What is the passing score for the Michigan Mechanical Contractor licensing exam?

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.

How many classifications are available for a Michigan Mechanical Contractor license?

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.

What experience is required to qualify for a Michigan Mechanical Contractor license?

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.

What is the format and duration of the Michigan HVAC Equipment examination?

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.

What code books and reference materials are used for the Michigan Mechanical Contractor exam?

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.

What is the renewal cycle and fee structure for a Michigan Mechanical Contractor license?

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.

Does the Michigan HVAC Equipment classification cover ductwork and gas piping?

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).

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Free MI HVAC Exam Prep

Michigan Mechanical Contractor License (HVAC)

Prepare for the MI HVAC exam without spending hundreds on expensive prep courses. Free study guides, practice questions, flashcards, and related exam resources.

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Updated January 2026

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Michigan HVAC Contractor License

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Michigan HVAC Contractor License License: Complete Roadmap

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Michigan Licensing Law & Code AdministrationYou are here

Master the Skilled Trades Regulation Act (PA 407 of 2016, Article 8), the 14 BCC work classification examinations, contractor-of-record duties, and permit and inspection procedure under the Stille-DeRossett-Hale Single State Construction Code Act (PA 230 of 1972).

hours

Heating Systems, Combustion Air & Venting

Study 80% and 90%+ condensing warm air furnaces, dual-fuel heat pumps, combustion air calculations (indoor and outdoor air methods), and Categories I-IV venting.

hours

Refrigeration Cycle & Air Conditioning

Master the vapor compression cycle, A2L refrigerant transition, evacuation to 500 microns, subcooling and superheat charging calculations, and mini-split heat pumps.

hours

Duct Design & Air Distribution

Learn ACCA Manual D sizing, external static pressure measurement, sheet metal gauge specifications, duct sealing, and Michigan Energy Code duct insulation standards.

hours

Fuel Gas Piping, CSST & LP-Gas Systems

Master longest-length gas pipe sizing under the 2021 International Fuel Gas Code, CSST layout and bonding, pressure testing and purging, LP-gas regulators, and fuel-oil piping for oil-fired equipment.

hours

Practice Exams & Code Navigation Drills

Complete timed 150-question practice exams, practice fast index lookups in the Michigan Mechanical Code and IFGC, and review weak areas to ensure a 75%+ score.

hours

Estimated total study time

130 hours

That's about 13 weeks at 10 hours/week

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What You'll Study

9 chapters covering the exam topics in this guide

Chapter 1: Michigan Regulatory Framework, Skilled Trades Act & Licensing

4 sections

Chapter 2: Heating Equipment & Forced Air Systems

5 sections

Chapter 3: Combustion Air, Fuel Gas Venting & Flue Gas Analysis

4 sections

Chapter 4: Fuel Gas Piping Systems & Storage

4 sections

Chapter 5: Refrigeration Cycle, Cooling Systems, Heat Pumps & Packaged Equipment

7 sections

Chapter 6: Load Calculation, Duct Design & Air Distribution

5 sections

Chapter 7: Commercial Kitchen Hoods & Building Exhaust Systems

3 sections

Chapter 8: Hydronic Heating, Steam Boilers & Process Piping

4 sections

Chapter 9: Jobsite Safety (MIOSHA), Electrical Controls & Business Management

4 sections

MI HVAC Exam Details

Michigan Mechanical Contractor License (HVAC)

Administered by Michigan LARA, Bureau of Construction Codes

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75%

Passing Score

150

Questions

Hours

$100 PSI examination fee for the HVAC Equipment classification ($50 for each other classification) plus a $300 state license fee covering the full 3-year cycle ($100 per year)

Exam Fee

Study time: 80-130 hours over 8-12 weeks

Prerequisites: Good moral character plus a minimum of 3 years or 6,000 hours of documented experience in each work classification applied for, verified by a statement signed under penalty of perjury by each mechanical contractor of record employer (MCL 339.5807); a completed 2-year HVAC program may be credited toward no more than 1 year or 2,000 hours of that experience

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Master Mechanical Contractor Enterprise

Hold multiple Michigan mechanical classifications including HVAC Equipment, Hydronics, and Refrigeration to operate a full-scope commercial and industrial mechanical contracting company.

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Commercial Mechanical Project Superintendent

Direct large-scale commercial and institutional HVAC, central chiller, boiler plant, and complex duct distribution construction across Michigan project sites.

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Michigan Certified Mechanical Inspector & Plan Reviewer

Transition trade expertise into municipal or state code enforcement, conducting plan reviews and field inspections for Michigan Bureau of Construction Codes jurisdictions.

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Michigan Mechanical Contractor License

1Chapter 1: Michigan Regulatory Framework, Skilled Trades Act & Licensing

2Chapter 2: Heating Equipment & Forced Air Systems

3Chapter 3: Combustion Air, Fuel Gas Venting & Flue Gas Analysis

4Chapter 4: Fuel Gas Piping Systems & Storage

5Chapter 5: Refrigeration Cycle, Cooling Systems, Heat Pumps & Packaged Equipment

6Chapter 6: Load Calculation, Duct Design & Air Distribution

7Chapter 7: Commercial Kitchen Hoods & Building Exhaust Systems

8Chapter 8: Hydronic Heating, Steam Boilers & Process Piping

9Chapter 9: Jobsite Safety (MIOSHA), Electrical Controls & Business Management

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Michigan HVAC Contractor License License: Complete Roadmap

Michigan Licensing Law & Code AdministrationYou are here

Heating Systems, Combustion Air & Venting

Refrigeration Cycle & Air Conditioning

Duct Design & Air Distribution

Fuel Gas Piping, CSST & LP-Gas Systems

Practice Exams & Code Navigation Drills

Free MI HVAC Prep Tools

100 Practice Questions

AI-Powered Learning

2026 Updated

Free Access

What You'll Study

Chapter 1: Michigan Regulatory Framework, Skilled Trades Act & Licensing

Chapter 2: Heating Equipment & Forced Air Systems

Chapter 3: Combustion Air, Fuel Gas Venting & Flue Gas Analysis

Chapter 4: Fuel Gas Piping Systems & Storage

Chapter 5: Refrigeration Cycle, Cooling Systems, Heat Pumps & Packaged Equipment

Chapter 6: Load Calculation, Duct Design & Air Distribution

Chapter 7: Commercial Kitchen Hoods & Building Exhaust Systems

Chapter 8: Hydronic Heating, Steam Boilers & Process Piping

Chapter 9: Jobsite Safety (MIOSHA), Electrical Controls & Business Management

MI HVAC Exam Details

Michigan Mechanical Contractor License (HVAC)

What's Included

9 Chapters

Practice Quizzes

Free to Start

Quality Exam Prep Shouldn't Cost Hundreds

What's Next After the MI HVAC?

Master Mechanical Contractor Enterprise

Commercial Mechanical Project Superintendent

Michigan Certified Mechanical Inspector & Plan Reviewer

MI HVAC Exam FAQ

What is the passing score for the Michigan Mechanical Contractor licensing exam?

How many classifications are available for a Michigan Mechanical Contractor license?

What experience is required to qualify for a Michigan Mechanical Contractor license?

What is the format and duration of the Michigan HVAC Equipment examination?

What code books and reference materials are used for the Michigan Mechanical Contractor exam?

What is the renewal cycle and fee structure for a Michigan Mechanical Contractor license?

Does the Michigan HVAC Equipment classification cover ductwork and gas piping?

What's included for free?

Why is the content free?

Is the content up to date?

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