Michigan Electrical Apprentice Hour Requirements

Michigan administers its electrical licensing program through the Bureau of Construction Codes (BCC) within the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). To become a licensed Journeyman Electrician in Michigan, you must complete 8,000 hours of on-the-job training plus 576 hours of related classroom instruction through an approved apprenticeship program. Michigan uses a single comprehensive category for electrical work, meaning all qualifying hours count equally toward your total without subcategory caps or minimums.

A key requirement in Michigan is that all experience verification documentation must be notarized. Employer letters confirming your hours must be on company letterhead, notarized, and include specific details about the type of work performed, the dates of employment, and the total hours accumulated. This notarization requirement adds a layer of formality that distinguishes Michigan from states that accept simple supervisor signatures. Michigan does accept digital submissions for many licensing documents, which helps offset the notarization burden.

Applicants must be at least 20 years old to apply for the journeyman exam and must have completed a minimum four-year earning period (the time over which the 8,000 hours were accumulated). This means you cannot compress 8,000 hours into fewer than four years, even if your work schedule would mathematically allow it. Detroit and Grand Rapids maintain additional local licensing requirements on top of the state license, so electricians working in those metro areas should verify municipal requirements early.

Michigan requires 576 hours of related technical instruction, completed over the course of your apprenticeship (typically 4-5 years). This is the standard amount required by most states that follow DOL apprenticeship guidelines.

Classroom instruction must cover the National Electrical Code (current edition), electrical theory and AC/DC circuits, blueprint reading and electrical schematics, electrical safety practices (OSHA standards), motor controls and industrial applications, and Michigan-specific electrical regulations and licensing laws.

Most apprentices complete classroom hours through their JATC or apprenticeship program, with evening or weekend classes being the typical format. If you are in an employer-sponsored program, verify that your education provider is approved by LARA's Bureau of Construction Codes.

Michigan accepts classroom hours completed through accredited community colleges and trade schools, provided the curriculum meets BCC requirements. Online coursework may be accepted for some portions, but verify with BCC before enrolling.

Michigan Journeyman Electrician licenses must be renewed every three years (triennial). The renewal fee is $120.

Continuing education in Michigan is tied to NEC code adoption rather than a fixed annual requirement. When the state adopts a new edition of the NEC, all licensed electricians must complete 15 hours of approved CE within 12 months of the adoption date.

CE courses must be from a provider approved by LARA's Bureau of Construction Codes. At least a portion of the 15 hours must specifically address the changes in the newly adopted NEC edition.

Renewal can be completed online through the LARA licensing portal. Failure to renew on time results in an inactive license, and you may not perform electrical work with an inactive license.

If your license lapses beyond the grace period, you may be required to pass the journeyman exam again to reinstate. Keep track of your renewal date and CE completion well in advance.