LARA Delivers Major Progress on Cutting Red Tape

LANSING, MI – The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) released a progress report detailing the significant strides made over the past year to implement recommendations from its February 2025 report, “Cutting Red Tape: Recommendations to Protect People and Promote Business”.

The progress report provides an update on how LARA has acted on feedback from more than 16,000 Michiganders, reducing barriers to licensure, improving customer experience, and strengthening Michigan’s workforce.

“This progress report reflects the work we’ve done to follow through on stakeholder input and deliver meaningful improvements,” said Marlon I. Brown, Director of LARA. “We are not only identifying opportunities, but we are also acting on them in ways that make a real difference for the people and businesses we serve every day.”

Since releasing the original report in February 2025, LARA has made measurable progress across all areas, with actions already improving how licensing works in Michigan.

As of April 2026:

• More than half of all recommendations are completed or underway 13 process improvements completed, modernizing the licensing experience 
• 8 rule changes completed, with additional updates in progress 
• 1 statutory change completed and 43 advancing through the legislative process

Key actions completed to date include:

• Simplifying licensing processes and exams across industries 
• Launching interactive career maps to support entry into skilled trades 
• Expanding continuing education through distance learning opportunities 
• Implementing more efficient enforcement tools, including a citation program for certain industries 

Together, these efforts are making state government easier to navigate, more responsive to the needs of Michiganders, and better positioned to support a strong and growing workforce.

The Cutting Red Tape Progress Report is available on the LARA website and provides a detailed look at the progress made and the work ahead. You can access the progress report on the homepages for the Bureau of Construction Codes, the Bureau of Professional Licensing, and the Corporations, Securities and Commercial Licensing.

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