Minnesota Contractor License Guide

In the state of Minnesota, Electrical and Plumbing Contractor Licenses are issued by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. Specialty Contractor Licenses are issued on a municipal level and are subject to regulations, laws and requirements of the individual city.

Note: Minnesota has reciprocity with multiple states. For detailed information regarding reciprocity agreements, visit the DLI website.

Several licensing levels are available for plumbing, including:

For a full list of plumbing license types, visit the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry website.

Note: Minnesota holds reciprocity agreements with North and South Dakota. You must submit the reciprocity application in order to obtain a plumbing license through reciprocity.

Note: Some specialty contractors, such as mechanics, do not require a contractor license, though they do require a surety bond.

• Electrical contractor: installs, maintains or extends electrical wiring systems in or on building and premises.
• Plumbing contractor: installs, maintains and repairs pipes, fittings and other water supply apparatuses.
  • Master
  • Journeyman
• Residential roofer contractor: installs, maintains and repairs roofs on residential houses and buildings.
• Specialty contractor (Municipality level): work include roofing, landscape, home improvement, and more. Please visit your municipality’s website for more information on specialty contractor licenses.

• Electrical Contractor License applications can be found here.
• Plumbing Contractor License applications can be found here.
• Residential Roofer Contractor License applications can be found here.
• Specialty Contractor Licenses will need to be obtained directly through the municipality you will be working in. To find applications and information, please visit the city’s website or call your city hall.

Please note that municipalities will have their own general contractor document and ID needs, but many of the requirements below are part of the process.

Electrical, Plumbing and Residential Roofer Contractor Licenses:

• You must have a business entity in order to obtain a electrical or plumbing contractor license in Minnesota. For detailed information on starting your business, visit the Department of Employment and Economic Development website.
• Register with the Minnesota Secretary of State prior to applying for an electrical or plumbing contractor license.
• Disclose your Federal Employment Identification Number (FEIN) and state tax identification number, unless you are a sole-proprietor or one-member LLC, in which case you are required to provide your Social Security number.
• State your legal business name or assumed name, physical address, mailing address and Minnesota registered agent. For further information, visit the Department of Labor and Industry website.
• Disclose all partners, business owners and officers who own more than 10% of your business entity.
• Obtain a certificate of responsible licensed individual. You must designate a master electrician or plumber who will be responsible for the performance and supervision of electrical or plumbing work.
• Obtain a certificate of liability insurance. Your business entity must have general liability insurance coverage which meet statutory requirements. For more information, visit the Department of Labor and Industry website.
• Obtain a certificate of Compliance Form Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Law. The form must be submitted along with your application.

Electrical, Plumbing, Residential Roofer and Mechanic Contractor Licenses:

Electrical, Plumbing and Mechanical contractors must obtain a surety bond in the amount of $25,000. The bond must be the original document signed by the applicant and the power of attorney attached. Residential roofers are required to obtain a bond in the amount of $15,000. All bonds must also be issued, signed, sealed, and notarized by the surety bond provider.

• The electrical license bond form can be found here.
• The plumbing license bond form can be found here.
• The residential roofer license bond form can be found here.
• The mechanic license bond form can be found here.

Specialty Contractor License:

Note: You may be required to obtain a surety bond as a specialty contractor on a municipal level. For more information, visit your municipality website.

How to fill out your application:

You can submit your electrical contractor license application by mail or by submitting an application online. You must mail in your plumbing and residential roofer contractor license application. Specialty license application processes differ from this process. Visit your city’s website or call should you need further information.

Licensing Fees:

Fees vary per industry and may not include municipal fees.

• Electrical, Plumbing and Residential Roofer contractor licenses:

• $128 initial application fee/renewal fee
• $120 license fee
• $50 examination application
• $8 board fee

Note: Payments can be made by check or money order, made payable to the Department of Labor & Industry. Cash is not accepted. Returned checks will require a $30 service charge.

• Specialty contractor licenses: vary by municipality.

Mailing Address:

Electrical Contractor License:

Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry
Construction Codes and Licensing Division
Licensing and Certification Services
PO Box 64227
St. Paul, MN 55164-0227

Plumbing Contractor License:

Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry
Construction Codes and Licensing Division
Licensing and Certification / Plumbing
PO Box 64222
St. Paul, MN 55164-0222

Residential Roofer Contractor License:

PO Box 64217
St. Paul, MN 55164-0217

Electrical Contractors:

For an Electrical Contractor’s license, you must file an examination application through the Department of Labor and Industry website. Depending on the electrical contractor license you are applying for you must meet a certain amount of work experience in the form of on-the-job hours. For more information, visit the DLI website.

Plumbing Contractor:

For a Plumbing Contractor’s license, you you must file an examination application through the Department of Labor and Industry website. Depending on the plumbing contractor license you are applying for you must meet a certain amount of work experience in the form of on-the-job hours. For more information, visit the DLI website.

Residential Roofer Contractor:

For a Residential Roofer contractor license, you you must file an examination application through the Department of Labor and Industry website. Depending on the plumbing contractor license you are applying for you must meet a certain amount of work experience in the form of on-the-job hours. For more information, visit the DLI website.

Specialty Contractor:

Examination in regards to Specialty Contractor’s licenses will differ in each municipality. Please visit your municipality's website or call for more information.