How do I check a general contractor license in Minnesota?

The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, Construction Codes and Licensing Division keeps the record for general contractors in Minnesota. Use the official lookup on this page, and treat the board's own record as final.

How much does a general contractor license cost in Minnesota?

$180 (Base license fee for a residential building contractor or remodeler license). Contractor Recovery Fund fee: $320 for gross annual receipts under $1 million, $420 for $1 to 5 million, $520 over $5 million, paid with the license. $50 (Application and examination fee for a license that requires a DLI exam, separate from the license fee).

How much experience do you need for a general contractor license in Minnesota?

No experience or education is required to sit for the residential building contractor or remodeler exam.

How often does a general contractor license renew in Minnesota?

Licenses renew on a two-year cycle ending March 31, and the qualifying person needs 14 hours of continuing education to renew.

How to get a general contractor license in Minnesota

Edited by John Voll. Last verified October 6, 2026.

Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, Construction Codes and Licensing Division licenses general contractors in Minnesota. A residential contractor with gross annual receipts from residential work under $15,000 may hold a Certificate of Exemption instead of a license. The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, Construction Codes and Licensing Division license export: residential contractors lists 11,339 active general contractor business records as of October 6, 2026.

Who licenses general contractor work in Minnesota

Credential	State license
Board	Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, Construction Codes and Licensing Division official statement
Official lookup	Search general contractor licenses
When a license is needed	A residential contractor with gross annual receipts from residential work under $15,000 may hold a Certificate of Exemption instead of a license. source
License types	Residential Building Contractor, Residential Remodeler, Qualifying Builder, Qualifying Remodeler, Certificate of Exemption

How to get licensed

Apply to Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry for a credential such as Residential Building Contractor, Residential Remodeler or Qualifying Builder.
Board page
The qualifying person must pass a written DLI exam: the qualifying builder exam for a building contractor license, the qualifying remodeler exam for a remodeler license. source
No experience or education is required to sit for the residential building contractor or remodeler exam. source
Post a no license bond for residential building contractors or remodelers; the statute requires a bond only of roofers and manufactured home installer. source
Carry general liability insurance of at least $100,000 per occurrence, $300,000 aggregate for bodily injury, and $25,000 property damage (or a $300,000 single limit). source
Pay the base license fee for a residential building contractor or remodeler license: $180. source
Licenses renew on a two-year cycle ending March 31, and the qualifying person needs 14 hours of continuing education to renew. source

General contractor requirements in Minnesota

General contractor: exam, experience, bond, insurance, renewal and feesSources checked October 6, 2026
Exam	The qualifying person must pass a written DLI exam: the qualifying builder exam for a building contractor license, the qualifying remodeler exam for a remodeler license. source
Experience	No experience or education is required to sit for the residential building contractor or remodeler exam. source
Bond	No license bond for residential building contractors or remodelers; the statute requires a bond only of roofers and manufactured home installer. source
Insurance	General liability insurance of at least $100,000 per occurrence, $300,000 aggregate for bodily injury, and $25,000 property damage (or a $300,000 single limit). source
Renewal	Licenses renew on a two-year cycle ending March 31, and the qualifying person needs 14 hours of continuing education to renew. source
Reciprocity	Not found on an official source. Could not find a reciprocity provision for residential building contractor or remodeler licenses on DLI pages or in Minn. Stat. 326B.802 to 326B.885.
Fees	$180 (Base license fee for a residential building contractor or remodeler license). source Contractor Recovery Fund fee: $320 for gross annual receipts under $1 million, $420 for $1 to 5 million, $520 over $5 million, paid with the license. source $50 (Application and examination fee for a license that requires a DLI exam, separate from the license fee). source

Hiring a general contractor?

See every official lookup in Minnesota, which board covers which trade, and what to check before you hire.

How to verify a contractor license in Minnesota

Questions

Do you need a general contractor license in Minnesota?: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, Construction Codes and Licensing Division licenses general contractors in Minnesota. A residential contractor with gross annual receipts from residential work under $15,000 may hold a Certificate of Exemption instead of a license.
How do I check a general contractor license in Minnesota?: The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, Construction Codes and Licensing Division keeps the record for general contractors in Minnesota. Use the official lookup on this page, and treat the board's own record as final.
How much does a general contractor license cost in Minnesota?: $180 (Base license fee for a residential building contractor or remodeler license). Contractor Recovery Fund fee: $320 for gross annual receipts under $1 million, $420 for $1 to 5 million, $520 over $5 million, paid with the license. $50 (Application and examination fee for a license that requires a DLI exam, separate from the license fee).
How much experience do you need for a general contractor license in Minnesota?: No experience or education is required to sit for the residential building contractor or remodeler exam.
How often does a general contractor license renew in Minnesota?: Licenses renew on a two-year cycle ending March 31, and the qualifying person needs 14 hours of continuing education to renew.

Other trades in Minnesota

General contractor license in other states

Sources

This is not a government site. The licensing board's own record governs; always confirm on the official lookup. Information as of October 6, 2026.