- None. DLI says there are no prerequisite experience or education requirements to take the exam.
- Plan for a trade exam.
- A $15,000 surety bond.
Do you need a state license in Minnesota?
Minnesota licenses some roofing 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 and counties cannot require a state licensed contractor to get a local license for work the state license covers.
Minnesota license types for roofing work
Minnesota splits the work into 2 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 Roofer (RR) | Roofing work only; does not cover gutters, downspouts, soffits, fascia or other residential work |
| Residential Building Contractor | New homes and remodeling, including roofing |
Steps to get licensed in Minnesota
- Name a qualifying person for your company.
- Have the qualifying person pass the qualifying roofer (QR) exam.
- Get liability insurance of at least $300,000 per occurrence and workers compensation, or a written exemption statement.
- Get a $15,000 surety bond.
- Send the residential roofer license application, background check forms and the $180 fee to DLI.
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 Roofer license.
Minnesota roofing exams
Trade exam. Yes. The company's qualifying person must pass the qualifying roofer (QR) exam.
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 |
|---|---|
| Roofer license fee | $180 |
Insurance and bond
Insurance. Liability insurance of at least $300,000 per occurrence, including at least $10,000 property damage, plus workers compensation or a written explanation of why you are exempt.
Bond. A $15,000 surety bond.
Renewal and licenses from other states
Renewal. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Reciprocity. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Good to know in Minnesota
- Roofers cannot offer insurance deductible rebates, and homeowners may cancel a roofing contract if their insurer denies the claim.
- A company must name one qualifying person who takes the exam and the continuing education.
- If you fail the exam you must wait 30 days before applying to retake it.
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 roofer 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 roofing companies run on Koira.