Michigan electrician
A four-year hour clock—
if it is registered correctly.
Michigan's state path separates apprentice registration, electrical journey, master electrician, and electrical contractor credentials.
September 2, 2026
Bottom line: Michigan says an electrical journey applicant must be at least 20, complete at least 8,000 hours over at least four years as an electrical apprentice in qualifying work, and pass the electrical journey exam with at least 75%. The qualifying work must be supervised by a Michigan-licensed electrical journey or master electrician. Confirm this on LARA's licensing page ↗
The path, in order
Get hired by a licensed electrical contractor
Confirm who will supervise your work and which license numbers will be tied to your registration and future experience record.
Register as an apprentice
Michigan's official journey map says an apprentice must register within 30 days after employment. LARA also requires proof of participation in a board-approved apprenticeship training program.
Keep the registration active
Electrical apprentice registration renews annually by August 31. LARA lists a $15 renewal fee and requires employer master/contractor license numbers plus participation in an approved training program.
Document 8,000 hours over at least four years
Do not rely on memory. LARA's experience form calls for employer, supervising master of record, exact dates, hours, and notarized employer signature.
Apply and pass the journey exam
The current examination basis includes the 2023 National Electrical Code, Michigan electrical rules, and the governing state acts. LARA approval comes before PSI scheduling.
What each credential does
| Credential | Current official requirement highlighted by LARA | Do not confuse it with |
|---|---|---|
| Apprentice registration | Employment/training-stage registration; annual renewal by August 31; $15 initial form and $15 renewal shown by LARA | A journey license |
| Electrical journey | Age 20; 8,000 hours over at least 4 years; qualifying supervision; 75% exam score | Authority to operate an electrical contracting business |
| Master electrician | Age 22; at least 12,000 total hours over at least 6 years; at least 4,000 hours as journey and journey license held at least 2 years; 75% exam score | An electrical contractor license |
| Electrical contractor | Required to do business as an electrician; must be associated with a qualifying master electrician; LARA says no contractor exam is currently required | The individual master credential |
Renewal facts worth calendarizing
- Apprentice: annual renewal by August 31; LARA currently lists $15, with a $100 late fee.
- Journey: annual renewal by December 31; LARA currently lists $40, with a $50 late fee.
- Code update: LARA says journey licensees take a code-update course within one year of a newly adopted code, not automatically every year.
Primary sources
Checked September 2, 2026. Fees and forms can change; use the linked agency version when acting.