Quick Reference Table
License Type | Details / Links |
|---|---|
Regulating Agency | Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), Construction Codes and Licensing Division (CCLD). Official CCLD Overview |
License Classifications | Plumbing Contractor, Restricted Plumbing Contractor, Master Plumber, Journeyworker Plumber, Restricted Master Plumber, Restricted Journeyworker Plumber. Credential Types |
Experience Required | Responsible person must be Master Plumber (proof of experience/exam through individual license). Contractor Licensing Basics |
Exam | Written trade exam required for Journeyworker and Master Plumber. Plumber Exams |
Fees | Contractor initial/renewal: $188, late renewal: $278, exam: $50, surety bond: $25,000 (as of 2026). Fee Schedule (PDF) |
Renewal | Every two years (biennial); expires December 31 of odd-numbered years. |
Continuing Education (CE) | Master/Journeyworker Plumbers: 16 hours per cycle, minimum 8 hours on State Plumbing Code. |
Application, Lookup, Forms | Apply and Renew (iMS) | License Lookup | Application Packet (PDF) |
Who Needs a License in Minnesota?
If you plan to contract for plumbing work in any Minnesota city or town with a population over 5,000, state law requires a plumbing contractor license. Therefore, you cannot legally advertise, bid, or contract this work without the proper license. Even in smaller towns (under 5,000 residents), a restricted plumbing contractor license is required for most contracting activities.
Plumbing work includes any installation, alteration, repair, or replacement of potable water, waste, vent, and drainage systems within property lines. This covers everything from water supply pipes and fixtures to building sewer lines and water-treating equipment. However, some specific exterior piping, such as water service, sanitary sewer, or storm sewer, may be performed by certified pipelayers instead of licensed plumbers for those components only.
As a contractor, you must ensure your company, not just your field crew, holds and maintains an active plumbing contractor or restricted plumbing contractor license. Employees working under your business must be individually licensed or registered as apprentices. General contractors or construction managers who only subcontract plumbing work to licensed entities do not need their own plumbing contractor license. In short, if you contract directly with property owners or developers to provide plumbing services, you need the correct Minnesota license.
Limited exceptions exist: registered unlicensed plumbers or apprentices can perform work only if they are directly supervised by a licensed master or journeyworker plumber. Owner-builders and handymen must also comply with these regulations if their work scope falls under licensed plumbing as defined above. To summarize, always verify if the community population or project specification requires you to hold or upgrade your plumbing contractor status.
Plumbing License Types in Minnesota
Minnesota offers several license classifications to control plumbing work based on contractor responsibility, project geography, and worker experience. Understanding these differences is crucial before applying for or renewing any plumbing credential.
Plumbing Contractor: This is for any business entity or individual that contracts for plumbing work in cities or towns with more than 5,000 residents statewide. The license holder must employ (or be) a Master Plumber, secure the required $25,000 surety bond, general liability insurance, and workers’ compensation coverage.
Restricted Plumbing Contractor: This license applies to contractors servicing towns with populations under 5,000. It allows limited plumbing contracting only in those jurisdictions. The business must still meet all the bond and insurance requirements, but day-to-day work must follow the same code standards.
Master Plumber: Individual license allowing performance of all plumbing tasks within Minnesota, including supervision of apprentices and journeyworkers. Required as the 'responsible licensed individual' for contractor license eligibility.
Journeyworker Plumber: Authorizes the individual to perform plumbing under the direction of a licensed master plumber statewide.
Restricted Master / Restricted Journeyworker Plumber: Both individual credentials allow plumbing work only in towns under 5,000 residents. These prerequisites align with years of verifiable experience and passable exams.
Pipelayer (Certified): Covers strictly exterior piping (water service, sanitary and storm sewer) and does not permit typical interior work.
Unlicensed Individual – Plumbing: May assist on plumbing sites under direct supervision, must register as an apprentice or unlicensed plumber through DLI.
Other Credentials: Separate licenses exist for water conditioning contractors/installers and backflow prevention testers (must also hold a plumber license).
Most importantly, you cannot obtain a plumbing contractor license without an active Master Plumber responsible individual connected to your business. All other roles serve as work hierarchy, from apprentice up to restricted journeyworker, with each step requiring state approval and exam success.
How to Get Licensed in Minnesota
To meet plumbing license requirements in Minnesota as a contractor, you must complete all steps below. Missing any part can delay or block your application.
Secure a Responsible Licensed Individual: Your business must designate a Responsible Master Plumber who is an owner, officer, or full-time W-2 employee. They cannot be the responsible party for another licensed contractor simultaneously.
Obtain Insurance Certificates: Acquire proof of general liability insurance (minimum $50,000 per person, $100,000 per occurrence, $10,000 property damage) and a workers’ compensation compliance certificate. Your insurer must be authorized in Minnesota and you must name DLI as certificate holder.
Obtain a $25,000 Surety Bond: The bond must use the DLI-approved form and name the business as principal with a surety company licensed in Minnesota.
Complete Required Disclosures: Fill out disclosure forms for business owners, partners, officers, and your responsible individual. The Responsible Licensed Individual Attestation is part of the application packet.
Apply Online or By Mail: Go to the DLI iMS portal (dli.mn.gov/license), upload all documents, and pay the $188 application fee online by credit card or submit by mail with a check or money order.
Await DLI Processing: The state will review your submission for completeness and compliance. Maintain all insurance, bonding, and responsible individual requirements during the review and after approval.
Stay Compliant Post-Issuance: Ensure all licenses, insurance, and bonds remain valid, and update records with DLI if significant ownership or employment changes occur.
In addition, renew your license every two years and update coverage certificates as needed. For detailed, current forms or online requirements, review the application packet (PDF).
Application Requirements
You must meet several core application requirements to satisfy plumbing license requirements in Minnesota as a contractor.
Experience and Age
The responsible individual must hold an active Master Plumber license. For that credential, Minnesota requires at least one year employed as a journeyworker plumber as well as successful passage of the state master plumber exam. Applicants for the actual contractor business license do not have an explicit age or citizenship requirement, but for individual plumbing licenses, you must be at least 18 years old.
Bond and Insurance
You are required to post a $25,000 surety bond on a DLI-approved form and maintain general liability insurance that meets or exceeds the following minimum standards: $50,000 per person, $100,000 per occurrence for products liability, and $10,000 property damage. Insurance carriers must be licensed in Minnesota and must list the DLI as certificate holder. You also need to submit a workers’ compensation compliance certificate, regardless of the number of employees.
Disclosure Forms
The application packet requires detailed disclosure of all business owners, partners, or officers, as well as the responsible master plumber’s employment relationship. Use the forms in the application packet (PDF).
Background Checks
As of 2026, the DLI does not require contractor license applicants to complete fingerprint-based background checks or federal criminal screenings. However, always verify whether future rule changes include any new checks or documentation at the official Minnesota DLI website.
Exams
Passing a written plumber’s trade exam is required for both Journeyworker and Master Plumber licenses in Minnesota. Although this does not directly apply to the plumbing contractor license, your responsible individual must hold a Master Plumber credential, which means they should have already completed the required exam process.
Journeyworker Plumber Exam: Taken after completing an apprenticeship, having at least five years’ experience (or via certain alternate experience or reciprocity), and upon approval by DLI.
Master Plumber Exam: Open to applicants who have held a Journeyworker license for at least one year or possess equivalent out-of-state credentials.
Exam Fee: $50 (as of 2026). Payment is submitted through iMS during scheduling.
Administrator: Exams are administered directly by DLI, scheduled online in the iMS system. You must apply and wait for DLI approval before you can select a testing date.
Format/Content: Details on exam topics, question count, or passing score are not disclosed online. Confirm requirements for your credential at the Plumber License Basics page or application packet.
Retake Policy: If you fail, you must wait at least 30 days before you can schedule a retest.
For the latest information about exam schedules and policies, consult the official DLI plumber licensing resources linked above.
Fees
Fees for plumbing license requirements in Minnesota are published and updated by the DLI. All applicants and credential holders should carefully review them for accuracy before submitting payments.
Plumbing Contractor application or on-time renewal fee: $188 (as of 2026) (official fee schedule).
Late renewal fee (expired contractor license): $278 (as of 2026) (official fee schedule).
Journeyworker plumber renewal: $53; late fee $20.
Master plumber renewal fee: $93; late fee $40.
Exam fee for plumber credential: $50.
Bond requirement: $25,000 (fee is bond premium set by your surety provider, not the state).
If you do not see a specific fee mentioned for your situation, always verify at the DLI Plumbing Contractor Application Packet (PDF).
Renewal and Continuing Education
All plumbing contractor licenses in Minnesota must be renewed every two years. The renewal deadline is December 31 of each odd-numbered year. Therefore, you should track your expiration date and submit your renewal early to avoid increased late fees or work interruptions.
Renewal Process
Renew online through the iMS portal or by mailing the completed renewal forms and payment. Keep your bond, insurance, and responsible individual credentials current at all times. If your license lapses, you must pay the higher late renewal fee ($278) before your license can be restored.
Continuing Education
Journeyworker and Master Plumber license holders must complete 16 hours of approved continuing education every renewal cycle. At least 8 of these hours must cover the Minnesota State Plumbing Code. DLI-approved providers deliver both code and elective courses, and you must report completion to DLI online as part of your individual renewal process.
Lapse Consequences
If you miss the renewal deadline, your company cannot legally contract plumbing work until your license is reinstated. Repeated or extended lapses could require a new application and approval process. There is no grace period for working unlicensed once your license expires.
Reciprocity
Minnesota does not maintain formal state-level reciprocity agreements for plumbing contractor business licenses. If you hold a plumber license from another state, DLI may use your credential to determine eligibility for a Journeyworker or Master Plumber exam. However, you will still need to meet all Minnesota contractor license requirements, including employment of a responsible master plumber, bond, and insurance, regardless of prior out-of-state licenses. Contractors seeking to work across state lines should check for updated policies at the official Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry website.
