Michigan master electrician exam: format, eligibility, and how to pass

The Michigan master electrician license is issued by LARA’s Bureau of Construction Codes, and PSI gives the exam on computer. A master is the person who can be responsible for an electrical contractor’s code compliance, so the exam goes past installation into planning, calculating, and supervising. Here are the facts from the official documents and a study plan.

The format

• 76 questions in 180 minutes, a little over 2 minutes per question.
• 75% to pass (57 of 76).
• Exam fee: $100 (PSI bulletin; PA 407 sec. 707(1)).
• Open book with the same rules as the journeyman exam: the NEC with factory tabs only, plus printed PA 407, PA 230, and Part 8, each bound with three staples and unmarked. No NEC Handbook.

Who can take it

• At least 22 years old.
• At least 12,000 hours over at least 6 years, supervised by a master electrician.
• A journeyman license held for at least 2 years.

Source: PA 407 sec. 713 (MCL 339.5713). Also check LARA’s electrical licensing page for application details.

The Michigan law you should know

• Contractors: a contractor license needs a master who is the owner, or a full-time employee who lives in Michigan and is in charge of code compliance. One master can qualify only one contractor (sec. 711, 713(3)).
• Apprentices: no more than 3 registered apprentices per journeyman or master, enforced per jobsite; apprentices register within 30 days of hire (sec. 717).
• Renewals: after a state code update, masters must complete a board-approved update course within 12 months (sec. 713(4)).
• Permits (Part 8): permits are not transferable, expire 180 days after issue (extended 180 days from the last inspection), and work can’t be concealed before it’s approved.
• Plans (Part 8): detailed plans, including load and fault-current calculations, are required where the service or feeder is over 400 A at 1,000 V or less and the floor area is over 3,500 sq ft.
• Michigan amendments: Part 8 amends several NEC sections, including the 230.85 emergency disconnect for 1- and 2-family dwellings and the 334.12 limits on NM cable.

The calculations masters are tested on

• Dwelling loads by the standard and optional (220.82) methods, and multifamily loads by the optional method of 220.84.
• Commercial lighting and receptacle loads, kitchen equipment demand (Table 220.56), and existing-load additions (220.87).
• Transformer currents and protection (Table 450.3(B)) and secondary conductors (240.21(C)).
• Motor branch circuits, overloads, and feeders (430.22, 430.24, 430.32, 430.52, 430.62).
• Parallel conductors, GEC and bonding jumper sizing above 1,100 kcmil, and EGC upsizing.
• PV circuit current and voltage (690.7, 690.8) and the 120% busbar rule (705.12).

Our NEC calculations cheat sheet covers the formulas.

A study plan

1. Read PA 407 Article 7 and Part 8 once, start to finish. They’re short. Know where the contractor, apprentice, permit, and plan rules are.
2. Drill the design calculations until you can do them without looking up the method.
3. Know Articles 500–517, 680, and 700–708. Hazardous locations, health care, pools, and emergency and standby systems are heavy reading, so learn the layout.
4. Take timed mocks: 76 questions in 180 minutes, then drill your weakest topics.

Try 10 free master questions Master practice page

Sources: PSI Candidate Information Bulletin, Michigan BCC electrical (effective Aug 20, 2026) · LARA electrical exam & licensing information · LARA PSI examinations · LARA code books. Checked October 30, 2026. Rules and fees change, so confirm with LARA and PSI before you apply.

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