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Automotive in Michigan
These pages summarize rules to help you plan. They are not legal advice. Before you place students at a work site or change a program, check with your state agency, your district's counsel and your insurance carrier.
In short
Michigan students can earn ASE Entry-Level and state mechanic certifications in program 47.0604; paid repair work needs a Department of State trainee permit, and Delta and NMU award college credit.
State program: CIP 47.0604 Automobile Technician (ASE Certified); related 47.0603, 47.0613, 47.0606
What a high school can deliver
ASE Entry-Level certifications and Michigan mechanic certification in the categories students test for (no minimum age found), plus a trainee permit for paid co-op repair work.
Credentials students can earn
ASE Entry-Level (one approved area meets Perkins indicator 5S1); Michigan mechanic certification by category ($18 a test from July 1, 2026); EPA 609, NC3 and OSHA-10 on CTEIS for 47.0604 ()
Age and hour requirements
No minimum age found for state mechanic certification or the $20 trainee permit (MCL 257.1313); the permit is valid two years, with a limited reissue, and students in an MDE-approved vocational program employed by a repair facility may have the fee waived (MCL 257.1330). If seeking ASE accreditation, MLR needs 540 classroom and lab hours; the Delta agreement also requires 540.
Other agencies involved
Michigan Department of State, Business Licensing: mechanic certification and trainee permits for paid repair, and the school test-site contract. Whether a school shop that charges for repairs must register as a facility (MCL 257.1306) is open.
Who can teach it
CTE certification for 47.0604 or Annual Career Authorization (4,000 hours in 10 years); no occupational license required to teach. ASE G1, A4, A5 and A6 only if the program seeks accreditation.
Child labor rules for work placements
Paid work: LEO Youth Employment Permit Portal permit since Oct 2, 2026; 24 hours a school week at 16-17. R 408.6208 bars all minors from power-driven hoists (vehicle lifts not named) and road driving; a school-employer agreement (MCL 409.118) lifts the state rules. Federal HO 7 engine hoists stay barred.
College credit after high school
Delta College MLR up to 23 credits (expires June 30, 2027); NMU up to 10 credits (expires Jan 1, 2028); Mott 4-8 credits for state certification expires Nov 1, 2026 (); Baker expired July 31, 2026.
Where to go next
- The full Automotive guide, showing Michigan
- The Michigan state profile
- Add this pathway to your plan
Automotive in other states
Other pathways in Michigan
- Nurse Aide / Patient Care
- EMT
- Electrical
- Welding
- Construction and Carpentry
- HVAC/R
- Cybersecurity / Networking
- Programming / Computer Science
- Medical and Dental Assisting
- Cosmetology
- Agriculture
- Early Childhood Education
- Culinary and Hospitality
- Machining and Mechatronics
- Engineering and Drafting
- Firefighting
- Law, Public Safety and Corrections
- Business Management and Marketing
- Entrepreneurship
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