- Contractors with gross annual receipts under $15,000 can get a certificate of exemption. Contractors offering only one special skill do not need the license.
- None. DLI says there are no prerequisite experience or education requirements to take the exam.
- Plan for a trade exam and a business and law exam.
- Every two years. The qualifying person needs 14 hours of approved continuing education each two year term, including one hour on the energy code and one on business management.
Do you need a state license in Minnesota?
Minnesota licenses some general contractor work at the state level and leaves the rest alone. Which side of that line a job falls on decides whether you need the state license.
Contractors with gross annual receipts under $15,000 can get a certificate of exemption. Contractors offering only one special skill do not need the license.
Cities and counties cannot require a local license from a state licensed residential contractor for work the state license covers. Local permits still apply.
Minnesota license types for general contractor work
Minnesota splits the work into 3 licenses. Pick the one that matches the jobs you take, since working outside its scope is the same as working without one.
| License | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Residential Building Contractor | Build new homes and remodel existing ones |
| Residential Remodeler | Work on existing homes only |
| Residential Roofer | Roofing only |
Steps to get licensed in Minnesota
- Register your business with the Minnesota Secretary of State.
- Pick a qualifying person who owns or manages the business.
- Pass the DLI residential contractor exam.
- Get liability insurance at the required limits.
- Apply to DLI and pay the license fee and Contractor Recovery Fund fee.
- Finish 14 hours of continuing education and renew every two years.
Experience and other requirements
Experience. None. DLI says there are no prerequisite experience or education requirements to take the exam.
The license to apply for. Residential Building Contractor license.
Minnesota general contractor exams
Trade exam. Yes. A qualifying person must pass the DLI exam: 110 multiple choice questions, 70 percent to pass, about 60 percent on the residential code.
Business and law exam. The same exam also covers the statutes and rules for the residential construction industry. The qualifying person also needs one hour of business management in each round of continuing education.
What it costs in Minnesota
The board lists 4 fees along the way. These are the state's own numbers. Insurance, any bond, exam prep and your business registration come on top.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| License fee | $180 |
| Contractor Recovery Fund fee, receipts under $1 million | $320 |
| Contractor Recovery Fund fee, $1 million to $5 million | $420 |
| Contractor Recovery Fund fee, over $5 million | $520 |
Insurance and bond
Insurance. Liability insurance of at least $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate, plus $25,000 property damage. The state must be listed as certificate holder.
Bond. No bond for a new license. A $40,000 surety bond is needed to reinstate after the recovery fund pays a claim against you.
Renewal and licenses from other states
Renewal. Every two years. The qualifying person needs 14 hours of approved continuing education each two year term, including one hour on the energy code and one on business management.
Reciprocity. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Good to know in Minnesota
- The Contractor Recovery Fund can pay homeowners up to $550,000 per licensee.
- Most businesses need an active filing with the Minnesota Secretary of State to get or renew the license.
- Owners building or remodeling homes to sell need the license too.
- Commercial contractors and subcontractors who do not contract with the homeowner must register through DLI's Construction Contractor Registration Program.
After you are licensed
The license lets you take the work. Getting the work is the next job.
- Register the business. If you work under a name other than your own, register it where your state asks (often the Secretary of State, sometimes the county), and keep the name the same on your license, your truck and your invoices.
- Claim your Google Business Profile. It is the listing people see when they search for a contractor near them. Fill in your service area, hours and real photos of your work.
- Put up a website that shows the license. Customers look for it before they call. Koira builds a contractor website for you and keeps it current.
- See where you stand. The free Koira report checks how your business shows up in search and on maps against shops near you.
Where this comes from
Every fact on this page comes from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) and the official pages below, checked October 8, 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the board before you file.