Minnesota HVAC License Requirements

Official classification: Mechanical Contractor Bond Filing (state level) + Local Competency Card (city level) · Issued by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) — bond filing; local city authority — individual competency cards.

❄️ HVACMN ✔ Verified 2026-06-22

In Minnesota, HVAC contractors must hold the Mechanical Contractor Bond Filing (state level) + Local Competency Card (city level), issued by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) — bond filing; local city authority — individual competency cards, and a $25,000 surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed HVAC contractor in Minnesota

Follow these steps to earn your Mechanical Contractor Bond Filing (state level) + Local Competency Card (city level). Every figure is verified against the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) — bond filing; local city authority — individual competency cards; full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. No state-mandated experience requirement for the mechanical contractor bond filing. Individual competency card requirements vary by city; Minneapolis and St. Paul typically require journeyworker and master level HVAC experience.
Pass the EPA Section 608 Certification Exam and Local HVAC Competency Exam exams. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Secure your surety bond. Minnesota requires $25,000 mechanical contractor surety bond filed with DLI; bond written by a surety company licensed to do business in Minnesota; must be properly signed and notarized on DLI-approved form.
Line up insurance. You'll need liability insurance (Not publicly specified as a minimum amount for the state mechanical contractor bond filing by DLI; proof of public liability insurance is commonly required and strongly recommended. DLI pages for the mechanical contractor bond do not state a specific minimum — confirm current requirements with DLI.), and workers' compensation coverage.
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) — bond filing; local city authority — individual competency cards — $100 bond filing fee (initial, valid 2 years) application fee, plus a Included in $100 bond filing fee license fee. Processing time: Bond can be filed online via DLI or by mail with $100 check; processing time not publicly disclosed.
Keep the license active. Renew every 2 years (bond filing must be renewed with DLI), completing No state-mandated CE for the mechanical contractor bond filing. Local city requirements for competency card renewal vary; confirm with the applicable city authority.

License types

Mechanical Contractor Bond Filing — State-level requirement (MN Stat. §326B.197): any business contracting to install gas piping, heating, ventilation, cooling, air conditioning, fuel burning, or refrigeration equipment must file a $25,000 bond with DLI. This is a bond filing, not a state-issued contractor license.
Local Competency Card / Certificate of Competency — Individual HVAC workers must obtain city-issued competency cards or trade licenses in cities that require them (e.g., Minneapolis HVAC Class A or B; St. Paul trade license). DLI does not issue these.

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	No state-mandated experience requirement for the mechanical contractor bond filing. Individual competency card requirements vary by city; Minneapolis and St. Paul typically require journeyworker and master level HVAC experience.
Application fee	$100 bond filing fee (initial, valid 2 years)
License fee	Included in $100 bond filing fee
Renewal fee	$100 every 2 years (bond renewal filing)
Renewal period	Every 2 years (bond filing must be renewed with DLI)
Continuing education	No state-mandated CE for the mechanical contractor bond filing. Local city requirements for competency card renewal vary; confirm with the applicable city authority.
Bond required	$25,000 mechanical contractor surety bond filed with DLI; bond written by a surety company licensed to do business in Minnesota; must be properly signed and notarized on DLI-approved form
Liability insurance	Not publicly specified as a minimum amount for the state mechanical contractor bond filing by DLI; proof of public liability insurance is commonly required and strongly recommended. DLI pages for the mechanical contractor bond do not state a specific minimum — confirm current requirements with DLI.
Property damage	—
Workers' comp	Required under Minnesota law if employees are on staff; compliance required
Background check	Not required for the state mechanical contractor bond filing per DLI published pages
Credit requirement	None
Reciprocity	Not applicable — Minnesota does not issue a state HVAC contractor license; bond filing is required of all contractors regardless of other state credentials
Processing time	Bond can be filed online via DLI or by mail with $100 check; processing time not publicly disclosed

Exams

EPA Section 608 Certification Exam	Provider: EPA-approved testing providers (nationwide) · Passing: Not publicly disclosed by EPA (varies by Type I, II, III, or Universal) · Fee: Approximately $20–$150 depending on exam type and provider
Local HVAC Competency Exam	Provider: City authority (e.g., Minneapolis Construction Code Services, St. Paul Dept. of Safety and Inspections) · Passing: Not publicly disclosed by DLI — set by local authority · Fee: Not publicly disclosed by DLI — set by local authority

Preparing for the HVAC exam? State-specific contractor exam-prep courses help you pass the first time. Start exam prep →

Local / municipal notes

Minnesota has no state-issued HVAC contractor license. The state only requires a $25,000 bond filing with DLI (MN Stat. §326B.197). Individual HVAC workers must obtain city-issued competency cards in cities that require them — Minneapolis (HVAC Class A requires state $25,000 bond; Class B requires $10,000 city bond) and St. Paul issue these independently. EPA Section 608 Certification is federally required for any technician handling refrigerants. Contractors must also comply with all local building permit and inspection requirements.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Minnesota hvac license cost?

Application: $100 bond filing fee (initial, valid 2 years). License: Included in $100 bond filing fee. Renewal: $100 every 2 years (bond renewal filing).

Do hvacs in Minnesota need a surety bond?

$25,000 mechanical contractor surety bond filed with DLI; bond written by a surety company licensed to do business in Minnesota; must be properly signed and notarized on DLI-approved form

What experience is required for a Minnesota hvac license?

No state-mandated experience requirement for the mechanical contractor bond filing. Individual competency card requirements vary by city; Minneapolis and St. Paul typically require journeyworker and master level HVAC experience.

Is insurance required for hvacs in Minnesota?

Liability: Not publicly specified as a minimum amount for the state mechanical contractor bond filing by DLI; proof of public liability insurance is commonly required and strongly recommended. DLI pages for the mechanical contractor bond do not state a specific minimum — confirm current requirements with DLI. Workers' compensation: Required under Minnesota law if employees are on staff; compliance required

How often must a Minnesota hvac license be renewed?

Every 2 years (bond filing must be renewed with DLI). Continuing education: No state-mandated CE for the mechanical contractor bond filing. Local city requirements for competency card renewal vary; confirm with the applicable city authority.

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-06-22 — always confirm current requirements directly with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) — bond filing; local city authority — individual competency cards before applying. This is not legal advice.