50-State Engineering Licensing Compliance Guide
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Michigan Engineering Industry Licensing

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Licensing requirements for engineering industry firms and individuals in Michigan.

This page provides an overview of engineering industry licensing in Michigan for individuals and firms. You will find state requirements, application fees, filing instructions, and more. For assistance with licensing, please contact us to learn about our software and managed license services.

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Company Licenses

Michigan Engineering Company Licenses

Michigan Architecture, Engineering, or Surveying Firm Approval

Agency:Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) - Bureau of Professional Licensing
Law:

MCL 339.2010

Eligible Entity Types:
  • Business Corporations
  • Professional Corporations
  • Limited Liability Companies
  • Professional Limited Liability Companies
  • Partnerships
Ownership Requirements:

Business Corporations:

  • At least 2/3 of the officers and directors must be Michigan-licensed design professionals.

Professional Corporations:

  • All shareholders and officers must be licensed design professionals.

Limited Liability Companies:

  • At least 2/3 of the members and managers must be Michigan-licensed design professionals.

Professional Limited Liability Companies:

  • All members and managers must be Michigan-licensed design professionals.

Partnerships:

  • At least 2/3 of the partners must be licensed design professionals.
Notes:

Firm licenses are not issued at the state level, however, firms must receive approval from the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs before offering services to the public. Firms must also employ an individual in responsible charge of the professional services performed by the firm.

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$0

Before you Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  • For each professional service offered by the firm, identify a full-time employee who is a Michigan licensed design professional to be in responsible charge of the firm's professional activities in Michigan.
  • Ensure that your business entity will meet ownership requirements.

Foreign Applicants:

  • For each professional service offered by the firm, identify a full-time employee who is a Michigan licensed design professional to be in responsible charge of the firm's professional activities in Michigan.
  • Ensure that your Michigan entity will meet ownership requirements.
  • Obtain a certificate of good standing from your business entity's home state (to be filed during the foreign qualification process). The certificate cannot be more than 30 days old when filing foreign qualification documents.
How to Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  1. File entity formation documents with the Bureau of Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing - Corporations Division.
  2. Register online by providing the following information: Name of the firm seeking approval, Address of the firm, Name of the person submitting the request, and a certification stating that "2/3 of the principals of (Your Firm Name) are licensed in Michigan under Article 20 of the Occupational Code and the conduct of the firm and its principals complies with the law and rules promulgated by the Department".

Foreign Applicants:

  1. File foreign qualification documents with the Bureau of Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing - Corporations Division.
  2. Register online by providing the following information: Name of the firm seeking approval, Address of the firm, Name of the person submitting the request, and a certification stating that "2/3 of the principals of (Your Firm Name) are licensed in Michigan under Article 20 of the Occupational Code and the conduct of the firm and its principals complies with the law and rules promulgated by the Department".

Renewal Not Required

Not required



No renewal application is required, but upon request by the department, a firm shall report to the department the names and addresses of its principals, persons in responsible charge, unlicensed principals, and any other information the department considers necessary.

Michigan Geology Firm License

Not required



Geoscience Firm licensure is not required on the State level in Michigan.

Individual Licenses

Michigan Individual Engineering Licenses

Michigan Geologist License

Not required



Professional Geoscientist licensure is not required on the State level in Michigan.

Michigan Professional Engineer License

Agency:Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) - Bureau of Professional Licensing
Exam Required?Yes
Allow Digital Signatures?Yes
Digital Signature Guidelines:

"Electronic signature" means a signature created by electronic or optical means and affixed electronically to a document or electronic document with intent to sign the document.

MCL 339.2007

Allow Digital Sealing?Yes
Digital Sealing Guidelines:

"Electronic seal" means a seal created by electronic or optical means and affixed electronically to a document or electronic document.

MCL 339.2007

Initial Registration

Instructions:

Professional Engineer Licensing Guide

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$115

Reciprocal Registration

Instructions:

Professional Engineer Licensing Guide

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$115

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$80

Due:

Biennially by the date of issuance.

Michigan Professional Surveyor License

Agency:Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) - Bureau of Professional Licensing

Initial Registration

Instructions:

Professional Surveyor Licensing Guide

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$135

Reciprocal Registration

Instructions:

Professional Surveyor Licensing Guide

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$135

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100

Due:

Biennially by the date of issuance.

Learn about engineering licensing in other states:

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho
Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri
Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania
Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Design Firm - Engineering firm registration is sometimes grouped with architecture and land surveying on a single “design firm” application form.

EI (Engineering Intern) - A term also used to describe an Engineer in Training.

EIT (Engineer in Training) - A professional designation granted upon having completed at least 3 years of school at an ABET-accredited university and having passed the FE exam.

FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) - An exam testing on basic engineering principles that is required to become an engineer in training.

PE (Professional Engineer or 'Principles and Practice in Engineering') - Means either Professional Engineer or refers to the Principles and Practice in Engineering exam that is a prerequisite for an engineering license.

Reciprocity - When a licensed engineer in one state can provide documentation (often an NCEES Record) to more easily apply for a license in another jurisdiction.

Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
Accrediting board that sets standards for university programs in a variety of applied science disciplines.

American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC)
Engineering, architecture, and land surveying advocacy group.

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Organization that provides continuing education, professional conferences, and advocacy efforts to the civil engineering community.

American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
Mechanical engineering organization that focuses on education and professional development.

Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC)
Reviews accreditation requirements and makes final decisions regarding the accreditation process.

National Council of Examiners for Engineering & Surveying (NCEES)
Develops, administers, and scores the exams used for engineering licenses.

National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)
NSPE is an advocacy group for professional engineers.

Revised February 20, 2023. Complete data last reviewed February 20, 2023.
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