Plumbing is an excellent field to look into, being that it is estimated that the job growth of 9.2% and a median hourly wage of $32.24 is expected in the years to come.
But how can you become licensed as a plumbing contractor?
In Michigan, there are three tiers of plumbing contractors, including apprentice, journeyman, and master plumber and the education and experience requirements for each of them are necessary.
We will provide you with all the information about that.
Page Navigation
- Michigan Plumbing License Reciprocity
- Michigan Master Plumbing License Requirements
- Michigan Plumbing Journeyman License Requirements
- Plumbing Journeyman and Master Exam
- Michigan Plumbing Apprenticeship Requirements
- Plumbing Trade Schools in Michigan
- Insurance for Plumbers in Michigan
- Salary
- Plumber Schools by City
Michigan Plumbing License Reciprocity
If you are already licensed to perform plumbing contract work in another state, you would not be glad to find out that Michigan has no license reciprocity agreements.
You will need to obtain a journey or master plumbing license in order to perform work as a plumber even though you already have it in another state.
Michigan Master Plumbing License Requirements
A master plumber in the state of Michigan is a highly qualified plumbing contractor, with all the necessary skills and qualifications, who is licensed to work with the fewest number of restrictions in the state.
To become a master plumber in Michigan, applicants must meet the following:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have worked at least 4,000 hours as a journeyman plumber over a period of at least two years
- Have notarized letters from your current and former employers that document your experience
- Pass a required examination
If you are interested and you meet these requirements, then you must complete the application online or fill out and print the form which you have to mail to:
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Bureau of Construction Codes / Licensing Division
P.O. Box 30255
Lansing, MI 48909
There is a license fee of $300, which you can pay online or by check/money order to “State of Michigan – BCC” at the time of application.
Michigan Plumbing Journeyman License Requirements
A journeyman plumber is qualified to engage in the practical installation of plumbing, he/she can work independently, but they cannot open their own plumbing business.
A journeyman plumber can become a person who meets the following criteria:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have accrued at least 6,000 hours of experience as an apprentice over a period of at least three years
- Have documentation that proves this, such as a notarized letter from your apprenticeship sponsor
- Pass a required exam
Just like master plumber candidates, those applying to become journeymen should complete the application online or fill out and print the form, and then send it to:
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Bureau of Construction Codes / Licensing Division
P.O. Box 30255
Lansing, MI 48909
There is a license fee of $40, and once your application is processed, you will be sent instructions by PSI Exams to schedule your journeyman exam.
Plumbing Journeyman and Master Exam
You will be instructed to apply online for the journeyman exam or master exam, or you can apply via phone at (800) 733-9267.
There is an examination fee of $100, which is the same for both the plumbing journeyman or master exam.
This is payable online or via the above phone number by credit card.
You will also be sent the Michigan plumbing contractor candidate information bulletin which includes everything you need to know about the exam process, where to go, and what to bring with you on exam day.
The exam is done on a computer at designated testing centers in Dearborn, Holt, Southfield, Grand Rapids, Gaylord, and Marquette.
When coming to the exam, you should bring a government-issued ID and any approved reference materials and tools listed in the bulletin.
The journeyman exam has 125 questions, while the master exam has 130, and you must get at least 70% of the questions correct to pass.
Three hours of time is allowed to complete either exam.
Michigan Plumbing Apprenticeship Requirements
An apprentice can perform work under the supervision of a qualified, licensed plumber.
You must earn 6,000 hours of experience over at least three years in an apprenticeship before you can go on to become a journeyman plumber.
But, prior to this, you must seek out an apprenticeship and within the first 30 days of your employment as a plumbing apprentice, you must register with the state.
A plumbing apprentice in Michigan must fill and print out the registration application, then mail it to:
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Bureau of Construction Codes
P.O. Box 30255
Lansing, MI 48909
Furthermore, you will need to include a $15 check made out to “State of Michigan” with your application which is nonrefundable.
Plumbing Trade Schools in Michigan
Our suggestion for aspiring plumbers is to get an education through a trade school.
This is a great way to learn the essentials and gain some knowledge and experience, so we offer you some schools and you can check out the following options:
Detroit Training Institute of Technology – Modern Plumbing (course)
14701 Harper Ave
Detroit, MI 48224
(313) 527-9740
This is a for-profit trade school.
Macomb Community College
14500 E. 12 Mile Road
Warren, MI 48088
(586) 445-7999
This is a public school.
Insurance for Plumbers in Michigan
The plumbing codes in Michigan require that all plumbers have insurance that covers any damage that might occur.
By having insurance, you will get protection if you accidentally break a water line or if one of your workers forgets to turn off the main valve before doing any work.
It is recommended to get at least $200,000 worth of coverage each year.
Salary
Plumbers working in Michigan earn an average wage of $24.70, meaning that the average Plumber salary in Michigan is around $57,428.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Plumbers in Michigan
City Name Salary Detroit $58,793 Grand Rapids $55,987 Warren $58,793 Sterling Heights $58,610 Flint $53,231 Lansing $56,182 Ann Arbor $59,625 Livonia $58,610 Dearborn $58,793 Westland $58,980 Regional Salary
Region Employed Avg. Annual Salary Avg. Hourly Pay Top 10% Annual Salary Bottom 10% Annual Salary Ann Arbor, MI 320 $73,880 $35.52 $98,980 $40,290 Battle Creek, MI 110 $64,700 $31.11 $91,110 $38,670 Bay City, MI 80 $70,860 $34.07 $99,620 $45,610 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI 5,740 $71,670 $34.46 $101,400 $39,440 Flint, MI 650 $73,840 $35.5 $102,540 $41,600 Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI 1,700 $68,230 $32.8 $96,840 $38,370 Jackson, MI 220 $76,770 $36.91 $106,440 $40,890 Kalamazoo-Portage, MI 840 $73,540 $35.36 $97,960 $45,310 Lansing-East Lansing, MI 580 $68,830 $33.09 $97,980 $38,770 Midland, MI 80 $65,450 $31.47 $107,440 $38,800 Monroe, MI 170 $72,120 $34.67 $105,540 $42,910 Muskegon, MI 120 $69,630 $33.48 $97,060 $41,850 Niles-Benton Harbor, MI 90 $64,190 $30.86 $101,060 $37,600 Saginaw, MI 230 $71,510 $34.38 $105,280 $38,750
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Plumber Schools by City
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