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How to become a licensed general contractor in Minnesota. State-level licensing required. Total initial fees: $550-$750. Verified 2026-03-22. Data verified 2026-03-22. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
General Contractor
Yes
License Required?
0 years
Experience Required
No
Bonding Required?
$550-$750
Total Initial Fees
2 years
Renewal Period
14 hrs
CE Hours
Description
Residential Building Contractor. New construction + existing structures. Requires Qualifying Builder (QB) exam. Each license requires a designated Qualifying Person (QP) who takes exam and completes CE.
Project Limit
License required for projects over $15,000
Additional Requirements
Description
Residential Remodeler. Existing structures ONLY — cannot do new construction. Requires Qualifying Remodeler (QC) exam.
Project Limit
License required for projects over $15,000
Additional Requirements
Description
Residential Roofer. Roofing only — cannot do gutters, downspouts, soffits, fascia. Requires Qualifying Roofer (QR) exam. Single-skill exemption does NOT apply to roofers.
Additional Requirements
Experience & Documentation
Verified0
Years Required
Not Required
Documented Project History
Journeyman/Trade Experience
No specific journeyman experience required
Alternative Pathways (Education Substitutions)
Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
Trade Exam
Not Required
Business & Law Exam
Exam Provider
Minnesota DLI (state-administered)
Passing Score
70%
Open Book
Yes
Trade Exam Details
110 questions, 4 hours, 70% passing, open book. ~60% code questions, ~40% statutes/rules. DLI provides reference materials at testing center (MN State Residential Code 2020 edition + DLI Reference Manual). Cannot bring own copy of IRC. Administered by DLI directly — NOT PSI. Three exams: Qualifying Builder (QB), Qualifying Remodeler (QC), Qualifying Roofer (QR).
Business & Law Exam Details
Business and law content is included in the single combined exam — no separate B&L exam.
Retake Policy
Candidates may retake the exam after a waiting period. Contact the board for specific retake policies.
Bonding Requirements
VerifiedSurety Bond Not Required
Surety bonds protect consumers by providing financial recourse if a contractor fails to complete a project or violates licensing regulations. Bond costs are typically 1-3% of the bond amount annually.
Insurance & Workers' Comp
VerifiedRequired
General Liability
Required
Workers' Compensation
Minimum Coverage
GL: $100,000/occurrence, $300,000 aggregate, $25,000 property damage. Must be written by company licensed in MN. DLI must be listed as certificate holder.
Additional Insurance Requirements
Workers' Comp Threshold
Required for employers with 1 or more employees
Workers' Comp Details
Minnesota requires workers' compensation insurance for employers with 1 or more employees. Sole proprietors may be exempt but coverage is recommended.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Base application fee. Plus Contractor Recovery Fund: $320 (<$1M), $420 ($1M-$5M), $520 (>$5M). Total initial: $500-$700. | $180 |
Exam Fee Per exam attempt | $50 |
License Fee Tiered: $180 base + Recovery Fund ($320/$420/$520 by gross annual receipts <$1M/$1M-$5M/>$5M) | $500-$700 |
Renewal Fee Tiered by gross annual receipts: $505 (<$1M), $605 ($1M-$5M), $705 (>$5M). Late fee: $90. Biennial, ending March 31. | $505-$705 |
Total Initial Fees $180 base + $320-520 Recovery Fund + $50 exam | $550-$750 |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years
Renewal Period
14 hrs
CE Hours Required
CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$115
Regulatory Board
Contractor licenses must be renewed on schedule. Many states require continuing education covering building codes, safety practices, business law, and energy efficiency standards.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedDoes Not Accept Out-of-State Credentials
ICC Certification Not Accepted
Reciprocity Type
Exam required
Transfer Details
Minnesota does not offer reciprocity. Out-of-state contractors must meet all Minnesota licensing requirements including examinations.
General contractor license reciprocity varies significantly by state. Some states recognize ICC certifications, while others require passing the state exam regardless of prior credentials. Always verify current policies with the state licensing board.
Minnesota's unique QP system requires each license to have a designated Qualifying Person (QB/QC/QR) who is a W-2 employee and can only qualify one company. Exam administered by DLI directly (not a third-party vendor). Fees tiered by gross annual receipts. Single-skill exemption (except roofers).
Minnesota uses a unique 'Qualifying Person' (QP) system. Each license requires a designated QP with a Q number: QB (builder), QC (remodeler), QR (roofer). QP must be W-2 employee, can only qualify one company.
Exam administered by DLI directly (NOT PSI). 110 questions, 4 hours, open book. DLI provides reference materials — cannot bring own copy of IRC.
Fees tiered by gross annual receipts: $500-$700 initial, $505-$705 renewal.
No bond — Contractor Recovery Fund replaces bonding.
Commercial contractors: no state license, register through Contractor Registration Program (no fee).
Single-skill exemption: only ONE special skill doesn't need license (except roofers).
Solar PV installation on homes requires residential building contractor or remodeler license (since July 1, 2023).
No reciprocity for GC. No NASCLA.
Workers' comp required for employers. Subcontractors without WC may be deemed employees.
Penalties: misdemeanor for unlicensed work; cannot claim a lien.
Agency: DLI, 443 Lafayette Road North, St. Paul, MN 55155. Phone: (651) 284-5069.
Lien Law Basics
Preliminary Notice: Required
Lien Deadline: 120 days after completion
Minnesota construction lien law: Preliminary notice is required to preserve lien rights. Lien filing deadline: 120 days after completion.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Minnesota.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#11 of 51
Cost
#16 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (SOC 47-1011)
Entry Level
$77,660
25th percentile
Median
$95,910
+22% vs. national avg ($78,690)Experienced
$105,440
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
11,960 employed in this state
Note: BLS category "First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades" is broader than general contractors specifically. It includes supervisors across all construction specialties.
Source: BLS OEWS – First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+5.5%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+40,500
over 10 years
Annual Openings
55,200
per year (avg.)
729,900 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Electrical Career Ladder+18% salary growth potential
You are here
Electrical Contractor
$95,910
Master electrician license + contractor license
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
$81,430
You are here
Electrical Contractor
Master electrician license + contractor license
$95,910
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 8–22 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Minnesota Contractor Licensing
4–12 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Minnesota Contractor Licensing
Study guides and practice tests for the general contractor licensing exam.
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Accessed 2026-03-06
Minnesota requires state-level contractor licensing. All licensing is managed through the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.
Requirements vary by state and local jurisdiction. Always verify current requirements with your state or local licensing authority.