Electrician License from Colorado to Michigan: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) — Bureau of Construction Codes, Electrical Division / Electrical Administrative Board ↗
No — Michigan has no reciprocity or endorsement path for Colorado electrical license holders. You must apply to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) — Bureau of Construction Codes, Electrical Division / Electrical Administrative Board as a new applicant and meet Michigan's full licensing requirements, including its exams.
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Verdict
Full re-application
There is nothing to transfer into Michigan, and it has nothing to do with Colorado: Michigan issues no statewide electrician license. Licensing is handled by city and county building departments, so your Colorado license is neither accepted nor rejected at the state level — it is simply not the right unit. Identify the Michigan jurisdiction where you will work and apply to that local authority; the requirements and fees are set there, not by a state board.
What changes, Colorado → Michigan
| Colorado (current) | Michigan (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Training hours | 8,000 | 8,000 |
| Application fee | DORA does not publish the reciprocal journeyman fee on a standalone page; fees are set administratively and shown inside the online application. Aggregator figures (e.g. a $100 processing fee) could not be confirmed on an official page, so left null | $40 (Journeyman electrician license fee is $40 for a 1-year license, paid at application. The PSI examination fee is separate and set by the testing service. Master license fee was not separately published on the pages reviewed) |
| Processing time | The board does not publish a processing time; a reciprocal certificate is issued without a written exam once requirements are met and fees paid | LARA/BCC does not publish a processing-time range; timing depends on exam scheduling and application review |
| Licensing authority | Colorado State Electrical Board (DORA Division of Professions and Occupations) | Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) — Bureau of Construction Codes, Electrical Division / 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 Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) — Bureau of Construction Codes, Electrical Division / Electrical Administrative Board website (linked below).
- Expect to meet Michigan's education/experience requirements and pass its required exams — prior out-of-state licensure may still count toward experience.
- Submit the standard (new applicant) application with fees ($40 (Journeyman electrician license fee is $40 for a 1-year license, paid at application. The PSI examination fee is separate and set by the testing service. Master license fee was not separately published on the pages reviewed)).
- Allow LARA/BCC does not publish a processing-time range; timing depends on exam scheduling and application review.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Michigan accept a Colorado electrician license?
No — Michigan has no reciprocity or endorsement path for Colorado electrical license holders. You must apply to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) — Bureau of Construction Codes, Electrical Division / Electrical Administrative Board as a new applicant and meet Michigan's full licensing requirements, including its exams.
Which exam will I take moving from Colorado to Michigan?
Michigan does not reciprocate with any state; every applicant, including an already-licensed out-of-state electrician, must pass the Michigan journeyman (or master) examination. Out-of-state experience may be submitted to qualify to SIT the exam but does not waive it.
What does the Colorado-to-Michigan move cost and how long does it take?
$40 (Journeyman electrician license fee is $40 for a 1-year license, paid at application. The PSI examination fee is separate and set by the testing service. Master license fee was not separately published on the pages reviewed); processing LARA/BCC does not publish a processing-time range; timing depends on exam scheduling and application review.
Who do I apply to if Michigan has no state license?
The city or county building or electrical department covering your jobsite. Michigan sets electrician licensing locally, so there is no statewide application — confirm the requirements with the specific Michigan jurisdiction where you will work.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- Michigan LARA/BCC — Electrical Examination, Licensing/Registration & Application Information ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Colorado DPO — Electrical Applications and Forms (reciprocity requirements and reciprocal-state list) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Colorado DPO — Electrical Board homepage ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]