Licensing Guides
Michigan Electrical License: How to Become an Electrician in Michigan
Electrical, MI
Table of Contents
Licensing Requirements for Electrical Contractors in Michigan
What Is the Mean Wage for an Electrical Technician in Michigan?
How Much Does It Cost to Get an Electrician License in Michigan?
How Long Does It Take to Get an Electrician Contractors License in Michigan?
How Can I Prepare for the Electrician License Exam in Michigan?
Does My Michigan Electrician License Work in Any Other State?
What Are the Reciprocity Requirements for an Electrician License in Michigan?
What Are the Penalties for Unlicensed Electrical Work in Michigan?
Working with electricity is a dangerous and demanding job, but with the right education and training you can learn how to do it right and become an electrical professional in Michigan.
Everyone needs an electrician at some point. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there are 818,700 electricians nationwide and 24,670 in Michigan.
The national number is predicted to grow 10% from 2024 to 2034, adding more than 80,000 to the ranks of this important workforce. That growth rate in Michigan is projected at 5%, according to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website.
Contractors struggle to find skilled tradesmen like plumbers, electricians, and HVACR or mechanical professionals, while the demand for them continues to grow. According to the Associated General Contractors of America, “Construction employment in Michigan in July 2025 totaled 206,500, an increase of 10,100 (5.1%) from July 2024 and an increase of 28,700 or 16% from February 2020.” So, if you get the training you need, you should have a variety of jobs to choose from.
Licensing Requirements for Electrical Contractors in Michigan
Is a license required for electricians in Michigan? Yes.
To legally perform electrical work in the state of Michigan, you must be licensed by the state.
The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Electrical Division, located in Lansing, issues licenses. There are detailed instructions on how to apply for an electrical license on LARA’s website.
Steps to Get an Electrical License in Michigan
There are different requirements for each level of licensing in the electrical field in Michigan. However, at every level, a license is required by law. For each you must:
Be at least 20 years old.
Have a high school diploma or GED.
Register as an Electrical Apprentice.
Complete 8,000 hours of experience to qualify for a Journeyman Electrician license.
Pass the Journeyman exam.
Complete an additional 4,000 hours of work experience to qualify for a Master Electrician license.
Pass the Master Electrician exam.
If you want to own your own business, you need to obtain an Electrical Contractor license. Note: There is no contractor exam.
Pay all applicable fees.
Apply for your license.
Note: Michigan offers a few additional electrical-related licenses that require less training. See below for more details.
How to Become an Electrician in Michigan
According to the state website, to become a licensed Electrician in Michigan, you must:
Be at least 20 years of age.
Meet the educational/experience requirements.
Pass the required examination.
Pay all applicable fees.
Below are the specifics for each license.
APPRENTICE LICENSE
Work experience: Apprentices must obtain 8,000 hours (four years) of electrical training.
Apply for license: Apprentices must submit a registration form with LARA.
Pay Fee: $15 registration fee.
Limitations: Must work under direct supervision of a Master Electrician or Contractor.
ELECTRICAL JOURNEYMAN’S LICENSE
Work experience: Must obtain 8,000 hours of work experience under the supervision of a licensed Electrician.
Pass licensing exam: Must pass the Electrical Journeyman exam, administered by PSI Exams.
Apply for license: License application includes questions about work experience and educational record.
Pay fee: $40 license fee.
Limitations: Must work under the supervision of a licensed Master Electrician or Contractor.
MASTER ELECTRICIAN LICENSE
Work experience: Must obtain 4,000 hours of work experience as a licensed Journeyman and under the supervision of a Master Electrician or Contractor.
Pass licensing exam: Must pass the Master Electrician exam, administered by PSI Exams.
Apply for license: License application includes questions about work experience and educational record.
Pay fee: $50 license fee.
Limitations: Can work independently.
ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR LICENSE
Work experience: Must be a Master Electrician or employ one.
Pass licensing exam: There is no contractor exam.
Apply for license: License application includes questions about work experience and educational record.
Pay fee: $300 license fee.
Limitations: Can employ only one Master Electrician on the license.
FIRE ALARM SPECIALTY TECHNICIAN LICENSE
Work experience: Must obtain a certification issued by the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technology (NICET).
Pass licensing exam: Must pass the Fire Alarm Specialty Technician (FAST) exam administered by PSI Exams.
Apply for license: License application includes questions about work experience and educational record.
Pay fee: $50 license fee.
Limitations: Must work under the supervision of a licensed Fire Alarm Contractor.
FIRE ALARM CONTRACTOR
Work experience: Must hold a valid Fire Alarm Specialty Technician (FAST) license.
Pass licensing exam: There is no licensing exam.
Apply for license: License application includes questions about work experience and educational record.
Pay fee: $300 license fee.
Limitations: Can employ only one Fire Alarm Specialty Technician on the license.
SIGN SPECIALIST LICENSE
Work experience: Must obtain 4,000 hours of experience and at least two years under a Sign Specialist in the manufacturing, installation, maintenance, connection, or repair of electric signs and related wiring.
Pass licensing exam: Must pass the Sign Specialist exam.
Apply for license: License application includes questions about work experience and educational record.
Pay fee: $40 license fee.
Limitations: Must work under the supervision of a Sign Specialty Contractor.
SIGN SPECIALTY CONTRACTOR LICENSE
Work experience: Must hold a Sign Specialist license or employ someone who does.
Pass licensing exam: There is no exam.
Apply for license: License application includes questions about work experience and educational record.
Pay fee: $200 license fee.
Limitations: Can employ only one licensed Sign Specialist.
Types of Electrical Licenses in Michigan
What are the different types of electrician licenses in Michigan?
There are eight electrical licenses available in Michigan. Each level of licensing requires a specific amount of training.
Apprentice Electrician
Apprentices engage in on-the-job training and actively work toward completion of an apprenticeship training program and become a licensed electrician. In Michigan, all apprentices must work under a Master Electrician or Electrical Contractor.
Journeyman Electrician
Requires a minimum of 8,000 hours of practical experience over a four-year period related to electrical construction, building maintenance, electrical wiring, or equipment. Training must be under the direct supervision of a licensed electrician.
Master Electrician
Requires an electrical journeyman's license for a minimum of two years and completion of 12,000 hours of practical experience over a six-year period. Training must be under the direct supervision of a Master Electrician.
Electrical Contractor
Requires a Master Electrician's license or at least one Master Electrician working on staff as a full-time employee. The Master Electrician shall be actively in charge of and responsible for code compliance of all installations of electrical wiring and equipment.
Fire Alarm Specialty Technician (FAST)
Requires certification by the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technology (NICET) as an associate engineering technician, level II, or the equivalent as determined by the board in the field of fire alarm systems technology.
Fire Alarm Contractor
Requires a fire alarm specialty technician's license or at least one fire alarm specialty technician working on staff as a full-time employee. The fire alarm specialty technician shall be actively in charge of and responsible for code compliance of all installations of fire alarm system wiring and equipment.
Sign Specialist
Requires a minimum of 4,000 hours of experience obtained over a two-year period related to the manufacturing, installation, maintenance, connection, or repair of electric signs and related wiring.
Sign Specialty Contractor
Requires a sign specialist's license or at least one sign specialist working on staff as a full-time employee. The sign specialist shall be actively in charge of and responsible for code compliance of all installations, connections, and repairs of electric signs and related wiring.
Benefits of Becoming a Certified Electrician in Michigan
There are many benefits to getting your electrical license in Michigan.
First and most important, it is required by law in Michigan to be licensed through the state to legally perform any electrical work.
A trade license is proof of your experience and skill.
You begin earning money from the very first day you begin the process of becoming an electrician.
It protects your company and customers.
It gives you a competitive advantage in the job market.
As you build on your expertise your earning potential increases and you have more authority to pull building permits and bid on projects.
What Is the Mean Wage for an Electrical Technician in Michigan?
The annual mean wage for electricians in Michigan is $71,060 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics. That salary can increase as you acquire more experience. An electrician salary database, shared with ServiceTitan by Payscale.com, projects the median electrician salary will increase nationally in 2025 by 3.59% for entry-level workers, 3.24% for intermediate level, and 3.15% for senior level electricians. In Michigan those salary projections are:
Entry (<2 years): $59,500
Intermediate (2-4 years): $69,900
Senior (4-7 years): $75,300
Salaries can vary widely, depending on the city where you work and other factors like education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession. If you choose to start an electrical business, this blog can give you an idea of how to improve your profit margins.
What Business Owners Need to Know
Getting the most out of an electrical technician, no matter where they are in their licensing journey, takes work. ServiceTitan’s cloud-based, all-in-one electrician software gives technicians and business owners the technology they need to do the work efficiently, and the data they need to do it smartly.
SMS communications that keep customers informed about the technician’s visit.
Location-specific service history, including recorded calls, accessible from the mobile app.
Required forms that ensure every job is done right, driving consistency.
The ability to build multi-option proposals with photos, on-site, in minutes.
Sales presentations that make conversations with customers easier and drive average tickets.
Mobile payment acceptance, eliminating lost checks and increasing cash flow.
To learn more, schedule a demo with a product expert today.
How Much Does It Cost to Get an Electrician License in Michigan?
The cost of a license varies in Michigan, depending on the level. The fees for each are listed on the corresponding application. They can all be found on LARA’s website at https://www.michigan.gov/lara.
Apprentice: $15 registration fee
Journeyman: $40 license fee
Master: $50 license fee
Contractor: $300 license fee
Fire Alarm Specialty Technician: $50 license fee
Fire Alarm Contractor: $300 license fee
Sign Specialist: $40 license fee
Sign Specialty Contractor: $200 license fee
Additionally, all PSI exams incur a $100 exam fee.
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How Long Does it Take to Get an Electrician Contractors License in Michigan?
It will take a minimum of four years to complete a registered apprenticeship and then become licensed at the journey level in Michigan. It will take an additional two years to meet the eligibility requirements to test for a license at the master or contractor level. To work as a Fire Alarm Speciality Technician or Sign Specialist, it will take around two years for licensure.
The great news is that as an apprentice you begin earning a wage from the very beginning and that compensation goes up each year as you acquire more training and knowledge until you are fully licensed at the journeyperson level. Then it goes up again when you acquire your master license.
As a licensed contractor you can start your own electrical business, be your own boss and grow your business as much as you want. And we have a tool to help you.
Michigan Electrician Training Programs and Schools
There are many programs to get the training you need to become an electrician in Michigan.
You can complete an apprenticeship program recognized by the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training of the United States Department of Labor.
You can seek out a union apprenticeship available through local Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committees. JATCs have been established through the combined efforts of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) who have come together to form the National Training Alliance.
Or you can complete a technical school program approved by LARA and deemed equivalent to the Department of Labor apprenticeship requirements.
There are a number of community colleges that offer approved programs that lead to an Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Technology or similar degrees. A few are:
Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek offers an industrial electricity and electronics certificate program, as well as an associate degree program.
Henry Ford College in Dearborn offers an electrical technology analog electronics certificate program and an electrical technology associate degree program.
Michigan State University in East Lansing offers a certificate program in electrical engineering.
Grand Rapids Community College offers an associate degree in electrical controls engineering technology.
The University of Michigan offers bachelor, master, and doctorate degrees in electrical engineering.
Tuition: According to Community College Review, the average tuition is approximately $5,506 per year for in-state students and $7,381 for out-of-state students.
Program Prerequisites: You must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or a GED high school equivalency degree.
On-the-Job Experience: While on the job, you will need to have good customer service skills, be detail-oriented, have mechanical capability, and be physically fit because the job can include some heavy lifting and hours of walking, standing, and working in tight spaces.
For more detailed information about electrical school options in Michigan, check out our post — Electrician Schools in Michigan: The Ultimate Guide.
Michigan Electrician Licensing Exam Details
Michigan requires an examination for each level of licensing. There are State of Michigan testing sponsorship requirements to apply to sit for each exam.
Journeyman exam candidates must:
Complete an apprenticeship consisting of 8,000 hours of training.
Master exam candidates must:
Complete 4,000 hours of work experience as a licensed Journeyman, or 12,000 hours of experience over a six-year period.
Fire Alarm Specialty Technicians must:
Obtain a certification issued by the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technology.
Sign Specialists must:
Obtain 4,000 hours of work experience.
All exams are administered by PSI Exams, and you must score 75% to pass. The exam fee is $100. All exams are open book, and you may use the following reference materials: National Electrical Code (NEC), the Michigan Electrical Code Rules part 8, and the Bureau of Construction Codes (BCC). For more information, check out the official Candidate Bulletin. Topics on the examinations include general electrical knowledge, wiring and protection, wiring methods and materials, equipment for general use, special occupancies, special equipment, special conditions, and communication systems.
How Can I Prepare for the Electrician License Exam in Michigan?
At each level you must complete a certain amount of training before being permitted to sit for the exam.
The Journeyman electrical exam costs $100. Applicants have 150 minutes to answer 80 questions and must earn a score of 75% or higher.
Exam topics include:
Electrical Administrative Act (ACT)
Current Electrical Code Rules
Grounding and Bonding
Overcurrent Protection
Wiring Methods and Installations
Boxes and Cabinets
Feeders
Services
Motors and Motor Controls
Load Calculations
Special Occupancies
Appliances
Lighting
Box and Raceway fill
Power Limited Circuits
Electrical Theory
General Electrical Trade Knowledge
The Master Electrician exams cover the same topics as the Journeyman exam, plus planning and supervising electrical installations. The exam costs $100, and applicants have three hours to complete 75 questions. You must score at least 75%.
The Electrical Contractor exam costs $100. The test includes 40 questions, and you have 90 minutes to earn a score of 75% or higher.
Exam topics include:
National Electrical Code (NEC) Rules
Electrical Administrative Board Rules
Electrical Administrative Act 217 of 1956
Act 230 of 1972
Act 497 of 1980- Construction Lien Act
The Fire Alarm Specialty Technician exam consists of 36 questions, and you have 90 minutes to score 75% or higher.
Exam topics include:
Grounding and Bonding
Overcurrent Protection
Wiring Methods and Installations
Boxes and Cabinets
Special Occupancies
Load Calculations
Box and Raceway Fill
Power-Limited Circuits
General Electrical Trade Knowledge And Electrical Theory
The Sign Specialist exam consists of 32 questions, and you have 60 minutes to score 75% or higher.
Exam topics include:
Grounding and Bonding
Overcurrent Protection
Wiring Methods and Installations
Boxes and Cabinets
Special Occupancies
Load Calculations
Lighting
Box and Raceway Fill
Power-Limited Circuits
General Electrical Trade Knowledge
Electrical Theory
Your apprenticeship training will help prepare you for the examination. You will want to study the National Electrical Code (NEC) as well as the Michigan Electrical Code. The test is open book and allows for you to have permanent tabs in the NEC so you can easily navigate it during the exam. You can also take practice exams to familiarize yourself with the format and timing. For more information, check out the Candidate Bulletin.
Who Issues Electrician Licenses in Michigan?
The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Electrical Division, located in Lansing, issues licensing. Additionally, the city of Detroit has local governing agencies for issuing electrical licenses within those municipalities.
Does My Michigan Electrician License Work in Any Other State?
Michigan doesn’t have reciprocal agreements with other states for electricians. However, some states will waive certain requirements, such as passing a licensing exam, if your Michigan training requirements are equal to or greater to the other state.
What Are the Reciprocity Requirements for an Electrician License in Michigan?
To recap, the state of Michigan doesn't have reciprocity agreements with any other states for electricians.
National Electrician Certifications
Other certifications can help you demonstrate your proficiency to potential employers and clients. The main national electrical certifications are:
Independent Electrical Contractors certification
National Fire Protection Association certification
Professional certifications are not required but can add to your marketability as a service provider and therefore increase your opportunity to make more money.
Are There Electrician Scholarships in Michigan?
Yes, there are electrical scholarships in Michigan. Options include:
Michigan Achievement Skills Scholarship: Provides up to $4,000 over two years for career training programs in high-demand fields like electrical work, helping cover tuition and training costs at eligible schools or training providers.
MSGCU William Cayen Skilled Trades Scholarship: Awards two $2,500 one-time scholarships intended for Michigan students pursuing skilled trades certificates, including electrical training programs.
American Legion Department of Michigan Trade Scholarship: Awards up to $1,000 per year to students entering trades programs, with funds usable for supplies or tuition.
The University of Michigan has hundreds of scholarship opportunities available for undergraduate students. Click here to learn more.
There are several scholarships offered through trade organizations in Michigan as well. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) in Michigan offers several scholarships, including the IBEW Founders' Scholarship and other scholarships for members and their dependents from the local chapters, including IBEW Local 58 in Detroit and IBEW Local 665 in Lansing.
Every scholarship has slightly different requirements and application processes but in general you will need to:
Visit the organization's website.
Fill out an application.
Include a letter or letters of recommendation.
Wait for scholarships to be awarded.
How Can Someone Verify My Electrician License in Michigan?
Your electrical license can be verified by potential clients or employees in Michigan through LARA’s online portal. You can search via name, business name, and license number.
When Can an Electrician License Be Suspended in Michigan?
A suspended electrical license means that the license holder is temporarily prohibited from practicing their trade legally. Some of the common reasons that Michigan electrician licenses can be suspended are:
Fraud in obtaining a license
Professional incompetence
Misleading or deceptive practices
Unethical conduct or practice harmful to the public
Habitual intoxication or addiction to drugs
Client fraud
Code violations
Electrical permit abuse
Note: The information above should not be considered legal advice. For detailed and specific information about Michigan electrician and electrical contractor license regulations you can refer to the Michigan Electrical Administrative Act.
What Are the Penalties for Unlicensed Electrician Work in Michigan?
In Michigan, performing electrical work without the required license is a violation of the Skilled Trades Regulation Act and can result in serious civil and criminal penalties. Unlicensed electrician work may be charged as a misdemeanor, with consequences that can include fines, court costs, and possible jail time, depending on the circumstances and whether the violation is repeated.
The state may also issue cease-and-desist orders, pursue administrative fines, and deny future licensure. In addition, unlicensed electricians can face civil liability for property damage, failed inspections, insurance claim denials, and injuries caused by noncompliant or unsafe electrical work.
Note: The information above should not be considered legal advice. For detailed and specific information about Michigan electrician and electrical contractor license regulations you can refer to the Michigan Electrical Administrative Act.
Continuing Education
Michigan electricians must complete continuing education in order to renew their licenses every three years. Requirements include:
15 hours for Master, Journeyman, and Fire Alarm Specialty Technicians.
8 hours for Sign Specialists
Resources
You can stay up to date on all electrician industry news in several ways:
Check top electrician blogs, including ServiceTitan’s blog.
Read about the latest industry trends, and discover ideas on how to grow your electrical business.
Listen to top electrician podcasts like ServiceTitan’s “Toolbox for the Trades” podcast.
ServiceTitan is a comprehensive electrician business software solution built specifically to help service companies streamline their operations, boost revenue, and achieve growth. Our award-winning, cloud-based platform is trusted by more than 100,000 contractors across the country.
Ready to learn more about what ServiceTitan can do for your business? Contact our team to schedule a demo today.
