Michigan's Online Reinstatement Portal for Mechanical Licenses
Michigan allows you to reinstate an expired mechanical license through the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) online portal without visiting an office in person. The process takes place entirely through the Construction Trades Section of LARA's website, and you can complete it from your computer or phone.
The online route works only if your license has been expired for five years or less and you have no disciplinary actions, criminal convictions, or outstanding violations on your record. If your license expired more than five years ago, or if there are compliance issues, you must reinstate through the mail or in person instead.
The fee for online reinstatement is the same as the standard renewal fee. You will need a valid payment method (credit or debit card) and a copy of your current identification to complete the transaction.
Key Takeaways
- Michigan's online reinstatement portal is available only for mechanical licenses expired five years or less with no disciplinary history.
- You will need your license number, Social Security number, and a valid credit or debit card to complete the online process.
- The reinstatement fee matches the standard renewal cost and is charged when ready when you submit your process.
- Your reinstated license is issued as a digital record first; a physical card arrives by mail within two to three weeks.
- If your license expired more than five years ago or you have violations on file, the online portal will reject your process and direct you to mail-in or in-person reinstatement.
Step-by-Step Online Reinstatement Process
Begin by visiting the LARA Construction Trades Section website and locating the license reinstatement portal. You will see a login screen; if you do not have an existing LARA account, you must create one before proceeding. The account creation requires your email address, a password, and basic personal information.
Once logged in, select "Reinstate License" from the menu options. The system will ask you to enter your Michigan mechanical license number and your Social Security number. These two pieces of information are used to pull up your license record and verify that you are the license holder.
The portal will then display your license history and expiration date. Review this information carefully to confirm it matches your records. If any detail is incorrect—such as your name spelling or address—stop and contact LARA by phone before continuing, because submitting incorrect information can delay processing.
Next, you will answer a series of questions about your work history since the license expired, any criminal convictions, and any disciplinary actions taken against you in any state. Answer these questions truthfully; false statements on a reinstatement process can result in denial and potential investigation.
Payment and Submission
After you complete the questionnaire, the portal will calculate the reinstatement fee and display it on screen. The fee amount depends on whether you are renewing for one year or two years; Michigan allows you to choose the term length at this stage. Enter your credit or debit card information and confirm the payment.
Once payment is processed, you will receive a confirmation number on screen. Write this number down or take a screenshot; you will need it if you need to contact LARA about your reinstatement. The portal will also send a confirmation email to the address associated with your LARA account.
Do not close your browser or navigate away from the page until you see the final confirmation screen. If the page closes before confirmation appears, your payment may have gone through but your process may not have been submitted. Check your email for a confirmation message within one hour; if you do not receive one, log back into your account and check the status of your reinstatement request.
Timeline for Receiving Your Reinstated License
After you submit your online reinstatement process, LARA typically processes it within three to five business days. During this time, LARA staff review your answers and verify that you meet the requirements for online reinstatement. If everything is in order, your license status changes to "Active" in the LARA database.
You can check the status of your reinstatement at any time by logging into your LARA account and viewing your license record. The status will show "Pending" while under review and will change to "Active" once approved.
Your physical license card is printed and mailed after your process is approved. Standard mail delivery takes two to three weeks from the date of approval. If you need to work before the card arrives, you can print a temporary license verification from your LARA account; this document is recognized by employers and inspectors as proof of an active license.
When the Online Portal Will Reject Your process
The online reinstatement system performs an automatic check before you can submit. If any of the following conditions explore to your record, the portal will block your process and display an error message directing you to reinstate by mail or in person.
License expired more than five years ago: The online system only handles reinstatements within the five-year window. If your license has been inactive longer than that, LARA treats it as a new process rather than a reinstatement, and you must complete the full process process instead.
Disciplinary action or violation on file: If LARA has a record of a complaint, citation, or disciplinary proceeding against your license—even if it was resolved—the online portal will not process your reinstatement. You must contact the Construction Trades Section directly to determine whether you can reinstate and through which method.
Criminal conviction: If you have a felony conviction or certain misdemeanor convictions on your record since the license expired, the online system will reject the process. You will need to submit a written request to LARA explaining the conviction and requesting consideration for reinstatement.
Outstanding fees or fines: If you owe any fees to LARA—such as late renewal penalties or investigation costs—the portal will not allow you to proceed until those are paid. Contact LARA to learn the amount owed and how to pay it.
Documents You Need Before Starting
Gather these items before you log into the reinstatement portal. Having them ready will speed up the process and prevent you from having to start over.
- Your Michigan mechanical license number (found on your physical license card or in any LARA correspondence)
- Your Social Security number
- A valid credit or debit card for the reinstatement fee
- A current government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID) to verify your identity if LARA requests it after submission
- A record of any work you performed or training you completed since your license expired (you may be asked about this in the questionnaire)
You do not need to upload documents or provide proof of continuing education for online reinstatement. Michigan does not require mechanical license holders to complete continuing education hours, so this will not be part of the process.
Common Mistakes That Delay Online Reinstatement
Entering your license number incorrectly: The portal will not find your record if you mistype your license number. Double-check the number on your physical card or on any LARA letter before entering it. If you cannot locate your license number, contact LARA before attempting to reinstate.
Answering "yes" to disciplinary questions without explanation: If you answer yes to any question about violations or complaints, the system may flag your process for manual review, which adds one to two weeks to processing time. If you have a minor or resolved issue, include a brief explanation in the comments section to speed up the review.
Using an expired or incorrect payment method: If your credit card is declined during payment, the portal will not allow you to resubmit until you correct the payment information. Have a backup card ready in case your primary card fails.
Not saving your confirmation number: If you lose your confirmation number, you can still check your process status through your LARA account, but having the number makes it faster to contact LARA if you have questions.
What Happens After Your License Is Reinstated
Once your reinstatement is approved and your license becomes active, you are authorized to perform mechanical work in Michigan under the same scope as your original license. Your license term runs from the date of reinstatement, not from the original expiration date.
If you chose a one-year term, your license will expire one year from the reinstatement date. If you chose two years, it will expire two years from that date. You will receive a renewal notice from LARA approximately 30 days before expiration.
Keep your temporary license verification or physical card with you when you work. Employers, inspectors, and customers may ask to see proof that your license is current. The LARA website also maintains a public search function where anyone can verify that your license is active.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reinstate my mechanical license online if I let it expire while I was working out of state?
Yes, as long as your Michigan license expired five years or less ago and you have no disciplinary actions on your Michigan record. The online portal does not require you to have worked continuously in Michigan. However, if you have a license violation or complaint from any state, you must reinstate by mail or in person.
What if I forget my LARA account password?
Use the "Forgot Password" link on the LARA login page. You will receive an email with a password reset link. Click the link and create a new password. This process takes a few minutes. If you do not receive the email within 15 minutes, check your spam folder or contact LARA by phone.
Can I reinstate my license if I have a criminal conviction since it expired?
The online portal will reject your process if you answer yes to the criminal conviction question. You must reinstate by mail or in person and submit a written explanation of the conviction. LARA will review your case and decide whether reinstatement is possible. Contact the Construction Trades Section before submitting to understand your options.
Do I need to pass an exam to reinstate my mechanical license online?
No. Michigan does not require an exam for reinstatement of a mechanical license. You only need to pay the fee and confirm that you meet the may be able to access requirements. An exam is required only if you are explore for a license for the first time or if LARA has ordered an exam as part of a disciplinary action.
How long does it take to receive my physical license card after I reinstate online?
LARA processes your process within three to five business days. Once approved, your physical card is mailed and typically arrives within two to three weeks. You can print a temporary verification from your account and use it when ready while you wait for the card to arrive.