Minnesota Plumber License Requirements

Official classification: Plumbing Contractor License (with Master Plumber as Responsible Licensed Individual) · Issued by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI).

🔧 PlumberMN ✔ Verified 2026-06-22

In Minnesota, plumbers must hold the Plumbing Contractor License (with Master Plumber as Responsible Licensed Individual), issued by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), 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 plumber in Minnesota

Follow these steps to earn your Plumbing Contractor License (with Master Plumber as Responsible Licensed Individual). Every figure is verified against the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI); full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. Plumbing contractor license: Responsible Licensed Individual must hold an active Master Plumber license. Master Plumber (individual): at least 1 year of practical experience as a licensed journeyworker plumber; OR valid master plumber license from another state with equivalent requirements; OR restricted master plumber license plus 5 years as plumbing contractor in MN. Journeyworker Plumber (individual): 4 years of recorded practical experience as a DLI-registered unlicensed plumber (minimum 2,000 hrs water distribution, 2,000 hrs drain/waste/vent, 1,000 hrs fixture installation); OR completion of a DLI-registered apprenticeship program; OR valid plumber's license from another state requiring 4+ years of experience and an exam.
Pass the Journeyworker Plumber Exam and Master Plumber Exam exams. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Secure your surety bond. Minnesota requires $25,000 surety bond written by a corporate surety licensed to do business in Minnesota; must be on DLI-approved form.
Line up insurance. You'll need liability insurance (Minimum $50,000 per person, $100,000 per occurrence; must cover premises, operations and products, and completed operations; DLI must be listed as certificate holder), and workers' compensation coverage.
Clear the background check. Not explicitly required by DLI for the plumbing contractor business license per published DLI pages (confirm directly with DLI).
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) — $188 (initial application and license fee combined) application fee, plus a Included in $188 fee license fee. Processing time: Not publicly disclosed by DLI; apply online via iMS portal at dli.mn.gov.
Keep the license active. Renew every 2 years (plumbing contractor license expires December 31 of odd-numbered years; individual plumber licenses expire December 31 of odd-numbered years), completing Master and journeyworker plumbers (individual licenses): 16 hours of DLI-approved CE per 2-year license period — minimum 8 hours on Minnesota State Plumbing Code; remaining hours may cover plumbing code, technical topics, Minnesota State Building Code, or governing statutes. All 16 hours may focus on State Plumbing Code. CE sponsors report completions directly to DLI; licensees do not submit certificates separately.

License types

Plumbing Contractor License — Business license for companies contracting to perform plumbing work in communities with population over 5,000. Must designate a licensed master plumber as the Responsible Licensed Individual.
Restricted Plumbing Contractor License — Business license limited to plumbing work in communities with population under 5,000.
Master Plumber (individual) — Individual license; qualifies as RLI for contractor; requires 1 year as licensed journeyworker (or equivalent).
Journeyworker Plumber (individual) — Individual license to perform plumbing work under a licensed contractor; requires 4 years of qualifying registered experience.

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	Plumbing contractor license: Responsible Licensed Individual must hold an active Master Plumber license. Master Plumber (individual): at least 1 year of practical experience as a licensed journeyworker plumber; OR valid master plumber license from another state with equivalent requirements; OR restricted master plumber license plus 5 years as plumbing contractor in MN. Journeyworker Plumber (individual): 4 years of recorded practical experience as a DLI-registered unlicensed plumber (minimum 2,000 hrs water distribution, 2,000 hrs drain/waste/vent, 1,000 hrs fixture installation); OR completion of a DLI-registered apprenticeship program; OR valid plumber's license from another state requiring 4+ years of experience and an exam.
Application fee	$188 (initial application and license fee combined)
License fee	Included in $188 fee
Renewal fee	$188 every two years (plumbing contractor licenses expire December 31 of odd-numbered years)
Renewal period	Every 2 years (plumbing contractor license expires December 31 of odd-numbered years; individual plumber licenses expire December 31 of odd-numbered years)
Continuing education	Master and journeyworker plumbers (individual licenses): 16 hours of DLI-approved CE per 2-year license period — minimum 8 hours on Minnesota State Plumbing Code; remaining hours may cover plumbing code, technical topics, Minnesota State Building Code, or governing statutes. All 16 hours may focus on State Plumbing Code. CE sponsors report completions directly to DLI; licensees do not submit certificates separately.
Bond required	$25,000 surety bond written by a corporate surety licensed to do business in Minnesota; must be on DLI-approved form
Liability insurance	Minimum $50,000 per person, $100,000 per occurrence; must cover premises, operations and products, and completed operations; DLI must be listed as certificate holder
Property damage	Minimum $10,000 (included within liability policy)
Workers' comp	Required; compliance per Minnesota workers' compensation law
Background check	Not explicitly required by DLI for the plumbing contractor business license per published DLI pages (confirm directly with DLI).
Credit requirement	None
Reciprocity	Journeyworker Plumber and Master Plumber (individual licenses): North Dakota, South Dakota — exam waived if licensed by exam in those states; Note: Reciprocity applies to individual plumber licenses; the plumbing contractor business license has no published reciprocity agreements
Processing time	Not publicly disclosed by DLI; apply online via iMS portal at dli.mn.gov

Exams

Journeyworker Plumber Exam	Provider: Minnesota DLI · Passing: Not publicly disclosed by DLI · Fee: $50
Master Plumber Exam	Provider: Minnesota DLI · Passing: Not publicly disclosed by DLI · Fee: $50; 30-day waiting period between retakes

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

Local / municipal notes

Employees performing plumbing work must individually hold a journeyworker or master plumber license, be registered as an unlicensed plumber, or be enrolled in a DLI-registered apprenticeship program. Exam duration is 5.5 hours. Pipe layer and water conditioning contractor are separate license categories also issued by DLI.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Minnesota plumber license cost?

Application: $188 (initial application and license fee combined). License: Included in $188 fee. Renewal: $188 every two years (plumbing contractor licenses expire December 31 of odd-numbered years).

Do plumbers in Minnesota need a surety bond?

$25,000 surety bond written by a corporate surety licensed to do business in Minnesota; must be on DLI-approved form

What experience is required for a Minnesota plumber license?

Plumbing contractor license: Responsible Licensed Individual must hold an active Master Plumber license. Master Plumber (individual): at least 1 year of practical experience as a licensed journeyworker plumber; OR valid master plumber license from another state with equivalent requirements; OR restricted master plumber license plus 5 years as plumbing contractor in MN. Journeyworker Plumber (individual): 4 years of recorded practical experience as a DLI-registered unlicensed plumber (minimum 2,000 hrs water distribution, 2,000 hrs drain/waste/vent, 1,000 hrs fixture installation); OR completion of a DLI-registered apprenticeship program; OR valid plumber's license from another state requiring 4+ years of experience and an exam.

Is insurance required for plumbers in Minnesota?

Liability: Minimum $50,000 per person, $100,000 per occurrence; must cover premises, operations and products, and completed operations; DLI must be listed as certificate holder Workers' compensation: Required; compliance per Minnesota workers' compensation law

How often must a Minnesota plumber license be renewed?

Every 2 years (plumbing contractor license expires December 31 of odd-numbered years; individual plumber licenses expire December 31 of odd-numbered years). Continuing education: Master and journeyworker plumbers (individual licenses): 16 hours of DLI-approved CE per 2-year license period — minimum 8 hours on Minnesota State Plumbing Code; remaining hours may cover plumbing code, technical topics, Minnesota State Building Code, or governing statutes. All 16 hours may focus on State Plumbing Code. CE sponsors report completions directly to DLI; licensees do not submit certificates separately.

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) before applying. This is not legal advice.