Minnesota Contractor License Requirements
verifiedState-Level License RequiredMinnesota requires licensing for residential building, remodeling, and roofing contractors. Commercial work does not require a state-level license but may require local licensing.
gavelHow Contractor Licensing Works in Minnesota
Minnesota licenses the residential side of construction through the Department of Labor and Industry: Residential Building Contractors, Residential Remodelers, and Residential Roofers each carry their own license, all requiring an exam, insurance at the $300,000 general liability minimum, workers compensation, and a surety bond or cash deposit. Roofing as a stand-alone licensed category is a Minnesota signature, born of the state's hail claims economy. Commercial construction needs no state license, though local requirements may apply. Compared to Iowa, Wisconsin, and the Dakotas, Minnesota is clearly the strictest residential market in the Upper Midwest, and an Iowa contractor crossing north discovers that work needing only a city registration at home requires a state exam, bond, and annual renewal here.
Plan the Minnesota entry around classification and exam: determine whether your work is new construction, remodeling, or roofing, since the license must match the activity, then schedule the contractor exam and assemble insurance, workers compensation, and the bond or cash deposit. Licenses renew annually by December 31. Enforcement attention concentrates on storm work; after hail events, the Department of Labor and Industry actively polices unlicensed roofing and out-of-state storm chasers, so roofing contractors should treat the license as non-negotiable before the first door knock. Minnesota offers no reciprocity, and exemption rules for small operators are narrow, so verify any assumed exemption directly with DLI rather than relying on hearsay. Commercial-only contractors should still confirm municipal registration rules in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
account_balanceLicensing Board
Board Name
Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry
Phone
(651) 284-5069
descriptionLicense Types
| Type | Threshold | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Building Contractor | All work | Required for residential construction |
| Residential Remodeler | All work | Required for residential remodeling |
| Residential Roofer | All work | Separate license for roofing |
| Electrical | All work | Licensed through Board of Electricity |
| Plumbing | All work | Licensed through DLI Plumbing Division |
checklistRequirements
- check_circlePass contractor exam
- check_circleProof of insurance
- check_circleWorkers compensation
- check_circleSurety bond or cash deposit
paymentsFee Schedule
Application
$200
Annual Renewal
$200
Exam Fee
$60
event_repeatRenewal Period
Annual — December 31
shieldInsurance Minimums
General Liability
$300,000
Workers Compensation
Required
swap_horizReciprocity
- arrow_forwardNo reciprocity agreements
helpFrequently Asked Questions
Do I need a contractor license in Minnesota?
For residential work, yes: the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry licenses Residential Building Contractors, Residential Remodelers, and Residential Roofers, each requiring an exam, insurance at the $300,000 general liability minimum, workers compensation, and a surety bond or cash deposit. Commercial construction carries no state license. Electrical and plumbing require separate state licenses for all work.
Why does Minnesota license roofers separately?
Roofing has its own residential license category in Minnesota, reflecting the volume of hail and storm damage work in the state. After major storms, the Department of Labor and Industry actively enforces against unlicensed roofers and out-of-state storm operations, so roofing contractors face more scrutiny than most trades and should hold the license before soliciting any storm-damage work.
What are the penalties for unlicensed residential work in Minnesota?
The Department of Labor and Industry can issue enforcement orders and monetary penalties against unlicensed residential contractors, and unlicensed operators lose access to normal contract and lien remedies for collecting payment. Enforcement is most aggressive in roofing and post-storm markets. Minnesota's licensing exemptions are narrow, so operators assuming they qualify for one should confirm directly with DLI first.
How long does Minnesota contractor licensing take?
Most applicants complete it in four to eight weeks: pass the contractor exam, then submit the application with proof of insurance, workers compensation, and the surety bond or cash deposit. Licenses renew annually on December 31 with continuing education obligations attached. There is no reciprocity, so out-of-state experience helps you pass the exam but waives nothing.
infoData sourced from state licensing board websites. Requirements change frequently — verify with your state board before applying. Last updated April 2026.