Michigan Electrician License Renewal (LARA)

At a glance

Renews every

Journeyman and master electrician: every year, by December 31. Electrical contractor: every three years, by December 31

Renewal opens

90 days before the expiration date

Fee

$40 for a journeyman, $50 for a master electrician, $300 for an electrical contractor (a three-year license)

Continuing education

No yearly hours. Journeymen and masters complete a board-approved code update course within 12 months after Michigan adopts an updated code, which doesn't happen every year. The contractor license doesn't need one

Proof of the course

You don't send it in unless you're audited, but keep a copy. LARA points to CE Broker to find approved courses and providers

Renew

Online through LARA's Accela system, with Express Pay (no login needed) or by logging in to your Accela account

After it expires

The license lapses the day after the expiration date, and you're not allowed on the job site without an active license

Late renewal

Within 60 days after expiration: the license fee plus a late fee

After 60 days

The license can't be renewed: you apply for relicensure and pay the fees. Journeymen and masters expired 3 years or more also have to pass the exam again

Contractors

An electrical contractor needs a qualifying master electrician. If that master's license lapses, the contractor license is placed on hold until the master renews and you notify LARA

Apprentice electrician registrations renew every year by August 31 for $15. Apprentices renew by logging in to Accela with their employer's master or contractor license numbers (not Express Pay), don't need a code update course, and must have completed or be enrolled in and attending an apprenticeship program.

The City of Detroit issues its own electrical licenses and registrations: if you're licensed there, check with the city.

How to renew

1. Check whether Michigan adopted a new electrical code in the past year. If it did, finish a board-approved code update course (find one through CE Broker) and keep the certificate.
2. From 90 days before December 31, renew online with Express Pay or through your Accela account.
3. Pay the fee: $40 journeyman, $50 master, $300 contractor (every third year).
4. Contractors: make sure your qualifying master electrician's license is renewed too, or your contractor license goes on hold.

Deadline checklist

• 90 days outRenewal opens. Check whether Michigan adopted a new electrical code in the past year: if so, book a board-approved code update course.
• 45 days outFinish any code update course you need and keep the certificate in case you're audited.
• 30 days outRenew online with Express Pay or in Accela and pay the fee. Contractors: check your qualifying master has renewed.
• December 31Last day to renew on time. Not renewed? From January 1 you can't be on the job site. Within 60 days you can still renew with a late fee.

Put this renewal in your calendar

Know your expiration date? Download a free calendar file with reminders before it, no sign-up needed. It's made in your browser: nothing you type is sent to us (your browser keeps it only if you follow the sign-up link, for your new ledger). A Google Calendar button sends just that one event to Google.

The file covers one date: once you renew, make a new one. How to add it to your calendar

Frequently asked questions