Minnesota Landscaping Contractor License Requirements (2026)

Minnesota does not issue a landscape-specific trade license, but the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) requires a Residential Building Contractor or Residential Remodeler license for any contractor who builds, repairs, or improves residential dwellings — including landscape installation that involves hardscape, retaining walls, drainage, or two or more building trades — under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 326B. Any commercial application of pesticides additionally requires a Commercial Pesticide Applicator license from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) Pesticide and Fertilizer Management Division under M.S. Chapter 18B. Minnesota also enforces strict shoreland zoning rules (M.S. Chapter 103F) limiting vegetation removal within 1,000 feet of lakes and 300 feet of rivers.

Regulatory Oversight

Under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 326B (Construction Codes and Licensing), Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry — Construction Codes and Licensing Division (DLI) is the body that issues this license and enforces compliance with it. DLI licenses residential building contractors, remodelers, electricians, plumbers, and mechanical (HVAC) contractors statewide; administers the Contractor Recovery Fund; and enforces the Minnesota State Building Code, Electrical Code, and Plumbing Code.

Official portal: https://www.dli.mn.gov/business/licensing-and-registration/
Address: 443 Lafayette Road N, St. Paul, MN 55155
Phone: (651) 284-5005

Who May Apply

To qualify, an applicant must have reached age 18 and hold a valid Social Security Number. No Minnesota residency requirement.

Good moral character

DLI reviews fitness for the Residential Building Contractor license.

Background investigation

Required disclosure on the DLI application.

Required Experience and Education

There is no published year count for this credential in the cited sources. What actually controls eligibility is No formal experience requirement, but the Qualifying Person must pass the DLI Residential Building Contractor exam. MDA Commercial Applicator requires the Core exam plus the Category E (Turf and Ornamental) exam..

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

DLI Residential Building Contractor application + MDA Commercial Applicator application with exam pass slips

Education substitution

University of Minnesota Extension training counts toward MDA continuing education.

Examination Requirements

PSI Services LLC (DLI); Minnesota Department of Agriculture (pesticide) runs the examination for this credential. Issuance is contingent on passing every part below:

DLI Residential Building Contractor exam — business, law, building practices — 110 questions, 240 minutes, passing score 70%
MDA Core (General Standards) pesticide exam — 50 questions, 90 minutes, passing score 70%
MDA Category E — Turf and Ornamental — 50 questions, 90 minutes, passing score 70%

Examination fee: $50 PSI fee for the DLI exam + $75 MDA category exam fee.

Retake policy: DLI exam may be retaken every 30 days; MDA exams retakable after 14 days.

Insurance and Financial Requirements

The cited materials impose no contractor license bond for this credential. Bear in mind that specific contracts, permits, or public works can still require their own bonds.

General liability

DLI requires Residential Building Contractors to maintain at least $300,000 commercial general liability. MDA Commercial Applicator requires $100,000 BI / $100,000 PD / $300,000 aggregate.

Workers' compensation

Mandatory under M.S. Chapter 176 for any employer with one or more employees.

Additional financial requirements

DLI Residential Building Contractor licensees pay into the Contractor Recovery Fund.

Licensing Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$415
Examination	$125
Initial license	$415
Renewal (every 2 years)	$415

Keeping the License Current

Renewal of the Minnesota Landscaping — Residential Building Contractor (DLI) + MDA Commercial Pesticide Applicator comes due every 2 years. As cited, the renewal fee stands at $415. DLI license renews every two years. MDA Commercial Applicator follows a separate annual cycle.

Continuing education: DLI Residential Building Contractor: 14 CE hours per two-year cycle (1 hr energy code, 1 hr accessibility, 1 hr law). MDA Commercial Applicator: re-exam every 5 years OR CEUs.

Downloadable Asset

2026 Minnesota Landscaping License Roadmap (PDF) — a printable step-by-step checklist for the application process.

Download the PDF roadmap →

Reciprocity and License Transfer

The NASCLA Accredited Examination is not accepted by Minnesota for this classification.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
Wisconsin	Trade exam waived	Bilateral DLI–WI DSPS Dwelling Contractor reciprocity.
North Dakota	Trade exam waived	Bilateral DLI–ND Secretary of State Contractor reciprocity.

MDA pesticide applicator credentials may be granted reciprocally to applicants from Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota, or South Dakota.

Weighing more than one jurisdiction? The national hub compares Landscaping license requirements in every state — exam, bond, fee, and experience thresholds side by side.

Application Process, Step by Step

Register Minnesota business entity and EIN. File with the Minnesota Secretary of State.
Designate a Qualifying Person. Required for DLI Residential Building Contractor license.
Pass the DLI Residential Building Contractor exam at 70%. PSI exam covering Minnesota building law and business management.
Submit DLI license application with $300 fee + Recovery Fund contribution. Includes $115 Recovery Fund assessment.
Secure $300,000 CGL liability insurance. Required by DLI.
Pass the MDA Core exam at 70%. Required baseline.
Pass MDA Category E — Turf and Ornamental and apply for Commercial Applicator license. Required for any commercial spraying.
Comply with shoreland zoning rules + workers compensation. M.S. Chapter 103F limits vegetation removal near protected waters.

Document Checklist

The items below are the ones worth confirming before the application is filed with DLI:

☐ Minnesota business entity registration
☐ Designated Qualifying Person
☐ DLI Residential Building Contractor exam pass at 70%+
☐ DLI license + Recovery Fund contribution
☐ $300,000 CGL liability insurance
☐ MDA Core + Category E exam pass
☐ MDA Commercial Pesticide Applicator license
☐ Workers compensation coverage

Recommended References

What follows are the regulator-cited and commonly used preparation references for this trade. They appear here for convenience only; CLR takes no compensation for them.

Minnesota Residential Building Contractor Reference Manual — PSI / DLI. Required reference for the DLI exam.
Minnesota Pesticide Applicator Core Manual — University of Minnesota Extension. Required reference for the MDA Core exam.
Turf and Ornamental Pest Management — UMN Extension. Category E study guide.

Frequent Application Errors

Based on the board's own instructions and the sources cited here, the problems below are what most often stall a Minnesota Landscaping application.

Operating without DLI Residential Building Contractor license

M.S. §326B.84 makes unlicensed residential contracting a misdemeanor; contracts are voidable and treble damages apply.

Spraying without MDA certification

Civil penalties up to $7,500 per violation under M.S. §18B.37.

Shoreland zoning violations

M.S. Chapter 103F violations carry fines up to $1,000 per day plus restoration costs.

Phosphorus law violations

M.S. §18C.60 prohibits phosphorus in lawn fertilizer on established lawns; MDA enforces with civil penalties.

Missing DLI continuing education

14 CE hours per two-year cycle including specific code and law content; missing CE forces inactive status.

Other Minnesota Trade Licenses

Should the Landscaping path not apply, these other Minnesota trade guides from CLR may help:

Questions Applicants Ask

Do I need a DLI Residential Building Contractor license for landscape work?

Yes, if your landscape installation includes hardscape, retaining walls over 4 ft, drainage, or work in two or more building trades on residential property. Pure planting and mowing is exempt.

What is the Contractor Recovery Fund?

A consumer protection fund administered by DLI; each licensee contributes $115 at initial licensing and $25 annually thereafter. Pays out up to $75,000 per claim.

How do shoreland zoning rules apply to landscaping?

M.S. Chapter 103F restricts vegetation removal within 1,000 feet of lakes and 300 feet of rivers; landscape work in shoreland zones requires permits from the local zoning authority.

Are there fertilizer restrictions?

Yes. Minnesota's Phosphorus Lawn Fertilizer Law restricts phosphorus on established lawns except where soil tests show deficiency.

How often does the DLI license renew?

Every two years on the licensee's anniversary date. MDA Commercial Applicator follows a separate annual cycle.

Primary Sources

Regulatory requirements on this page are drawn from the official board, statute, and exam-provider materials listed below.

Verified 2026-05-28 · Next scheduled review 2026-08-26