Michigan Roofing License Requirements (2026)

The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) Bureau of Construction Codes licenses residential contractors under PA 299 of 1980 (Residential Builders Act). Roofing on residential structures is regulated as a specialty under the Maintenance and Alteration Contractor (MAC) license with the Roofing classification, or under the broader Residential Builder license. Applicants must complete a 60-hour state-approved prelicensure education course, pass the PSI Residential Builder/MAC exam with the Roofing specialty, and maintain insurance. Commercial roofing is not state-licensed in Michigan but Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing, and other cities require local registrations for commercial work.

Regulatory Oversight

Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs — Bureau of Construction Codes (LARA BCC) administers and enforces this credential under the authority of Michigan Occupational Code, MCL 339.2401 et seq. (Article 24 — Residential Builders); Skilled Trades Regulation Act, MCL 339.5101 et seq.. 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

Who May Apply

An applicant qualifies only after meeting the age floor of 18 and producing a valid Social Security Number. No Michigan residency requirement.

Good moral character

LARA reviews fraud and construction-related felonies under PA 299 §2404.

Background investigation

Criminal history disclosure on application.

Required Experience and Education

Eligibility here is not measured in years of experience but by no experience requirement under PA 299; the 60-hour prelicensure course is the competency gate, per the cited materials.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

60-hour prelicensure course completion certificate

Education substitution

Not applicable.

Examination Requirements

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

Michigan Residential Builder / MAC Business and Law Exam — 50 questions, 90 minutes, passing score 70%
MAC Roofing Specialty Trade Exam — shingle, metal, tile, flat roofing, MRC R905 adoption — 50 questions, 120 minutes, passing score 70%

Examination fee: $117 per exam paid to PSI.

Retake policy: Failed exams retaken at $117 each; application valid one year.

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 set a statutory minimum but most Michigan municipalities require $500,000–$1,000,000 GL at permit.

Workers' compensation

Mandatory for every Michigan employer with three or more employees under MCL 418.115. A one-employee 13-week rule also triggers coverage.

Additional financial requirements

No financial statement or bond required. Licensees contribute to the Homeowner Construction Lien Recovery Fund assessment via license fee.

Licensing Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$195
Examination	$234
Initial license	$195
Renewal (every 3 years)	$195

Keeping the License Current

Renewal of the Michigan Residential Builder / Maintenance and Alteration Contractor — Roofing comes due every 3 years. As cited, the renewal fee stands at $195. Triennial renewal. CE courses tracked by LARA.

Continuing education: 21 hours of continuing competency every three years.

Downloadable Asset

2026 Michigan Roofing 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
No formal bilateral reciprocity agreements identified.

No reciprocity.

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

Application Process, Step by Step

Complete the 60-hour LARA-approved prelicensure course. Required for Residential Builder and MAC applicants. Online and in-person providers available.
Submit the LARA application. Residential Builder or MAC with Roofing specialty. $195 application fee.
Pass the PSI Business and Law and Roofing Specialty exams. 70% on each.
Bind general liability and workers compensation. Workers comp mandatory at three employees under MCL 418.115.
Adopt PA 299 §2412 compliant contract language. Written contracts with specific disclosures including homeowner cancellation rights.
Register with local cities where you pull permits. Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing and Ann Arbor each require local contractor registration.
Receive license and renew every three years. Triennial renewal fee $195 plus 21 hours of continuing competency.

Document Checklist

These are the pieces to lock down before filing with LARA BCC:

☐ 60-hour LARA prelicensure course completion certificate
☐ LARA application + $195
☐ PSI Business/Law pass certificate (70%+)
☐ PSI MAC Roofing Specialty pass certificate (70%+)
☐ General liability certificate of insurance
☐ Michigan workers compensation declaration page
☐ Local city contractor registrations

Recommended References

What follows are the regulator-cited and commonly used preparation references for this trade. They appear here for convenience only; CLR takes no compensation for them.

Michigan Residential Code R905 — LARA Bureau of Construction Codes. Adopted IRC with Michigan amendments.
Michigan PA 299 of 1980 — Residential Builders Act — State of Michigan. Primary licensing statute.
NRCA Roofing Manual — National Roofing Contractors Association. Primary technical reference.

Frequent Application Errors

Based on the board's own instructions and the sources cited here, the problems below are what most often stall a Michigan Roofing application.

Skipping the 60-hour prelicensure course

LARA rejects applications without the certificate. The course cannot be waived by experience.

Ice dam liability on Michigan winters

Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula counties see heavy ice dams. Missing ice barrier triggers homeowner suits and MIOSHA complaints.

MIOSHA fall protection

Michigan OSHA enforces fall protection at six feet with state-specific penalties. Detroit and Grand Rapids routinely inspect residential reroofs.

Local registration gap

Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Ann Arbor each require local contractor registration on top of LARA. Unregistered city work draws stop-work orders.

Missing triennial CE

LARA will not renew without 21 hours of documented continuing competency. Late renewals require re-application.

Other Michigan Trade Licenses

If the Roofing license is not the right fit, the following published Michigan trade guides are also covered by CLR:

Questions Applicants Ask

What is the 60-hour prelicensure course?

A mandatory LARA-approved education course covering business, building codes, and safety. Required for every Residential Builder and MAC applicant before sitting for the PSI exam.

What is the difference between Residential Builder and MAC?

Residential Builder authorizes new home construction plus remodels. MAC authorizes maintenance and alteration on existing residential structures only — most roofers hold the MAC with the Roofing specialty.

Does Michigan license commercial roofing?

No. LARA regulates residential only. Commercial roofing is subject to city permit rules and workplace safety under MIOSHA.

Is workers comp mandatory?

Yes at three or more employees under MCL 418.115, with a 13-week rule that also captures one-employee operators who work continuously.

When does the license renew?

Every three years with a $195 fee and 21 hours of continuing competency.

Primary Sources

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

Verified 2026-06-06 · Next scheduled review 2026-09-04