Michigan HVAC Mechanical Contractor License Requirements (2026)

The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) Board of Mechanical Rules licenses HVAC contractors statewide under the Forbes Mechanical Contractors Act (MCL 338.971 et seq.). Michigan issues a single Mechanical Contractor License granted by classification — applicants choose from HVAC equipment, ductwork, refrigeration, hydronic heating and cooling, fuel gas piping, LP distribution piping, unfired pressure vessels, and process piping. An HVAC contractor typically holds the HVAC Equipment, Ductwork, Refrigeration, and Fuel Gas Piping classifications. The license requires three years (6,000 hours) of practical experience in the classification applied for and passing the PSI Mechanical Contractor examination at 70%. Michigan does not issue a separate journeyman or apprentice mechanical license — the Mechanical Contractor License is the only individual mechanical credential.

Regulatory Oversight

Michigan LARA — Board of Mechanical Rules (LARA Mechanical Board) administers and enforces this credential under the authority of Forbes Mechanical Contractors Act, MCL 338.971 et seq.. The Board of Mechanical Rules licenses mechanical contractors by classification (HVAC equipment, ductwork, refrigeration, hydronic heating, fuel gas piping, boilers, and others) and adopts the Michigan Mechanical Code.

Official portal: https://www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/bcc/divisions/mechanical
Address: P.O. Box 30254, Lansing, MI 48909
Phone: (517) 241-9325

Who May Apply

At a minimum the applicant has to be 18 years old and supply a valid Social Security Number. No Michigan residency requirement.

Good moral character

LARA evaluates good moral character under MCL 339.204. Felony convictions and prior license revocations are reviewed individually.

Background investigation

Mandatory criminal history disclosure on the application.

Required Experience and Education

Eligibility requires Three years (6,000 hours) of practical experience in each mechanical classification applied for, gained as an employee of a Michigan-licensed Mechanical Contractor or equivalent supervised experience., documented and independently verifiable. Payroll, tax, project, and supervisor records are the usual proof the board will accept.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

LARA Mechanical Experience Verification Form signed by each prior licensed Mechanical Contractor employer
W-2 statements, pay stubs, or 1099 records covering the qualifying period
Notarized affidavits from prior supervising contractors
NATE, EPA Section 608, or other industry certifications (recommended supporting documentation)

Education substitution

Accredited HVAC technology coursework may substitute for up to one year (2,000 hours) of the experience requirement on a sliding scale set by LARA rule. EPA Section 608 universal certification is required separately for any work involving refrigerants.

Examination Requirements

PSI Services LLC (under contract to LARA) runs the examination for this credential. Issuance is contingent on passing every part below:

PSI Michigan Mechanical Contractor Business and Law Examination — 50 questions, 110 minutes, passing score 70%
PSI Michigan Mechanical Contractor Trade Examination — by classification (HVAC, refrigeration, ductwork, fuel gas, etc.) — 80 questions, 240 minutes, passing score 70%

Examination fee: $117 total examination fee paid to PSI when scheduling. Each additional classification trade exam is $59.

Retake policy: Failed parts may be re-taken individually by paying a new $59 part fee. Passed parts remain valid for 12 months while the applicant retakes the failed portion.

Insurance and Financial Requirements

This credential carries no state-level surety bond requirement under the cited sources. Individual jobs may still trigger a permit or public-works bond, which should be verified before bidding.

General liability

LARA does not impose a state-level general liability minimum for Mechanical Contractors. Most municipalities and commercial owners contractually require $500,000 to $1,000,000 of general liability coverage.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation insurance is mandatory in Michigan under the Worker's Disability Compensation Act for any business meeting the statutory employee threshold.

Additional financial requirements

No financial statement or net worth requirement is imposed by LARA for the Mechanical Contractor License.

Licensing Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$200
Examination	$117
Initial license	$200
Renewal (every 3 years)	$200

Keeping the License Current

Renewal of the Michigan Mechanical Contractor License (HVAC Classifications) comes due every 3 years. As cited, the renewal fee stands at $200. Michigan Mechanical Contractor Licenses renew on a three-year cycle keyed to the licensee birth date.

Continuing education: LARA-approved continuing competency credit each three-year renewal cycle, including a mandatory Michigan Mechanical Code update.

Downloadable Asset

2026 Michigan HVAC License Roadmap (PDF) — a printable step-by-step checklist for the application process.

Download the PDF roadmap →

Reciprocity and License Transfer

The NASCLA Accredited Examination is not accepted by Michigan for this classification.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
Wisconsin	Limited bilateral	Limited bilateral recognition with Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services for HVAC contractors in good standing.
Ohio	Limited bilateral	Limited bilateral recognition with the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board for HVAC contractors.
Illinois	Limited bilateral	Limited bilateral recognition for Illinois municipal HVAC contractor credentials in border counties.

Reciprocal applicants must still pass the Michigan-specific business and law portion. Michigan does not participate in NASCLA reciprocity for mechanical contractors.

Weighing more than one jurisdiction? The national hub compares HVAC license requirements in every state — exam, bond, fee, and experience thresholds side by side.

Application Process, Step by Step

Choose mechanical classifications. Select from HVAC equipment, ductwork, refrigeration, hydronic heating and cooling, fuel gas piping, LP distribution piping, unfired pressure vessels, and process piping. Most HVAC businesses select four to five classifications.
Document three years (6,000 hours) of experience per classification. Experience must be supervised by a Michigan-licensed Mechanical Contractor and verified on LARA forms.
Obtain EPA Section 608 universal certification. Required by federal law for any work involving refrigerants. Independent of the LARA license but a practical prerequisite.
Submit the LARA Mechanical Contractor application. File with the $200 application fee, experience verification, and chosen classifications.
Pass the PSI Mechanical Contractor examination at 70%. Pass both the business and law portion and the trade portion for each classification applied for. Score 70% or better.
Receive the Mechanical Contractor License. LARA issues the license listing each approved classification. The license must be renewed every three years.
Obtain workers compensation coverage. Required before employing any worker meeting the statutory threshold.

Document Checklist

The items below are the ones worth confirming before the application is filed with LARA Mechanical Board:

☐ LARA Mechanical Contractor application with $200 fee
☐ Experience verification covering three years (6,000 hours) per classification
☐ EPA Section 608 universal certification (for refrigerant work)
☐ PSI Business and Law exam pass at 70% or better
☐ PSI Trade exam pass at 70% or better for each classification
☐ Workers compensation coverage certificate (if employing workers above the statutory threshold)
☐ Local municipal mechanical contractor registration where required

Recommended References

The references below are either cited by the board, used during the application, or standard preparation for the trade. They are listed purely for convenience — CLR earns no commission on any of them.

Michigan Mechanical Code (current edition) — Michigan LARA Bureau of Construction Codes. Primary technical reference. Open-book at the PSI test center.
International Mechanical Code and International Fuel Gas Code — International Code Council. Base codes adopted by Michigan with state amendments.
NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management — Michigan edition — NASCLA. Standard reference for the business and law portion.

Frequent Application Errors

Working from the cited board instructions, here are the snags most likely to trip up a Michigan HVAC filing.

Applying for the wrong classifications

Each classification requires its own three years of experience and its own trade exam. Adding a classification later requires a new application and exam.

Counting unsupervised experience

Hours must be gained under a Michigan-licensed Mechanical Contractor. Self-employed handyman experience and out-of-state hours without verification are routinely rejected.

Skipping EPA 608

EPA Section 608 universal certification is federally required for refrigerant work. LARA does not issue it but enforcement is active.

Confusing the Mechanical Contractor License with a journeyman credential

Michigan does not issue a separate mechanical journeyman or apprentice license. The Mechanical Contractor License is the only individual credential.

Missing the workers compensation trigger

The Michigan workers compensation threshold catches small HVAC shops by surprise. Confirm coverage with an insurance broker before hiring.

Other Michigan Trade Licenses

CLR covers other Michigan trades as well — the published guides below may be more relevant:

Questions Applicants Ask

When do I need a Michigan Mechanical Contractor License?

Any business that installs, services, alters, or repairs HVAC equipment, ductwork, refrigeration, fuel gas piping, hydronic heating, or related mechanical systems for compensation requires a LARA Mechanical Contractor License under MCL 338.971 et seq.

How many years of experience does Michigan require for HVAC?

Three years (6,000 hours) of practical experience in each mechanical classification applied for, supervised by a Michigan-licensed Mechanical Contractor.

What are the Michigan mechanical classifications?

HVAC equipment, ductwork, refrigeration, hydronic heating and cooling, fuel gas piping, LP distribution piping, unfired pressure vessels, and process piping. The license is granted by classification rather than as a single trade license.

Does Michigan require EPA 608 certification?

Yes for any work involving refrigerants. EPA Section 608 universal certification is a federal requirement and a practical prerequisite for the refrigeration and HVAC equipment classifications.

How often does the Michigan Mechanical Contractor License renew?

Every three years. Renewal requires LARA-approved continuing competency credit including a Michigan Mechanical Code update.

Primary Sources

Regulatory requirements on this page are drawn from the official board, statute, and exam-provider materials listed below.

Verified 2026-05-29 · Next scheduled review 2026-08-27