Michigan Painting Contractor License Requirements (2026)

Michigan regulates residential painting through the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes, under the Occupational Code (PA 299 of 1980, MCL §339.2401 et seq.). Painting on residential structures is a Maintenance and Alteration (M&A) Contractor classification — "Painting and Decorating" — requiring a state license before performing any residential work valued at $600 or more in a calendar year. The license requires a 60-hour prelicensure course, passing the PSI residential builder exam, and ongoing insurance. Commercial painting is not state-licensed. Federal EPA Lead RRP applies statewide.

Federal requirement: EPA Lead RRP Rule

Renovation, repair, or painting that disturbs paint in pre-1978 housing is regulated nationwide under the federal EPA Lead RRP Rule — regardless of whether Michigan licenses this trade. See our complete EPA RRP Lead Certification guide for who needs firm and renovator certification, what it costs, and how renewal works.

Governing Authority

Under Michigan Occupational Code, MCL 339.2401 et seq. (Article 24 — Residential Builders); Skilled Trades Regulation Act, MCL 339.5101 et seq., Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs — Bureau of Construction Codes (LARA BCC) is the body that issues this license and enforces compliance with it. LARA Bureau of Construction Codes administers Michigan licensing for residential builders, electricians, plumbers, and mechanical contractors through its trade-specific boards, adopts the Michigan building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical codes, and conducts disciplinary proceedings.

Official portal: https://www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/bcc
Address: P.O. Box 30254, Lansing, MI 48909
Phone: (517) 241-9313

Eligibility Requirements

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 reviews criminal history and prior license discipline.

Background investigation

Application requires disclosure of criminal history and prior occupational license actions.

Experience & Education Matrix

There is no published year count for this credential in the cited sources. What actually controls eligibility is no minimum experience; 60-hour LARA-approved prelicensure course substitutes for experience.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

Certificate of completion for the 60-hour prelicensure course
PSI exam score report
Certificate of insurance

Examination Structure

The licensing examination is delivered by PSI Services LLC (under contract to LARA). All of the following parts must be cleared prior to issuance:

Michigan Residential Maintenance and Alteration (Painting and Decorating) Examination — 110 questions, 300 minutes, passing score 70%

Examination fee: $117 PSI exam fee plus $195 LARA application fee.

Retake policy: Failed exams may be retaken after re-registration with PSI; application valid for three years.

Insurance & Financial Security

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

No statutory GL minimum in MCL §339; market standard $1,000,000 / $2,000,000.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation mandatory under MCL §418.115 for employers with one or more employees working 35+ hours per week for 13+ weeks.

Additional financial requirements

No financial statement required.

Application and License Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$195
Examination	$117
Initial license	$195
Renewal (every 3 years)	$195

Maintenance & Renewal

Expect to renew the Michigan Residential Maintenance and Alteration Contractor (Painting and Decorating) — LARA every 3 years. Renewal currently costs $195. Triennial renewal; CC credits tracked by LARA.

Continuing education: LARA requires 21 hours of continuing competency (CC) every three years for M&A Contractors under MCL §339.2404b.

Downloadable Asset

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

Download the PDF roadmap →

Reciprocity and Endorsement

Michigan does not accept the NASCLA Accredited Examination for this classification.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
No formal bilateral reciprocity agreements identified.

Michigan does not reciprocate M&A Contractor licenses.

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

Step-by-Step Application Roadmap

Complete LARA-approved 60-hour prelicensure course. Course covers business management, construction law, building science, and trade content for the painting classification.
Register for the PSI Michigan Painting and Decorating exam. Score 70% or higher on the 110-question exam.
Submit LARA license application with fingerprints. $195 application fee plus fingerprint-based background check.
Procure general liability insurance. $1M/$2M market standard.
Set up workers compensation if hiring employees. Mandatory under MCL §418.115.
Complete EPA Lead-Safe Firm Certification. Required for pre-1978 housing; Detroit and southeast Michigan have extensive pre-1978 stock.
Use a Michigan-compliant residential contract. MCL §339.2412 requires the license number and written contract with specific disclosures.
Renew triennially. M&A licenses renew every three years; $195 renewal fee.

Study and Reference Materials

These are the preparation and reference materials tied to this credential — cited by the regulator or widely used by applicants. CLR earns nothing from listing them.

PSI Michigan Residential Builder and M&A Contractor Candidate Information Bulletin — PSI / LARA. Exam content outline and reference list.
Michigan Residential Code — Michigan Bureau of Construction Codes. Technical reference for painting-relevant portions.
PDCA Painting and Decorating Craftsman's Manual — PDCA. Trade reference.

Common Filing Mistakes

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

Skipping the 60-hour course

LARA will not schedule the PSI exam without proof of the prelicensure course. Course completion is mandatory.

Unlicensed residential painting over $600

MCL §339.2412a makes unlicensed residential work over $600 per year a misdemeanor; unlicensed contracts are unenforceable.

Missing the 21-hour CC requirement

LARA suspends licenses for missing continuing competency. Track CC hours throughout the renewal cycle.

Ignoring the federal EPA Lead RRP rule

Detroit and Flint have extensive pre-1978 housing; EPA enforcement is aggressive.

No workers comp for long-hour crews

MCL §418.115 triggers at 35+ hours for 13+ weeks; seasonal crews easily cross the threshold.

Pre-Submission Checklist

The most critical documents or confirmations the applicant should have in hand before filing with LARA BCC:

☐ 60-hour LARA prelicensure course completion
☐ PSI Painting and Decorating exam pass at 70%
☐ LARA application with fingerprints
☐ General liability insurance
☐ Workers compensation (if employees)
☐ EPA Lead-Safe Firm Certification
☐ Michigan-compliant residential contract template
☐ EIN from the IRS

Other Michigan Trade Licenses

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Michigan require a state license to paint residential work?

Yes. Painting on residential structures valued at $600 or more in a calendar year requires a LARA Maintenance and Alteration Contractor license in the Painting and Decorating classification.

Is commercial painting licensed?

No. Michigan does not license commercial painting. Commercial painters comply only with workers comp, insurance, and federal EPA RRP.

What is the 60-hour course?

LARA requires a 60-hour prelicensure course from an approved provider before sitting for the PSI exam. Content includes business law, construction codes, and the Painting and Decorating trade curriculum.

Is EPA Lead RRP required?

Yes. Detroit, Flint, and southeast Michigan have extensive pre-1978 housing; EPA enforcement is active.

How long is the license valid?

Three years. LARA M&A licenses renew on a triennial cycle.

Primary Sources

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

Verified 2026-06-17 · Next scheduled review 2026-09-15