Guide · Updated 2026-10-30

Michigan hydronic & process piping exam guide

Practice for the Michigan Hydronic Heating & Cooling and Process Piping exam: boilers and safety controls, piping materials and joints, flow and pumps, terminal units, fuel supply, and process piping.

The format

55 questions
60 minutes
75% to pass
Open book LARA reference list
Exam fee: $50 (PSI).

Test-day rules

Computer-based at PSI test centers, after LARA approves your application.
Open book: bring unmarked, bound copies of the references LARA lists for this classification.
Questions on PA 407 (the Skilled Trades Regulation Act) and PA 230 appear on every classification exam.

What’s on it

PSI lists the content areas but not how many questions come from each. Our practice uses these estimated weights:

Topic	Our estimated weight	In our mock	Bank
Michigan law (PA 407 Article 8, PA 230) Licensing (PA 407) Board (PA 407) Inspections (PA 230) Renewal (PA 407)	9%	5	7
Boilers, safety controls, and operating controls Safety controls Controls Boilers Installation Steam	20%	11	14
Hydronic piping, joining, and testing Testing Joints Materials Supports Valves Freeze Insulation	18%	10	13
Flow, pumps, and expansion tanks Flow math Expansion Pumps	16%	9	12
Radiant and terminal units Radiant Terminal units Snow melt Zoning	12%	7	9
Fuel, venting, and combustion for boilers Oil Venting Combustion air Combustion	13%	7	10
Process piping (ASME B31.3) and chilled water B31.3 scope B31.3 fluid service B31.3 testing Chilled water	12%	6	9

A study plan

Know boiler safety controls and relief valve rules.
Practice flow, temperature difference, and pump calculations.
Review piping materials, joining methods, and testing.
Skim ASME B31.3’s structure so you can find things.
Take timed mocks.

Try 10 free Hydronic Heating & Cooling and Process Piping questions Hydronic Heating & Cooling and Process Piping practice page

Sources: PSI Candidate Information Bulletin 5421 (mechanical, effective Aug 20, 2026) · LARA mechanical exam reference materials (PDF). Checked October 30, 2026. Rules and fees change, so confirm with LARA and PSI.

FAQ

How many questions are on the Hydronic exam?

PSI’s bulletin lists 55 questions in 60 minutes, open book, with 75% to pass.

Which references does LARA list?

LARA’s reference list includes the 2021 Michigan Mechanical Code and 2015 Michigan Residential Code, ASME B31.3, PA 407, and PA 230.

What does it cost?

PSI lists $50.

MI Trade Prep is an independent study tool, not affiliated with LARA or PSI.