Minnesota Solar Contractor License Requirements (2026)

Minnesota stacks two state licenses for residential solar. Effective July 1, 2023, any company contracting with a Minnesota homeowner to install a solar PV system must hold a DLI Residential Building Contractor or Remodeler license — this is what gives the homeowner access to the Contractor Recovery Fund if the solar company fails. Separately, the actual installation (racking, module placement, wiring, equipment) must be performed by a Minnesota-licensed Electrical Contractor with a Master Electrician as responsible licensed individual under Minn. Stat. §326B.31. Xcel Solar Rewards and most Minnesota incentive programs require NABCEP PV Installation Professional. Solar thermal hot water needs a MN Master Plumber.

Regulatory Body Profile

Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry — Construction Codes and Licensing Division (DLI) is the statutory authority responsible for issuing and enforcing this license under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 326B (Construction Codes and Licensing). 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

The Eligibility Audit

The threshold requirements are straightforward: age 18 or above, plus a valid Social Security Number. No Minnesota residency requirement.

Good moral character

DLI reviews criminal history.

Background investigation

Mandatory criminal history disclosure on the application.

Experience and Education Standards

The experience bar is one year as a Minnesota Journeyman Electrician (Class A), which itself requires 8,000 hours of electrical work over four years, and it must be backed by verifiable records — typically payroll, tax, project, or supervisor documentation covering the claimed period.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

DLI experience affidavits signed by Minnesota Master Electricians
Certified payroll covering the qualifying period
DLI-registered apprenticeship completion certificate

Education substitution

DLI-registered apprenticeship satisfies the journeyman experience requirement.

The Exam Syllabus

The exam, administered by PSI Services LLC (under contract to DLI), breaks into the parts shown below — all must be passed before licensure:

Minnesota Master Electrician Class A Examination — NEC, Minnesota amendments, business and law — 100 questions, 240 minutes, passing score 70%

Examination fee: $35 examination fee.

Retake policy: Failed exams may be retaken after 30 days.

Bonding, Insurance & Financial Security

A $25,000 surety bond, in the form prescribed by the DLI, must be posted as a condition of licensure.

General liability

DLI requires $100,000 bodily injury / $100,000 property damage / $300,000 aggregate commercial general liability.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation insurance is mandatory under Minn. Stat. §176 for any business with employees.

Additional financial requirements

No financial statement required.

Schedule of Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$100
Examination	$35
Initial license	$100
Renewal (every 2 years)	$100

Renewal and Continuing Obligations

The Minnesota Master Electrician + Electrical Contractor License runs on a 2 years renewal cycle. The current renewal fee is $100. DLI electrical contractor licenses renew every two years.

Continuing education: Sixteen hours of DLI-approved CE every two years for Master Electricians.

Downloadable Asset

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

Download the PDF roadmap →

Out-of-State Reciprocity

For this classification, Minnesota does not recognize the NASCLA Accredited Examination.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
Wisconsin	Trade exam waived	Limited DLI–DSPS reciprocity (verify with the board; solar-specific reciprocity is rare) for active Master Electricians.
North Dakota	Trade exam waived	Limited DLI–ND reciprocity (verify with the board; solar-specific reciprocity is rare).
South Dakota	Trade exam waived	Limited DLI–SD reciprocity (verify with the board; solar-specific reciprocity is rare).

DLI maintains limited master-electrician reciprocity (electrical credential only — solar contractor reciprocity is rare) with several upper-Midwest states.

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

The Application Roadmap

Complete a Minnesota electrical apprenticeship. 8,000 hours under a Minnesota Master Electrician.
Pass the Minnesota Journeyman Electrician exam. Prerequisite to the Master credential.
Document one year as a Journeyman. Required for the Master Electrician exam.
Pass the Master Electrician exam at 70%. PSI administers the exam.
Apply for the Electrical Contractor license. Designate the Master Electrician as the responsible licensed individual.
Post the $25,000 surety bond and file insurance. $100K/$100K/$300K minimum CGL.
Pull local building and electrical permits per project. Each Minnesota jurisdiction requires local permits and DLI inspections.

Pre-Application Checklist

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

☐ 8,000 hours of electrical apprenticeship
☐ Minnesota Journeyman Electrician credential
☐ One year as a Journeyman
☐ Master Electrician examination pass
☐ DLI Electrical Contractor license application
☐ $25,000 surety bond
☐ $100K/$100K/$300K commercial general liability insurance

Where Applications Stall

The errors below are the ones that most frequently cost Minnesota Solar applicants time, drawn from the cited board guidance.

Skipping the Residential Building Contractor license

Since July 1, 2023, MN homeowners can claim the Contractor Recovery Fund only if the solar company holds a DLI Residential Building Contractor or Remodeler license. Doing residential solar without it is unlicensed contracting.

Letting the bond lapse

DLI will suspend the license immediately upon bond cancellation.

Missing the 16-hour CE

Mandatory every two years and audited.

Forgetting workers compensation

Mandatory for any business with employees.

Confusing solar thermal with PV

Solar hot water requires the Master Plumber license.

Recommended Study Materials

These materials are drawn from the regulator's own citations and the references applicants commonly use to prepare. CLR receives no compensation for listing them.

NEC Article 690 — Solar Photovoltaic Systems — NFPA. Primary technical reference.
Minnesota Electrical Code (Minn. R. 1315) — DLI. State amendments to the NEC.
PSI Minnesota Master Electrician Candidate Information Bulletin — PSI. Free PDF outlining exam content.

Other Minnesota Trade Licenses

Looking at a different trade? CLR also publishes these Minnesota licensing guides:

Common Questions

Does Minnesota have a solar license?

No standalone solar license, but since July 1, 2023 residential solar contractors must hold a DLI Residential Building Contractor or Remodeler license in addition to the Electrical Contractor license.

Is NABCEP required?

Not for state licensure, but Xcel Solar Rewards and most utility incentives require NABCEP-certified installers.

How big is the bond?

$25,000 surety bond is required for the Electrical Contractor license.

What about solar thermal?

Solar hot water requires a Minnesota Master Plumber license.

Does Minnesota reciprocate?

Yes. DLI maintains limited reciprocity (verify directly with the board; solar-specific reciprocity is rare) with Wisconsin, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

Primary Sources

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

Verified 2026-04-11 · Next scheduled review 2026-07-10