Not yet re-checked against the Michigan Dept of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs; verify before relying on it.
Michigan subcontractor insurance & compliance requirements
If you're a general contractor hiring subcontractors in Michigan, here are the certificates and documents you should collect and keep current, and how TradeGuard tracks them automatically.
Documents to collect from subcontractors in Michigan
The core compliance documents a GC should require and keep current for each sub.
State-issued contractor license or registration.
Certificate of Insurance for General Liability coverage.
Certificate showing workers' comp for the sub's employees. Who must carry it depends on the state and the number of employees.
Used to report what you pay the sub on Form 1099-NEC. For payments made in 2026 or later the IRS reporting threshold is $2,000 (it was $600).
Some owners and contracts require it, and some states require it on public projects.
Public owners require one on larger public contracts; the threshold depends on the owner and the state.
Public owners usually require it alongside the performance bond.
Often required with a bid on public work; it backs the bidder's promise to sign the contract at the bid price.
Michigan LARA licenses builders and maintenance/alteration contractors. Residential builders and maintenance/alteration contractors must be licensed.
Michigan operates an approved state OSHA plan. Michigan has an approved state OSHA plan (MIOSHA) covering private and public sector
No statewide contractor bond requirement, though projects or public work may still require bonds.
- LARA: Michigan Dept of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
- MIOSHA: Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration
- BWUC: Bureau of Workers Comp and Unemployment
Summary for Michigan
Michigan has its own OSHA plan (MIOSHA). Residential builder license required. Workers comp required for employers with 1+ employees.
Track all of this automatically in Michigan
TradeGuard asks each sub for these documents through an upload link and shows what's missing for Michigan, with alerts before anything expires.
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Michigan compliance FAQ
Do subcontractors need a contractor license in Michigan?+
Michigan LARA licenses builders and maintenance/alteration contractors. Residential builders and maintenance/alteration contractors must be licensed.
Does Michigan follow federal OSHA or a state OSHA plan?+
Michigan runs its own OSHA-approved state plan. Michigan has an approved state OSHA plan (MIOSHA) covering private and public sector
Is a surety bond required for contractors in Michigan?+
Michigan does not impose a statewide contractor bond requirement, though individual projects, owners, or public work may still require performance and payment bonds.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Requirements change; confirm current rules with the relevant Michigan agencies before relying on them.