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Plumber
Total cost: $88
Governing Authority
Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) — Construction Code and Licensing Division / Plumbing Board
Official website →Yes
State Licensed?
8,000
Apprentice Hours
9
License Levels
$88
Total Fees
8 hrs
CE Hours
International Plumbing Code (IPC) 2021 with Minnesota amendments
Code Version
Get the Minnesota Plumber Roadmap — every step, fee, and deadline mapped out. — every step mapped out.
Get the Roadmap — $20Apprentice Registration Fee
$14
Annual renewal: $19 (expires June 30)
Journeyman License Fee
$38
Journeyworker license fee; biennial renewal: $43
Master Plumber License Fee
$68
Master license fee; biennial renewal: $93
Exam Fee
$50
Per official DLI (third-party sources may cite $120 — use DLI as authoritative)
Renewal Fee
$43 (journeyworker) / $93 (master)
Biennial; expires December 31 of every even year
Regulation Status
VerifiedState Licensed
Yes
Regulation Level
state
License Types Available
State-Level Licensing Required
Regulated by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) — Construction Code and Licensing Division / Plumbing Board
Apprenticeship Program
8,000
Total Hours
4 yrs
Duration
576
Classroom Hours
7,424
OJT Hours
Registered Apprenticeship Program Required
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Experience Required
No work experience required to register; initial filing fee $14; annual renewal fee $19; expires June 30 each year; must be W-2 employee of licensed plumbing contractor, licensed restricted plumbing contractor, or registered plumbing employer
No exam required
Additional Requirements
Experience Required
4 years of recorded practical plumbing experience as a registered unlicensed plumber including: water distribution (2,000 hrs), drain/waste/vent (2,000 hrs), fixture installation (1,000 hrs); OR completed DLI-registered apprenticeship program; OR current license from another state requiring 4+ years experience + exam. Not more than 2 years out-of-state experience credited unless first licensed in other state.
Exam required
Additional Requirements
Experience Required
Must have been licensed as journeyworker plumber for at least 1 year; OR current master license from equivalent state; OR restricted master + 5 years as plumbing contractor in MN
Exam required
Additional Requirements
Exam Information
VerifiedJourneyman Exam
RequiredMaster Exam
RequiredExam Provider
DLI / Prometric
Plumbing Code Version
International Plumbing Code (IPC) 2021 with Minnesota amendments
Open Book Exam
Passing Score
70%
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Overall licensing difficulty: 26/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
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Plumber Licensing Exam
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Insurance Required
Bonding Required
Not sure if you need a plumber license? Check whether your state requires one.
Minnesota has 9% above average — nationally the ratio is 1 per 746 residents.
Minnesota has average plumbers density relative to population.
Minnesota ranks #28 out of 51 states by plumbers per capita.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Apprentice Registration Annual renewal: $19 (expires June 30) | $14 |
Journeyman License Journeyworker license fee; biennial renewal: $43 | $38 |
Master License Master license fee; biennial renewal: $93 | $68 |
Exam Fee Per official DLI (third-party sources may cite $120 — use DLI as authoritative) | $50 |
Renewal Fee Biennial; expires December 31 of every even year | $43 (journeyworker) / $93 (master) |
Total Initial Fees Journeyworker: exam ($50) + license ($38) = $88; Master: exam ($50) + license ($68) = $118 | $88 |
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Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years
Renewal Period
8
CE Hours Required
$43 (journeyworker) / $93 (master)
Renewal Fee
Continuing Education Required
Regulatory Board
Biennial; journeyworker/master expire Dec 31 of even years; unlicensed registration expires June 30 each year
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Licenses
Transfer Type
Endorsement
Additional Requirements for Transfer
Most states require plumbers to pass the local exam or apply for endorsement when transferring an out-of-state license. Requirements vary by state.
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 uses unique terminology — 'Journeyworker' and 'Registered Unlicensed Individual.' Minneapolis and St. Paul require additional local Comp Cards. Reciprocates with ND and SD.
Minnesota uses 'Journeyworker' instead of 'Journeyman' and calls apprentices 'Registered Unlicensed Individuals'
Restricted Journeyworker and Restricted Master licenses (municipalities <5,000) are no longer newly issued since 2009
Additional license types: Certified Pipelayer, Backflow Prevention Rebuilder, Medical Gas Certification
Minneapolis and St. Paul require additional local Comp Cards at journey and master levels; they reciprocate with each other
Reciprocity with North Dakota and South Dakota (no exam required if qualifications met)
DLI official exam fee: $50 (third-party sources may cite $120 — use DLI as authoritative)
Apprentice must be W-2 employee of licensed contractor or registered employer
Not more than 2 years of out-of-state experience credited unless first licensed in other state
Uses IPC 2021 with Minnesota amendments
CE: 8 hours per biennial cycle
Biennial renewal: journeyworker/master expire Dec 31 of even years; unlicensed registration expires June 30 annually
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Plumber requirements in Minnesota verified against Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) — Construction Code and Licensing Division / Plumbing Board, April 2026.
Accessed 2026-03-24
Accessed 2026-03-06