Michigan licensing

Who and what this applies to

Michigan residential builders and maintenance/alteration contractors under Occupational Code Article 24.

Thresholds and scope

Residential structures include detached one/two-family dwellings and the specified townhouses; the small-project exemption is strictly below $600 in aggregate.

The rules

• Section 2401 defines the regulated residential activities and structure types; it does not supply a statewide rule about every commercial trade. Source
• Section 2403 provides specific exemptions, including work solely for a licensed builder/M&A contractor and certain owner/trade work. The under-$600 exemption cannot be used to split a larger operation or evade the Act. Source
• For work requiring Article 24 licensure, a compensation action requires alleging and proving licensure during performance; section 2412 also restricts imposing a real-property lien without that licensure. Source

Primary sources

• MCL 339.2401
• MCL 339.2403
• MCL 339.2412(1), (3)

Sources reviewed 2026-09-30. This guide covers the projects and rules stated above.

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