MICHIGAN MAINTENANCE & ALTERATION CONTRACTOR LICENSE PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
Question 1: Under the Michigan Occupational Code (PA 299 of 1980), what is the maximum
administrative fine that the Board of Residential Builders and Maintenance & Alteration Contractors
may impose on an unlicensed individual practicing contractor work?
A. $500
B. $1,000
C. $10,000
D. $25,000
CORRECT ANSWER: C. $10,000
Rationale: Under Michigan Public Act 299 of 1980, Article 6, the department or board may assess an
administrative fine of up to $10,000 against a person practicing a regulated occupation without a license,
alongside criminal penalties prosecuted by the court system.
Question 2: According to the Michigan Residential Code, what is the minimum required net clear
opening width for an emergency escape and rescue window located on the ground floor?
A. 20 inches
B. 24 inches
C. 30 inches
D. 36 inches
CORRECT ANSWER: A. 20 inches
Rationale: Emergency escape and rescue openings must have a minimum net clear opening width of 20
inches and a minimum net clear height of 24 inches. The total minimum net clear opening area required
is 5.7 square feet (or 5.0 square feet for ground-floor openings).
Question 3: How long after the receipt of a formal complaint must a Michigan licensed Residential
Maintenance & Alteration Contractor submit a written response to the Department of Licensing and
Regulatory Affairs (LARA)?
A. 7 days
B. 15 days
C. 30 days
,D. 45 days
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 15 days
Rationale: Upon receipt of a formal complaint forwarded by LARA, the licensee or respondent has 15
days from the date of receipt to respond in writing, outlining their position or defense.
Question 4: Under MIOSHA Construction Safety Standards Part 45 (Fall Protection), at what height
above a lower level is fall protection mandatory for general residential construction activities?
A. 4 feet
B. 6 feet
C. 8 feet
D. 10 feet
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 6 feet
Rationale: MIOSHA Part 45 aligns with federal OSHA guidelines, requiring that employees engaged in
construction activities 6 feet or more above lower levels be protected from falling by guardrail systems,
safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems.
Question 5: A Michigan Maintenance & Alteration Contractor enters into a contract with a homeowner
for home improvements exceeding $600. Which of the following elements MUST be included in the
written contract to remain compliant with state regulations?
A. The contractor's social security number
B. The manufacturer brand names of all general materials
C. The contractor's license number and expiration date
D. A waiver releasing the contractor from all implied warranties
CORRECT ANSWER: C. The contractor's license number and expiration date
Rationale: Michigan regulations mandate that written residential construction agreements state the
contractor's full legal name, business address, and current Michigan license number alongside terms of
execution and specifications.
Question 6: In a standard residential wood framing system, what is the maximum allowed notch depth
in the middle third of a solid sawn joist span?
A. 1/6 of the joist depth
B. 1/4 of the joist depth
,C. 1/3 of the joist depth
D. No notches are permitted in the middle third of the span
CORRECT ANSWER: D. No notches are permitted in the middle third of the span
Rationale: Under the Michigan Residential Code, structural framing rules prohibit any structural exterior
or interior top/bottom notches within the middle third of a joist's total span length, as this area
experiences peak bending stress.
Question 7: According to the Michigan Construction Lien Act (PA 497 of 1980), within how many days
after providing the first labor or material must a contractor serve a Notice of Furnishing to preserve
their lien rights?
A. 10 days
B. 20 days
C. 45 days
D. 90 days
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 20 days
Rationale: To preserve construction lien rights in Michigan, a subcontractor, supplier, or contractor who
does not have a direct contract with the owner must serve a Notice of Furnishing within 20 days after
first supplying labor or materials to the job site.
Question 8: Under Michigan Worker's Disability Compensation Act requirements, an employer must
carry workers' compensation insurance if they employ how many regular employees?
A. 1 or more employees for 35 consecutive hours or more per week for 13 weeks or more
B. 3 or more employees at any single time
C. 5 or more employees on a seasonal basis
D. Both A and B are correct thresholds
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Both A and B are correct thresholds
Rationale: In Michigan, an employer must carry Workers' Compensation insurance if they employ 3 or
more employees at one time, OR if they employ 1 or more full-time employees working 35+ hours per
week for 13 or more weeks in the preceding 52 weeks.
Question 9: What is the maximum allowable distance between structural supports for 1/2-inch drywall
(gypsum board) applied perpendicular to ceiling joists spaced 24 inches on center without sagging
resistance enhancement?
, A. 12 inches
B. 16 inches
C. 24 inches
D. Drywall cannot be applied perpendicular to 24-inch spacing
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 16 inches
Rationale: Standard 1/2-inch gypsum wallboard installed on ceilings requires maximum support framing
spacing of 16 inches on center unless sag-resistant board (ceiling board) or lightweight formulations
rated for 24-inch span are specifically utilized.
Question 10: Which type of insurance protects a Maintenance & Alteration Contractor if a completed
roof repair fails three months after job completion, causing internal water damage to a client's
furniture?
A. Builder's Risk Insurance
B. Commercial General Liability (Completed Operations coverage)
C. Workers' Compensation Insurance
D. Professional Errors & Omissions Insurance
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Commercial General Liability (Completed Operations coverage)
Rationale: Commercial General Liability insurance includes Products and Completed Operations Hazard
coverage, which covers bodily injury or property damage occurring after the contractor has completed
work on the project site.
Question 11: According to MIOSHA regulations, trench excavations deeper than what depth require a
protective system (such as sloping, benching, or trench shields) unless cut into solid rock?
A. 3 feet
B. 4 feet
C. 5 feet
D. 8 feet
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 5 feet
Rationale: MIOSHA Excavation Standard (Part 9) dictates that protection against cave-ins via shoring,
shielding, or sloping is required in all excavations 5 feet or deeper, unless the excavation is made entirely
in stable rock.
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
Question 1: Under the Michigan Occupational Code (PA 299 of 1980), what is the maximum
administrative fine that the Board of Residential Builders and Maintenance & Alteration Contractors
may impose on an unlicensed individual practicing contractor work?
A. $500
B. $1,000
C. $10,000
D. $25,000
CORRECT ANSWER: C. $10,000
Rationale: Under Michigan Public Act 299 of 1980, Article 6, the department or board may assess an
administrative fine of up to $10,000 against a person practicing a regulated occupation without a license,
alongside criminal penalties prosecuted by the court system.
Question 2: According to the Michigan Residential Code, what is the minimum required net clear
opening width for an emergency escape and rescue window located on the ground floor?
A. 20 inches
B. 24 inches
C. 30 inches
D. 36 inches
CORRECT ANSWER: A. 20 inches
Rationale: Emergency escape and rescue openings must have a minimum net clear opening width of 20
inches and a minimum net clear height of 24 inches. The total minimum net clear opening area required
is 5.7 square feet (or 5.0 square feet for ground-floor openings).
Question 3: How long after the receipt of a formal complaint must a Michigan licensed Residential
Maintenance & Alteration Contractor submit a written response to the Department of Licensing and
Regulatory Affairs (LARA)?
A. 7 days
B. 15 days
C. 30 days
,D. 45 days
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 15 days
Rationale: Upon receipt of a formal complaint forwarded by LARA, the licensee or respondent has 15
days from the date of receipt to respond in writing, outlining their position or defense.
Question 4: Under MIOSHA Construction Safety Standards Part 45 (Fall Protection), at what height
above a lower level is fall protection mandatory for general residential construction activities?
A. 4 feet
B. 6 feet
C. 8 feet
D. 10 feet
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 6 feet
Rationale: MIOSHA Part 45 aligns with federal OSHA guidelines, requiring that employees engaged in
construction activities 6 feet or more above lower levels be protected from falling by guardrail systems,
safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems.
Question 5: A Michigan Maintenance & Alteration Contractor enters into a contract with a homeowner
for home improvements exceeding $600. Which of the following elements MUST be included in the
written contract to remain compliant with state regulations?
A. The contractor's social security number
B. The manufacturer brand names of all general materials
C. The contractor's license number and expiration date
D. A waiver releasing the contractor from all implied warranties
CORRECT ANSWER: C. The contractor's license number and expiration date
Rationale: Michigan regulations mandate that written residential construction agreements state the
contractor's full legal name, business address, and current Michigan license number alongside terms of
execution and specifications.
Question 6: In a standard residential wood framing system, what is the maximum allowed notch depth
in the middle third of a solid sawn joist span?
A. 1/6 of the joist depth
B. 1/4 of the joist depth
,C. 1/3 of the joist depth
D. No notches are permitted in the middle third of the span
CORRECT ANSWER: D. No notches are permitted in the middle third of the span
Rationale: Under the Michigan Residential Code, structural framing rules prohibit any structural exterior
or interior top/bottom notches within the middle third of a joist's total span length, as this area
experiences peak bending stress.
Question 7: According to the Michigan Construction Lien Act (PA 497 of 1980), within how many days
after providing the first labor or material must a contractor serve a Notice of Furnishing to preserve
their lien rights?
A. 10 days
B. 20 days
C. 45 days
D. 90 days
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 20 days
Rationale: To preserve construction lien rights in Michigan, a subcontractor, supplier, or contractor who
does not have a direct contract with the owner must serve a Notice of Furnishing within 20 days after
first supplying labor or materials to the job site.
Question 8: Under Michigan Worker's Disability Compensation Act requirements, an employer must
carry workers' compensation insurance if they employ how many regular employees?
A. 1 or more employees for 35 consecutive hours or more per week for 13 weeks or more
B. 3 or more employees at any single time
C. 5 or more employees on a seasonal basis
D. Both A and B are correct thresholds
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Both A and B are correct thresholds
Rationale: In Michigan, an employer must carry Workers' Compensation insurance if they employ 3 or
more employees at one time, OR if they employ 1 or more full-time employees working 35+ hours per
week for 13 or more weeks in the preceding 52 weeks.
Question 9: What is the maximum allowable distance between structural supports for 1/2-inch drywall
(gypsum board) applied perpendicular to ceiling joists spaced 24 inches on center without sagging
resistance enhancement?
, A. 12 inches
B. 16 inches
C. 24 inches
D. Drywall cannot be applied perpendicular to 24-inch spacing
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 16 inches
Rationale: Standard 1/2-inch gypsum wallboard installed on ceilings requires maximum support framing
spacing of 16 inches on center unless sag-resistant board (ceiling board) or lightweight formulations
rated for 24-inch span are specifically utilized.
Question 10: Which type of insurance protects a Maintenance & Alteration Contractor if a completed
roof repair fails three months after job completion, causing internal water damage to a client's
furniture?
A. Builder's Risk Insurance
B. Commercial General Liability (Completed Operations coverage)
C. Workers' Compensation Insurance
D. Professional Errors & Omissions Insurance
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Commercial General Liability (Completed Operations coverage)
Rationale: Commercial General Liability insurance includes Products and Completed Operations Hazard
coverage, which covers bodily injury or property damage occurring after the contractor has completed
work on the project site.
Question 11: According to MIOSHA regulations, trench excavations deeper than what depth require a
protective system (such as sloping, benching, or trench shields) unless cut into solid rock?
A. 3 feet
B. 4 feet
C. 5 feet
D. 8 feet
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 5 feet
Rationale: MIOSHA Excavation Standard (Part 9) dictates that protection against cave-ins via shoring,
shielding, or sloping is required in all excavations 5 feet or deeper, unless the excavation is made entirely
in stable rock.
