Plumber / Michigan
2026 data Michigan board official source

Michigan Plumber License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

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Installs and repairs pipes and plumbing systems. Requires apprenticeship.

What the Michigan data shows for Plumbers

Michigan sets the entry bar for plumbers at 5,892 training hours and a passing score on State Journeyman Plumber Exam, with 4 years of supervised work experience expected. A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 18 or older. The credential is administered under Michigan's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Apprenticeship Program".

The initial price tag is $158, and renewal costs $134 every 1 years. The license also carries an ongoing 8-hour continuing-education requirement per 1-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

For plumbers, the reciprocity picture is: Journeyman licenses rarely reciprocal — check state board.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
19/100
Plumber · Michigan

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
5,892 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$158
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$134/yr
$134 every 1 year
Continuing Education C+
8.0 hrs/yr
8 hours every 1 year
Experience Required F
4 years
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Michigan

Education / Training Hours
Apprenticeship Program
5,892 hours
Exam Requirement
State Journeyman Plumber Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$158
Renewal Fee
$134
Renewal Cycle
Every 1 year
Continuing Education
8 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Work Experience Required
4 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Plumber All Michigan licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Michigan licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Plumber in Michigan? ▼
Michigan's requirements cover 5892 hours of education or training, the State Journeyman Plumber Exam exam, and an initial fee of $158. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Plumber in Michigan? ▼
Certification as a plumber in Michigan means clearing the state's checklist: 5892 hours of education plus 4 years of work experience, and a passing exam score. The Michigan licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Plumber license to Michigan from another state? ▼
Reciprocity for plumbers nationally works like this: Journeyman licenses rarely reciprocal — check state board. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into Michigan. Verify the specifics with the Michigan licensing board.
Does Michigan require a background check for Plumber licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for plumber licensing in Michigan. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Plumber in Michigan? ▼
Michigan ties continued plumber licensure to 8 continuing-education hours, due every 1 year, alongside a $134 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this plumber license

Plumber in Michigan, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a plumber-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Michigan's plumber requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Plumber in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state plumber license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Michigan's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Michigan overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Michigan licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.