employment (MCL 339.6117(1)). The registration form, BCC-3328, asks for the sponsoring employer's contractor license number, the licensed master plumber's name and license number, and the hire date. The fee is $15, and the form waives the initial fee for active service members, honorably discharged veterans and their dependents with proof.
Since April 2, 2025, an apprentice must work under the direct, on-site, in-person supervision of a journey or master plumber (MCL 339.6117(4), amended by 2024 PA 172). The ratio is 1 journey or master plumber to not more than 2 apprentices, enforced on a jobsite basis (MCL 339.6117a). LARA's ratio FAQ confirms that apprentice registrations are not denied based on ratios; the penalties fall on the plumbing contractor.
The registration renews every year by April 30, and LARA's renewals page warns that time without an active registration does not count toward the journey hours. A registration also becomes invalid 5 years after initial registration unless the apprentice applies for and takes the journey exam, though the board may extend it on request (MCL 339.6117(2) and (3)).
Journey Plumber (Journeyman) License: 6,000 Hours Over 3 Years
Under MCL 339.6115, LARA issues a journey plumber license to an individual who is at least 18, files the application, pays the exam fee and passes the exam, pays the license fee, and has at least 6,000 hours of experience gained over a period of at least 3 years as an apprentice plumber in the practical installation of plumbing under the supervision of a master plumber.
Both limits apply: 6,000 hours logged in two years of overtime does not qualify you early. Experience is proven with notarized statements from current and past employers and master plumbers (MCL 339.6109), and LARA's form BCC-3926 is the experience affidavit, one per employer, with the supervising master of record named.
Since December 15, 2021, the journey application covers two separate exams: a written exam through PSI and a hands on practical skills exam run by LARA. LARA's plumbing page states that you must pass both on a single application, that applications are valid for one year, and that passing scores do not carry over to a new application. The journey license fee of $40 is paid with the application.
A journey license renews every year by April 30 for $40. As a condition of renewal, a journey plumber must complete a board approved course on any update to the state construction code within 12 months after the change, which applies only in years the code changes (MCL 339.6115(3)).
Master Plumber License: 4,000 Hours as a Journey Plumber
A master plumber is licensed to plan and supervise the installation of plumbing (MCL 339.6103(a)). Under MCL 339.6113, the applicant must be at least 18, hold a journey plumber license, and have gained 4,000 hours of experience as a journey plumber over a period of not less than 2 years immediately preceding the application.
The words "immediately preceding" matter. LARA's plumbing page says any lapse in licensure in those 2 years will not meet the requirement, and the renewals page adds that if a journey license lapses more than 60 days, the time accrual toward master starts over. Renew the journey license on time every April.
The master license costs $300 and renews every 3 years by April 30 (MCL 339.6121(6) and (7)). Masters face the same code update course rule as journey plumbers after a code change (MCL 339.6113(2)). An individual cannot hold an active master and an active journey license at the same time, though an active master may work as a journey plumber (MCL 339.6119).
The PSI Exams and the Hands On Practical
PSI Services runs the written exams for the BCC under its Candidate Information Bulletin effective April 29, 2026. All three written plumbing exams are open book and require a 75% minimum passing score.
| Written exam | Questions | Passing score | Time allowed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Journey plumber | 125 | 75% | 180 minutes |
| Master plumber | 130 | 75% | 180 minutes |
| Plumbing contractor | 50 | 75% | 120 minutes |
Notes on the exams
- Fee: $100 per attempt, paid to PSI, not refundable, valid for one year from payment. You may retest an unlimited number of times, paying for each attempt.
- Content: the journey exam covers drainage, vents, fixtures, water distribution, backflow and inspections, plus an isometric drawing; the master exam adds a material takeoff from a restroom drawing.
- References: the 2021 Michigan Plumbing Code (chapter tabs only), bound and unmarked. The two acts are allowed for journey candidates and shown on screen for the master exam.
- Online testing: since February 11, 2026, the master and contractor exams can be taken online with a remote proctor. The journey exam cannot.
The hands on practical is booked by emailing LARA's licensing section your name and requested date, at least 30 days before the exam date. LARA holds practicals from February through November at sites that include Lansing, Mason, Cadillac and St. Ignace, and many 2026 dates filled, so request one as soon as your application is approved. PSI's written exam is scheduled separately.
Michigan Plumbing License Fees and Renewal
Each fee below comes from the statute or LARA's own pages; confirm on the LARA renewals page before you pay.
| Fee | Amount | Paid to | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice registration | $15 | LARA | Every year by April 30 |
| Journey plumber license | $40 | LARA | Every year by April 30 |
| Master plumber license | $300 | LARA | Every 3 years by April 30 |
| Each written exam attempt | $100 | PSI | Per attempt |
| Apprentice relicensure fee | $20 | LARA | Over 60 days late |
| Journey relicensure fee | $50 | LARA | Over 60 days late |
| Master relicensure fee | $100 | LARA | Over 60 days late |
| Lost or destroyed license | $30 | LARA | On request |
Notes on fees and renewal
- Renewal window: LARA lets you start renewing 90 days before expiration, and a license must be renewed not more than 60 days after the renewal date (MCL 339.6121(1)).
- Relicensure fees: a license or registration not renewed within 60 days of expiration can be restored only by applying for relicensure and paying the renewal fee plus a relicensure fee of $20 for an apprentice, $50 for a journey plumber or $100 for a master (MCL 339.6121(3) and (8)).
- Long lapses: within 3 years of expiration you can be relicensed without retesting by paying the relicensure fee and each missed year's renewal fee; after more than 3 consecutive years you must meet the experience rules and test again (MCL 339.6121(4)).
- Bonds and insurance: Article 11 sets no surety bond or insurance amount for these licenses, but clients and general contractors often ask for coverage.
Work You Can Do Without a Plumbing License
MCL 339.6107(2) lists the work that needs no plumbing license, and the list is short.
- Minor repair: clearing stoppages, repairing or replacing a faucet or valve, or reinstalling the same fixture, with no change to the system (MCL 339.6103(b)). Backflow preventers and air admittance valves are not minor repair.
- Building sewer or water service pipe, if a permit is secured and inspections are performed.
- Domestic water treatment and filtering equipment in 1 and 2 family dwellings, with a permit and inspections.
- A homeowner's own plumbing in his or her single family dwelling, with a permit.
- Medical gas piping installed under the supervision of a licensed plumbing contractor.
Everything else needs a licensed master or journey plumber and a permit pulled by the responsible plumbing contractor (MCL 339.6107(1)), which LARA's plumbing permit page confirms.
Out of State Plumbers and Military Applicants
LARA's out of state instructions state that Michigan does not reciprocate with any other state for licensing, so you must pass the Michigan exam, though out of state experience may be credited. Send the Out of State License Verification form to each state that licensed you, add notarized letters documenting your hours and supervision, and expect the board, which meets quarterly, to review the file before you may test.
Veterans have a second route to the journey hours: service as a plumber or equivalent, an honorable discharge in the year before applying, and an affidavit from a commanding officer attesting to at least 6,000 hours of entry level experience (MCL 339.6115(1)(d)(ii)). The department may grant partial credit for fewer hours (MCL 339.6115(2)).
The journey application also describes an exam waiver for a service member, veteran or dependent who holds an active plumbing license in another state.
The Licensing Steps in Order
- Get hired by a licensed plumbing contractor and register as an apprentice with LARA within 30 days ($15).
- Work under direct, on-site supervision of a journey or master plumber, and renew the registration every April 30 so every hour counts.
- Log at least 6,000 hours over at least 3 years, and collect a notarized BCC-3926 experience affidavit from each employer.
- Apply for the journey plumber license through LARA's online portal or by mail, with the $40 license fee.
- After approval, schedule the PSI written exam ($100) and email LARA to book the hands on practical; pass both on the same application within one year.
- Renew the journey license every April 30 and complete any code update course the board requires after a code change.
- Log 4,000 hours as a licensed journey plumber over the 2 years immediately before you apply, with no lapse in the license.
- Apply for the master plumber license, pass the 130 question PSI exam at 75%, and pay the $300 license fee.
When a Plumbing Company Needs a Master of Record
A plumbing business runs on a master. Under MCL 339.6111, the plumbing contractor applicant must either hold a master plumber license or employ a master as the company's representative, and only a sole proprietor, a partner, a corporate officer or an LLC member may apply. The statute defines a plumbing contractor as a licensed master or a person who employs a licensed master full time to directly supervise the installation of plumbing (MCL 339.6103(d)).
A master may represent only 1 plumbing contractor at a time (MCL 339.6113(3)), and when the master leaves, the company has 30 days to designate a new one (MCL 339.6111(7)). An owner who is not a master, or a firm whose only master is retiring, hits the same wall.
That role, the licensed individual who qualifies the company and stands behind its code compliance, is what the industry calls a qualifying agent. The Licensing Company, led by founders Marshall Schofield and Jeremiah Jaskulski, places licensed master plumbers as full time W-2 employees, not 1099 contractors, who actually supervise the work, which is the relationship Michigan's statute describes. If your company needs a master of record, you can hire a qualifying agent, and our plumbing contractor qualifying agent guide explains the role in detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a licensed plumber in Michigan?
At least 3 years as a registered apprentice to reach journey plumber (6,000 hours, MCL 339.6115), then at least 2 more years and 4,000 hours to reach master. The fastest path from apprentice to master is about 5 years plus exam scheduling. The statute names one alternative on the journey hours, the military affidavit, and lets the board accept an equivalent of the experience requirement (MCL 339.6109), which is how out of state hours can be credited.
Is it really 6,000 hours and 3 years for a Michigan journeyman plumber license?
Yes. MCL 339.6115(1)(d)(i) requires at least 6,000 hours gained over at least 3 years as an apprentice under a master plumber's supervision, and LARA's plumbing page states the same rule. Extra hours do not shorten the 3 years.
How much does a Michigan plumbing license cost?
The state charges $15 a year for apprentice registration, $40 a year for a journey license and $300 every 3 years for a master license (MCL 339.6121). Each PSI exam attempt costs $100. Renewing more than 60 days late adds a relicensure fee: $20 for apprentices, $50 for journey plumbers and $100 for masters (MCL 339.6121(3) and (8)).
How often do Michigan plumbing licenses renew?
Apprentice registrations and journey licenses renew every year by April 30. Master plumber and plumbing contractor licenses renew every 3 years by April 30, and one renewal covers both when the same person holds them, using the contractor number that starts with 80 (LARA renewals page).
Does Michigan accept a plumbing license from another state?
No. LARA's out of state instructions state that Michigan does not reciprocate with any other state, so you must pass the Michigan exam. Your out of state experience can be credited toward the hours after the board reviews your verification forms.
What is the difference between a journey and master plumber?
A journey plumber is licensed to install plumbing. A master plumber is licensed to plan and supervise installations and can serve as the master of record for one plumbing contractor. Our national explainer, journeyman vs. master plumber, covers the difference in detail.
Related Michigan and Plumbing Guides
- How to get a general contractor license in Michigan
- How to get an electrician license in Michigan
- How to get an HVAC (mechanical) license in Michigan
- How to get a plumbing contractor license in every state
Talk to Our Team
If you are a master plumber weighing your next step, or an owner whose company needs a master of record, call The Licensing Company at 615-219-2110 or start at hire a qualifying agent. We will walk through what Michigan requires for your situation.
Sources
Retrieved 2026-09-28.
- Skilled Trades Regulation Act, 2016 PA 407, full text (Michigan Legislature), Article 11, MCL 339.6101 to 339.6133, retrieved 2026-09-28
- MCL 339.6111, plumbing contractor license (Michigan Legislature), retrieved 2026-09-28
- MCL 339.2401, residential builder definitions (Michigan Legislature), retrieved 2026-09-28
- LARA Plumbing Examination, Licensing and Registration Information, retrieved 2026-09-28
- LARA License and Registration Renewals, retrieved 2026-09-28
- PSI Michigan Plumbing Candidate Information Bulletin, effective April 29, 2026, retrieved 2026-09-28
- LARA Registration for Plumbing Apprentice, BCC-3328, retrieved 2026-09-28
- LARA Application for Journey Plumber Examination and License, BCC-329A, retrieved 2026-09-28
- LARA Plumbing Experience Affidavit, BCC-3926, retrieved 2026-09-28
- LARA Application for Plumbing Contractor Examination and License, BCC-329, retrieved 2026-09-28
- LARA Plumbing Apprentice Ratio FAQ, retrieved 2026-09-28
- LARA Out of State License Verification form and instructions, retrieved 2026-09-28
- LARA Plumbing Permit Information, retrieved 2026-09-28
Fees, hours, exam formats and requirements above are set by the Michigan Bureau of Construction Codes, the Skilled Trades Regulation Act and PSI, and can change. Confirm current requirements with LARA's Bureau of Construction Codes before applying. This guide covers the licensing process only and is not exam preparation material.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, licensing guidance, or an offer of services. Licensing requirements vary by jurisdiction. For specific compliance questions, contact The Licensing Company for a confidential consultation.