Contractor License Renewal in Michigan (2026)

Contractor license renewal in Michigan is handled by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes — Licensing Section (Residential Builders' and Maintenance & Alteration Contractors' Board), which requires General Contractors to renew every 36 months. Below are the renewal deadline rule, continuing-education (CE) hours, fees, and a direct link to the official renewal page — last verified 2026-06-01. This is an unofficial guide; always confirm the details with the board before you file.

Michigan Contractor renewal at a glance

Renewal cycle	36 months
Deadline rule	Residential Builder licenses are issued on a 3-year cycle and expire May 31. License must be renewed online before expiration; if expired more than 60 days, the licensee must apply for relicensure to reactivate. As a condition of renewal the licensee must attest to holding a current copy of the Michigan Residential Code and to having met the continuing competency requirement.
CE hours required	3 hours
Renewal fee	$150.00
Online renewal	Yes
CE tracking system	Self-attestation at renewal via Accela Citizen Access (aca3.accela.com/lara); no central CE tracking portal — licensee retains documentation 5 years and submits only if audited
Governing body	Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes — Licensing Section (Residential Builders' and Maintenance & Alteration Contractors' Board)

Go to the official Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes — Licensing Section (Residential Builders' and Maintenance & Alteration Contractors' Board) renewal page →

Last verified 2026-06-01 from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes — Licensing Section (Residential Builders' and Maintenance & Alteration Contractors' Board). automated research workflow (official michigan contractor board), confidence high.

Continuing-education requirements for Contractors in Michigan

Continuing competency required per 3-year cycle, but the amount depends on original licensure date (MCL 339.2404b). Steady-state requirement (licensees originally licensed before 1/1/2009, and those licensed after 1/1/2009 for more than 6 years): 3 hours per cycle — 1 hour building codes/laws related to the occupation, 1 hour safety, 1 hour changes in construction and business management laws. Licensees originally licensed after 1/1/2009 must complete a minimum of 3 hours each year totaling 21 hours within the first 3-year cycle and another 21 hours in the second 3-year cycle (the three 1-hour core topics plus 18 hours of approved 'other topics'). Licensees self-attest at renewal; documentation must be retained 5 years for possible audit. Distance learning is allowed.

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How to renew your Contractor license in Michigan

Confirm your renewal deadline and current status on the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes — Licensing Section (Residential Builders' and Maintenance & Alteration Contractors' Board) portal.
Complete the required 3 CE hours and confirm they appear in Self-attestation at renewal via Accela Citizen Access (aca3.accela.com/lara); no central CE tracking portal — licensee retains documentation 5 years and submits only if audited.
Submit the renewal application and pay the current fee online.
Keep proof of CE and your renewal confirmation for your records.

Good to know: Michigan licenses general residential construction at the state level via the Residential Builder license (and Maintenance & Alteration Contractor license), governed by Article 24 of Public Act 299 of 1980 and administered by LARA's Bureau of Construction Codes. There is no separate state-level 'commercial general contractor' license — commercial/non-residential work is generally not subject to a state contractor license (it is governed by building codes/permits and trade-specific licensing such as electrical, plumbing, mechanical). Renewal fee of $150 and the 3-year/May-31 cycle were stated on LARA's official Residential Builder FAQ pages; no flat statutory late fee is published (instead, relicensure is required if the license lapses beyond 60 days). CE hours vary by licensee vintage; the value 3 reflects the steady-state per-cycle requirement for established licensees — newer licensees (post-1/1/2009, first 6 years) face 21 hours/cycle. Renewal must be done online through Accela.

Contractor license renewal in Michigan: frequently asked questions

How often do I renew my Contractor license in Michigan?

Michigan Contractor licenses renew every 36 months. Residential Builder licenses are issued on a 3-year cycle and expire May 31. License must be renewed online before expiration; if expired more than 60 days, the licensee must apply for relicensure to reactivate. As a condition of renewal the licensee must attest to holding a current copy of the Michigan Residential Code and to having met the continuing competency requirement.

How many CE hours are required to renew an Contractor license in Michigan?

Approximately 3 continuing-education hours per cycle. Continuing competency required per 3-year cycle, but the amount depends on original licensure date (MCL 339.2404b). Steady-state requirement (licensees originally licensed before 1/1/2009, and those licensed after 1/1/2009 for more than 6 years): 3 hours per cycle — 1 hour building codes/laws related to the occupation, 1 hour safety, 1 hour changes in construction and business management laws. Licensees originally licensed after 1/1/2009 must complete a minimum of 3 hours each year totaling 21 hours within the first 3-year cycle and another 21 hours in the second 3-year cycle (the three 1-hour core topics plus 18 hours of approved 'other topics'). Licensees self-attest at renewal; documentation must be retained 5 years for possible audit. Distance learning is allowed. Confirm the current requirement with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes — Licensing Section (Residential Builders' and Maintenance & Alteration Contractors' Board).

Can I renew my Michigan Contractor license online?

Yes — Michigan offers online renewal through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes — Licensing Section (Residential Builders' and Maintenance & Alteration Contractors' Board). Use the official link on this page.

What happens if I let my Michigan Contractor license expire?

Practicing on an expired license is generally prohibited and can carry penalties. Late or reactivation fees may apply. Contact the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes — Licensing Section (Residential Builders' and Maintenance & Alteration Contractors' Board) promptly if your license has lapsed.

Renew the same license in another state

All states: General Contractor renewal