- Master: at least one year of practical experience as a licensed journeyworker plumber. Journeyworker: at least four years of recorded experience as a registered unlicensed plumber, or a completed registered apprenticeship. One year counts as at least 1,750 hours.
- Plan for a trade exam.
- A $25,000 surety bond on a DLI approved form.
- Plumbing contractor licenses expire December 31 of odd numbered years. Master and journeyworker plumbers need 16 hours of approved continuing education each two year license period.
Do you need a state license in Minnesota?
Minnesota licenses plumbing work at the state level through the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI). Below is what the board asks for, in the order you will run into it.
Minnesota license types for plumbing work
Minnesota splits the work into 5 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 |
|---|---|
| Plumbing Contractor | Contract for plumbing anywhere in the state with a licensed master plumber as responsible individual |
| Master Plumber | Plan, supervise and install plumbing statewide |
| Journeyworker Plumber | Install plumbing working under a master plumber |
| Restricted Master Plumber | Contract for plumbing in cities and towns with fewer than 5,000 people |
| Registered unlicensed plumber | Unlicensed employee working under direct supervision of a licensed plumber |
Steps to get licensed in Minnesota
- Register with DLI as an unlicensed plumber or join a registered apprenticeship.
- Log four years of experience and pass the journeyworker plumber exam.
- Work one year as a licensed journeyworker and pass the master plumber exam.
- Get liability insurance, workers compensation and a $25,000 surety bond.
- Apply in iMS for the plumbing contractor license and pay $188.
- Renew by December 31 of odd numbered years and complete 16 hours of continuing education each license period.
Experience and other requirements
Experience. Master: at least one year of practical experience as a licensed journeyworker plumber. Journeyworker: at least four years of recorded experience as a registered unlicensed plumber, or a completed registered apprenticeship. One year counts as at least 1,750 hours.
The license to apply for. Plumbing Contractor license (with a Master Plumber as responsible licensed individual).
Minnesota plumbing exams
Trade exam. Yes. Master and journeyworker plumbers must pass a license exam, and applicants need certified practical work experience.
Business and law exam. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
What it costs in Minnesota
The board lists one fee for this license. These are the state's own numbers. Insurance, any bond, exam prep and your business registration come on top.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Plumbing contractor initial license or renewal | $188 |
Insurance and bond
Insurance. Liability insurance of at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per occurrence, property damage of at least $10,000, and workers compensation. DLI must be listed as certificate holder.
Bond. A $25,000 surety bond on a DLI approved form.
Renewal and licenses from other states
Renewal. Plumbing contractor licenses expire December 31 of odd numbered years. Master and journeyworker plumbers need 16 hours of approved continuing education each two year license period.
Reciprocity. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Good to know in Minnesota
- General contractors that hire licensed plumbing subcontractors do not need their own plumbing contractor license.
- Your company license number must appear on all company vehicles.
- Notify DLI in writing within 15 days if you lose your responsible licensed individual.
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 plumber 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 plumbing companies run on Koira.