How to Check a Contractor's License in Michigan

Michigan is one of the states that actually requires a license for residential construction work. If someone wants to build, remodel, or repair your home, they need to be licensed through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, known as LARA. This is not a registration or a voluntary credential. It is a state-issued license with exams, experience requirements, and ongoing oversight.

This guide covers how to look up a contractor's license in Michigan, what the different license types mean, and what else you should verify before signing a contract.

Does Michigan require a contractor license?

Yes. Michigan requires a state-issued license for residential construction work through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). The threshold is low: any residential construction, alteration, or repair costing more than $600 in combined labor and materials requires the contractor to hold a LARA license. This covers the vast majority of projects homeowners hire contractors for, and working without a license on a qualifying project is illegal.

Michigan requires licensing for two main categories of residential work:

• Residential builders.This covers anyone who contracts to build, alter, or repair a residential structure. If someone is managing a new home build, a major renovation, or a significant addition, they need a residential builder's license.
• Maintenance and alteration contractors. This is for smaller-scope work: repairs, maintenance, and minor alterations to existing residential structures. If the project does not involve structural changes or new construction, it likely falls under this category.

The threshold is low. Any residential construction, alteration, or repair work that costs more than $600 in combined labor and materials requires the contractor to hold one of these licenses. That covers the vast majority of projects homeowners hire contractors for.

There are some exemptions. Homeowners doing work on their own primary residence do not need a license. And contractors working exclusively on commercial projects fall under different rules. But if you are hiring someone to work on your house, they almost certainly need a LARA license.

How do I search for a contractor license in Michigan?

Go to LARA's License Verification portal at the Michigan LARA website (search "Michigan LARA license lookup" to reach the verification page) and search by license number, business name, or individual name. Try searching with and without "LLC," "Inc.," or "Co." at the end of the business name, since contractors often register their legal entity name rather than the name on their truck or website.

LARA provides a free online tool to look up any licensed contractor in Michigan. Go to the LARA License Verification portal. You can also reach it by searching for "Michigan LARA license lookup" and navigating to the verification page.

You can search by:

• License number (fastest if you have it; ask the contractor directly)
• Business name (the most common search method)
• Individual name(useful if you know the contractor's personal name but not their business name)

A few tips for better results: try searching with and without "LLC," "Inc.," or "Co." at the end of the business name. Some contractors register their legal entity name, which may not match the name on their truck or website. If the business name does not return results, try the owner's last name instead.

What should I look for in the Michigan license search results?

When you find a contractor in LARA's system, check four key fields: license type (residential builder vs. maintenance and alteration — these authorize different scopes of work), license status (only "Active" is valid; expired or revoked status means LARA took action), expiration date (Michigan licenses renew every three years, so confirm it won't lapse mid-project), and any disciplinary actions on the record.

When you find a contractor in LARA's system, you will see several important details:

• License type. Whether they hold a residential builder license or a maintenance and alteration contractor license. This matters because a maintenance and alteration license does not authorize the contractor to take on new construction or major structural work.
• License status. Active, expired, suspended, or revoked. Only hire contractors whose license shows as active. An expired license means they have not renewed. A suspended or revoked license means LARA took disciplinary action, which is a serious red flag.
• Expiration date. Michigan contractor licenses must be renewed every three years. Check that the license will not expire in the middle of your project.
• Disciplinary actions. LARA tracks complaints and enforcement actions. If there are any disciplinary notes on the record, look into them carefully before proceeding.

What is the difference between a residential builder and a maintenance and alteration contractor in Michigan?

A residential builder license authorizes new construction, structural additions, complete renovations, and any work that alters the structure of a home — it is the broader credential and also covers maintenance and alteration work. A maintenance and alteration contractor license is limited to repairs, maintenance, and non-structural changes to existing structures, such as replacing a roof, updating a bathroom without moving walls, or repairing siding. If your project involves structural work, confirm your contractor holds a residential builder license, not just a maintenance and alteration license.

This distinction trips up a lot of homeowners. The two license types authorize different scopes of work:

• Residential builder. Authorized for new construction, structural additions, complete renovations, and any work that involves altering the structure of a home. This is the broader license. A residential builder can also do maintenance and alteration work.
• Maintenance and alteration contractor. Limited to repairs, maintenance, and non-structural changes to existing residential structures. Think replacing a roof, updating a bathroom without moving walls, or repairing siding. This license does not cover new construction or structural changes.

If your project involves any structural work, moving walls, building additions, or new construction, make sure your contractor holds a residential builder license. A maintenance and alteration license is not sufficient for that scope. Hiring someone who exceeds their license scope puts your project at risk and can create problems with inspections, insurance claims, and resale down the road.

What license database does Michigan use for electricians, plumbers, and HVAC?

Michigan licenses specialty trades separately from the residential builder and maintenance and alteration categories. Electricians require a separate electrical contractor license plus an individual journeyman or master electrician license, both through LARA's Bureau of Construction Codes. Plumbers require a licensed plumbing contractor and individual journeyman or master plumber credentials, also through LARA. HVAC contractors need a mechanical contractor license. All of these are searchable through the same LARA verification portal.

Michigan's residential builder and maintenance and alteration licenses cover general contracting work. But several specialty trades have their own separate licensing requirements:

• Electricians.Licensed through LARA's Bureau of Construction Codes. Electrical work requires a separate electrical contractor license, and the individual performing the work must hold a journeyman or master electrician license.
• Plumbers. Also licensed through LARA. Plumbing work requires a licensed plumbing contractor, and the tradesperson needs a journeyman or master plumber license.
• Mechanical contractors (HVAC). Heating, cooling, and refrigeration work requires a mechanical contractor license. HVAC technicians also need individual licenses.
• Boiler and pressure vessel installers. Separate licensing through LARA for anyone installing or servicing boilers.

If your project involves any of these trades, verify both the general contractor's license and the specialty trade license of whoever is doing the electrical, plumbing, or HVAC work. A general contractor who subcontracts plumbing work is responsible for hiring licensed plumbers, but you should verify it yourself rather than taking their word for it.

What should I check beyond the Michigan contractor license?

A valid LARA license is a strong starting point, but it is not everything. Here is what else to verify before hiring:

• General liability insurance. Ask for a certificate of insurance and confirm it is active by calling the insurance company directly. This protects you if the contractor damages your property or a third party is injured. Michigan does not require proof of insurance as part of the licensing process, so this is on you to check.
• Workers' compensation insurance.If the contractor has any employees, Michigan law requires them to carry workers' comp. If they do not and a worker is injured at your home, you could face liability. Ask for proof and verify it.
• Better Business Bureau profile. Check the BBB for complaint history and how the contractor responded. A few complaints that were resolved promptly is different from a pattern of unresolved disputes.
• Online reviews. Look at Google, Yelp, Angi, and Nextdoor for patterns. Individual reviews can be misleading, but consistent themes across multiple platforms tell a reliable story.
• References. Ask for three recent references and call them. Ask about the timeline, communication, quality of work, and whether the final price matched the original estimate.
• Written contract.Michigan law requires a written contract for residential construction work. The contract should include the contractor's license number, a detailed scope of work, payment schedule, timeline, and warranty information. Do not start any work without one.

What if I can't find my contractor in the Michigan database?

If a contractor does not appear in LARA's lookup, the most common reason is that they are unlicensed — working without a license on residential projects over $600 is illegal in Michigan, and an unlicensed contractor cannot pull permits, which creates inspection and resale problems down the road. Other possibilities: they registered under a different name (try the owner's last name), their license expired, or they claim a narrow exemption. Ask them to explain any claimed exemption specifically and verify it before proceeding.

If a contractor does not appear in LARA's license lookup, there are a few explanations:

• They are unlicensed. This is the most common reason. Working without a license on residential projects over $600 in Michigan is illegal. An unlicensed contractor cannot pull permits, which means your project may not pass inspection and could cause problems when you sell your home.
• They registered under a different name.Try searching by the individual owner's name rather than the business name. The legal entity name may differ from their marketing name.
• Their license expired. Licenses need to be renewed every three years. They may have been licensed previously but let it lapse.
• They claim an exemption. Some contractors will say they do not need a license. In rare cases this is true, such as for work under $600 or for certain commercial-only contractors. But for any residential project of meaningful size, the license requirement applies. Ask them to explain the specific exemption and verify it.

If a contractor cannot produce a valid LARA license number, walk away. Michigan's licensing requirement exists specifically to protect homeowners, and a contractor who ignores it is telling you how they approach rules and accountability.

Filing a complaint in Michigan

If you have a problem with a licensed contractor, you can file a complaint with LARA. The department investigates complaints and can take disciplinary action including fines, license suspension, or revocation. You can file a complaint through the LARA Bureau of Construction Codes complaint page.

If the contractor is unlicensed, you can still report them to LARA. The state takes unlicensed contracting seriously and can pursue enforcement action. You may also want to contact the Michigan Attorney General's office for consumer protection issues, especially if you lost money to an unlicensed or fraudulent contractor.

The bottom line

Michigan has a real licensing system for residential contractors, which puts you in a better position than homeowners in states that only require registration. Use LARA's free online lookup to confirm that any contractor you are considering holds an active license, and make sure the license type matches the scope of your project.

For any project involving electrical, plumbing, or HVAC work, verify the specialty trade licenses separately. Then go beyond the license itself: confirm insurance coverage, check complaint history, call references, and get everything in a detailed written contract with the license number included.

The five minutes it takes to run a LARA search can save you from months of headaches. Michigan gives you the tools to verify your contractor. Use them.