Loading...
Loading...
General Contractor
Total cost: $550-$750
Yes
License Required?
0 years
Experience Required
No
Bonding Required?
$550-$750
Total Initial Fees
2 years
Renewal Period
14 hrs
CE Hours
Get the Minnesota General Contractor Roadmap — every step, fee, and deadline mapped out. — every step mapped out.
Get the Roadmap — $20Description
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.
Overall licensing difficulty: 2/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
Contractor Licensing Exam
Browse study guides
Contractor Exam Prep Books
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
Prepare with realistic Contractor Licensing Exam practice tests from Exam Edge →(affiliate link)See our discount
Launching soon at $20. Be the first to know — and get an early-access link the moment it's ready.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
General Contractor Licensing Exam
Passing Score
70%
Administered By
Minnesota DLI (state-administered)
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the General Contractor Licensing Exam.
Study Materials & Exam Prep — Contractor's License Exam
Prepare for your Contractor's License Exam with Mometrix study guides, flashcards, and practice tests.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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
$100,000 per occurrence, $300,000 aggregate, $25,000 property damage. Policy must cover premises, operations, products, and completed operations. Written by MN-licensed insurer. DLI 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 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
Calculate your licensing ROI →
See how quickly your license investment pays for itself.
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.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Minnesota with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
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.
Not sure this is the right career? Take a 2-minute quiz →
Answer 6 quick questions and we'll match you with the best-fit licensed profession.
General Contractor requirements in Minnesota verified against Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, March 2026.
Accessed 2026-03-06
General Contractor Schools in Minnesota
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.