State license

Michigan Journeyman Electrician License

Written by a licensed IBEW journeyman electrician

Last updated: October 24, 2026

Michigan licenses journeyman electricians at the state level. The Bureau of Construction Codes at LARA issues the license after you pass a PSI exam with 75%. You need 8,000 hours of experience obtained over at least 4 years. The exam has 80 questions and costs $100.

The facts, from the source

Who licenses: Michigan LARA, Bureau of Construction Codes, Licensing Section. (michigan.gov)
Exam vendor: PSI (test-takers.psiexams.com)
Exam (questions/time): 80 questions, 150 minutes, single exam, computer-based (test-takers.psiexams.com)
Open book / references: Open book. Allowed, all bound: the NEC (factory markings or highlights with factory tabs only), 2016 PA 407, 1972 PA 230, and Michigan Electrical Code Rules Part 8. Printed BCC materials must be bound by 3 staples on the left edge. No highlighting, underlining, marking or tabs in printed documents. The NEC Handbook is not allowed. A straight edge rule without calculations is allowed. Other NEC editions may be used, but items are based on 2023. (test-takers.psiexams.com)
Passing score: 75% (test-takers.psiexams.com)
NEC edition: 2023 NEC. LARA says all electrical exams are based on the 2023 NEC, the 2023 Michigan Electrical Code Rules Part 8, 1972 PA 230 and 2016 PA 407. (michigan.gov)
Experience required: At least 20 years old. 8,000 hours of experience obtained over at least 4 years (MCL 339.5715(1)). (legislature.mi.gov)
Fees: Exam $100, paid to PSI. (test-takers.psiexams.com)
Retakes (PSI bulletin): 2 attempts within 1 year, then you must reapply with the state. (test-takers.psiexams.com)
Retakes (statute): After 2 failures within 2 years, no retake for at least 1 year, and a board-approved course is required. (legislature.mi.gov)
Reciprocity: Michigan does not hold reciprocity with any other state or country. Out-of-state licensees may submit their license and that jurisdiction's requirements for consideration. (michigan.gov)

What’s on the exam

Topics (no weights published): Skilled Trades Regulation Act and rules, Michigan Electrical Code Rules Part 8, the Stille-DeRossett-Hale Single State Construction Code Act (MCL 125.1504, 125.1508a) and related theory. Installation topics: grounding and bonding, overcurrent protection, wiring methods and installations, boxes and cabinets, services, feeders, motors and motor controls, special occupancies, load calculations, lighting, appliances, box and raceway fill, power limited circuits, general electrical trade knowledge, electrical theory.

Confirm these with the board

Credit for training or education toward the experience: LARA says some credit may be earned, but the amount is not stated
City of Detroit: confirm with the city whether it issues its own electrician licenses and registrations
License fee and any fee waiver for service members or veterans: confirm with LARA
Exam waiver for military members, veterans and dependents with an active out-of-state license: confirm with LARA

Michigan LARA, Bureau of Construction Codes, Licensing Section ↗

Partly verified October 24, 2026: some items couldn’t be confirmed from official sources and are listed above

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Facts on this page trace to primary sources or first-hand IBEW Local 134 experience — see sources & methodology.