The Bureau of Commercial Services, Licensing Division within the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs licenses residential builders and maintenance & alteration contractor companies. The Michigan Residential Builders and Maintenance & Alteration Contractors Board was created under Article 24 of Public Act 299 of 1980, as amended, to license and regulate persons engaged in the construction of a residential structure or combination residential and commercial structure, or persons who undertake the repair, alteration, addition, subtraction or improvement of a residential structure or combination residential and commercial structure for compensation other than wages for personal labor.

A state license must be displayed in the place of business and all contractors and their salespersons must carry a pocket card which the public should ask to see. If they cannot show proof of a license, check the department's Verify a License website or call the Verification Unit at (517) 241-9288.

New!  Renewals for these tasks are accessible through the Michigan Business One Stop portal.

A. NAME OF LICENSE OR APPROVAL:

Residential Builder and Maintenance & Alteration Contractor Branch Office License Application

Corporation, Limited Liability Company or Partnership Residential Builder and Maintenance & Alteration Contractor License Application

Other Residential Builder and maintenance & Alteration Contractor forms

B. STATUTORY AUTHORITY:

PA 299 of 1980 (Occupational Code) Article 24

C. APPLICABLE REGULATION:

Administrative Rules

D. SUMMARY OF LICENSE/APPROVAL PROCESS:

 1.  Applicability (activities that require a license)

A Residential Builder may build a new home from the ground up or may do any kind of repairs regulated under Article 24 of the Occupational Code. The builder may contract for the whole job, but will have to subcontract for plumbing, electrical, and mechanical (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) work to licensed plumbing, electrical and mechanical contractors.

A Maintenance & Alteration (M&A) Contractor is licensed to perform only specific trades and services and may accept contracts only in the trade(s) or craft(s) for which he or she is licensed. The contractor's wall license and pocket card identifies the trades for which the M&A Contractor is licensed. The pocket card contains a letter code that represents the trade or trades in which that contractor is licensed. The M&A trades and their equivalent letter codes are:

Carpentry (A);

Concrete (B);

Excavation (D);

Insulation Work (G);

Masonry (I);

Painting & Decorating (J);

Siding (K);

Roofing (M);

Screen & Storm Sash (N);

Gutters (O);

Tile & Marble (P);

House Wrecking (R);

Swimming Pools (S); and

Basement Waterproofing (T).

A Branch Office is a separate office location for a licensed Residential Builder or Maintenance & Alteration Contractor. If a builder or contractor is operating out of more than one location, the second location must be licensed as a Branch Office.

A licensed Residential Builder or Maintenance & Alteration Contractor may obtain a Branch Office License Applicationon our website at www.michigan.gov/builders, under Forms & Publications. The application must be completed and submitted to the Department, along with the application fee.

 2.  Pre-Application Requirements

N/A

 3.  Application Submission Requirements

Applicants must submit a signed application form and the information that is specified in Article 24 of P.A. 299 of 1980, as amended (Occupational Code) laws and/or rules and directions for completing an application.

 4.  Procedures and Time-Frame for Obtaining License or Approval

N/A

 5.  Operational Requirements

N/A

 6.  Fees

APPLICATION	FEE
Residential Builder and Maintenance & Alteration Contractor Branch Office License	$55.00
Corporation, Limited Liability Company or Partnership Residential Builder and Maintenance & Alteration Contractor License Application	$225.00

 7.  Appeal Process

For the occupations regulated under the Occupational Code, this generally describes the procedure that is followed when an applicant for a license has received a formal denial of the application. The Code calls what they file a Petition for Review and requires that the Department receive it within 30 days. The appeal/petition is placed on the board agenda for the next regularly scheduled board meeting. The Petitioner files a written request to appeal that is accompanied by any documents, which would substantiate their reason why the denial should be overturned and a license granted. The two main categories of denial are: lack of good moral character and failure to meet the license requirements (lack of education, experience, failed exam, etc.) The Board and Department hear the appeal/Petition during the meeting. The Board vote must be agreed upon by the Department; in case of the Board voting to overturn the denial and the Department disagreeing (wanting the denial to stand), the Department has the final decision. If the Petitioner is in attendance, the Petitioner knows the outcome then but either way a letter outlining the results is mailed to the Petitioner. Should the Petitioner wish to appeal an upheld denial determination made at the Board meeting, the next step would be filing in Circuit Court. If the occupation is not under the Occupational Code, the Bureau Director would hear the appeal and any upheld denial by the Bureau Director could also be appealed to Circuit Court.

 8.  Public Input Opportunities

The public has an opportunity to provide input in various ways. Typical opportunities for input are when administrative rules are being considered at a Public Hearing. The public has an opportunity to address specific draft rules or the rule set overall either in writing or by testimony at the hearing. At open Board Meetings, the public is given an opportunity to address the board on either specific items or in general. At any time a member of the public wishes to address a Bureau practice, policy or procedure, a letter to the Bureau Director may be sent. The Bureau also receives many inquiries or comments by way of letters to the Governor regarding Bureau operations or specific licensure applications.

E. Contact Information:

Contact Us

 

Creation/Revision Date:

September 29, 2010