How to Become an Electrician in Michigan: 2025 Guide

May 23, 2025
9 Min Read

Key takeaways

To qualify for the Journeyman exam, you need 8,000 work hours and 576 hours of class instruction.
You must register as an apprentice with LARA within 30 days of starting electrical work.
Journeyman & Master exams consist of 80 questions & require a 75% passing score.
Licensed electricians in Michigan earn up to $100,000/year.
The exams & hands-on training must be completed in person.

In 2025, the skilled trades industry is booming across the U.S., and Michigan is no exception. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for electricians is projected to grow by 6% nationwide through 2032, with even higher demand expected in Michigan due to aging infrastructure, ongoing new construction, and increased adoption of smart technologies and renewable energy systems.

In Michigan alone, over 25,400 licensed electricians are actively working, but the state still faces a consistent shortage of qualified professionals, especially in rural areas and in industrial, commercial, and solar electrical systems. As of this year, the average salary for a licensed electrician in Michigan ranges from $52,000 to $90,000, with licensed master electricians and licensed electrical contractors earning well into six figures, depending on location, specialization, and experience.

Michigan’s licensing process is structured, but it is not overwhelming. Becoming a licensed electrician in Michigan involves multiple years of hands-on training, classroom education, and state licensing exams. Michigan’s Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) oversees electrical licensing under the Skilled Trades Regulation Act (PA 407). In general, you must register as an apprentice, accumulate thousands of on-the-job hours, complete code-update coursework, and pass rigorous state exams to earn a Journeyman or Master Electrician license.

This blog will outline everything you need to know about how to become an electrician in 2025, from licensing requirements, training programs, costs, online options, exam details, reciprocity, types of work allowed with or without a license, mean wages, and electrical schooling.

What Are The Types Of Electrical Licenses In Michigan?

Electrical Apprentice

People who wish to have an electrical career must register themselves as an electrical apprentice with LARA within 30 days of beginning electrical work. The application fee is approximately $15, and you must be at least 18 years old to register as an apprentice.

Journeyman Electrician License

Michigan’s Journeyman license allows you to legally perform electrical work as a journeyman independently, under a licensed master electrician or electrical contractor on all types of electrical systems. You must be at least 20 years old to apply for the Michigan Journeyman exam and have 8,000 hours of on-the-job training under a licensed electrician. If you pass the exam, you have to pay $40 for the license.

Master Electrician License

Having a master electrician license allows you to supervise any electrical installation and take on any project, be it residential, commercial, or industrial, and you are authorized to pull permits in your own name. You need to be at least 22 years old, and you should hold a Journeyman license for at least 2 years and have 12,000 hours of electrical experience over at least 6 years under a licensed master electrician to give the Michigan Master Electrician exam.

Fire Alarm Specialty Technician

Michigan also issues specialty electrician licenses under LARA’s Construction Code Bureau. A Fire Alarm Specialty Technician license allows you to install or maintain fire alarm system wiring and equipment. You require a National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) Level II certification (as an associate engineering technician) and need to be at least 20 years old.

Sign Specialist

A sign specialist license is for electric sign installers. You must be at least 18 years old and have 4,000 hours of experience in installing or repairing signs. After you pass the Sign Specialist exam, you need to pay $40.

Electrical Contractor License

You need an Electrical Contractor license to run your own electrical contracting business. You need to hold a master electrician license and pass the Contractor exam. The contractor license costs $300 for a 3-year term. A contractor needs to carry liability insurance and allow only licensed electricians (licensed journeymen electrician or master electrician) to perform work under their direct supervision.

Aside from these licenses, Michigan law does not distinguish licenses by work type (residential and commercial). A journeyman or master can work on any category of building. The Residential Electrician license (under the old Electrical Administrative Act) was eliminated by PA 407. The same Journeyman license covers work on homes, businesses, or industrial facilities.

What Electrical Work Can Be Done Without A License In Michigan?

Michigan law tightly restricts unlicensed electrical work. Except for narrow exemptions, only licensed electricians may install, alter, or repair electrical wiring. Section 339.5731 of the Skilled Trades Act states that “only an individual who is licensed…shall install electrical wiring” with limited exceptions for unlicensed work on 1-4 family dwellings owned by the owner. Additionally, Section 339.5737(3) lists these specific exemptions where a license is not required:

Homeowner Can Do Electrical Work On Their Own Home

A homeowner may do residential electrical work on their own single-family home and its outbuildings. But they cannot do work on others’ homes without a license.

Minor or Low-Voltage Electrical Work

Minor repair work like basic maintenance of the electrical system, installation of low-voltage systems like residential sprinkler and landscape lighting under 30 volts, security alarms, or water well pump wiring up to the first house connection does not require a certified electrician. However, any higher-voltage or permanent wiring upgrades still do.

Utility or Telecom Work

Utility companies may work on their own electrical distribution systems up to a meter, and telecommunication firms may install telecom wiring (excluding fire alarm system technology) on their sites without a state electrician license.

Mechanical or Plumbing Contractors

Licensed mechanical or plumbing contractors may perform electrical controls work on mechanical systems like boilers, HVAC controls, etc., without an electrical license.

These exemptions are really narrow. In most cases, electrical installation, even for paid work, requires a license and a permit. Performing unlicensed wiring can lead to fines, stop-work orders, and being unable to obtain a permit. Except for the above specific cases, you cannot legally do electrical wiring work in Michigan without the proper license.

Steps To Become An Electrician In Michigan In 2025

Step 1: Enroll In A State-Approved Apprenticeship Program

If you want to start your electrical career, you have to first enroll in a state-approved apprenticeship program. Apprenticeship programs (often through electrical trade unions or technical colleges) combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. Michigan follows U.S. Department of Labor apprenticeship standards, which is typically a 4-year program with 8,000 hours of work experience plus about 576 hours of related technical instruction. For example, Lansing Community College states that apprentices need to complete 4 years of electrical schooling (144 hours per year) and 8,000 field hours to meet the state requirements. During this time, you will learn to install and maintain electrical wiring in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings under the supervision of a licensed electrician. Educational programs can shorten the required hours; up to 2,000 hours of credit per year can count toward the 8,000-hour requirement.

Step 2: Register With Michigan’s Department Of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA)

As mentioned earlier, you must register as an apprentice electrician with the state within 30 days of beginning your electrical work. The registration fee is $15 per year, and you need to be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED.

Step 3: Gain Your Required Hours Of Experience And Classroom Instruction

To apply for the electrical journeyman’s license, you need to keep detailed records of work hours and curriculum, along with notarized statements from employers.

Step 4: Apply For Your License And Prepare For The Exam

After completing an apprenticeship’s hours and schooling, you can apply to become a Journeyman Electrician. Michigan law requires a Journeyman applicant to be at least 20 years old and have 8,000 hours of supervised electrical experience over at least 4 years. The electrical work must involve wiring, electrical construction, or equipment maintenance under a licensed electrician’s supervision. Educational credit (from trade school or a 4-year electrical program) can offset some hours, but you will still need the state-mandated minimum.

When you meet the requirements, submit an application to LARA (online or by mail). Once your application is approved, you can take the state Journeyman Electrician exam. After passing, you have to pay the $40 license fee and receive your Journeyman License. Michigan’s Journeyman license allows you to work independently as a journeyman under a contractor or master on all types of electrical jobs. However, you must renew annually by December 31, and for this, you are required to have 15 hours of ongoing education on the state’s most recently adopted version of the National Electrical Code (NEC).

How Long Is Electrician School In Michigan?

A standard apprenticeship takes 4 years, which is about 8,000 hours of work plus 576 hours of schooling. Some trade schools offer certificates in 1-2 years, but these alone won’t qualify you for a license. You still need the full apprenticeship or equivalent hours. In short, plan on 4 years minimum of training to become a licensed Journeyman.

Michigan Certification Examination Process

Once your application is approved, Michigan uses PSI testing centers statewide to administer the exams. The Journeyman and Master exams are separate, each with 80 multiple-choice questions and two and ½ hour time limit and the passing score is 75% The exam content is based on the Michigan Electrical Code (2017 Rules Part 8), the 2017 National Electrical Code (NEC), and the Skilled Trades Regulation Act (PA 407). The topics usually include electrical fundamentals, grounding/bonding, overcurrent protection, wiring methods, load calculations, motors, lighting, NEC rules, and general electrical theory.

Before the exam, you must pay the $100 PSI exam fee. On test day, you may bring a soft-bound, factory-tabbed 2023 NEC and the 2016 PA 407 act; other materials like Code Handbook, notes, and loose papers are not allowed. After passing, PSI notifies LARA, and you pay the state license fee ($40 or $50) to receive your credential.

How Much Does It Cost For Electrical Licensing In Michigan?

Overall, maintaining an electrical license includes renewal and exams. Here is a detailed breakdown of the key costs involved in getting an electrical license in Michigan:

Exam Fee: $ 100 for each attempt
Apprentice Registration: $15 for each year
Journeyman License: $40 for initial and annual renewal
Master License: $50 for initial and annual renewal
Independent Electrical Contractor License: $300 for a 3-year license. However, if you are a Sign Contractor, it will be $200 for 3 years.
Specialty License: If you want to become a fire alarm technician, the license fee is $50, and if you want to become a sign specialist, the license fee is $40.

Joureyyman and Master licenses expire on December 31 each year and need to be renewed with a fee by March 1. Contractors have to renew every third year on December 31 as well. Michigan requires licensed electricians to complete continuing education for renewal. The requirement is 15 hours of code update training each time the National Electrical Code (NEC) changes. CE hours are tracked via CE Broker.

Can You Get An Electrician License Online?

You can apply for an electrician license and exam online, but there are key steps that can’t be done online. There are some technical schools that offer online coursework for the classroom portion of the apprenticeship, but you cannot earn a license completely online. Your on-the-job training is in-person, and Michigan requires you to take the state exam at an approved PSI center. You must apply to LARA and pass the exam in person. However, continuing education for license renewal, such as code update courses, can be completed online through providers like Mike Holt or JADE Learning, which offer online code courses.

How Much Does a Licensed Electrician Make in Michigan?

Licensed electricians in Michigan earn solid wages. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Michigan electricians make on average about $31.67 per hour, or roughly $65,870 per year. If you are an entry-level journeyman, you may earn less than experienced master electricians. That’s why wages might vary according to the experience, skills, and the city you will be working in. However, here are the average wages for licensed electricians based on the three experience categories:

Apprentice: The average base salary for apprentice electricians is $19.43 per hour.
Journeyman: The average base salary for a journeyman is $30.32 per hour, and it ranges between $21.45 and $42.86.
Master Electrician: The average base salary for master electricians is $37.57 per hour in Michigan, with Monroe being the highest paying city.
Electrical Contractor: The average base salary of a licensed contractor running their own business is $85.15 per hour and can reach as high as $177 per hour.

Are Electricians in High Demand in Michigan?

Yes, demand for electricians in Michigan is high. The BLS projects national employment of electricians to grow by 11% from 2023 to 2033, which is much faster than average. In Michigan, growth is driven by construction, infrastructure upgrades, and renewable energy projects. There are reports that indicate a shortage of skilled tradespeople and steady openings as older electricians retire. In short, LARA notes that the building trades in Michigan are thriving, and an electrical license is a ticket to stable, in-demand work.

Can I Transfer My Michigan License To Another State?

Michigan’s electrical licenses are state-specific. There is no broad reciprocity that automatically transfers your Michigan license to another state, or vice versa. Michigan does allow a Sign Specialist license for someone already licensed in another state, but for general electricians, there is no reciprocity provision. If you move to a new state, you generally must meet the state’s licensing requirements, which may include taking another exam. Similarly, if you are licensed elsewhere, you may need to take Michigan’s exam unless a specific reciprocity agreement exists. In practice, always check the state’s licensing board because Michigan currently does not have reciprocal licenses with other states for general electrical work.

Your Future as a Licensed Electrician in Michigan

Pursuing a career as a licensed electrician in Michigan isn’t just about meeting requirements. With growing demand across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors, the state continues to face a shortage of skilled electricians, which is opening the door for dedicated people like you to thrive.

From apprentice to Journeyman and ultimately Master Electrician, each phase of the licensing process is designed to build competence, confidence, and credibility in Michigan. Whether you are entering the field of trash or bringing years of hands-on experience, Michigan offers a structured and accessible path to licensure through state-approved training programs, regulated exams, and real-world job site experience.

Electricians in Michigan experience competitive wages, job flexibility, and the opportunity to start their own electrical businesses. As of 2025, digital solutions like ZenElectrical are making it easier than ever for electricians and electrical contractors to manage operations, scheduling, estimates, compliance, and customer communication, thus streamlining the business side of electrical trades.

Schedule a free demo with ZenElectrical today and get yourself wired for long-term success!

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How to Become an Electrician in Michigan In 2025