StateLicensed

HVAC Technician License Requirements in Michigan

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
—
Upfront cost
$400
Exam
Mechanical Contractor exam — HVAC Equipment classification
Renewal cycle
Every 3 years
Issuing board
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Meet the eligibility requirements set by the issuing board. Applicants must be of 'good moral character' per MCL 339.5807 (Skilled Trades Regulation Act, 2016 PA 407) — a self-attestation on the signed application regarding any prior criminal/civil judgment and rehabilitation, not a state-run fingerprint or criminal-history background check. No explicit statutory minimum age was located for the Mechanical Contractor classification specifically in the sources reviewed, so it is left null rather than assumed. [3]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete the required training. Michigan does not license individual HVAC technicians separately — the credential is the Mechanical Contractor license, with 'HVAC equipment (includes ductwork and gas piping)' as one of ten work classifications. No fixed classroom-hour requirement exists; applicants document a minimum of 3 years or 6,000 hours of performance in the classification, verified by signed statements from present/former mechanical contractor employers. A 2-year HVAC program from a recognized trade school, community college, university, or a U.S. DOL-approved 2-year apprenticeship can be credited toward the requirement, capped at 1 year/2,000 hours of the 3 years/6,000 hours. [1]

  3. 3

    Mechanical Contractor exam — HVAC Equipment classification

    Pass the Mechanical Contractor exam — HVAC Equipment classification (fee: $100). Computer-based, 150 scored questions, 180 minutes, open-book with bound reference materials permitted A separate exam is required for each work classification sought; the HVAC Equipment exam is $100 while most other classification exams (ductwork, refrigeration, limited/unlimited heating service, etc.) are $50 each, per PSI's Michigan Mechanical Contractor Candidate Information Bulletin (effective 4/29/2026). [2]

  4. 4

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes with the $300 application fee. [3]

  5. 5

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes issues your Mechanical Contractor License — HVAC Equipment classification for Michigan.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [3] $300
License fee [3] None specified
Renewal fee [3] $300
Mechanical Contractor exam — HVAC Equipment classification [2] $100
Late renewal fee [3] $100

The $300 initial application fee is the statutory Mechanical Contractor license fee — LARA does not charge a separate issuance fee. Honorably discharged veterans are exempt from the initial licensing fee (2012 PA 312). PSI's per-classification exam fee ($50, or $100 for HVAC Equipment) is paid directly to PSI, separately from the state license fee.

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 3 years.

Mechanical Contractor licenses renew every 3 years, expiring 8/31 (not all licenses expire in the same year); renewal is $300 with a $100 late fee if not renewed before expiration. If the license lapses more than 3 years, the holder must re-apply and re-test. No continuing/code-update education is required for the Mechanical Contractor license.

Reciprocity

No reciprocity or endorsement route was found.

'The State of Michigan does not reciprocate with any other state for licensing' (LARA Out-of-State License Verification instructions). Out-of-state applicants must still take and pass the Michigan exam, but may use the Out-of-State License Verification form to document qualifying out-of-state experience toward the 3-year/6,000-hour requirement, subject to quarterly board review.

14 state-approved training providers in Michigan — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.

Cost calculator

  • $300
  • $100
Total$400

Frequently asked questions

Does Michigan license individual HVAC technicians?

Not separately. Michigan licenses at the contractor level through the Mechanical Contractor license, which includes an 'HVAC equipment' work classification (installation, alteration, and servicing of ductwork and gas piping). There is no standalone journeyman or technician credential — HVAC work is performed by or under a licensed Mechanical Contractor.

How much experience do I need before I can test?

A minimum of 3 years or 6,000 hours of documented performance in the HVAC Equipment classification, verified by signed statements from present or former mechanical contractor employers. Completing a 2-year HVAC program or DOL-approved apprenticeship can be credited toward up to 1 year/2,000 hours of that requirement.

What does the HVAC Equipment exam cost, and who gives it?

PSI Services LLC administers Michigan's Mechanical Contractor exams under contract with LARA. The HVAC Equipment classification exam costs $100 (most other classifications are $50 each), paid directly to PSI when scheduling.

Does Michigan accept an HVAC/mechanical license from another state?

No. Michigan does not reciprocate with any other state — out-of-state licensees must still pass the Michigan exam, though documented out-of-state experience can count toward the 3-year/6,000-hour requirement.

How often do I renew, and is continuing education required?

Every 3 years (expiring 8/31) for $300, with a $100 late fee if you miss the deadline. LARA does not require continuing/code-update education to renew a Mechanical Contractor license.

Sources

  1. [1] michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/bcc/sections/licensing-section/exam-lic/mechanical-examination-licensing-registration-application-information — accessed 2026-07-12
  2. [2] test-takers.psiexams.com/mimech — accessed 2026-07-12
  3. [3] michigan.gov/lara/-/media/Project/Websites/lara/Folder14/ApplicationForMechanicalContractorExaminationLicensing_BCC-11_08-2021.pdf — accessed 2026-07-12
  4. [4] michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/bcc/sections/licensing-section/license-registration-renewals — accessed 2026-07-12
  5. [5] michigan.gov/lara/-/media/Project/Websites/lara/bcc-media/BCC-Forms/Miscellaneous/BCC-___-Out-of-State-License-Verification-0322.pdf — accessed 2026-07-12