Requirements, license levels, and the issuing authority, sourced from Michigan's official board.
The hands-on practical is the part to prepare for separately; a candidate who has only studied code has prepared for half the examination. And because the 6,000 hours must be served while actively registered, an apprentice who lets the registration lapse loses the time, not just the paperwork.
| Requirements | JOURNEY PLUMBER: not less than 6,000 HOURS of experience attained over a period of not less than THREE YEARS as an ACTIVELY REGISTERED plumbing apprentice, in the practical installation of plumbing, under the supervision of a licensed master or journey plumber. The word that matters is "actively registered": time worked before registering as an apprentice does not count. THE EXAMINATION HAS TWO PARTS AND BOTH MUST BE PASSED ON A SINGLE APPLICATION, a written paper and a HANDS-ON PRACTICAL SKILLS portion. Michigan is one of the minority of states that still tests at the bench, and failing either part fails the application. MASTER PLUMBER and PLUMBING CONTRACTOR are separate credentials applied for on the bureau's master plumber examination form. The framework is the Skilled Trades Regulation Act, Act 407 of 2016, Article 11. |
| Reciprocity | LARA publishes no standing plumbing reciprocity list. An out-of-state plumber applies to the bureau, which assesses whether the experience meets the registered-apprentice requirement, and the practical examination is not routinely waived. |
| Renewal | JOURNEY PLUMBER: $50.00 to renew, with a $50.00 late fee if the license has already expired. MASTER PLUMBER / PLUMBING CONTRACTOR: renewed EVERY THREE YEARS by 30 APRIL, $300.00, with a $100.00 late fee after expiry. |
| Notes | The hands-on practical is the part to prepare for separately; a candidate who has only studied code has prepared for half the examination. And because the 6,000 hours must be served while actively registered, an apprentice who lets the registration lapse loses the time, not just the paperwork. |
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Sources: www.michigan.gov, www.michigan.gov, www.michigan.gov, www.legislature.mi.gov. Always confirm current requirements with the issuing authority.
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