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How to check a contractor's license in Minnesota

Minnesota contractors are licensed by the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI). Electrical and plumbing work needs a license whatever the job costs, and roofers and builders working on homes need a residential license once that work brings in more than $15,000 a year.

When a license is required

Residential building contractors, remodelers and roofers must be licensed (Minn. Stat. 326B.805), unless their gross yearly receipts for that work stay at $15,000 or less and they hold a certificate of exemption. Electrical contractors need a license (326B.33), and plumbing work needs a licensed plumber with a bonded business (326B.46).

Which license class

TradeDLI license
RoofingResidential roofer
ElectricalElectrical contractor
PlumbingPlumbing contractor
General building and remodelingResidential building contractor or residential remodeler

A residential building contractor or remodeler license also covers roofing. DLI licenses a residential building contractor with a BC prefix and a remodeler with CR.

Check it in three steps

  1. Ask for the license number.
  2. Look it up in DLI's license and registration lookup (iMS). You can search as a guest by complete license number, or search by name.
  3. Check the same record for bonds and any enforcement actions against the license.

Electrical and plumbing contractors must each carry a $25,000 bond (326B.33, 326B.46). The Contractor Recovery Fund covers owner-occupied homes where a residential building contractor or remodeler caused a loss, but you need a docketed court judgment first and must apply within two years of it.

Licensed contractors we've already checked