General contractor · State license
How to get a residential contractor license in Minnesota
State law and licensing-board sources · Last reviewed October 11, 2026
In Minnesota, the general contractor license is the residential building contractor license, with a narrower residential remodeler license for work on existing homes. Both come from the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) and are needed when you contract directly with a homeowner (one to four units) for work in more than one skill area. Commercial contractors don't need a state license, but they register with DLI. The state requires no experience: the company's qualifying person passes a 110-question DLI exam. [1][2][3]
New to the trade?
Starting from zero in Minnesota
Minnesota doesn't license construction workers who build homes, so you start by getting hired by a contractor or joining a carpentry apprenticeship. Employees of a licensed contractor don't need their own license. DLI's apprenticeship directory says Minnesota's union carpenter programs start with a letter of intent to hire from a signatory contractor; the contractor license comes later, if you go into business for yourself. [1][7]
High school diploma or GED
Not required by the state for workers, and the contractor exam has no education or experience prerequisites. Programs set their own rules: the Carpenters Training Institute invites applicants older than 17 with a GED (General Educational Development test) or high school diploma, and DLI's apprenticeship office says a diploma or GED is typically required. [1][2][10][11]
Minimum age
No state age rule found for construction workers. The Carpenters Training Institute says applicants should be older than 17, and minimum requirements vary by location. [11]
Register before you start work
No individual registration for employees. Employees of a licensed contractor don't need a contractor license. If you later contract on your own, you need a license for residential work in more than one skill, or registration with DLI for single-skill residential or commercial work. [1][3]
Aptitude test
DLI's apprenticeship directory says the union carpenter programs have no aptitude test or application fee, and lists none for ABC (Associated Builders and Contractors) Minnesota and North Dakota either. [7][9][12]
Getting in
DLI's directory says that for the Twin Cities, Rochester and Northern Minnesota carpenter programs you get a letter of intent to hire from a signatory contractor, fill out training center and union applications, and pay the initiation fee and first three months of dues (about $153, varies). Veterans in Helmets to Hardhats may get direct entry. [7]
Pay while you learn
The Carpenters Training Institute's program is 7,000 hours of on-the-job training and 640 hours of classes, and it lists average first-year earnings of $33,436 to $46,363 plus benefits. [8]
Still in high school?
DLI's recognized pre-apprenticeship programs in construction take participants at 18 or older. While in school, the state's Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) law lets 10th to 12th graders take career and technical education courses at a Minnesota State college for high school and college credit (10th graders need a passing 8th grade reading score). The Minnesota Department of Education lists Trades and Industry among its CTE program areas. DLI's Youth Skills Training program lists advanced manufacturing, agriculture, automotive, health care and information technology Construction isn't on the list. [13][14][15][16]
Where to apply in MinnesotaHow to get an apprenticeshipHelper jobs
Licensing office Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), Construction Codes and Licensing · 651-284-5034 [1]
Minnesota contractor license at a glance
- Who needs a license
- Anyone who contracts directly with an owner of a 1-4 unit home for work in more than one special skill, and owners who build or improve homes to sell [1]
- Experience
- None required by the state to take the exam [2]
- License fees
- $180 base fee plus a Contractor Recovery Fund fee of $320 to $520 based on gross receipts [1]
- Insurance
- Liability insurance of at least $100,000 per occurrence, $300,000 aggregate and $25,000 property damage, plus workers' compensation compliance [1]
- Reciprocity
- None Out-of-state contractors must take the Minnesota exam [6]
On this page
- At a glance
- Starting from zero
- The license pathway
- Who needs a contractor license in Minnesota
- The license and the qualifying person
- The exam
- Fees, insurance and renewal
- If you're licensed in another state
- Getting the experience: carpentry apprenticeships
- Steps to get licensed
- Where to get the hours
- Licensed in another state?
- Questions people ask
The license pathway in Minnesota
-
1
Residential Remodeler
- Yes: qualifying remodeler (QC) exam, 110 questions, 5½ hours, 70% to pass; $50 application fee
- $180 base license fee plus a $320 to $520 Contractor Recovery Fund fee
- Every 2 years: $505 to $705 by gross receipts; qualifying person needs 14 hours CE
Lets the company contract with homeowners for work on existing structures, but not new homes or detached garages. The company's qualifying person must pass the exam; no experience or education is required to test. [1][2][4][5]
-
2
Residential Building Contractor
- Yes: qualifying builder (QB) exam, 110 questions, 5½ hours, 70% to pass; $50 application fee
- $180 base license fee plus a $320 to $520 Contractor Recovery Fund fee
- Every 2 years: $505 to $705 by gross receipts; qualifying person needs 14 hours CE
Everything a remodeler can do, plus new construction. Licensing requirements are the same as for remodelers; only the exam differs. [1][2][4][5]
Who needs a contractor license in Minnesota
DLI requires a residential building contractor or residential remodeler license for any person or company that contracts directly with an owner of residential real estate (one to four units) to provide work in more than one "special skill." Owners who build or improve homes for resale also need one.
The eight special skills are excavation; masonry and concrete; carpentry; interior finishing; exterior finishing; drywall and plaster; roofing; and general installation specialties. Contractors who offer only one special skill don't need a state license, except roofers, who need a residential roofer license. Since July 1, 2023, companies that contract with homeowners to install solar panels also need a residential contractor or remodeler license.
No license is needed for subcontractors who don't contract with the homeowner, commercial contractors, employees of a licensed contractor, work on buildings with more than four units, or owners working on their own property. Subcontractors and commercial contractors must register through DLI's Construction Contractor Registration program instead. Contractors with less than $15,000 a year in gross residential receipts can get a Certificate of Exemption. [1][3]
The license and the qualifying person
Minnesota licenses the business, not the individual. Each company names a qualifying person, who must be an owner, officer, partner, chief manager or managing employee and must pass the DLI exam.
After passing, the qualifying person gets a "Q number" (QB for builder, QC for remodeler, QR for roofer). It's a registration that lasts two years and renews when the person completes 14 hours of approved continuing education, including at least one hour on the Energy Code and one on business management.
A residential remodeler works only on existing structures. A residential building contractor can do everything a remodeler can plus new construction. The requirements are the same; only the exams differ. [1][2]
The exam
There are no experience or education prerequisites for the residential building contractor, remodeler or roofer exams. You apply online or by mail with a $50 application fee.
The exam has 110 multiple-choice questions, and you have 5½ hours. You need 70% to pass. About 60% of the questions cover the Minnesota Residential Building Code and the rest cover the laws and rules for the industry. DLI provides two reference books: the 2020 Minnesota State Residential Code and DLI's reference manual. The builder exam is also available in Spanish.
Exams are given in St. Paul and at sites around the state. If you don't pass, you must wait 30 days and submit a new application and fee. [2][4]
Fees, insurance and renewal
The base license fee is $180, plus a Contractor Recovery Fund fee of $320 (gross annual receipts under $1 million), $420 ($1 million to $5 million) or $520 (over $5 million).
You need liability insurance of at least $100,000 per occurrence, $300,000 aggregate and $25,000 property damage, proof of workers' compensation compliance, and an active filing with the Minnesota Secretary of State.
Licenses run on a two-year cycle ending March 31. Renewal costs $505, $605 or $705 depending on gross receipts, with a $90 late fee. [1][5]
If you're licensed in another state
DLI's exam guide says Minnesota has no reciprocal agreements with other states for residential building contractor, remodeler, roofer or manufactured home installer licenses. If you hold a license elsewhere, you still apply in Minnesota and take the exam. See our reciprocity guide. [6]
Getting the experience: carpentry apprenticeships
The state doesn't require experience for the license, but most contractors learn the work on job sites first. DLI's carpenter apprenticeship directory lists the Twin Cities, Rochester and Northern Minnesota programs of the Carpenters Training Institute. DLI says you need a letter of intent to hire from a signatory contractor, and there is no application fee or aptitude test.
The Carpenters Training Institute's carpenter program is 7,000 hours of on-the-job training and 640 hours of classroom learning. ABC Minnesota and North Dakota runs an open-shop program that includes carpentry. More: carpenter apprenticeship and how to get an apprenticeship. [7][8][9]
Steps to get licensed in Minnesota
Learn the work as an employee or apprentice
Get hired by a contractor or join a carpentry apprenticeship. Employees of a licensed contractor don't need a license. See our carpenter apprenticeship guide. [1][7]
Decide which license your business needs
A residential building contractor license covers new homes and remodeling; a remodeler license covers existing structures only. Single-skill and commercial contractors register instead. [1][3]
Have your qualifying person pass the DLI exam
Apply online or by mail with the $50 application fee and take the 110-question exam (70% to pass). DLI provides the 2020 Minnesota State Residential Code and a reference manual during the exam. [2][4]
Set up insurance and your business filing
Get liability insurance (at least $100,000 per occurrence, $300,000 aggregate, $25,000 property damage), workers' compensation compliance, and an active Minnesota Secretary of State business filing. [1]
Apply for the license in iMS
Submit your application with the qualifying person's Q number and pay the $180 base fee plus the Contractor Recovery Fund fee. [1]
Renew every two years
Licenses run on a two-year cycle ending March 31. The qualifying person keeps the Q registration active with 14 hours of approved continuing education. [5]
Where to get the hours
Programs that train general contractors in or for Minnesota, from their own official pages. Listed by type, not ranked.
-
Union
Union carpenter apprenticeships at Twin Cities, Rochester and Northern Minnesota (Hermantown) campuses: 7,000 hours of on-the-job training and 640 hours of classroom learning. [7][8]
-
Open shop
Associated Builders and Contractors of Minnesota and North Dakota
A registered open-shop program that includes carpentry; employers hire and train apprentices, and the Construction Education Foundation of MN administers the program. [9]
-
State program
Apprenticeship Minnesota (DLI)
The state apprenticeship office lists carpenter programs and how each one hires, and can refer you to openings; call 651-284-5090. [7][10]
Licensed in another state?
We didn't find a reciprocity agreement published by the licensing office for this license. Ask the office how it treats an out-of-state license or experience before you apply.
Also listed by: Utah (their own boards list Minnesota as a partner; check both sides before you move).
Questions people ask
Do I need a general contractor license in Minnesota?
For residential work, yes, if you contract directly with a homeowner (one to four units) for more than one special skill: you need a residential building contractor or remodeler license from DLI. Commercial contractors don't need a state license but must register with DLI. [1][3]
Does Minnesota require experience for a contractor license?
No. There are no experience or education prerequisites for the exam. The company's qualifying person must pass a 110-question exam with 70% or better. [2]
How much does a Minnesota residential contractor license cost?
The exam application is $50. The license is $180 plus a Contractor Recovery Fund fee of $320 to $520, based on gross receipts. Renewal every two years costs $505 to $705. [1][4][5]
Does Minnesota accept contractor licenses from other states?
No. DLI has no reciprocal agreements for residential contractor licenses, so you must take the Minnesota exam. [6]
Sources (16)
- Residential contractor licensing, Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. Accessed October 11, 2026.
- Contractor, roofer and remodeler exams, Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. Accessed October 11, 2026.
- Construction contractor registration, Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. Accessed October 11, 2026.
- Residential contractor exam application for qualifying person, Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. Accessed October 11, 2026.
- Contractor, remodeler license renewals, Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. Accessed October 11, 2026.
- Residential Building Contractor, Residential Remodeler, Residential Roofer & Manufactured Home Installer License Examination Guide (06/2020), Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. Accessed October 11, 2026.
- Carpenter apprenticeships (updated April 2, 2026), Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (Apprenticeship Minnesota). Accessed October 11, 2026.
- Carpenter apprenticeship program, Carpenters Training Institute. Accessed October 11, 2026.
- Apprentice Resources, Associated Builders and Contractors of Minnesota and North Dakota. Accessed October 11, 2026.
- Become an apprentice, Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (Apprenticeship Minnesota). Accessed October 11, 2026.
- Frequently Asked Questions, Carpenters Training Institute. Accessed October 11, 2026.
- Sheet metal worker apprenticeships (updated Oct. 25, 2024), Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (Apprenticeship Minnesota). Accessed October 11, 2026.
- Recognized Apprenticeship Preparation Programs, Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (Apprenticeship Minnesota). Accessed October 11, 2026.
- Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.09, Postsecondary Enrollment Options Act, Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes. Accessed October 11, 2026.
- Career Technical Education, Minnesota Department of Education. Accessed October 11, 2026.
- Youth Skills Training Program, Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. Accessed October 11, 2026.