Michigan

Congratulations! You have chosen to make an excellent career move by getting your contractor’s license.

We are ready to assist you in this process and make it as simple as possible for you. We work with thousands of people like you each year and help them reach their objective of becoming a licensed contractor.

Do I need a license?

According to the State of Michigan, individuals and companies performing residential construction or a combination residential/commercial construction totaling $600, or more in materials and labor must be licensed as either a residential builder or a maintenance and alteration contractor. Individuals or companies providing services totaling less than $600 in materials and labor or who are functioning as a sub-contractor for a licensed contractor on a residential or combination residential/commercial construction project are exempt from licensure.

Obtaining your Michigan Contractor License will enable you to charge customers and be compensated for your work.

How to acquire your Michigan Builders License

The following are the requirements to obtain your Michigan Residential Builders license:

1. Complete a General Contractors License application. Applications can be obtained from:

   Department of Labor and Economic Growth
   Bureau of Commercial Services – Builders Unit
   P.O. Box 30018
   Lansing, MI  48909
   (517) 241-9254
   Fax: (517) 373-2162
   Michigan DLEG

2. Review the prerequisites to obtain your Michigan Residential Builders license.
   • Be at least 18 years of age.
   • Be financially stable.
   • Be able to serve the public in a fair, honest and open manner.
   • Submit the appropriate builder license application, fees and supporting documents to the State Board office.
3. Successfully complete the contractors exam that measures your knowledge of the profession.

The Best Test Prep Software for the Michigan Contractor Exam

One of the most important steps in obtaining your Michigan Contractor License is preparing to take the contractors test. Our contractors exam preparation software will help you accomplish this task in the most efficient way possible. By practicing all of the possible questions in the software, you will be prepared for any combination of questions that you may be given on your contractors license exam. In addition, studying our software helps you become familiar with computer generated tests and greatly reduces your anxiety on the day of your contractor exam since you prepared using a computer based testing (CBT) format.

The next step is registering to take the contractors license exam. The State of Michigan uses PSI Examination Services to administer the builders test. There are 4 ways to register for the Michigan Residential Builders Exam:

1. Internet - Log onto www.psiexams.com and complete the online test registration form. Once you complete the form you will be given a list of available dates to schedule your contractors license exam
2. FAX - Complete the Examination Registration Form and fax it to (702) 932-2666. Please allow 4 business days to process your registration.
3. Standard Mail - Complete the Examination Registration Form in the Candidate Information Bulletin. Return the completed original form to PSI with the appropriate examination fee.
4. Telephone - Call PSI at (800) 733-9267, 24 hours a day and schedule using the Automated Registration System or between 9:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. ET to schedule an appointment for the contractors license test with a registrar.

Builders license exams are given at the following locations:

• Southfield
• Lansing
• Grand Rapids
• Marquette

Included with the software is the Candidate Information Bulletin which outlines the topics covered on the General Contractors Exam. Complete instructions for taking the contractors license exam and directions to the testing centers are also provided.

Taking the Contractors License Exam

You have studied diligently and are ready to take the contractors license exam. You can arrive with confidence knowing that you are prepared for the questions on the test. It is recommended that you arrive 30 minutes prior to your scheduled testing time. You must present two (2) valid forms of identification when you arrive at the testing center. One of the ID's must have a photograph and your signature. A driver's license will satisfy this requirement. The name on the application must exactly match the name on the photo ID used to check in for the builders test. In addition, you should bring a non-programmable calculator. Our software will prepare you for the following 2 exams:

Part 1 Business and Law Exam - There are 50 questions on the exam and you must answer at least 36 questions correctly in order to pass. The minimum passing score is 72%. You are allowed 75 minutes to complete the exam.

Part 2 - Residential Builder Exam - There are 100 questions on the Residential Builder exam and you must answer at least 73 questions correctly in order to pass. The minimum passing score is 73%. You are allowed 150 minutes to complete the exam.

After you have completed the test, your score will immediately be displayed on the computer screen and a printed copy of your results will be given to you.

Obtaining Your Contractors License

Once you have successfully passed the contractors license exam, your test results will be sent to the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth. After the state receives your application and all documentation, your contractors license will be issued.

Traps to avoid

Some people consider taking the “Salesperson” or “Maintenance & Alteration” (M&A) exam instead of the Residential Builders exam. There are several reasons why we discourage people from doing this. One reason is that the test material you study to pass the Salesperson or Maintenance and Alteration Exam is essentially the same material to pass the builders exam. Since the amount of effort required to prepare for the Salesperson or Maintenance and Alteration exam is the same effort to pass the Residential Builders License exam we recommend that people take the full Residential Builders Exam. This gives you the ability to perform all aspects of construction and sales, instead of being restricted to only sales or specific trades. In addition, it won’t be necessary to go back later on and add additional certifications to your builder license should you decide to expand into different trades. The cost to take the builders license exam and renew your license annually is the same as what you would pay for your M&A license. In construction the saying, “Do it right the first time” is often heard. We believe it also applies to getting your Residential Builders License.

Order Your Copy of the Contractors License Software Today!