Plumber License from New York to Michigan: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Does Michigan accept a New York plumbing license?
There is no New York state license to carry to Michigan: New York issues no statewide journeyman plumber license. Michigan does license this work, so ask the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs — Bureau of Construction Codes (BCC), Plumbing whether it credits a local license or your documented experience; otherwise you qualify as a new applicant.
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Verdict
No state license to transfer
The issue on this move is the starting point: New York issues no statewide journeyman plumber license — plumbing there is regulated at the contractor level or by cities and counties — so there is no New York state license for Michigan to verify or endorse. Michigan does license plumbers, through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs — Bureau of Construction Codes (BCC), Plumbing, and it reviews out-of-state plumbers for endorsement, but that route starts from a state license. Ask the board, in writing, whether it credits a local New York license, a contractor-level credential or your documented hours; otherwise plan to qualify as a new journeyman applicant. Michigan does not reciprocate with any state and waives its journey plumber exam for no one: every applicant, in-state or out, must pass Michigan's written AND practical (hands-on) journey plumber examinations. An out-of-state plumber may receive credit for out-of-state experience — documented on the BCC Out-of-State License Verification form — toward the 6,000-hour eligibility requirement to be approved to sit for the exam, but the examination is mandatory.
What's different between New York and Michigan
Computed from both states' verified data rows, in both directions, and from the route every other origin gets into Michigan. Exam notes are our summary of each board's published rules, with sources below.
- Route, each way
New York to Michigan (this page): No state license to transfer.
Michigan to New York (the reverse move): No state license to transfer.
New York issues no statewide journeyman plumber license, so neither direction is a state-license transfer.
- Does coming from New York matter?
Coming from New York matters here: only 9 of 50 origins (the other 49 states and DC) get this result for a move into Michigan.
The others get: licensure by endorsement (41).
- Fee and processing
New York issues no statewide journeyman plumber license, so there is no New York state license application fee or processing time to compare with Michigan's.
- Exam rules on record
Michigan and New York carry different exam notes (our summaries, below); any state law or jurisprudence exam is listed with each state's requirements.
- Michigan (this move): Michigan does not reciprocate with any state and waives its journey plumber exam for no one: every applicant, in-state or out, must pass Michigan's written AND practical (hands-on) journey plumber examinations. An out-of-state plumber may receive credit for out-of-state experience — documented on the BCC Out-of-State License Verification form — toward the 6,000-hour eligibility requirement to be approved to sit for the exam, but the examination is mandatory.
- New York (the reverse move): Not applicable at the state level — New York issues no statewide plumber license, so there is no state journeyman exam to waive or transfer. Each municipality (e.g., New York City) sets and administers its own plumber licensing and exams and generally does not recognize licenses issued by other jurisdictions.
What changes, New York → Michigan
| New York (current) | Michigan (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | Set locally and varies by municipality; e.g., New York City charges a $585 Master Plumber written-exam fee and a separate $530 practical-exam fee (both paid through DOB NOW; the practical is applied for only after passing the written exam), then a $500 background-investigation fee and a $200 license fee — other cities/counties differ | $40–$90 ($40 journey plumber license/application fee plus $50 examination fee (MCL 339.6121, Skilled Trades Regulation Act, 2016 PA 407). The same fees apply to out-of-state applicants; the exam is administered by PSI.) |
| Processing time | No statewide process; timelines are set by each municipal licensing authority | No board-stated processing time; the application, out-of-state verification, and license fee are mailed to LARA BCC and the exam is scheduled through PSI |
| Licensing authority | No New York State plumber licensing board — plumbing is licensed municipally (representative program: New York City Department of Buildings) | Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs — Bureau of Construction Codes (BCC), Plumbing |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Michigan sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Review Michigan's requirements on the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs — Bureau of Construction Codes (BCC), Plumbing website (linked below) — rules change.
- Ask the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs — Bureau of Construction Codes (BCC), Plumbing whether it credits a local New York license or your documented experience: New York issues no statewide journeyman plumber license, so there is no state license to verify.
- Otherwise apply as a new applicant: meet Michigan's education/experience requirements and pass the exams it requires.
- Submit the application with fees listed above, and allow for the processing time shown there.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
What happens to my New York credential after I'm licensed in Michigan?
Nothing changes it. New York issues no statewide journeyman plumber license, so any local or contractor-level New York credential you hold runs on its own authority's renewal rules, independently of your Michigan license.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified New York 2026-10-29, Michigan 2026-07-21.
- Michigan LARA BCC — Plumbing Examination, Licensing/Registration & Application Information ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- MCL 339.6115 — Journey plumber's license requirements (6,000 hours / 3 years) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- MCL 339.6121 — License and registration fees ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Michigan LARA BCC — Out of State License Verification form ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NYC Department of Buildings — Obtain a Master Plumber License (7-yr experience, written+practical exams, $585 written / $530 practical exam fees) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- NYC Department of Buildings — DOB NOW: Licensing Fees by License Type (Master Plumber: $585 written, $530 practical, $500 background, $200 license issuance) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- NYC Department of Buildings — Obtain a Journeyman Plumber Registration ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
Reviewed by the License Reciprocity Editorial Team · verified against primary sources New York 2026-10-29, Michigan 2026-07-21
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