Sign Specialist Checklist

Step 1:
Applications are available online, or by visiting the office:

City of Detroit Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department
Electrical Inspection Division
Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
2 Woodward Ave., Fourth Floor, Room 408
Detroit, MI 48226

Between the hours of 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Qualifications for Sign Specialist's License:

Must be 18 years of age.
Must be a Detroit resident and show proof of residency.

Documentation Required:

One completed Sign Specialist License Application.
Current and valid Driver's License or Michigan State ID. Passports are NOT accepted.
One Passport-sized photo of the applicant.
Proof of successful completion of a Sign Specialty Training course concerning the installation, maintenance, connection, or repair of electric signs and related wiring as shown in the Sign Electrician’s Workbook published by the American Technical Publishers, Inc., or any other course designed to address the installation, maintenance, connection, or repair of electric signs and related wiring, as approved by the Board.

Original and notarized letter(s) on company letterhead from your employer(s) attesting to not less than 4,000 hours of practical experience obtained over a period of not less than 2 years related to the manufacture, installation, maintenance, connection, or repair of electric signs and related wiring as verified by an Electrical and/or Sign Specialty contractor licensed by the City of Detroit, City of Grand Rapids, or the State of Michigan.

Note: Letters should have start and end dates of employment, number of hours worked, a brief description of your experience or duties, the Sign Specialist's License number, and the city in which the Sign Specialist holds their License. Paycheck stubs are NOT considered valid documents.

All fields are REQUIRED on the application except where noted.

Step 2:
Submit application with documentation to the Electrical Division in Room 408 for approval from the Board of Electrical Examiners. The Board's written decision will be sent via postal mail to the applicant.

Step 3:
If Denied: Applicant must provide requested documentation as written from the Board of Electrical Examiners and re-submit for Board approval.

If Approved: Applicant will need to come down to the Electrical Division to pay for the Sign Specialist's Exam ($63.00). Once the exam is paid for, the applicant may schedule an exam date. The examination is taken in Room 408.

Step 4:
Take the exam on the scheduled date and time (9:30 a.m.). Applicants will receive their test results in writing. TEST RESULTS WILL NOT BE GIVEN OVER THE TELEPHONE.

Step 5:
If the applicant fails the exam: Applicant must re-pay the exam fee and re-schedule for the next available exam date.

If the examination is failed twice within a two-year period there will be a one-year wait from the date of the second examination. In addition, successful completion of a course on code, electrical fundamentals, or electrical theory approved by the Board of Electrical Examiners, is required for the applicant to become eligible again to sit for the exam.

If the applicant passes the exam: The applicant must come to Room 408 for a Licensing Invoice to pay for the Sign Specialist's License ($55.00).

Step 6:
Applicant must take the invoice and pay appropriate fees to the Licenses & Permits Division cashier in Room 402.

Step 7:
Sign Specialist's License is issued to the applicant by the cashier.