Contractor Licensing Information

Who Governs Licensing?

Construction codes and licensing are now unified in one department through the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.

The Department of Labor and Industry licenses residential building contractors, remodelers, roofers and manufactured home installers. The department requires certain standards of education and professional conduct be maintained to obtain and retain a license.

Licenses are required for all residential building contractors and residential remodelers who contract with a homeowner to construct or improve dwellings by offering more than one special skill. Owners working on their own property must also be licensed if they build or remodel for the sole purpose of speculation or resale.

How To Obtain a Contractor's License

There is a great resource on the requirements of licensing and how to get started at http://www.asisvcs.com/publications/pdf/052400.pdf.

Refer to the Department of Labor and Industry to determine what kind of license you may need, and where to take the course.

While the Department of Labor and Industry does not approve of any specific study materials, there are reference books available. The test will cover business aspects of residential construction along with current building codes. The Contractor's Reference Manual and current code books are available from the Builders Association of Minnesota.

How To Maintain a Contractor's License

The Department of Labor and Industry has specific requirements for renewing a contractor license. Among them are:

• Each contractor must obtain 7 hours of approved continuing education annually, including 1 hour covering energy.
• Each contractor must contribute to the Contractor's Recovery Fund.
• Each contractor must maintain proper General Liability insurance.

For full details, please visit the Department of Labor and Industry.