How to Renew Your Michigan Builder License

Published on May 19, 2023 by Nate Bortz

How to Renew Your Michigan Builders License

Is it time to renew your Michigan contractor license? Residential Builders and Maintenance & Alteration (M&A) Contractors must renew their licenses every three years by May 31. The easiest way to know when you need to renew is to check the expiration date on your current license.

If you need to renew this year, we can help. This blog covers the following topics to help simplify your renewal process:

Michigan builder license renewal requirements
Steps to renewing your license
License renewal FAQs

Michigan Contractor License Renewal Requirements

Before renewing, you must:

Have the latest copy of the Michigan Residential Codebook

Complete the required continuing competency courses

Have an account with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affair’s (LARA) online renewal portal

Michigan Residential Codebook

If you don’t already have a copy of the latest Michigan Residential Codebook (or if you need a new one), we provide two convenient options. You can purchase the book by visiting our bookstore and selecting “Michigan Books.” Or you can bundle it with your continuing competency course and save! We offer online continuing competency course and codebook packages that are cheaper than buying both independently.

Michigan Builder Continuing Competency Requirements

Your continuing competency (or education) renewal requirement depends on how long you’ve been licensed.

Michigan Residential Builders and M&A Contractors who have been licensed for less than six years need 21 hours. Those licensed for more than six years only need three hours.

No matter how long you’ve been licensed, you must take at least one hour each in the following topics:

Building Codes
Construction Business & Law

Construction Safety

Those who must complete 21 hours may choose elective course topics for the remaining 18 hours.

If you’re looking for a convenient continuing competency option, consider taking our online courses. We designed our courses with busy professionals like you in mind. You can finish a course at home on your computer, on your phone during lunch, or anywhere with internet access!

Most lessons are only 15-20 minutes long, so it’s easy to start and stop based on your schedule. Plus, there are no tests! Once you’ve completed a course, just print the certificate of completion.

Renewing Your License Online

As of 2020, all Residential Builders and M&A Contractors must renew their licenses online through LARA’s online Accela portal. The steps below take you through creating an Accela account, linking your Accela account to your license, and renewing your license.

If you already have an Accela account connected to your license, skip to step three.

LARA suggests renewing using a desktop or laptop computer rather than a phone or tablet. It also recommends that you use Microsoft Edge, Chrome, or Internet Explorer.

Step 1: Sign Up for an Accela Account

Go to aca-prod.accela.com/LARA/Welcome.aspx
Click Register for an Account next to the Login button on the top right of the page.
Complete the Login Information form.
Choose the Individual Contact Type and fill in your Contact Details
After filling in your contact details, you’ll be redirected to the Accella home page with the message, “Congratulations! Your account has been successfully created.”

Step 2: Link Your Accela Account to Your License

Log into your LARA Accela account.
Find the part of the page that says, “Click HERE to link a license to your account.”
Select that you have read and accepted the above terms, and click Continue Application.
Scroll down to the portion of the page that says Licenses to Link, and click Add a License.

Under License Type, select Residential Builder M and A Individual.
Enter your license number. Your name should appear automatically.
After selecting Submit, the license information will appear in the “Licenses to Link” section. Select Continue Application.
Review the information and then select Edit or Continue Application.
You should arrive at a screen that says, “Your submittal has been successfully received.”

Step 3: Renew Your License

Log into your LARA Accela account.
Click on Search then My Records at the top of the screen.
Click Renew Application next to your license information.
Review the information on the next screen and click Continue Application to add your renewal to the cart.

Click Checkout on the bottom of the screen if you are only renewing one license, or choose Continue Shopping to add another license.
Click Checkout to process payment. You can pay the fee with a credit card (Visa, MasterCard, or Discover) or an electronic check.
Enter your address and payment information, then click Next.
Review your billing and payment information, then click Pay Now.
Your screen will go blank, and you will receive a confirmation email.

If you have issues renewing your license, LARA is available to help. Email LARA-BCC-Service@Michigan.gov or call 517-241-9316.

Michigan Builder License FAQs

Still have questions? Here are some answers that can help with your license renewal.

Can I take my continuing education online?

Yes! Our online continuing competency courses fulfill the requirements outlined by the State of Michigan.

How much does it cost to renew my Michigan Residential Builder or M&A Contractor License?

The total cost of renewing your license includes the following:

$185 non-refundable application fee.
The cost of taking your online continuing competency course and codebook (if applicable). View our courses and course packages here.

How early can I renew my license?

LARA requires licensees to complete their required continuing competency and renew their license by the license expiration date. However, if you pay by electronic check, it will take at least 10 business days for the Department of Treasury to process the payment before your renewal can be processed by LARA.

If you choose to renew within 10 days of your renewal expiration date, pay using a credit card instead of an electronic check.

What if I don’t renew my license before it expires?

If you don’t renew your license on or before the expiration date, there’s no time to waste. You can still renew online within 60 days of the license expiration date — but it comes with an additional $20 late fee.

However, if you fail to renew on or before the 60th day following your current license expiration date, you cannot submit your renewal online and must apply for relicensure.

How do I apply for relicensure in Michigan?

Requirements for a license lapsed from 61 days to three years include:

File the appropriate relicensure application and fees
Be of good moral character

Requirements for a license lapsed for more than three years include:

Complete 60 hours of approved prelicensure education courses
File the appropriate relicensure application and fees
Be of good moral character
Pass the current license examination

Can I transfer a license from a different state over to Michigan?

No. Currently, Michigan does not hold reciprocal agreements with any other state. Any individual who wants to work as a builder or M&A contractor must meet all Michigan requirements for licensure.