MI HB5502

The department shall not issue an initial individual license as a residential builder or residential maintenance and alteration contractor unless the applicant successfully completes 60 hours of approved prelicensure courses, except for those grandfathered in or with recent prior licensure.

Individuals who held a residential builder or maintenance/alteration contractor license on June 1, 2008, or held such a license within the 9-year period preceding their application are exempt from prelicensure course requirements.

The 60-hour prelicensure requirement must include at least 6 hours in each of seven competency areas: business management, design and building science, contracts and liability, marketing and sales, project management, Michigan residential code, and construction safety standards.

Beginning in 2009, newly licensed individuals must complete at least 3 hours of continuing competency activities per calendar year during their first 6 years of licensure, then 21 hours per 3-year period thereafter, with at least 3 hours covering codes, safety, and legal issues.

The department may approve courses from various providers including community colleges, trade associations, and proprietary schools, and may establish alternate forms of continuing competency such as testing, mentoring, research, and published articles in trade journals.