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Minnesota licenses residential contractors, electricians, plumbers, elevator constructors, and high pressure piping trades through a single agency — the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI). Commercial construction is not licensed at the state level, and local municipalities enforce the State Building Code independently.
Always verify statutes, fees, and application details with the live regulator before making bidding, licensing, or legal decisions.

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At a glance

The fastest way to orient yourself in Minnesota is to know these key signals.
SignalValue
Residential licensing exemptionAnnual gross receipts under $15,000 (must file for exemption)
Single-skill specialty exemptionExempt from residential licensing (except roofers)
Owner-occupant exemptionOwners working on their own property (not flippers) are exempt
Electrical bond$25,000 bond required for electrical contractors
Plumbing bond$25,000 bond required for plumbing contractors
Contractor Recovery Fund500∗∗–∗∗500**–**700 payment at initial application and biennial renewal
Reciprocity modelElectrical only — endorsement agreements and multi-state compact

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Frequently asked questions

Pick the tab that matches your situation. Each FAQ gives a direct answer and points you to the full detail below.
Apply through the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI). You must pass a 110-question written exam with a 70% minimum score, carry workers’ comp and liability insurance ($100,000 per occurrence, $10,000 property damage), and make a Contractor Recovery Fund payment of $500 to $700. See Requirements.
Yes. Electrical, plumbing, and elevator work each require separate state licenses through DLI regardless of project type (residential or commercial). These are in addition to any residential contractor license. See Construction work regulated.
If your annual gross receipts from residential construction are under $15,000, you may be exempt from the residential contractor license — but you must file for the exemption with DLI. The exemption does not apply to roofers or property flippers. See Construction work regulated.
All state-level licensing flows through a single agency: the Department of Labor and Industry, Construction Codes and Licensing Division, at 443 Lafayette Road North, St. Paul, MN 55155. Phone: (651) 284-5034. See Who regulates construction.
Residential contractor exam fee is $50, initial application is $120 plus the Recovery Fund fee, and biennial renewal is $125 plus the Recovery Fund fee. Electrical and plumbing contractors need a $25,000 bond plus liability insurance. The Recovery Fund payment ranges from $500 to $700 based on annual gross receipts. See Requirements.
Electrical and plumbing contractors must carry a $25,000 bond plus liability insurance. Residential contractors need workers’ comp and liability insurance ($100,000 per occurrence, $10,000 property damage). There is no bond requirement for residential contractors beyond the Recovery Fund payment. See Requirements.
Possibly. Minnesota has electrical endorsement agreements with Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota for journeyworker and master licenses. A separate multi-state compact covers Class A Journeyworker licenses with 8 additional states. Your qualifying-state license must have been active for at least one year. See Reciprocal agreements.
Yes. Roofers are specifically excluded from the single-skill specialty exemption. Residential roofers must hold a state license through DLI regardless of their gross receipts. See Construction work regulated.
No. Minnesota does not license commercial general contractors at the state level. Check your local municipality for any licensing, bonding, or registration requirements. However, individual trades (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) still require state licenses regardless of project type. See Construction work regulated.
The Recovery Fund reimburses homeowners up to $100,000 per claimant when a licensed residential contractor fails to meet obligations. Contractors pay $500 to $700 at initial application and each biennial renewal, based on annual gross receipts. See Requirements.

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Start with your goal

Pick the card that matches what you need right now. Each one links to the relevant section on this page.

Is licensure triggered?

Start with threshold and work-lane rules, then confirm whether state or local licensing applies.

Find the right regulator

Use the regulator directory to route your question to the correct DLI division.

Application and renewal details

Exams, fees, bonds, continuing education, and renewal cycles for each trade.

Reciprocity direction

Find out which electrical endorsement agreements and multi-state compacts Minnesota participates in.

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Special considerations

Different roles need different things from a Minnesota page. Use the tab that matches your situation to see what matters most before you read the full detail below.
If your annual gross receipts are under $15,000, you may qualify for the residential licensing exemption — but you must file for it with DLI.
  • Residential building, remodeling, and roofing require a state license through DLI.
  • Commercial construction is not licensed at the state level — check local municipality requirements.
  • Electrical, plumbing, and elevator work require state licensing regardless of project type.
  • The Contractor Recovery Fund payment ($500-$700) is required at initial application and each biennial renewal.
  • Electrical and plumbing contractors must carry a $25,000 bond plus liability insurance.
  • Licensed electricians can supervise no more than two unlicensed individuals at a time.

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Readiness checklist

Four things you need to confirm before you can treat Minnesota as “ready” for a bid or an application. If any of these are unclear, you are not ready yet.

Classify the project lane

Determine whether the work is residential, trade-specific (electrical, plumbing, elevator, high pressure piping), or commercial. Commercial work is not licensed at the state level.

Check the exemption test

For residential work, confirm whether annual gross receipts exceed $15,000. Single-skill specialty contractors (except roofers) and owner-occupants are exempt. Electrical and plumbing contractors need a $25,000 bond.

Route to DLI

All state-level licensing goes through the Department of Labor and Industry, Construction Codes and Licensing Division. For commercial work, contact the local municipality.

Confirm the requirement set

Confirm exam scores, experience months, CE hours, bond amounts, Recovery Fund payment, and renewal cycle before filing. Biennial renewal is standard for most licenses.
If you can identify lane, exemption status, regulator, and requirement set, you have the minimum package needed for a Minnesota readiness check.
Use these links to jump to related cross-state comparisons and workflows.

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Construction work regulated

Minnesota’s licensing triggers depend on whether the work is residential, trade-specific, or commercial. Residential licensing is tied to an annual gross receipts test, not a per-project dollar threshold.
Work laneWhat triggers regulation
Residential buildingState license required unless annual gross receipts are under $15,000
Residential remodelingState license required unless annual gross receipts are under $15,000
Residential roofingState license required (roofers are not eligible for single-skill exemption)
Electrical workAll electrical work requires a state-licensed electrician
Plumbing workAll plumbing work requires a state-licensed plumber
Elevator constructionRequires state elevator constructor license
High pressure pipingRequires state HPP license
Commercial constructionNot licensed at the state level — check local municipality
Persons claiming the $15,000 annual exemption must file for it with the Department of Labor and Industry. The exemption does not apply to roofers or to property flippers.

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Common determination scenarios

If you are trying to figure out where to start, expand the scenario that is closest to your situation.
Confirm whether your annual gross receipts exceed $15,000. If they do, you need a state residential contractor or remodeler license through DLI. You must pass a 110-question exam (70% minimum), carry workers’ comp and liability insurance ($100,000 per occurrence / $10,000 property damage), and make a Contractor Recovery Fund payment.
All electrical work in Minnesota must be performed by employees of a licensed electrical contractor or registered employer. Each individual must be a licensed journeyworker, master, or registered unlicensed electrician supervised by a licensed electrician. The contractor needs a $25,000 bond and must employ a master electrician.
All plumbing work must be performed by employees of a licensed plumbing contractor or registered employer. Restricted plumbing contractors may operate in municipalities with populations under 5,000. Contractors need a $25,000 bond and must employ a master plumber.
Minnesota does not license commercial general contractors at the state level. Check your local municipality for any licensing, bonding, or registration requirements. Individual trades (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) still require state licenses regardless of project type.
Minnesota has electrical endorsement agreements with Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota for both journeyworker and master licenses. A separate multi-state compact covers Class A Journeyworker licenses with 8 additional states. Your qualifying-state license must have been active for at least one year.

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Who regulates construction

Minnesota routes all state-level construction licensing through a single agency. Local municipalities enforce the State Building Code independently for commercial work.
443 Lafayette Road North, St. Paul, MN 55155Phone: (651) 284-5034Email: dli.license@state.mn.usWebsite: dli.mn.gov

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Requirements

Minnesota uses the Department of Labor and Industry for all trade licensing. Exam passing scores, experience requirements, CE hours, and bond amounts vary by trade. Expand the trade that applies to your situation.

Residential Contractors (Builders, Remodelers, Roofers)

RequirementDetail
Exam110-question written exam; minimum score of 70%
InsuranceWorkers’ comp plus liability insurance ($100,000 per occurrence, $10,000 property damage)
Continuing education14 hours of approved CE prior to biennial renewal
Renewal cycleBiennial
Recovery Fund$500-$700 payment at initial application and each renewal (based on annual gross receipts)
Fee typeAmount
Exam fee$50
Initial application fee$120 + Recovery Fund fee
Renewal fee$125 + Recovery Fund fee
RequirementDetail
ExamTrade exam; minimum score of 70%
Master experience60 months (or electrical engineering degree)
Journeyworker experience48 months (36 months with degree in electrical construction)
Continuing education16 hours per two-year cycle for licensed electricians; 2 hours annually for registered unlicensed electricians
Renewal cycleBiennial for licensed; annual for registered unlicensed
Bond$25,000 (contractor)
InsuranceLiability insurance required for contractors
Supervision ratioLicensed electrician may supervise no more than 2 unlicensed individuals
RequirementDetail
ExamTrade exam; minimum score of 70%
Master experience60 months
Journeyworker experience48 months
Continuing education16 hours per two-year cycle for licensed plumbers; 2 hours annually for registered unlicensed plumbers
Renewal cycleBiennial for licensed; annual for registered unlicensed
Bond$25,000 (contractor and restricted contractor)
InsuranceLiability insurance required for contractors
Restricted contractorMay operate in municipalities with population under 5,000

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Reciprocal agreements

Minnesota’s reciprocity applies only to electrical licenses. There are two separate agreements: endorsement agreements with neighboring states for journeyworker and master licenses, and a multi-state compact for Class A Journeyworker licenses.
Reciprocity in Minnesota is electrical-only. No residential, plumbing, or other trade reciprocity exists at the state level.
Agreement typeReciprocal statesCoverage
Electrical endorsement (Journeyworker and Master)Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota3 states
Multi-State Reciprocal (Class A Journeyworker only)Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Washington, Wyoming8 states
  • Applicant must hold an active license in the state where they initially passed their exam (qualifying state).
  • The qualifying-state license must have been in effect for at least one year.
  • The compact applies only to the Class A Journeyworker license — master electrician licenses are not covered by the multi-state agreement.

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Types of licenses

Minnesota offers both business licenses and individual licenses. Business licenses authorize a company to perform work; individual licenses credential the person doing or supervising the work.
  • Residential Building Contractor
  • Residential Remodeler
  • Residential Roofer
  • Electrical Contractor
  • Elevator Contractor
  • Technology System Contractor (low voltage and communications)
  • Satellite System Contractor
  • Plumbing Contractor
  • Restricted Plumbing Contractor
  • Water Conditioning Contractor
  • High Pressure Piping Contractor
  • Manufactured Home Installer
  • Master Electrician
  • Journeyworker Electrician
  • Maintenance Electrician
  • Lineman
  • Installer A
  • Installer B
  • Power Limited Technician (low voltage and communications)
  • Satellite System Installer
  • Master Elevator Constructor
  • Limited Master Elevator Constructor
  • Journeyworker Elevator Constructor
  • Limited Journeyworker Elevator Constructor
  • Master Plumber
  • Restricted Master Plumber
  • Journeyworker Plumber
  • Restricted Journeyworker Plumber
  • Water Conditioning Master
  • Water Conditioning Journeyworker
  • HPP Journeyworker Pipefitter
  • HPP Contracting Pipefitter
  • Special Engineer
  • Historical Boiler
  • 2nd Class C / B / A
  • 1st Class P / C / B / A
  • Chief C / B / A
  • Boiler Inspector Certification
  • Comp. Boat Master
  • Mechanical Contractor (gas, heating, ventilation, cooling, A/C, fuel burning, refrigeration)
  • Pipelaying
  • Sign Contractor
  • Building Official
  • Limited Building Official
  • Accessibility Specialist

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See also

Midwest region guide

Browse all Midwest jurisdictions for comparison.

Contractors guide

Cross-state guidance for contractors evaluating new jurisdictions.

Regulators guide

Cross-state guidance for comparing regulatory models and agency structures.
Neighboring jurisdictions with reciprocity ties:

North Dakota

Electrical endorsement agreement for journeyworker and master licenses.

South Dakota

Electrical endorsement agreement for journeyworker and master licenses.

Nebraska

Electrical endorsement agreement for journeyworker and master licenses.