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Prelicensure Education Requirements for Residential Builder and Maintenance & Alteration Contractor Applicants

Beginning June 1, 2008, an applicant for a Residential Builder or Maintenance & Alteration Contractor license must complete 60 hours of approved prelicensure education prior to taking the examination or submitting a license application to the Department.

The Approved Prelicensure Education Course List is a listing of approved programs for residential builders and maintenance & alteration contractors. Courses must be preapproved by the Department and the list is updated as additional courses are made available.

Prior to applying for a license, an applicant must:

  • Complete 60 hours of approved prelicensure courses (at least 6 hours in each subject below).
    • Business Management, Estimating, and Job Costing (6 hours);
    • Design and Building Science (6 hours);
    • Contracts, Liability, and Risk Management (6 hours);
    • Marketing and Sales (6 hours);
    • Project Management and Scheduling (6 hours);
    • The Michigan Residential Code (6 hours);
    • MIOSHA Construction Safety Standards (6 hours); and
    • The remaining 18 hours can come from other topics on the approved course list.

After completing the required 60 hours of prelicensing courses, an applicant must:

  • Submit a completed application and applicable fee;
  • Be of good moral character; and
  • Successfully complete the Residential Builder or Maintenance & Alteration Contractor examination once all other requirements are met.

Residential Builder and Maintenance & Alteration Contractor License Application

Examinations are conducted by PSI. Approved applicants will be contacted by PSI to schedule their examination at one (1) of five (5) PSI testing centers throughout the state and are available to test six (6) days a week. Applicants are able to choose their testing center and day of examination. All examination fees are required to be paid to PSI at the time an examination is scheduled. Therefore, as of June 1, 2008, examination fees should no longer be submitted to the State of Michigan/Bureau of Construction Codes.

Further information regarding scheduling or questions can be directed to PSI.

Questions regarding licensing requirements should be directed to the Bureau's Licensing Section at 517-241-9316.