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In the state of Michigan, as is the case in many other states, proper licensing is required for technical trades, such as plumbing. You must obtain a license from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to legally perform any type of plumbing work without the supervision of a licensed professional.

Doing so, however, first involves meeting a range of requirements, from approved experience and education to passing related exams. Below are descriptions of the different licenses available for plumbers in Michigan, along with the criteria you must meet to obtain your desired authorization.

Licensing Requirements

Before you can understand the various licensing requirements needed from you, you should first know that there are three different types of plumbing licenses available in Michigan: Journeyman, Master, and Plumbing Contractor. Each has its own criteria for licensing, with different experience requirements and necessary exams.

Journeyman

Journeyman plumbers repair existing and install new plumbing and drainage systems and gas lines in residential and commercial settings. However, they must still operate under the supervision of a master plumber. To become a journeyman plumber, you must be at least 19 years old and have completed 6,000 hours as an apprentice over the course of no less than three years.

Alternatively, you can substitute a degree from a certified trade school for 2,000 hours of required experience, with the caveat that you must still complete 4,000 hours of apprenticeship training. You will also have to supply notarized documents as proof of approved experience during the application process.

Finally, you’ll have to pass the Journeyman Plumber exam, an open-book exam that consists of 125 questions and a 180-minute time limit. You must answer 70% of the questions correctly to pass.

Master

As a master plumber, you’re able to do everything a journeyman does, but unlike a journeyman, you can do so independently, and you may also supervise and train apprentices and other journeyman plumbers. 

Before you can obtain a master plumber license, however, you must complete 4,000 work hours as a journeyman plumber over the course of at least two years immediately prior to applying. You must also pass the Master Plumber exam, another open-book test consisting of 130 questions and the same 180-minute time limit as the Journeyman exam. A passing grade requires a minimum of 70% of the questions to be answered correctly.

Plumbing Contractor

Becoming a plumbing contractor requires the same experience as a master plumber, but you’ll also have to provide proof that you are an owner or officer of a Michigan-based plumbing business. With a plumbing contractor license, you can take on additional activities, like bidding on or undertaking new plumbing projects.

The documents necessary to apply for a plumbing contractor license may vary by business structure, so it’s important to make sure you understand the specific criteria for your business type. Like the previous two licenses, the Plumbing Contractor Exam is a required, open-book test. Consisting of 50 questions, the test must be completed within a 120-minute time limit, and the same benchmark of 70% of the questions must be answered correctly to pass.

Effective Exam Preparation

With the right exam prep provided to you by an approved program, you’ll have the best chance to pass your plumbing license exam the first time around. An online program designed by industry experts offers convenience for working professionals.

If you’re ready to start your career as a journeyman, master, or plumbing contractor in Michigan, RocketCert has the exam prep course you need. Contact us today to get started.