How to get an HVAC license in Michigan

Licensing office Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes · 517-241-9316 [1][8]

The license pathway in Michigan

1. 1

   Working for a licensed mechanical contractor (no state license)

   Michigan has no apprentice or journeyman mechanical license. You build your experience working for a licensed mechanical contractor whose license covers the classifications you want. You need EPA Section 608 certification to handle refrigerant. [3][4][21]

2. 2

   Mechanical contractor: HVAC equipment

   • 6,000 hours on the job
   • 3 years of experience
   • Yes, PSI, open book, 150 questions, 3 hours, 75% to pass
   • $300 initial license; $100 exam fee paid to PSI
   • Every 3 years (expires August 31)

   Lets you install, alter and service HVAC equipment and pull permits. You need 3 years or 6,000 hours of HVAC experience, signed under penalty of perjury by your contractor employers. [1][2][8][12][14]

3. 3

   Added classifications (ductwork, service, specialty)

   • 3 years of experience
   • Yes, one PSI exam per classification ($50 each)
   • $300, $200 or $100, depending on the year of the 3-year license cycle
   • Renews with your license

   After holding HVAC equipment for 3 years, you can add ductwork, limited or unlimited heating service, limited or unlimited refrigeration and air conditioning service, or a specialty classification. [2][8][12]

Who needs a mechanical license in Michigan

Under Article 8 of Michigan's Skilled Trades Regulation Act (2016 PA 407), installations, alterations or servicing in the mechanical work classifications must be done by a person who holds a mechanical contractor's license (or whose employee does), with the right permit. A business doing this work must designate a license holder as its contractor of record.

"HVAC" in the law means equipment and systems that provide air conditioning for people in buildings. It doesn't include portable self-contained units or window air conditioners of not more than 1-1/2 horsepower.

Homeowners may install a heating or refrigerating system in a single-family home they live in, with a permit and inspection.

Article 8 contains only the mechanical contractor's license. There is no state apprentice or journeyman card for HVAC workers. [3][5][6][7]

Work classifications

You choose classifications and test for each. The ones that matter most for HVAC:

• HVAC equipment (includes ductwork, gas piping and venting): the core heating and cooling license.
• Ductwork: air distribution, flues, vents and chimneys.
• Limited heating service and unlimited heating service: servicing heating equipment, limited or unlimited by size and fuel.
• Limited refrigeration and air conditioning service (group 1 refrigerants) and unlimited refrigeration and air conditioning service.
• Refrigeration: low-temperature systems such as supermarket and industrial refrigeration.
• Hydronic heating and cooling and process piping, fire suppression, and specialty licenses (solar, solid fuel, LP and fuel gas piping).

To add ductwork, a service classification or a specialty, you must have held the prerequisite classification (usually HVAC equipment) for at least 3 years right before you apply. [2][8][9]

Experience requirements

You need 3 years or 6,000 hours of experience in each classification you want. Each present or former mechanical contractor employer signs a statement under penalty of perjury describing your work: dates, BTU (British thermal unit) ratings, venting and duct systems, fuels, refrigerants and equipment. This rule came from 2021 PA 68, which amended the experience section.

Other ways to count experience:

• Military: experience gained in the armed forces counts if you were honorably discharged (or under honorable conditions), with a letter from a commanding officer or supervisor describing it.
• School: a 2-year HVAC program at a recognized trade school, community college or university, or a 2-year HVAC training program approved by the U.S. Department of Labor, counts for up to 1 year or 2,000 hours.

[2][8][10]

The exam

LARA has contracted with PSI to give the exams at computer test centers in Michigan. After LARA approves your application, PSI should contact you within 10 business days to pay and schedule. Applications are good for one year from the first review.

The HVAC equipment exam is open book: 150 multiple-choice questions in 3 hours, and you need 75% to pass. It covers heating and cooling principles, installing HVAC equipment, ductwork, gas piping, venting and codes. All exams can include questions on the Skilled Trades Regulation Act and the state construction code act. Most other classification exams have 55 questions; some are open book and some closed.

LARA publishes a reference list for each classification, including the Michigan Mechanical Code, ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America) Manuals J and D, and SMACNA (Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association) duct standards. [11][12][13]

Fees and renewal

• Initial license: $300, paid with the application and not refundable. The law sets the fee at $100 per year of the three-year cycle.
• Adding a classification: $300 in the first year of the license cycle, $200 in the second and $100 in the third.
• Exams (paid to PSI): $100 for HVAC equipment; $50 for most other classifications.
• Renewal: licenses expire August 31 every third year. You renew by filing and paying by October 31.
• Veterans: active service members and veterans with an honorable DD214 or DD215, and their dependents, are exempt from the initial license fee.

[8][12][14]

Apprenticeships and training in Michigan

LARA says your experience must come from working for a licensed mechanical contractor whose license covers the classifications you want. Military experience and a 2-year HVAC program can also count (see above).

• Michigan's State Apprenticeship Expansion unit promotes Registered Apprenticeship, which pairs paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction.
• United Association (UA) local unions run registered apprenticeships that include HVACR (heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration); they typically last five years.
• The U.S. Department of Labor's Apprenticeship Job Finder lists open apprenticeship jobs.
• A 2-year HVAC program can shave up to 1 year off the experience requirement.

[2][15][16][17]

If you're licensed in another state

LARA's mechanical licensing pages don't list any reciprocity agreement for mechanical contractors. Plan to apply with documented experience and pass the Michigan exams, and confirm your options with the Bureau of Construction Codes at 517-241-9316.

Once licensed, you can work anywhere in Michigan: local governments may not set their own licensing for these classifications, though you register your license with each local permit office. [1][8][18][19]

EPA Section 608: the federal certification you'll need

Separate from the state license, federal rules require technicians who maintain, service, repair or dispose of equipment that could release refrigerant to hold EPA Section 608 certification. You earn it by passing an EPA-approved test, and it doesn't expire. Registered apprentices may work without it for up to two years under close supervision by a certified technician.

Read our EPA 608 certification guide for the four types and how the test works. [4][20]

Steps to get licensed in Michigan

1. Get EPA Section 608 certification

   If your work will involve connecting gauges or adding or removing refrigerant, pass an EPA-approved Section 608 test. See our EPA 608 guide. [4]

2. Work for a licensed mechanical contractor

   Get 3 years or 6,000 hours of experience in the HVAC equipment classification with a contractor licensed in that classification. A 2-year HVAC program, or a U.S. Department of Labor-approved 2-year HVAC training program, can count for up to 1 year. [2][21]

3. Apply to LARA

   Submit the Application for Mechanical Contractor Examination & Licensing online or by mail with the $300 license fee and a Work Experience Report from each employer. [8]

4. Schedule and pass the PSI exam

   Once approved, PSI contacts you to pay and schedule. Your application is good for one year, so pass all exams within that time. [11][12]

5. Register with local permit offices

   Before working in a municipality, register your state license with the local enforcing agency that issues mechanical permits (fee of $15 or less). [19]

Where to get the hours

Programs that train HVAC technicians in or for Michigan, from their own official pages. Listed by type, not ranked.

• State program

  Michigan State Apprenticeship Expansion (LEO)

  Michigan's Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity promotes Registered Apprenticeship, which combines on-the-job training and classroom instruction under an experienced mentor. [15]

• Union

  United Association (UA) pipe trades apprenticeships

  The UA's registered apprenticeships include an HVACR track and typically last five years, with paid work plus classroom training. [16]

• Other

  Apprenticeship.gov Job Finder

  The U.S. Department of Labor's search tool for open apprenticeship jobs by occupation and location. [17]

Licensed in another state?

Questions people ask