Current Michigan Journey format: the PSI written exam contains 125 questions, allows 180 minutes, requires 75% to pass and is open book. Journey Plumber applicants must also pass a separate Michigan LARA hands-on practical skills examination on the same application.
What Is the Michigan Journeyman Plumber Exam?
The Michigan Journey Plumber licensing process includes a written PSI examination and a separate hands-on practical skills examination administered through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Construction Codes. Both portions must be passed on the same valid application.
The written examination measures plumbing theory, plumbing practice, Michigan plumbing code knowledge, rules and regulations. PSI specifically identifies drainage systems, vent systems, fixtures, water distribution, backflow prevention, special waste systems, testing and inspections, and interpretation of isometric drawings.
Written exam answer: 125 questions, 180 minutes, 75% passing score and open-book testing.
Practical exam answer: Journey Plumber applicants must also pass a separate hands-on practical skills examination scheduled through LARA.
Code distinction: the 2026 1 Exam Prep course is built around the 2024 IPC for updated study. Michigan's current enforceable plumbing code and current PSI exam-room reference remain the 2021 Michigan Plumbing Code while the state continues its proposed 2024 IPC rulemaking.
The current PSI bulletin does not publish topic-by-topic question counts for the Journey written exam. This page therefore avoids inventing domain percentages and instead follows the official PSI topic list.
This page uses 10+ official Michigan and PSI authority resources for exam, licensing, code and contractor information, with commercial study materials used only for supplemental preparation details.
Michigan Journeyman Plumber Exam Domains
These are the current topic groups identified by PSI and Michigan licensing materials. PSI does not currently publish official question counts for each individual topic.
| Exam Area | What to Study | Official Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Drainage Systems | Sanitary drainage, sizing, slope, branches, stacks, cleanouts, storm-related concepts and system relationships | PSI topic, count not published |
| Vent Systems | Vent sizing, vent arrangements, wet venting, common venting, stack venting and system protection | PSI topic, count not published |
| Fixtures | Fixture installation, clearances, connections, fixture units, materials and code requirements | PSI topic, count not published |
| Water Distribution | Water service, distribution sizing, pressure, valves, supply piping and potable-water protection | PSI topic, count not published |
| Backflow Prevention | Cross-connection control, backflow devices, air gaps, protection methods and potable-water safety | PSI topic, count not published |
| Special Waste Systems | Indirect waste, special waste, receptors, discharge methods and special system requirements | PSI topic, count not published |
| Testing and Inspections | System testing, inspection requirements, code compliance and verification procedures | PSI topic, count not published |
| Isometric Drawing Interpretation | Flow, fixtures, pipe sections, developed length, venting, cleanouts, sizing and system relationships | PSI topic, count not published |
| Michigan Code, Rules and Regulations | 2021 Michigan Plumbing Code, PA 230, PA 407 and Michigan-specific licensing requirements | PSI topic, count not published |
| Plumbing Theory and Math | Trade math, measurements, sizing methods, calculations, terminology and practical plumbing theory | Official overall knowledge area |
Michigan Journey Plumber and Plumbing Contractor Exam Breakdown
Journey Plumber Written125 questions | 180 minutes | 75% to pass
Journey PracticalSeparate hands-on practical skills examination required
Plumbing Contractor Exam50 questions | 120 minutes | 75% to pass
Testing ProviderPSI for written and contractor testing; Michigan LARA for Journey practical skills
Licensing AuthorityMichigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Construction Codes
Exam FormatOpen book written exam + required practical skills exam
Current Exam-Room Code2021 Michigan Plumbing Code | chapter tabs only
Standard Experience Path6,000 qualifying apprentice hours over at least 3 years
Minimum Age18 years
Michigan Journey Plumber Licensing and Contractor Career Path
The Michigan Journey Plumber license is earned after qualifying apprentice experience and successful completion of both written and practical examinations. Plumbing Contractor licensure is a separate business-level credential with its own exam and Master Plumber representation requirements.
Journey age requirement: applicants must be at least 18 years old.
Journey experience: at least 6,000 hours over at least three years as an actively registered plumbing apprentice in qualifying practical installation work under required supervision.
Two-exam requirement: pass both the written PSI exam and LARA hands-on practical skills exam on the same application.
Contractor path: a Michigan Plumbing Contractor applicant must hold a Master Plumber license or employ a licensed Master Plumber as the representative, and must meet the current ownership/officer/member requirements.
Michigan Plumbing Exam Components
PSI does not publish topic-by-topic Journey Plumber question weights. These bars show the three required licensing exam components as complete exam tracks, not subject percentages.
Journey Plumber Written Exam125 questions
Journey Plumber Hands-On Practical Skills ExamRequired
Plumbing Contractor Exam50 questions
Current Michigan Plumbing Exam References
Michigan has strict exam-room reference rules. Follow the active PSI bulletin even when a commercial study product uses a newer code edition.
| Reference | Primary Use | Current PSI Rule |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 Michigan Plumbing Code | Drainage, venting, fixtures, water distribution, backflow, waste systems, testing and code questions | Allowed in the exam room with chapter tabs only |
| State Construction Code Act, 1972 PA 230 | Michigan construction-code administration and enforcement | Approved Journey reference; contractor exam provides it on screen |
| Skilled Trades Regulation Act, 2016 PA 407 | Licensing, supervision and plumbing contractor requirements | Approved Journey reference; contractor exam provides it on screen |
| 2024 International Plumbing Code | Forward-looking study and newer code concepts used by the 2026 course | Not currently listed as the exam-room code reference |
Your Michigan Journey Plumber Licensing Roadmap
Complete qualifying apprentice experience, apply through LARA, prepare for the written and practical exams, follow the strict exam-reference rules and pass both portions on the same application.
1
Build qualifying apprentice experience
Document at least 6,000 hours over at least three years as an actively registered plumbing apprentice under the required Michigan supervision.
2
Apply through Michigan LARA
Submit the Journey Plumber examination application and required experience documentation.
3
Prepare the current PSI references
Use the current 2021 Michigan Plumbing Code for exam-room navigation and follow the chapter-tabs-only, no-markings rule.
4
Study the written exam topics
Review drainage, venting, fixtures, water distribution, backflow, special waste, testing, inspections, isometrics, math and Michigan laws.
5
Train separately for the practical exam
Practice measuring, cutting, joining, fitting, layout, safe tool use, workmanship and time management for the hands-on portion.
6
Take the PSI written exam
Complete 125 questions within 180 minutes and earn at least 75 percent.
7
Pass the practical exam on the same application
Schedule the LARA practical skills examination promptly so both required exam portions are completed before the one-year application expires.
Six-Week Michigan Journeyman Plumber Exam Prep Plan
Week 1
Michigan Code and Exam Rules
- Review PSI exam structure
- Study current reference rules
- Review Michigan licensing laws
- Take a diagnostic practice exam
Week 2
Drainage and Venting
- Sanitary drainage
- Pipe sizing and slope
- Vent systems
- Cleanouts and system layout
Week 3
Water Supply and Backflow
- Water distribution
- Pressure and sizing
- Backflow prevention
- Potable-water protection
Week 4
Fixtures, Waste and Inspections
- Fixtures and installation
- Special waste
- Testing procedures
- Inspection requirements
Week 5
Isometrics and Plumbing Math
- Isometric interpretation
- Developed length
- Fixture-unit calculations
- Plumbing trade math
Week 6
Written + Practical Simulation
- 125-question timed practice
- 180-minute pacing
- Measuring, cutting and joining practice
- Final weak-area review
Michigan Open-Book Plumber Exam Prep Strategy
Do this during exam prep
- Practice with the 2021 Michigan Plumbing Code for exam navigation
- Use only chapter tabs in the exam-room code book
- Practice finding drainage, venting and water-supply rules quickly
- Work isometrics and plumbing math repeatedly
- Keep written and practical training as separate study tracks
- Complete full 180-minute written simulations
Avoid these mistakes
- Highlighting or underlining exam-room references
- Writing notes in the code book
- Using extra indexing beyond the chapter-tabs-only rule
- Bringing loose or attached papers
- Assuming a 2024 IPC study book is currently allowed in the PSI room
- Ignoring the separate hands-on practical requirement
Open-book strategy: learn the code location during practice, then use clean chapter navigation on exam day. With 125 questions in 180 minutes, the written exam averages about 1.44 minutes per question, so long searches can eat the clock fast.
Michigan Journeyman Plumber Contractor Exam Prep Options
2026 Study Guide and Online Course
Guided Michigan Plumber Exam Prep
- 700+ practice questions
- 8+ hours of video training
- IPC chapter instruction
- Isometric drawing walkthroughs
- Simulated computer-based exams
2026 Michigan Journeyman Plumber Study Guide
Focused Independent Study Prep
- Michigan Journeyman exam review
- 2024 IPC-based learning track
- Plumbing systems review
- Isometric analysis
- Plumbing math and licensing topics
Complete Books, Tabs and Course Package
Complete 2024 IPC Study System
- Study guide and online course
- 2024 IPC learning materials
- Flash-card review
- Video and simulated exams
- Practical-skills preparation should be added separately
Michigan exam-room reminder: these 2026 study products use the 2024 IPC for updated learning. The active PSI bulletin currently allows the 2021 Michigan Plumbing Code with chapter tabs only. Do not rely on a commercial package's tabs, highlighting guidance or newer code edition as proof that the material is allowed in the testing room.
Journey Plumber and Plumbing Contractor Are Different Michigan License Levels
The Journey Plumber license verifies trade competency after apprentice experience and both required examinations. The Plumbing Contractor credential is a separate business-level license requiring Master Plumber representation and a contractor examination.
· Journey written: 125 questions
· Journey written: 180 minutes
· Journey practical: separately required
· Plumbing Contractor: 50 questions
· Plumbing Contractor: 120 minutes
· 75% passing score for PSI exams
Michigan Journeyman Plumber Contractor Exam Prep FAQ
Michigan Journey Plumber Exam Basics
The current PSI bulletin lists 125 questions for the Michigan Journey Plumber written examination.
Candidates currently receive 180 minutes, or three hours, for the written examination.
The current minimum passing score is 75 percent.
Yes. The written examination is open book, but PSI currently allows the 2021 Michigan Plumbing Code with chapter tabs only, along with the approved state-law references.
Yes. Journey Plumber applicants must pass both the PSI written examination and a separate hands-on practical skills examination administered through Michigan LARA on the same application.
No. Michigan states that the application is valid for one year and passing examination scores do not carry over to a new application.
The current PSI bulletin lists the 2021 Michigan Plumbing Code as the allowed exam-room code reference.
Not under the current PSI bulletin. Michigan is considering adoption of the 2024 IPC, but the current enforceable and PSI-listed plumbing code remains the 2021 Michigan Plumbing Code.
No. PSI currently prohibits highlighting, underlining, handwriting, indexing, added papers and other markings in approved exam references. The Michigan Plumbing Code may use chapter tabs only.
PSI identifies plumbing theory, drainage systems, vent systems, fixtures, water distribution, backflow prevention, special waste, testing and inspections, state code and rules, and interpretation of isometric drawings.
The standard path requires at least 6,000 hours of qualifying experience over at least three years as an actively registered plumbing apprentice under the required supervision.
Michigan currently requires Journey Plumber applicants to be at least 18 years old.
Practical preparation should include safe tool use, measuring, cutting, fitting, joining, layout, workmanship and completing the assigned practical project within the allowed time.
Michigan Plumbing Contractor and Licensing
The current PSI bulletin lists 50 questions for the Michigan Plumbing Contractor examination.
Candidates currently receive 120 minutes, or two hours, for the Plumbing Contractor exam.
The current minimum passing score is 75 percent.
The exam focuses on the Skilled Trades Regulation Act, rules under that act, the Stille-DeRossett-Hale Single State Construction Code Act, and administration and enforcement procedures of the Michigan Plumbing Code.
The applicant must hold a Master Plumber license or employ a licensed Master Plumber as the representative. The contractor applicant must also be an eligible owner, partner, corporate officer or LLC member and meet the current application requirements.
Yes. Beginning February 11, 2026, PSI allows remote online testing for the Plumbing Contractor examination. Remote testing is not available for the Journey Plumber written exam.
Start with drainage, venting, water distribution, backflow prevention, fixtures, special waste, testing and inspections, isometric interpretation and Michigan-specific code rules. Because PSI does not publish topic-by-topic question counts, do not assume a commercial weighting is official.
1 Exam Prep Journeyman Plumber Contractor Exam Prep Video
Explore Michigan Journeyman Plumber Exam Prep Resources
2026 Michigan Study Guide + Online Course 2026 Michigan Journeyman Plumber Study Guide Complete Books, Tabs and Course Package Michigan Journeyman Plumber Online Course Michigan Journeyman Plumber Collection Current PSI Michigan Plumbing Bulletin Michigan Plumbing Examination and Licensing Information Michigan Current Code Books Michigan Proposed Plumbing Code Rules Michigan Plumbing Licensing Forms
Ready to Prepare for the Michigan Journeyman Plumber Exam?
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