Minnesota Roofer License Requirements

Official classification: Residential Roofer License · Issued by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI).

🏠 RooferMN ✔ Verified 2026-06-22

In Minnesota, roofers must hold the Residential Roofer License, issued by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), and a $15,000 surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed roofer in Minnesota

Follow these steps to earn your Residential Roofer License. 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. No state-mandated minimum experience required to take the qualifying roofer exam. No prerequisite experience or educational requirements are published by DLI.
Pass the Qualifying Roofer (QR) Exam exam. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Secure your surety bond. Minnesota requires $15,000 surety bond and power of attorney required; front of bond must be signed and sealed by the surety company; notarized acknowledgments required; surety must be licensed in Minnesota.
Line up insurance. You'll need liability insurance (Minimum $300,000 per occurrence; must include at least $10,000 in property damage coverage; DLI must be listed as certificate holder), and workers' compensation coverage.
Clear the background check. Required: Criminal Background Check from Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) for applicant and all owners, partners, and officers
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) — $180 (base application/license fee; flat rate regardless of timing in the license period) application fee, plus a $180 base + $75 Contractor Recovery Fund surcharge (flat rate for roofers, not tiered by gross receipts unlike general contractor); total initial cost $255 license fee. Processing time: Not publicly disclosed by DLI; apply online via iMS portal at dli.mn.gov.
Keep the license active. Renew every 1 year (annual renewal; all residential roofer licenses expire March 31), completing 14 hours of DLI-approved CE per qualifying person (Q-registration) renewal period; minimum 1 hour on Minnesota Energy Code; minimum 1 hour on business management strategies. Specific CE content for roofers aligns with residential building code and trade-related statutes.

License types

Residential Roofer (RR) — Authorizes contracting with homeowners for roofing work (coverings, sheathing, weatherproofing) on residential property. Explicitly excludes gutters, downspouts, soffit, and fascia installation.

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	No state-mandated minimum experience required to take the qualifying roofer exam. No prerequisite experience or educational requirements are published by DLI.
Application fee	$180 (base application/license fee; flat rate regardless of timing in the license period)
License fee	$180 base + $75 Contractor Recovery Fund surcharge (flat rate for roofers, not tiered by gross receipts unlike general contractor); total initial cost $255
Renewal fee	$255 annually (license expires March 31 each year; must be renewed by March 31)
Renewal period	Every 1 year (annual renewal; all residential roofer licenses expire March 31)
Continuing education	14 hours of DLI-approved CE per qualifying person (Q-registration) renewal period; minimum 1 hour on Minnesota Energy Code; minimum 1 hour on business management strategies. Specific CE content for roofers aligns with residential building code and trade-related statutes.
Bond required	$15,000 surety bond and power of attorney required; front of bond must be signed and sealed by the surety company; notarized acknowledgments required; surety must be licensed in Minnesota
Liability insurance	Minimum $300,000 per occurrence; must include at least $10,000 in property damage coverage; DLI must be listed as certificate holder
Property damage	Minimum $10,000 (included within liability policy)
Workers' comp	Required unless exempt (sole owner with no employees other than spouse, parent, or child); unemployment insurance compliance also required
Background check	Required: Criminal Background Check from Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) for applicant and all owners, partners, and officers
Credit requirement	None
Reciprocity	None — Minnesota does not recognize other states' roofing licenses for reciprocal licensure. All qualifying persons must pass the Minnesota QR exam.
Processing time	Not publicly disclosed by DLI; apply online via iMS portal at dli.mn.gov

Exams

Qualifying Roofer (QR) Exam	Provider: Minnesota DLI (St. Paul office and outstate locations) · Passing: 70% (110 multiple-choice questions; 5.5 hours; open book with DLI-provided Minnesota Residential Code 2020 edition) · Fee: $50 (cross-referenced; not shown on the DLI roofer exam page — verify with DLI)

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

Local / municipal notes

Storm repair contracts must include specific language regarding homeowner insurance claim denials (MN statute requirement). Roofers cannot install gutters, downspouts, soffit, or fascia under the RR license; a separate BC or CR license is required for those items. The Contractor Recovery Fund surcharge for roofers is $75 (flat, not tiered). Roofer license renewal is annual (unlike the 2-year cycle for BC/CR licenses).

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Minnesota roofer license cost?

Application: $180 (base application/license fee; flat rate regardless of timing in the license period). License: $180 base + $75 Contractor Recovery Fund surcharge (flat rate for roofers, not tiered by gross receipts unlike general contractor); total initial cost $255. Renewal: $255 annually (license expires March 31 each year; must be renewed by March 31).

Do roofers in Minnesota need a surety bond?

$15,000 surety bond and power of attorney required; front of bond must be signed and sealed by the surety company; notarized acknowledgments required; surety must be licensed in Minnesota

What experience is required for a Minnesota roofer license?

No state-mandated minimum experience required to take the qualifying roofer exam. No prerequisite experience or educational requirements are published by DLI.

Is insurance required for roofers in Minnesota?

Liability: Minimum $300,000 per occurrence; must include at least $10,000 in property damage coverage; DLI must be listed as certificate holder Workers' compensation: Required unless exempt (sole owner with no employees other than spouse, parent, or child); unemployment insurance compliance also required

How often must a Minnesota roofer license be renewed?

Every 1 year (annual renewal; all residential roofer licenses expire March 31). Continuing education: 14 hours of DLI-approved CE per qualifying person (Q-registration) renewal period; minimum 1 hour on Minnesota Energy Code; minimum 1 hour on business management strategies. Specific CE content for roofers aligns with residential building code and trade-related statutes.

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.