Minnesota Contractor License Lookup

Minnesota licenses residential building contractors, residential remodelers and residential roofers through the Department of Labor and Industry. Electricians and plumbers also need state licenses. Search contractors on the official site of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), Construction Codes and Licensing Division, and see the rules for trades and the job price where each applies. Runs in your browser; nothing is stored.

Search Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), Construction Codes and Licensing Division

Minnesota rules checked against official sources on October 25, 2026.

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Minnesota: Remodel, repair or home improvement

  • This rule depends on the contractor's work over a whole year, not on one job's price. Credential: residential building contractor or residential remodeler license.

    A contractor who builds or remodels homes for an owner using two or more special skills needs a DLI license. A person whose yearly receipts from licensed-type work do not exceed $15,000 can instead get a certificate of exemption. Source: Minn. Stat. 326B.805, subds. 1, 6(5), 6(8); 326B.802, subds. 11-12

    Conditions and exceptions for this rule:

    • A specialty contractor who provides only one special skill (other than roofing) does not need this license.
    • The $15,000 exemption requires a certificate of exemption from the commissioner.
    • Owners building or improving a home they occupy or will keep as a rental are exempt.

Look up a contractor on the official site

Search Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), Construction Codes and Licensing Division

What to check on the board's record

  • The name or business on the record matches the name on your contract or estimate.
  • The status is active, not expired, suspended or revoked.
  • The license type or class covers your kind of job.
  • The license number in the contractor's ads and contract is the same one.

This summarises state rules from official sources. Only the board's own record can confirm one contractor's license. Checked October 25, 2026.

How Minnesota licenses contractors

Minnesota licenses residential building contractors, residential remodelers and residential roofers through the Department of Labor and Industry. Electricians and plumbers also need state licenses. Minn. Stat. 326B.805, subd. 1

Rules by type of work

Home improvement and new homes

  • residential building contractor or residential remodeler license (residential): A contractor who builds or remodels homes for an owner using two or more special skills needs a DLI license. A person whose yearly receipts from licensed-type work do not exceed $15,000 can instead get a certificate of exemption. Issued by Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), Construction Codes and Licensing Division. Minn. Stat. 326B.805, subds. 1, 6(5), 6(8); 326B.802, subds. 11-12
    • A specialty contractor who provides only one special skill (other than roofing) does not need this license.
    • The $15,000 exemption requires a certificate of exemption from the commissioner.
    • Owners building or improving a home they occupy or will keep as a rental are exempt.

Electrical work

  • electrical contractor license: Anyone other than an employee, partner or officer of a licensed electrical contractor must hold an electrical contractor's license to perform or offer electrical work in Minnesota, paid or unpaid, except as otherwise provided by law. Issued by Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), Construction Codes and Licensing Division. Minn. Stat. 326B.33, subd. 14

Plumbing

  • state plumber license (plus contractor bond): Working as a master or journeyworker plumber in Minnesota requires a state license, and anyone offering plumbing work must carry a bond of at least $25,000 and insurance. Issued by Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), Construction Codes and Licensing Division. Minn. Stat. 326B.46, subds. 1-2

Heating and air conditioning (HVAC)

  • state mechanical contractor bond filed with DLI: A contractor doing gas, heating, ventilation, cooling, air conditioning, fuel burning or refrigeration work in Minnesota must keep a $25,000 bond on file with the Department of Labor and Industry. This is a bond filing, not a skills license. Issued by Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), Construction Codes and Licensing Division. Minn. Stat. 326B.197
    • The state bond takes the place of any city or county bond for this work.

Roofing

  • residential roofer license (residential): A contractor doing roof coverings, sheathing, weatherproofing or roof repairs on a home for an owner needs a DLI residential roofer or building contractor license, unless yearly receipts stay at or under $15,000 with a certificate of exemption. Issued by Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), Construction Codes and Licensing Division. Minn. Stat. 326B.805, subd. 1, 3 and 6(5)
    • The $15,000 exemption requires a certificate of exemption from the commissioner.
    • Roofers working only as subcontractors for another contractor register with DLI instead of holding a license.

Where to look up contractors in Minnesota

  • Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), Construction Codes and Licensing Division: official license search

On the record, check that the name matches your contract, the status is active (not expired, suspended or revoked), the license type covers your job, and the license number matches the one the contractor gave you.

What this tool does not do

  • It does not check any one contractor. Only the board's own record shows whether a license is active and what it covers.
  • It covers state rules. Cities and counties can add their own licenses and permits, and the tool cannot list every local rule.
  • It does not decide whether a contractor broke the law or what you can recover. For a dispute, contact the board or a lawyer.
  • It does not cover every specialty trade a state licenses (for example pest control, elevators or well drilling).

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I look up a contractor license in Minnesota?

Use the official online license search from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), Construction Codes and Licensing Division. Search by the contractor's name, business name or license number, and check that the status is active and the license type covers your job.

Does Minnesota require a contractor license?

A contractor who builds or remodels homes for an owner using two or more special skills needs a DLI license. A person whose yearly receipts from licensed-type work do not exceed $15,000 can instead get a certificate of exemption.

Which trades need a state license in Minnesota?

Electrical: electrical contractor license from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), Construction Codes and Licensing Division. Plumbing: state plumber license (plus contractor bond) from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), Construction Codes and Licensing Division. HVAC: state mechanical contractor bond filed with DLI from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), Construction Codes and Licensing Division.

Sources

Checked against official Minnesota sources on October 25, 2026.

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