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As a residential builder in Michigan, you can spend your days working on rewarding projects. Whether you’re constructing homes from the ground up or managing new additions and alterations, a Michigan residential builders license will help advance your career.  

This license is especially important for people who hire contractors and oversee the building and alteration processes. Here’s how to apply for and obtain a residential builders license so you can move into the next phase of your career.  

What a Residential Builders License Allows You to Do 

You might wonder what types of projects you can work on with your new residential builders license in Michigan. License holders in this state can: 

• Construct residential dwellings 
• Construct combination (commercial and residential) buildings 
• Repair residential structures 
• Alter residential buildings 
• Implement residential building additions or removals  
• Demolish residential buildings 
• Subcontract tradesmen for specialized home jobs (HVAC, etc.) 
• Provide accurate estimates for home projects  
• Comply with relevant Michigan safety and regulatory policies  

To earn this license, you’ll need skills and knowledge regarding business management, mathematical calculations, and the science behind residential construction.  

Your residential builders license is a sign that you can competently oversee important aspects of residential construction and alteration from both business and technical standpoints.  

A Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Licensed 

Don’t let the licensure process confuse or overwhelm you. Obtaining your Michigan residential builders license requires these four steps.  

1. Take the 60-Hour Pre-Licensing Course

The state of Michigan requires you to take a 60-hour course to prepare for the two-part licensure exam. The course is broken down into helpful subtopics that provide a strong foundation for your exam.  

Some pre-licensing course topics include: 

• Michigan’s residential laws and regulations 
• Business management 
• Project management 
• Project estimation and quoting 
• Safety and risk management 
• Contracts and liability 
• Building science  
• Design 
• Project scheduling 

You can choose 18 hours of elective topics to complement your core education. These electives might focus on subjects like mold remediation and carpentry.  

2. Apply for Licensure 

Before you take the exam, you need to apply for your license. In your application, you must include proof that you’ve completed the 60-hour pre-licensing course. You may apply online or through the mail using a paper application.  

Note that your application is valid for just one year. If you don’t pass the exam within this time frame, you’ll have to reapply.  

3. Take the Two-Part Residential Builders Exam

This exam contains two parts: 1) business and law and 2) practice/trade. Both sections are closed-book, which means that you can’t access your notes or study materials during the exam. If you pass, you’ll be approved for a Michigan residential builders license.  

4. Receive Your Residential Builders License by Mail

The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. will mail you your residential builders license after you’ve passed your exam. This can take five to ten business days.  

Get Your Residential Builders License in Michigan 

We’re here to help with test prep, education, and application processing. Use RocketCert to gather all of the knowledge and skills you need for successful licensure in Michigan!