Michigan Electrician License: Journeyman, Master & Exam Requirements (2026)
Getting an electrician license in Michigan is a structured process administered by the Bureau of Construction Codes (BCC) under the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). Michigan uses a multi-tier system — Apprentice, Journeyman, Master, and Electrical Contractor — with specific experience thresholds, an open-book PSI exam, and no reciprocity with other states.
This guide covers every requirement, fee, and step for 2026 — verified against Michigan statutes and the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin.
Disclaimer: Requirements and fees change. Always verify current details directly with the Michigan Bureau of Construction Codes before applying.
Michigan Electrician License Types
Michigan issues four electrical license types through the Bureau of Construction Codes:
| License | Experience | Age | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice Electrician | Register within 30 days of employment | None specified | Learns and assists under direct supervision |
| Journeyman Electrician | 8,000 hours (4+ years) under licensed electrician | 20+ | Installs, repairs, works without direct on-site supervision |
| Master Electrician | 12,000 hours (6+ years) + journeyman for 2+ years | 22+ | Supervises all electrical work, qualifies for contractor license |
| Electrical Contractor | Must employ a master electrician | N/A | Obtains permits, runs electrical contracting business |
This guide focuses on the Journeyman and Master electrician tracks. If you're studying for the Michigan exam, start practicing with state-specific questions here.
[Source: MCL 339.5707, 339.5713, 339.5715 — legislature.mi.gov]
Journeyman Electrician License Requirements
Experience
8,000 hours of documented electrical work experience obtained over at least 4 years. The experience must be related to electrical construction, maintenance of buildings, or electrical wiring or equipment — performed under the direct supervision of a Michigan-licensed journeyman or master electrician.
Documentation requirements:
- Experience letters on employer letterhead, notarized
- Work Experience Report / Electrical Experience Affidavit (BCC form)
- Apprenticeship completion certificates (if applicable)
Education (Related Technical Instruction)
576 hours of related technical instruction (RTI), of which 450 hours must be electrical core courses. RTI must be completed at a provider approved by the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship and must meet Michigan Electrical Administrative Board standards. A minimum of 144 hours per year is required across the 4-year apprenticeship.
Age
Must be at least 20 years old at the time of application.
Military Path
Veterans honorably discharged within one year of application may qualify by providing an affidavit documenting 8,000 hours of entry-level experience covering ten technical areas (electrical terminology, grounding systems, circuit classifications, ampacity calculations, motor installation, load calculations, protective devices, raceways, special circuits, and lighting fixtures).
[Source: MCL 339.5715 — legislature.mi.gov; canr.msu.edu Michigan apprenticeship requirements]
Master Electrician License Requirements
To qualify for the Master Electrician exam, you must:
- Be at least 22 years old
- Have 12,000 hours of electrical experience obtained over at least 6 years — performed under the supervision of a master electrician
- Hold a valid Michigan Journeyman Electrician license for at least 2 years
- Have at least 4,000 hours of that experience as a licensed Michigan journeyman electrician
The master exam is 76 questions in 180 minutes with the same 75% passing score.
A single master electrician's license cannot satisfy the requirements for multiple electrical contractor licenses simultaneously.
[Source: MCL 339.5713 — legislature.mi.gov]
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All exams are administered by PSI and scheduled through PSI after the BCC approves your application.
Exam Format
| Exam | Passing Score | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Journeyman Electrician | 75% | $100 |
| Master Electrician | 75% | $100 |
All exams are computer-based, multiple-choice, and open book. For current question counts and time limits, refer to the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin for Michigan Electrical at time of scheduling.
Note: Michigan no longer requires an examination for Electrical Contractor, Fire Alarm Contractor, or Sign Contractor licenses as of recent BCC policy. Only journeyman and master licenses require an exam. [Source: michigan.gov/lara BCC Electrical Licensing page]
[Source: MCL 339.5707 (fees); MCL 339.5713, 339.5715 (passing score); michigan.gov/lara (no contractor exam)]
Is the Michigan Exam Open Book?
Yes. The Michigan electrician exam is open book. You may bring the following approved reference materials into the exam room:
- 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) — soft-bound edition with factory markings, highlights, and factory tabs only
- 2023 Michigan Electrical Code Rules Part 8 — must be bound with 3 staples on the left edge
- 2016 PA 407 (Skilled Trades Regulation Act)
- 1972 PA 230 (State Construction Code Act)
Not allowed: The NEC Handbook, handwritten notes, custom tabs, loose papers, or any additional papers attached to your references. Any candidate caught writing, highlighting, underlining, or indexing in references during the exam will be reported to the BCC.
You may also bring a basic non-programmable calculator and a straight-edge rule (without calculations printed on it).
Because the exam is open book but timed, fast NEC navigation is the critical skill. Tab your codebook by article and practice locating answers under time pressure before exam day.
[Source: PSI Candidate Information Bulletin #755]
Exam Topics
The journeyman and master exams cover these content areas:
- General electrical trade knowledge and terminology
- Electrical theory and practical calculations
- Grounding and bonding (Article 250)
- Overcurrent protection (Article 240)
- Wiring methods and installations (Articles 300–399)
- Services and feeders (Articles 215, 220, 225, 230)
- Motors and motor controls (Articles 430, 440)
- Load calculations — residential and commercial (Article 220)
- Boxes, cabinets, and raceway fill
- Lighting and appliances
- Special occupancies (Articles 500–590)
- Power-limited circuits
- Michigan-specific rules and statutes (master and contractor exams)
Retake Policy
If you fail the exam twice within 2 years, you become ineligible to retest for at least 1 year. Before retaking the exam, you must complete an approved course on Michigan electrical code, electrical fundamentals, or electrical theory.
[Source: MCL 339.5715, 339.5713 — legislature.mi.gov]
Fees
All exam fees are paid to PSI. License and renewal fees are paid to the BCC.
Exam Fees
| Exam | Fee |
|---|---|
| Journeyman Electrician Exam | $100 |
| Master Electrician Exam | $100 |
| Electrical Contractor Exam | $100 |
License Fees (Initial + Annual Renewal)
| License | Fee |
|---|---|
| Apprentice Electrician Registration | $15/year |
| Journeyman Electrician | $40/year |
| Master Electrician | $50/year |
| Electrical Contractor (3-year cycle) | $300 |
All journeyman, master, and apprentice licenses expire December 31 each year, with a 60-day grace period for renewal until March 1. Electrical contractor licenses expire December 31 of every third year.
Veterans, active military, and military spouses: Application fees may be waived with proof of active service or dependency.
[Source: MCL 339.5707 — legislature.mi.gov]
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Register as an apprentice and begin training Register with the BCC within 30 days of starting employment. Enroll in an approved related technical instruction (RTI) program and begin accumulating your 8,000 hours under a licensed journeyman or master electrician.
Step 2: Complete your experience and education requirements Document all hours throughout your apprenticeship. Get experience letters on employer letterhead, notarized. Complete your 576 hours of RTI (144 hours minimum per year).
Step 3: Submit your application to the BCC Complete the BCC-341 Application for Journeyman or Master Electrician. Include all required documentation — notarized experience letters, RTI transcripts, and applicable fees.
Step 4: Schedule and pass the PSI exam Once the BCC approves your application, schedule your exam through PSI at test-takers.psiexams.com or by calling 855-579-4635. PSI maintains testing locations across Michigan. Score at least 75% to pass.
Step 5: Pay the licensing fee and receive your license After passing, pay the license fee ($40 journeyman / $50 master) and receive your Michigan electrician license.
Reciprocity
Michigan does not have reciprocity agreements with any other state. If you hold an electrician license from another state, you must:
- Submit a copy of your out-of-state license and that jurisdiction's licensing requirements
- Have your credentials evaluated by the BCC
- Pass the Michigan electrical exam
Michigan evaluates out-of-state experience on a case-by-case basis. An Out-of-State License Verification form is required.
[Source: michigan.gov/lara]
Continuing Education and License Renewal
Michigan electrician licenses expire December 31 each year. Renewal requires paying the annual fee ($40 journeyman / $50 master).
Continuing education in Michigan is tied to code adoption cycles, not annual requirements. When Michigan adopts a new edition of the NEC, all licensed electricians must complete an approved code update course within 12 months of the adoption date. Michigan currently enforces the 2023 NEC, which took effect March 12, 2024.
The BCC partners with CE Broker to track continuing education completion and list approved code update course providers.
[Source: MCL 339.5715, 339.5713; michigan.gov/lara]
Tips for Passing the Michigan Electrician Exam
1. The exam is open book — but only three references are allowed. You can bring the 2023 NEC, 2016 PA 407, and Michigan Electrical Code Rules Part 8. The NEC Handbook is explicitly prohibited. Practice with only these references so you're not reaching for something you can't bring on exam day.
2. Speed is the real test. With 80 questions in 150 minutes (journeyman), you have under 2 minutes per question. Many questions require looking up specific NEC provisions. If you can't find the answer in 90 seconds, flag it and move on. Tab Articles 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 300–399, 430, and 450 as a minimum.
3. Michigan-specific rules matter — especially for the master and contractor exams. The master exam includes questions on Michigan statutes and Part 8 rules. Know the Skilled Trades Regulation Act (PA 407) and how Michigan amends the NEC. These are not covered by generic NEC study guides.
4. Load calculations will be on the exam — practice them. Residential and commercial load calculations (Article 220) appear on every Michigan exam. Practice dwelling unit calculations, commercial kitchen loads, and demand factor applications until you can do them quickly and accurately.
5. Don't underestimate the retake penalty. Two failures in two years locks you out for a full year and requires completing an approved course. Prepare thoroughly the first time — it's far cheaper and faster than triggering the retake waiting period.
6. Document your hours from day one. Getting notarized experience letters years after the fact is difficult. Keep a running log throughout your apprenticeship and get documentation signed as you go.
Key Resources
- Bureau of Construction Codes — Electrical Division: michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/bcc/divisions/electrical
- Exam & Licensing Information: michigan.gov — Electrical Examination, Licensing/Registration
- PSI Exam Scheduling: test-takers.psiexams.com
- PSI Candidate Information Bulletin: PSI CIB #755 (PDF)
- BCC-341 Application Form: Journeyman/Master Application (PDF)
- Michigan Skilled Trades Regulation Act (2016 PA 407): MCL 339.5701–339.5737
- Michigan Electrical Code Rules Part 8: michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/bcc/rules-acts/rules
- CE Broker (CE tracking): cebroker.com
Information in this guide was verified against Michigan statutes (MCL 339.5707, 339.5713, 339.5715), the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin #755, and michigan.gov/lara as of March 2026. Fees and requirements are subject to change — always confirm with the Bureau of Construction Codes before applying.
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