Free Practice Questions for MI HVAC

Under Michigan Administrative Rule R 339.5114 (effective May 3, 2023), candidates must score at least 75% to pass any mechanical contractor examination administered by PSI on behalf of the Michigan Bureau of Construction Codes (BCC). For the 150-question HVAC Equipment examination, a candidate must answer at least 113 questions correctly.

Michigan issues one mechanical contractor license with classifications under MCL 339.5807(2), and PSI administers 14 separate work classification examinations. Nine are standard classifications: (a) hydronic heating and cooling and process piping, (b) HVAC equipment (which includes ductwork, gas piping, and venting), (c) ductwork, (d) refrigeration, (e) limited heating service, (f) limited refrigeration and air conditioning service, (g) unlimited heating service, (h) unlimited refrigeration and air conditioning service, and (i) fire suppression. The tenth, (j) specialty, is examined as five separate specialty classifications: solar heating and cooling; solid fuel equipment and vented decorative gas appliances; LP distribution piping; fuel gas piping; and fuel gas piping and venting.

Under MCL 339.5807, an applicant must be of good moral character and document a minimum of 3 years or 6,000 hours of experience in each work classification sought, supported by a statement signed under penalty of perjury by each present or former mechanical contractor of record employer. Successful completion of a 2-year HVAC program from a recognized trade school, community college, university, or a US Department of Labor approved program is credited toward that requirement, but the credit may not exceed 1 year or 2,000 hours.

The HVAC Equipment examination consists of 150 multiple-choice questions with a 3-hour time limit and is an open-book exam administered by computer at PSI testing centers in Dearborn, Holt-Lansing, Grand Rapids, Gaylord, and Marquette. Every other classification examination consists of 55 questions with a 1-hour limit; the heating service and refrigeration and air conditioning service examinations are closed book.

LARA publishes a classification-specific reference list. For HVAC Equipment it names the 2021 Michigan Mechanical Code and 2015 Michigan Residential Code with referenced standards, ACCA Manual J-2011, ACCA Manual D-2016 (Residential Duct Systems), ANSI/SMACNA 006-2020 HVAC Duct Construction Standards - Metal and Flexible (4th edition), SMACNA-2010 Fibrous Glass Duct Construction Standards (7th edition), the 2021 International Fuel Gas Code, Public Act 407 of 2016, and Public Act 230 of 1972. The exam is open book and all reference material must be bound.

Under MCL 339.5813, a mechanical contractor license expires on August 31 every third year and is renewable by filing an application and paying the license fee on or before October 31. The license fee is $100 per year, so a full 3-year cycle costs $300, and initial licenses are prorated to the end of the current cycle. Examination fees are paid separately to PSI: $100 for HVAC Equipment and $50 for each other classification. Article 8 of PA 407 does not impose a continuing education requirement for mechanical contractor renewal, so confirm current renewal instructions with LARA BCC.

The HVAC equipment classification is defined in MCL 339.5807(2)(b) and on LARA's application as HVAC equipment including ductwork, gas piping, and venting, so a contractor holding it may install the duct distribution system and the fuel gas piping for the equipment. Final high-voltage electrical connections still require a licensed electrical contractor, and potable water and sanitary drain connections still require a licensed plumbing contractor. A municipality may not impose its own mechanical licensing requirement (MCL 339.5811) but may require license registration for a fee of not more than $15 (MCL 339.5817).