Michigan offers a wide array of licensing options for electricians in the state. All electricians should be licensed or work under a licensed electrical contractor if training. This article discusses the requirements for and caveats of the following Michigan electrical license types:
- Electrical Journeyman License
- Master Electrician License
- Electrical Contractor License
- Fire Alarm Specialty Technician License
- Fire Alarm Contractor License
- Signs Specialist License
- Sign Specialist Contractor License
- Licenses in Detroit or Grand Rapids
Do You Need an Electrical License in Michigan?
Unless they are completing an apprenticeship or training program, an electrician in Michigan must be licensed. Apprentices should also file an Electrical Apprentice application with the state.
If you live in Detroit or Grand Rapids, you must apply for your license within the municipality and not the state.
The exception to this rule is if an electrician is working on their own home, in which case they can file for the appropriate permits themselves.
License Requirements in MI
Each electrical license has particular education, experience, and application requirements listed below.
Electrical Journeyman License Michigan
An electrical journeyman works under an electrical contractor or master electrician but is usually not directly supervised. They install outlets, wiring, and fixtures. A journeyman may supervise another apprentice electrician.
To become a journeyman electrician in Michigan, you must:
- Be 20+
- Have at least 8,000 hours of electrical construction or maintenance experience under the supervision of a licensed electrician
- Complete the application
- Pay the $40 application fee
- Pass the exam
Journeyman electricians in MI make around $30.14 per hour in Michigan with an additional $13,000+ in overtime annually.
Master Electrician License
Master electricians design electrical projects and supervise other electricians on the project. Master electricians in Michigan must first be journeyman electricians.
To become a master electrician in Michigan, you must:
- Be 22+
- Have held a journeyman’s license for at least 2 years
- Have at least 12,000 hours of experience over at least 6 years
- This experience should be around electrical construction, the maintenance of buildings, or electrical wiring or equipment under the supervision of a master electrician
- Complete the application
- Pay the $50 application fee
- Pass the exam
Master electricians in MI make an average of $33.54 per hour plus $10,000+ in overtime annually.
Electrical Contractor License in Michigan
Electrical contractors perform design, install, and maintain electrical systems as well as perform specialized electrical work. This person can acquire permits for various electrical projects and supervise a variety of electricians.
To become an electrical contractor in Michigan, you must:
- Be a master electrician OR employ at least 1 master electrician residing in Michigan
- Complete the application
- Pay the $300 application fee
- Pass the exam
Electrical contractors in MI make roughly $59,940 per year plus overtime.
Fire Alarm Specialty Technician License
Electricians specialized in designing, installing, or altering fire alarms should have a Fire Alarm Specialty Technician License.
To become a fire alarm specialty technician in MI you must:
- Be 20+
- Be certified in the field of fire alarms systems by the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technology (NICET) as an associate engineering technician, level II, or the equivalent
- Complete the application
- Pay the $50 application fee
- Pass the exam
Fire alarm specialty technicians make an average of $45,232 annually in Michigan.
Fire Alarm Contractor License
Fire alarm contractors erect, install, alter, repair, service, and maintain wiring related to fire alarm systems. They are or oversee a fire alarm specialty technician.
To become a fire alarm contractor in MI you must:
- Be a fire alarm specialty technician OR employ at least 1 fire alarm specialty technician residing in Michigan
- Complete the application
- Pay the $300 application fee
- Pass the exam
Signs Specialist License
Electricians working on signs can get their Signs Specialist License by:
- Being 18+
- Having at least 4,000 hours of experience during at least 2 years
- Completing an approved course
- Complete the application
- Pay the $40 application fee
- Pass the exam
Sign Specialist Contractor License
Sign specialist contractors can employ sign specialist technicians and obtain state permits for large projects.
The requirements in MI include:
- Holding a sign specialist license or employing at least one person who does and resides in the state
- Provide evidence of public liability insurance
- Submit the application
- Pay the $200 application fee
- Pass the exam
Licenses in Detroit or Grand Rapids
Those performing electrical work in Detroit or Grand Rapids must be licensed by the municipality instead of the state.
Visit each city’s official website to find information on electrical licenses available in Detroit and those in Grand Rapids.
Renewing Your MI License
The Bureau’s Licensing Division requires licensees to complete continuing education credits for renewals. They have partnered with CE Broker to provide a list of Code Update Courses, Related Technical Instruction providers for electrical apprentices, Examination Prep Courses, and more.
Information on renewing your license can be found on the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs website or by calling the Bureau at 517-241-9316.