Roofer Licensing in Michigan

Michigan Roofer License Verification

In Michigan, individuals and companies undertaking roofing projects exceeding $600 in value are generally required to hold either a Residential Builder license or a Residential Maintenance & Alteration (M&A) Contractor license. These licenses are issued and regulated by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), specifically through the Bureau of Construction Codes (BCC).

To obtain a license, applicants must be at least 18 years old, possess a valid Michigan driver's license or state personal identification card, and maintain a place of business within the state. A crucial step is completing 60 hours of LARA-approved pre-licensure education. This education covers vital subjects such as business management, estimating, job costing, design and building science, contracts, liability, risk management, marketing, sales, project management, scheduling, the Michigan Residential Code, and MIOSHA construction safety standards.

After completing the education, applicants must pass a state examination, which includes both a business and law section and a practice/trade section. Licenses are issued for a three-year period and are due for renewal by May 31st. For renewal, continuing education is mandatory: 21 hours for the first six years of licensure (including 1 hour each in code, safety, and legal updates), and 3 hours (covering code, safety, and legal updates) for those licensed for six years or more.

Insurance and Bonding Mandates

While Michigan does not impose a state-level requirement for specific general liability insurance amounts for residential builder or M&A contractor licenses, contractors typically carry $500,000 to $1,000,000 in general liability coverage for practical business operations and to meet permit requirements. Workers' compensation insurance is mandated for private employers with one or more employees working 35 or more hours per week, or three or more full-time or part-time employees.

Regarding bonding, Michigan does not generally require state-level surety bonds for residential builder licensing. However, some local municipalities and counties, such as St. Clair Shores and Oakland County, may require local contractor bonds to operate within their jurisdictions.

Permitting and Local Regulations

Most roofing projects in Michigan, particularly full roof replacements or substantial structural changes, require a building permit. Minor repairs, such as replacing a few shingles, may be exempt, but any work involving replacing more than four sheets of decking, altering load-bearing parts, or changing ventilation systems typically necessitates a permit. These permits are issued by local municipal building departments, which interpret and enforce the Michigan Building Code (MBC) and Michigan Residential Code (MRC).

Key code requirements include the statewide mandate for ice and water shield installation from the lowest edges of all roof surfaces to at least 24 inches inside the interior wall line. Michigan codes also typically limit roofing layers to a maximum of two; a full tear-off is usually required if two layers already exist. Proper ventilation, sheathing standards (e.g., 5/8″ plywood or OSB for asphalt shingles), and adherence to fire classification and material standards are also critical. Contractors are responsible for obtaining the necessary permits, and homeowners cannot pull a permit if hiring a licensed individual.

Official Michigan Resources

Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA): https://www.michigan.gov/lara

LARA Residential Builders and Maintenance & Alteration Contractors Information: https://www.michigan.gov/builders

Michigan Legislature - Occupational Code (Section 339.2404 for Residential Builders and Maintenance & Alteration Contractors): https://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(b0ncn3543d2i4145f3qjjl0u))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-339-2404

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