- $25,000 mechanical contractor surety bond filed with DLI.
- The bond filing is good for two years.
Do you need a state license in Minnesota?
Minnesota licenses some HVAC 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.
Cities may require a license or competency card (comp card) for workers doing mechanical work. DLI does not issue these. Check with each city where you work.
The Minnesota license for this work
There is one license to aim for here.
| License | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Mechanical contractor bond | Required to contract for gas, heating, ventilation, cooling, air conditioning, fuel burning or refrigeration work |
Steps to get licensed in Minnesota
- Get the DLI mechanical contractor bond packet.
- Buy a $25,000 mechanical contractor bond on the DLI form from a surety licensed in Minnesota, signed and notarized.
- File the bond with DLI online or by mail and pay the $100 filing fee.
- Check each city you work in for local licensing or comp card rules.
- Refile the bond every two years.
Experience and other requirements
Experience. The board's pages do not list one.
The license to apply for. Mechanical contractor bond (state filing, not a license).
Minnesota HVAC exams
Trade exam. No state license, so no state trade exam is described. Cities may require a license or competency card.
Business and law exam. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Separate from any state license, the EPA requires Section 608 certification for anyone who works on equipment with refrigerant. It is federal and applies in every state.
What it costs in Minnesota
The board lists 2 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 |
|---|---|
| Bond filing fee (two years) | $100 |
| Bond renewal fee | $100 |
Insurance and bond
Insurance. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Bond. $25,000 mechanical contractor surety bond filed with DLI.
Renewal and licenses from other states
Renewal. The bond filing is good for two years.
Reciprocity. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Good to know in Minnesota
- Businesses that contract for plumbing need a separate state plumbing contractor license.
- EPA Section 608 certification is a federal requirement for anyone handling refrigerant.
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 HVAC repair 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.
More for your trade: how HVAC companies run on Koira.