Minnesota Plumber License Requirements (2026)

Minnesota separates the individual plumbing credential from the business that contracts for plumbing work. A person normally progresses from DLI registered unlicensed plumber to journeyworker plumber and then master plumber. A business that contracts for plumbing work needs a plumbing contractor license and an active master plumber as its responsible licensed individual. A full plumbing contractor may work statewide; a restricted plumbing contractor is limited to communities under 5,000 population. General contractors that contract with properly licensed plumbing subcontractors do not need their own plumbing-contractor license, but state licensing does not replace project permits, plan review, or inspections.

Regulatory Body

Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry — Plumbing Board (DLI) is the statutory authority responsible for issuing and enforcing this license under Minn. Stat. §§ 326B.41-.49, especially § 326B.46. DLI licenses individual plumbers and plumbing-contractor businesses statewide. DLI and the authority having jurisdiction administer required permits, plan review, and inspections.

• Official portal: https://www.dli.mn.gov/workers/plumber/plumbing-license-basics

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must be at least 18 years old. Applicants must provide a Social Security Number. DLI does not state a Minnesota-residency prerequisite for the individual license. A business applicant must use DLI’s current entity and service-of-process requirements, including any registered-agent requirement that applies to its structure and location.

Good moral character

Applicants and licensees must satisfy DLI’s current application, tax-identification, and disciplinary requirements.

Background investigation

DLI’s personal licensing basics do not identify a statewide fingerprint condition. Complete the current individual or business application and all required disclosures.

Experience and Education

At least 4 years of For the usual journeyworker route, record at least four years of practical plumbing experience as a DLI-registered unlicensed plumber; one year is at least 1,750 hours and no more than 1,750 hours may be credited in one calendar year. DLI also recognizes a registered apprenticeship and listed restricted-license, out-of-state, military, and approved-education routes. The master exam generally requires at least one year as a licensed journeyworker plumber. has to be evidenced and confirmed. Retain payroll, tax, project, or supervisor records, since the board may audit the experience claimed.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

• DLI work-experience verification forms
• Licensed master plumber certification of practical experience
• Registered-apprenticeship completion documentation when using that route
• Current out-of-state license documentation when using an out-of-state route

Education substitution

Completion of a DLI-registered apprenticeship is an alternative route to the journeyworker exam. DLI also identifies limited education and military experience routes; use the experience-requirements page to match the route before applying.

Exam Requirements

Testing provider or authority: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. The following examination requirements cover the pathways described in this guide; follow each part's classification, waiver, and local-scope conditions. Unpublished format details do not remove an examination requirement:

• DLI Journeyworker or Master Plumber written examination — question count: confirm with the authority, timing: confirm with the authority, passing score: confirm in the current candidate bulletin

Examination fee: $50 DLI personal-license examination application fee. The individual license fee is due after passing; the contractor business-license fee is separate.

Retake policy: If an applicant does not pass, DLI requires a 30-day wait before reapplying.

Insurance and Bonds

The applicant must secure and file a $25,000 surety bond before the DLI will release the license.

General liability

A plumbing contractor must provide products-liability coverage of at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per occurrence, plus at least $10,000 property-damage coverage, using DLI’s current certificate requirements.

Workers' compensation

A contractor must submit DLI’s workers’ compensation compliance documentation and maintain coverage when required by Minnesota law.

Additional financial requirements

The plumbing contractor license also requires a $25,000 surety bond on DLI’s approved form, written by a corporate surety authorized in Minnesota.

Fee Schedule

To turn these board fees into a realistic year-one budget — bond premium, liability insurance, and exam prep included — open the cost calculator preloaded for Minnesota plumber.

Renewal and Continuing Education

The Minnesota Master Plumber and Plumbing Contractor License must be renewed every 2 years. The fee to renew is presently $188. Journeyworker and master licenses expire December 31 of odd-numbered years; the contractor license follows the same odd-year end date. The DLI contractor initial and renewal fee is $188.

Continuing education: Journeyworker and master plumbers complete 16 hours of DLI-approved continuing education, with at least eight hours relating to the State Plumbing Code. Registered unlicensed plumbers renew annually with two hours of CE and a $19 renewal fee.

Reciprocity

Minnesota grants no NASCLA reciprocity for this classification.

DLI’s current plumber-reciprocity page names North Dakota and South Dakota only. It applies to individual journeyworker and master licenses, not a plumbing-contractor business license.

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

Plumber Licensing in Neighboring States

Contractors working near a state line, or weighing where to qualify first, should compare Minnesota's requirements against the bordering jurisdictions before committing to an application:

• Iowa Plumber License Requirements — Iowa Master Plumber License and Contractor License
• North Dakota Plumber License Requirements — North Dakota Master and Journeyman Plumber
• South Dakota Plumber License Requirements — South Dakota Plumber and Plumbing Contractor
• Wisconsin Plumber License Requirements — Wisconsin Master Plumber

Step-by-Step Application Roadmap

1. Register before doing unlicensed plumbing work. Register as a DLI registered unlicensed plumber or enter a DLI-registered apprenticeship, work as a W-2 employee of a qualifying employer, and remain directly supervised by a journeyworker or master plumber.
2. Document an accepted journeyworker route. The common route is four years of recorded practical experience as a registered unlicensed plumber. DLI also recognizes the other routes listed in its current experience guidance.
3. Pass the journeyworker written exam. Submit the $50 DLI examination application after DLI approves the qualifying experience or apprenticeship route.
4. Gain master-level eligibility and pass the master exam. The usual master route is at least one year as a licensed journeyworker plumber, followed by DLI’s written examination.
5. Appoint a responsible master for the business. For a plumbing-contractor license, the active master must be an eligible owner, officer, member, or actively engaged W-2 managing employee, and may be responsible for only one plumbing contractor.
6. File contractor insurance, bond, and business disclosures. Provide the $25,000 bond, required liability and workers’ compensation documents, owner disclosures, and DLI’s $188 contractor-license fee.
7. Handle permits and inspections for each project. Obtain permits and submit plans when required at or before the work begins, then call for inspections. Confirm the responsible DLI or local authority before starting.

Application Checklist

Ahead of submission to DLI, confirm every item on this short list:

• DLI registered-unlicensed plumber registration or registered apprenticeship
• Documented practical experience and required DLI verification
• $50 personal-license examination application
• Active master plumber for a contracting business
• $25,000 DLI-form surety bond
• Required liability and workers’ compensation documentation
• DLI plumbing-contractor application and $188 fee
• Project-specific permits, plans, and inspections

Progress is saved in this browser, so you can return to this checklist while your application is in flight.

Common Filing Mistakes

The following pitfalls summarize the issues most likely to delay, return, or derail a Minnesota Plumber application based on the published board instructions and source materials cited on this page.

Confusing the personal license with the contractor license

A master is an individual credential. A business that contracts for plumbing work needs its own contractor license and responsible master.

Counting unregistered Minnesota work

DLI grants Minnesota experience credit only when the worker was properly registered or licensed and employed by a qualifying contractor or registered employer.

Using a restricted contractor in a larger community

Restricted plumbing contractors cannot contract in a city or town over 5,000 population.

Using remote supervision for unlicensed plumbing work

Direct supervision requires the licensed plumber to be physically present and immediately available; electronic supervision does not meet DLI’s definition.

Treating contractor licensing as a permit

The statewide contractor license does not eliminate the permit, plan-review, and inspection requirements for the particular project.

Study and Reference Materials

The following references are cited by the regulator, used in the application process, or commonly used to prepare for the trade scope. Listed for reader convenience; CLR receives no compensation for these recommendations.

• Minnesota Plumbing Code — Minnesota DLI. Use the current Minnesota code and DLI examination materials.
• DLI Plumbing License Experience Requirements — Minnesota DLI. Confirm the experience route and required work categories before applying for an exam.
• Minn. Stat. § 326B.46 — Minnesota Revisor of Statutes. Individual and contractor licensing, responsible person, bond, insurance, and scope.

Other Minnesota Trade Licenses

For a different Minnesota credential, see these companion guides published by CLR:

• Minnesota General Contractor License Requirements
• Minnesota Electrician License Requirements
• Minnesota HVAC Technician License Requirements
• Minnesota Roofing Contractor License Requirements
• Minnesota Painting Contractor License Requirements
• Minnesota Landscaping Contractor License Requirements
• Minnesota Masonry Contractor License Requirements
• Minnesota Concrete Contractor License Requirements
• Minnesota Carpentry Contractor License Requirements
• Minnesota Solar Installer License Requirements
• Minnesota Low-Voltage Technician License Requirements
• Minnesota Fire Sprinkler Contractor License Requirements
• Minnesota Home Inspector License Requirements
• Minnesota Pool Contractor License Requirements
• Minnesota Handyman License Requirements
• Minnesota Pest Control License Requirements
• Minnesota Septic Contractor License Requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Minnesota plumbing contractor need a master plumber?

Yes. A plumbing contractor must designate an active master plumber as its responsible licensed individual. The business license does not itself qualify a person to perform plumbing work.

How much experience is needed for the journeyworker plumber exam?

The common route is four years of recorded practical experience as a DLI registered unlicensed plumber, with 1,750 hours constituting one year. DLI also recognizes registered-apprenticeship and other listed routes.

What insurance and bond does a Minnesota plumbing contractor need?

The contractor needs a $25,000 surety bond, specified liability coverage, and DLI workers’ compensation compliance documentation. DLI’s current contractor page gives the required certificate details.

Can a restricted plumbing contractor work statewide?

No. A restricted plumbing contractor is limited to communities under 5,000 population. A full plumbing contractor license authorizes work statewide through licensed and registered individuals.

Which states have Minnesota plumber reciprocity?

DLI currently names North Dakota and South Dakota for comparable individual journeyworker and master licenses. The applicant must meet DLI’s examination, one-year holding, standing, and fee conditions.

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