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Boiler Operator License
Total cost: $95-$130
Governing Authority
Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry — Boiler Inspection Unit
Official website →Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
Yes
License Required
10
License Grades
Yes
Exam Required
$95-$130
Total Initial Fees
Biennial (every 2 years)
Renewal Period
Yes
CE Required
You must be at least 18 years old. Verify all eligibility requirements with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry — Boiler Inspection Unit.
Education: High school diploma or equivalent. Experience: Progressive: 6 months (2nd Class C) to 5+ years (Chief Engineer). Approved programs: On-the-job training under licensed engineers; boiler operator training courses available.
Minnesota offers 10 license grades: Special Engineer (Boiler), 2nd Class C Engineer, 2nd Class B Engineer, 2nd Class A Engineer, 1st Class C Engineer, 1st Class B Engineer, 1st Class A Engineer, Chief C Engineer, Chief B Engineer, Chief A Engineer. Each grade covers different boiler types and capacities. Choose the grade that matches the equipment you will operate.
Written examination covering boiler operation, steam engineering, ASME codes, NB standards, and Minnesota boiler law (Minnesota Statutes 183) Administered by Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. Passing score: 70%. Based on ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code; Minnesota Statutes 183. Exam fee: $60. Retake policy: May retake after 30 days; limited to 3 attempts within 12 months.
Submit your application to the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry — Boiler Inspection Unit. License fee: $35. Total initial fees: $95-$130.
Renew your license biennial (every 2 years). Complete 16 hours of continuing education. Renewal fee: $35.
Total startup cost for boiler operator licensing
License Fee
$35
Minnesota boiler operator license fee
Exam Fee
$60
Examination fee
Renewal Fee
$35
Renewal fee per cycle
Total estimated initial costs including license and exam fees
Minnesota boiler operator licensing overview
Mostly verifiedRequired
State License
10
License Grades/Classes
18+
Minimum Age
License Grades / Classes
Special Engineer (Boiler)
For operating specific boilers at a designated location
Experience: Basic training
Boiler Types: Specific boiler at a designated facility
2nd Class C Engineer
For operating low-pressure boilers
Experience: 6 months experience
Boiler Types: Low-pressure steam and hot water boilers
2nd Class B Engineer
For operating boilers up to 500 HP
Experience: 1 year experience
Boiler Types: Boilers up to 500 HP
2nd Class A Engineer
For operating boilers up to 2,000 HP
Experience: 2 years experience
Boiler Types: Boilers up to 2,000 HP
1st Class C Engineer
For operating boilers in mid-range capacity facilities
Experience: 3 years experience
1st Class B Engineer
For operating larger capacity boiler systems
Experience: 3 years experience
1st Class A Engineer
For operating high-capacity boiler plants
Experience: 3 years experience
Chief C Engineer
Chief engineer for smaller plants
Experience: 5 years experience
Chief B Engineer
Chief engineer for medium plants
Experience: 5 years experience
Chief A Engineer
Chief engineer for largest plants — highest classification
Experience: 5 years experience
Boiler operator licensing requirements vary significantly by state. Some states require multiple grades of licenses based on boiler size and pressure rating, while others do not require a state-level license at all. The ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code provides the national standard for boiler safety. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.
Not sure if you need a boiler operator license? Check whether your state requires one.
Education, experience, and training requirements
Mostly verifiedEducation Required
High school diploma or equivalent
Experience Required
Progressive: 6 months (2nd Class C) to 5+ years (Chief Engineer)
Apprenticeship
Not Required
Training Programs
On-the-job training under licensed engineers; boiler operator training courses available
Boiler operator training typically combines classroom instruction with hands-on experience. Many states require a combination of formal education and documented operating experience before licensure. The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors (NBBI) and industry associations offer additional training and certification programs.
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Examination requirements and details
Mostly verifiedExam Required
Yes
Exam Provider
Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry
Passing Score
70%
Exam Details
Written examination covering boiler operation, steam engineering, ASME codes, NB standards, and Minnesota boiler law (Minnesota Statutes 183)
Retake Policy
May retake after 30 days; limited to 3 attempts within 12 months
Applicable Codes & Standards
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code; Minnesota Statutes 183
Boiler operator examinations typically cover ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, boiler operation principles, safety procedures, and state-specific regulations. Some states use examinations from the National Institute for the Uniform Licensing of Power Engineers (NIULPE), while others administer their own exams.
Overall licensing difficulty: 2/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
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Boiler Operator Exam Prep Materials
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
Insurance and bonding requirements
Mostly verifiedInsurance Required
No
Bonding Required
No
Most states do not require individual boiler operators to carry personal insurance or bonding. Employers typically carry workers' compensation and general liability insurance that covers boiler operations. Facilities with boilers are generally required to have boiler and machinery insurance.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
License Fee Minnesota boiler operator license fee | $35 |
Exam Fee Examination fee | $60 |
Renewal Fee Renewal fee per cycle | $35 |
Total Initial Fees Total estimated initial costs including license and exam fees | $95-$130 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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See how quickly your license investment pays for itself.
Renewal requirements and ongoing obligations
Mostly verifiedBiennial (every 2 years)
Renewal Period
Required
Continuing Education
16 Hours
CE Hours per Cycle
Continuing Education Details
16 hours of continuing education required per renewal cycle (every 3 years)
Renewal Fee
$35
Renewal requirements vary by state. Most states that license boiler operators require annual or biennial renewal. A few states require continuing education to maintain licensure. Failure to renew on time may result in lapse of license and the need to retake examinations.
Minnesota is one of the few states that requires continuing education for boiler engineers and has 6 distinct license grades, making it one of the most comprehensive programs in the country.
Minnesota has one of the most detailed boiler engineer licensing programs, with 6 grades from Special Engineer to Chief Engineer.
The Department of Labor and Industry's Boiler Inspection Unit administers the program.
Minnesota Statutes Chapter 183 governs boiler operation and requires licensed engineers.
Minnesota requires 16 hours of continuing education per 3-year renewal cycle.
Minnesota accepts NIULPE (National Institute for the Uniform Licensing of Power Engineers) exams for some license classes.
There is no interstate compact for boiler operators.
Minnesota has 10+ commercial license classifications (Special through Chief A) — the most granular grade system in the nation. Licenses expire every two years (biennial). Exam fee: $50. License renewal fee: $20. Passing grade: 70% on all exams. Minnesota is one of only 2 states requiring CE for boiler operators (along with New Jersey). Experience requirements: Special = no experience; 2nd Class = 1 year; 1st Class = 3 years; Chief = 5 years.
Boiler Operator requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota (you) | $95 | 4–12 wks | |
| Iowa | N/A — No state license required | 1–4 wks | → |
| North Dakota | N/A — No state license required | 1–4 wks | → |
| South Dakota | N/A — No state license required | 1–4 wks | → |
| Wisconsin | N/A — No state license required | 1–4 wks | → |
See how Minnesota compares: Boiler Operator License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Compare boiler operator requirements across all states →
Boiler Operator licensing requirements nationwide →
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How does Minnesota compare to other states for boiler operator? See the full comparison →
Calculate the return on investment for your boiler operator license →
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Boiler Operator Schools in Minnesota
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Study guides and practice tests for boiler operator licensing exams.
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Boiler Operator requirements in Minnesota verified against Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry — Boiler Inspection Unit, March 2026.
Accessed 2025-01-15
Moving to Minnesota? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
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Transfer your Boiler Operator license from Minnesota to: Iowa → | North Dakota → | South Dakota → | Wisconsin →
Minnesota requires boiler operators to hold a state license. 10 license grade(s) are available for different boiler types and capacities. Boiler safety in Minnesota is overseen by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry — Boiler Inspection Unit.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.