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Licenses by State

How to check if a contractor is licensed in Michigan

Edited by John Voll. Last verified .

In Michigan, the state keeps license or registration records for general contractors, electrical contractors, plumbing contractors, HVAC contractors and roofing contractors, and each has an official lookup or board listed below. Check the record before you sign a contract or pay a deposit, and treat the board's own record as final.

Which board covers which trade

TradeWho keeps the recordOfficial lookup
General contractorMichigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Construction Codes, Licensing SectionSearch general contractor licenses
ElectricalMichigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Construction Codes, Licensing SectionSearch electrical licenses
PlumbingMichigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Construction Codes, Licensing SectionSearch plumbing licenses
HVACMichigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Construction Codes, Licensing SectionSearch HVAC licenses
RoofingMichigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Construction Codes, Licensing SectionSearch roofing licenses

Step by step

  1. Open the official Michigan lookup run by Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and search the contractor by name or number.
    Open the official lookup
  2. Check a license in LARA's online license database or call the Residential Builders' Section. source A maintenance and alteration contractor's license lists the specific trades (such as roofing) the holder may do. source Builders, contractors and their salespersons must carry a pocket card; ask to see it. source
  3. Confirm the record is active and the class matches the job (Residential Builder or Maintenance & Alteration Contractor or Residential Builder Salesperson). The board's own record governs. A license is required for jobs above A residential builder or maintenance and alteration contractor license is required for work totaling $600 or more in labor and material. source

If the contractor is not licensed, or you have a complaint

  • File complaints against builders, M&A contractors, electricians, mechanical contractors and plumbers with the BCC Enforcement Section. source
  • The Bureau cannot resolve contract, money or warranty disputes; those go to the courts. source

Homeowner protections in Michigan

  • Any job totaling $600 or more in labor and materials requires a state license. source
  • If you signed a solicited contract in your home, you have three days to cancel by registered letter. source
  • Michigan's Homeowner Construction Lien Recovery Fund was abolished in August 2010. source

Questions

How do I check if a contractor is licensed in Michigan?
Search the contractor by name or license number on the official Michigan lookup run by Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, then confirm the record is active and covers the type of work. For electrical, plumbing, HVAC or roofing work, use that trade's lookup in the table on this page.
What can I do if a contractor in Michigan is not licensed?
File complaints against builders, M&A contractors, electricians, mechanical contractors and plumbers with the BCC Enforcement Section. The Bureau cannot resolve contract, money or warranty disputes; those go to the courts.

All Michigan licensing rules by trade

Sources

This is not a government site. The licensing board's own record governs; always confirm on the official lookup. Information as of October 6, 2026.