STATE LICENSE
ConditionalMichigan LARA — Bureau of Construction Co…
Article 24 of the Occupational Code covers anyone who, for compensation, builds, repairs, alters, improves, or demolishes a residential structure. Since 2020 PA 341 (retroactive to January 1, 2019) 'residential structure' means a detached 1- or 2-family dwelling or a townhouse of not more than 3 stories above grade. Older LARA web copy still says 'combination residential and commercial structure'; the current statute text is narrower.
The full Residential Builder license covers new homes plus all remodeling; the Maintenance & Alteration (M&A) license is the narrower option, limited to the crafts you test for. Both need the same 60-hour prelicensure course and PSI exam. The penalties are sharp: an unlicensed residential contractor cannot sue for payment or file a lien, and a first offense carries a mandatory $5,000 minimum fine.
The state sets the license floor; the county or city permit office controls filing, inspections, and local rules wherever the job site sits.
The Residential Builder license is the state layer for 1–2 family and small-townhouse work; permits and inspections run through the local enforcing agency. Commercial general contracting has no state license, so any requirement there comes from the municipality — LARA says it cannot advise on those and refers contractors to the specific municipality.
The local offices section below names the exact permit desk for every Michigan county on file.
Each row names the issuing authority, cost, timeline, citation, and status behind the requirement — verified against the official source.
Published fees from the issuing authorities, as of October 2026. Local permit fees vary by project and jurisdiction — the basis is stated where a flat number does not exist.
2020 PA 341 redefined 'residential structure' as 1- and 2-family dwellings and townhouses up to 3 stories, retroactive to January 1, 2019. Larger multifamily and mixed-use projects fall outside Article 24.
An individual holds either a Residential Builder license or an M&A license. M&A applicants must pick at least one craft but not all twelve.
Michigan's Homeowner Construction Lien Recovery Fund was abolished in August 2010, per LARA.
A practical sequence for a new general contracting contractor in Michigan. Actual agency processing times are noted in the ledger above.
Each item names the issuing authority, cycle, and citation.
Statutory consequences with their citations — not estimates, not “commonly cited” guesses.
A first offense is a misdemeanor with a mandatory minimum fine; a second offense up to 2 years; an offense causing death or serious injury is a felony up to 4 years.
Unlicensed persons cannot bring an action to collect compensation, or impose a lien, for work that required a license.
The Attorney General or a prosecuting attorney may also seek a civil fine against an unlicensed person.
Inside city limits, the city office listed here issues the permit; the county office serves unincorporated areas. Every office links to its official page.
Every fact in this file was checked against these official sources on October 2026.
Pending verification: PSI examination fee for the builder / M&A exam (paid to PSI; not published on the LARA pages reviewed) · Market price of the 60-hour prelicensure course (set by each approved sponsor) · Whether a general liability or workers' compensation minimum applies to Article 24 licensees — not stated on the LARA pages or statute sections reviewed · Any local licensing of commercial general contractors by individual Michigan municipalities (LARA defers to each municipality)
General information, not legal advice. Always confirm requirements, deadlines, and forms with the issuing authority before filing or contracting.
Store licenses, permits, policies, and renewal dates in one place.