What you need to do to reinstate a Michigan builders license
To reinstate a Michigan builders license, you contact the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) Construction Code Administration Unit, pay a reinstatement fee, and submit proof that you meet current requirements — which usually means showing continuing education hours and that your license lapsed for less than three years. The process takes roughly two to four weeks once LARA receives your complete request. If your license expired more than three years ago, you will need to retake the builders exam instead of using the reinstatement path.
The specific steps depend on whether your license lapsed recently or has been inactive for years, and whether you held a residential builders license, commercial builders license, or both. LARA tracks this information in their system, so your first call should be to confirm your license status and which reinstatement route applies to you.
Key Takeaways
- Contact LARA's Construction Code Administration Unit at 517-241-9313 to confirm your license status and whether reinstatement is available to you.
- Reinstatement requires paying a fee (the amount varies by license type) and submitting proof of continuing education hours completed within the past three years.
- If your license expired more than three years ago, you cannot reinstate — you must retake the builders exam and reapply as a new licensee.
- LARA will mail you a reinstatement process form once you confirm you are may be able to access; you complete it, attach required documents, and return it by mail or in person.
Confirming your license status with LARA
Before you pay any fees or gather documents, call LARA's Construction Code Administration Unit at 517-241-9313 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time). Have your license number ready, or be prepared to give your full name and date of birth so they can look up your record. Ask them three things: whether your license is currently inactive or expired, how long it has been inactive, and whether you are within the three-year window for reinstatement.
If LARA tells you your license expired more than three years ago, you cannot reinstate. You will instead need to retake the Michigan builders exam through a testing vendor and submit a new process. If your license lapsed within the past three years, write down the reinstatement fee amount they quote you — it varies depending on whether you held a residential or commercial license — and ask them to mail you the reinstatement process form or tell you where to read it from the LARA website.
Gathering continuing education documentation
Michigan requires builders to complete continuing education hours to reinstate an expired license. The number of hours depends on your license type and how long your license was inactive, but typically ranges from 4 to 8 hours per year of inactivity. You must have completed these hours within the three years before you explore for reinstatement.
Collect certificates or completion records from any continuing education courses you took. These courses must be offered by providers approved by LARA — check the LARA website or call to confirm a course provider is approved before you take a course. If you have not yet completed the required hours, you will need to take an approved course before submitting your reinstatement request. Keep the completion certificate; you will attach it to your process.
Completing and submitting the reinstatement process
Once LARA mails you the reinstatement process form, fill it out completely with your name, license number, address, and phone number. The form will ask you to list the continuing education courses you completed, including the course name, provider name, date completed, and number of hours. Attach copies of your continuing education certificates to the form.
Include a check or money order for the reinstatement fee made payable to the State of Michigan. Do not send cash. Mail the completed form, certificates, and payment to the address LARA provides on the form, or deliver it in person to the LARA office in Lansing if you prefer. Keep a copy of everything you send for your records. LARA will send you a confirmation letter once they receive your request, and you should receive your reinstated license in the mail within two to four weeks.
What happens if your license was inactive for more than three years
If your license has been expired for more than three years, reinstatement is not an option. You must retake the Michigan builders exam through an approved testing vendor and submit a new process to LARA, just as if you were obtaining a license for the first time. This process takes longer and costs more than reinstatement.
Contact LARA to ask which testing vendors are currently approved and what the exam registration process looks like. You will also need to meet any other current requirements for new applicants, such as proof of experience or bonding, depending on your license type. LARA can tell you the full list of what you need to submit with your new process.
Tracking your reinstatement status
After you mail in your reinstatement process, LARA will send you a confirmation letter within one to two weeks. This letter will include a reference number you can use to check on your process status. If you do not receive a confirmation letter within two weeks, call LARA at 517-241-9313 to confirm they received your request.
Once your process is approved, LARA will mail your reinstated license to the address you provided on the form. The license is valid when ready upon issuance. If LARA needs additional information or documents from you, they will contact you by phone or mail — respond as quickly as you can, because delays in providing documents can slow down the reinstatement process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a builder while my reinstatement is being processed?
No. You cannot legally work under an expired or inactive license. You must wait until LARA mails you your reinstated license before you take on new projects. If you are in the middle of a project when your license expires, finish that project under the old license, then explore for reinstatement before starting new work.
What if I did not complete all the required continuing education hours?
You must complete the required hours before LARA will reinstate your license. Enroll in an approved continuing education course, complete it, and get your certificate. Then submit your reinstatement process with proof of completion. LARA will not process your process without the required hours documented.
Do I need to renew my bonding or insurance when I reinstate?
Check with LARA about current bonding requirements for your license type — requirements can change. Your insurance is separate from your license and is not managed by LARA, so contact your insurance agent to confirm your coverage is current or to update it before you restart work.
How much does reinstatement cost?
The reinstatement fee varies by license type and is set by LARA. Call 517-241-9313 to ask the current fee for your specific license. The fee is typically between $100 and $300, but confirm the exact amount before you send payment.
What if LARA says my process is incomplete?
LARA will contact you by phone or mail to tell you what is missing. Respond within the timeframe they give you — usually 10 to 15 days — and send the missing documents or information. If you miss the important date, your process may be denied and you will have to start over.