Contractor License from Tennessee to Michigan: Does It Transfer? (2026)
No — Michigan has no reciprocity or endorsement path for Tennessee contractor license holders. You must apply to the Michigan Dept. of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes — Residential Builders as a new applicant and meet Michigan's full licensing requirements, including any exams it requires that you have not already passed. Michigan's electrical licenses are handled separately; choose your trade in the checker.
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Same data, interactive — with share link and board links.
Verdict
Full re-application
Michigan has no general contractor reciprocity or endorsement path, for Tennessee or any other state, so this move is a new application to the Michigan Dept. of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes — Residential Builders: plan for Michigan's own exams and any education, bond and insurance it requires, with your Tennessee license and experience counting only where its rules credit them. Michigan's electrical licensing runs separately, on its own terms — select your trade in the checker.
What changes, Tennessee → Michigan
| Tennessee (current) | Michigan (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $250 (Initial contractor license application fee $250. The CPA-prepared reviewed or audited financial statement is a separate professional cost, and some verifying states charge a fee to complete the Board's license-verification form. Beginning July 1, 2026 exams are administered by Prov.) | Not verified — board site inaccessible |
| Processing time | No processing-time estimate is published; applications are acted on at the Board's scheduled meetings | Not verified — board site inaccessible |
| Licensing authority | Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Department of Commerce and Insurance) | Michigan Dept. of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes — Residential Builders; Electrical Administrative Board |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Michigan sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Review Michigan's initial-licensure requirements on the Michigan Dept. of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes — Residential Builders website (linked below): it has no reciprocity or endorsement path for your Tennessee license in this trade.
- Expect to meet Michigan's education/experience requirements and pass its exams as a new applicant — prior out-of-state licensure can count toward experience.
- Submit the standard (new applicant) application to the Michigan Dept. of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes — Residential Builders with the fees it sets for this license.
- Electrical licensing in Michigan runs separately, on its own terms: use the checker with your trade selected.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Michigan accept a Tennessee contractor license?
No — Michigan has no reciprocity or endorsement path for Tennessee contractor license holders. You must apply to the Michigan Dept. of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes — Residential Builders as a new applicant and meet Michigan's full licensing requirements, including any exams it requires that you have not already passed. Michigan's electrical licenses are handled separately; choose your trade in the checker.
What still applies even if reciprocity covers my trade?
Michigan's business and law exam, financial statement, bond, and registration — reciprocity waives the trade exam only, not these.
What does the Tennessee-to-Michigan move cost and how long does it take?
The figures on file for Michigan may cover its trade licenses rather than a general contractor application, so confirm the general contractor fee with the Michigan Dept. of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes — Residential Builders: Not verified — board site inaccessible. Processing time: Not verified — board site inaccessible.
Would the NASCLA exam help for this move?
Possibly — NASCLA accredited exams replace the trade exam only in participating states, and this site has not verified that Michigan is one. Check on the Michigan Dept. of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes — Residential Builders site.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-08-07.
- Michigan LARA — Bureau of Construction Codes ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- TN Board for Licensing Contractors — Trade Exam Waiver (Reciprocity) with Tennessee, Rev. 06/2026 (participating states, scope, TN matching classifications) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- TN Board for Licensing Contractors — Get a Contractor License ($250 fee, Business & Law exam, CPA financial statement, $25,000 threshold) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
Reviewed by the License Reciprocity Editorial Team · verified against primary sources 2026-08-07
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]