Michigan Maintenance & Alteration
Contractor Practice Examination
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A |
Instant Download Pdf
1. Under the Michigan Occupational Code, a person must be licensed as a
Maintenance & Alteration Contractor to perform residential maintenance or
alteration work if the combined total contract price for labor and materials
for a project exceeds:
A. $500
B. **$600**
C. $1,000
D. $5,000
Answer: B
Rationale: MCL 339.2401(b) establishes the threshold for licensure at $600 or
more, inclusive of both labor and materials, for a single maintenance or
alteration project. Work below this amount does not require a contractor’s
license.
2. Which of the following scopes of work would require a Residential Builder
license rather than a Maintenance & Alteration Contractor license?
A. Replacing existing siding with new vinyl siding
B. Enlarging a window opening in an exterior load-bearing wall
C. Replacing a bathroom vanity and faucet
D. Installing new asphalt shingles over an existing roof
Answer: B
Rationale: A Maintenance & Alteration contractor may only perform work that
,does not affect the structural integrity of the building. Enlarging an opening in a
load-bearing wall alters the structural load path and requires a Residential
Builder license.
3. A Maintenance & Alteration Contractor license must be renewed on what
schedule?
A. Annually
B. Every 3 years
C. Every 5 years
D. Every 2 years
Answer: B
Rationale: Michigan Administrative Code R 339.21201 sets a triennial renewal
cycle for residential builder and maintenance & alteration contractor licenses,
with expiration on May 31 of the renewal year.
4. Which activity is a Maintenance & Alteration Contractor expressly
prohibited from undertaking under Michigan law?
A. Replacing a residential water heater with an identical unit
B. Wiring a new branch circuit for an added light fixture
C. Replacing broken ceramic floor tiles
D. Removing and replacing a non-load-bearing partition wall
Answer: B
Rationale: A Maintenance & Alteration Contractor license does not authorize the
performance of new electrical wiring. Only a licensed electrical contractor may
install new circuits. Routine replacement of existing fixtures may be allowed, but
adding circuits is prohibited.
5. An individual who acts as the qualifying officer for a Maintenance &
Alteration Contractor license must demonstrate a minimum of how many
hours of approved prelicensure education?
A. 30 hours
B. 60 hours
, C. 90 hours
D. 120 hours
Answer: B
Rationale: Michigan requires completion of 60 hours of approved prelicensure
education for a Residential Builder or Maintenance & Alteration Contractor
license, covering business, law, and construction topics.
6. When a contractor’s license is revoked or suspended, the contractor must
immediately:
A. File an appeal with the local building department
B. Cease all contracting work that requires a license
C. Complete all projects within 30 days
D. Transfer the license to another qualified individual
Answer: B
Rationale: Under MCL 339.602, a revoked or suspended license deprives the
holder of the right to practice. Continuing to perform work that requires a
license would constitute unlicensed practice and may result in additional
penalties.
7. A Maintenance & Alteration Contractor must maintain a place of business
that is:
A. Located within the municipality where most work is performed
B. A home office only
C. Accessible to the public and listed with the department
D. Located at least 100 miles from the project site
Answer: C
Rationale: Administrative rules require the licensee to have a fixed business
location that is accessible to the public and has a mailing address registered
with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
8. Which statement about a contractor’s qualifier is correct?
A. A qualifier may serve for an unlimited number of corporations
B. The qualifier must be a full-time employee or owner and actively
, manage the business
C. A qualifier can be a silent partner with no day-to-day involvement
D. A license may be issued to a corporation without a qualifier
Answer: B
Rationale: MCL 339.2404 requires that a qualifying officer be a responsible
person, a full-time employee or an owner, and actively in charge of the
contracting operations of the license holder.
9. If a Maintenance & Alteration Contractor receives a complaint from a
homeowner and fails to respond within the time specified by the
department, the contractor may be subject to:
A. Automatic license reinstatement
B. Disciplinary action including fines, suspension, or revocation
C. A mandatory 3-year cooling-off period
D. Immediate criminal prosecution without a hearing
Answer: B
Rationale: The Michigan Occupational Code authorizes LARA to investigate
complaints and impose sanctions, including civil fines, license suspension, or
revocation, when a licensee fails to respond or resolve complaints in accordance
with law.
10.A contractor must display their license number on all of the following
except:
A. Written contracts
B. Commercial vehicles used solely for business
C. Private passenger vehicles not used for advertising
D. Yellow page and online advertisements
Answer: C
Rationale: MCL 339.2412 requires the license number on contracts, all
advertising media, and business vehicles. A personal vehicle not used for
business advertising does not need to display the number.
Contractor Practice Examination
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A |
Instant Download Pdf
1. Under the Michigan Occupational Code, a person must be licensed as a
Maintenance & Alteration Contractor to perform residential maintenance or
alteration work if the combined total contract price for labor and materials
for a project exceeds:
A. $500
B. **$600**
C. $1,000
D. $5,000
Answer: B
Rationale: MCL 339.2401(b) establishes the threshold for licensure at $600 or
more, inclusive of both labor and materials, for a single maintenance or
alteration project. Work below this amount does not require a contractor’s
license.
2. Which of the following scopes of work would require a Residential Builder
license rather than a Maintenance & Alteration Contractor license?
A. Replacing existing siding with new vinyl siding
B. Enlarging a window opening in an exterior load-bearing wall
C. Replacing a bathroom vanity and faucet
D. Installing new asphalt shingles over an existing roof
Answer: B
Rationale: A Maintenance & Alteration contractor may only perform work that
,does not affect the structural integrity of the building. Enlarging an opening in a
load-bearing wall alters the structural load path and requires a Residential
Builder license.
3. A Maintenance & Alteration Contractor license must be renewed on what
schedule?
A. Annually
B. Every 3 years
C. Every 5 years
D. Every 2 years
Answer: B
Rationale: Michigan Administrative Code R 339.21201 sets a triennial renewal
cycle for residential builder and maintenance & alteration contractor licenses,
with expiration on May 31 of the renewal year.
4. Which activity is a Maintenance & Alteration Contractor expressly
prohibited from undertaking under Michigan law?
A. Replacing a residential water heater with an identical unit
B. Wiring a new branch circuit for an added light fixture
C. Replacing broken ceramic floor tiles
D. Removing and replacing a non-load-bearing partition wall
Answer: B
Rationale: A Maintenance & Alteration Contractor license does not authorize the
performance of new electrical wiring. Only a licensed electrical contractor may
install new circuits. Routine replacement of existing fixtures may be allowed, but
adding circuits is prohibited.
5. An individual who acts as the qualifying officer for a Maintenance &
Alteration Contractor license must demonstrate a minimum of how many
hours of approved prelicensure education?
A. 30 hours
B. 60 hours
, C. 90 hours
D. 120 hours
Answer: B
Rationale: Michigan requires completion of 60 hours of approved prelicensure
education for a Residential Builder or Maintenance & Alteration Contractor
license, covering business, law, and construction topics.
6. When a contractor’s license is revoked or suspended, the contractor must
immediately:
A. File an appeal with the local building department
B. Cease all contracting work that requires a license
C. Complete all projects within 30 days
D. Transfer the license to another qualified individual
Answer: B
Rationale: Under MCL 339.602, a revoked or suspended license deprives the
holder of the right to practice. Continuing to perform work that requires a
license would constitute unlicensed practice and may result in additional
penalties.
7. A Maintenance & Alteration Contractor must maintain a place of business
that is:
A. Located within the municipality where most work is performed
B. A home office only
C. Accessible to the public and listed with the department
D. Located at least 100 miles from the project site
Answer: C
Rationale: Administrative rules require the licensee to have a fixed business
location that is accessible to the public and has a mailing address registered
with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
8. Which statement about a contractor’s qualifier is correct?
A. A qualifier may serve for an unlimited number of corporations
B. The qualifier must be a full-time employee or owner and actively
, manage the business
C. A qualifier can be a silent partner with no day-to-day involvement
D. A license may be issued to a corporation without a qualifier
Answer: B
Rationale: MCL 339.2404 requires that a qualifying officer be a responsible
person, a full-time employee or an owner, and actively in charge of the
contracting operations of the license holder.
9. If a Maintenance & Alteration Contractor receives a complaint from a
homeowner and fails to respond within the time specified by the
department, the contractor may be subject to:
A. Automatic license reinstatement
B. Disciplinary action including fines, suspension, or revocation
C. A mandatory 3-year cooling-off period
D. Immediate criminal prosecution without a hearing
Answer: B
Rationale: The Michigan Occupational Code authorizes LARA to investigate
complaints and impose sanctions, including civil fines, license suspension, or
revocation, when a licensee fails to respond or resolve complaints in accordance
with law.
10.A contractor must display their license number on all of the following
except:
A. Written contracts
B. Commercial vehicles used solely for business
C. Private passenger vehicles not used for advertising
D. Yellow page and online advertisements
Answer: C
Rationale: MCL 339.2412 requires the license number on contracts, all
advertising media, and business vehicles. A personal vehicle not used for
business advertising does not need to display the number.
