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Construction Work Regulated?

Who Regulates Construction?

Requirements?

State General Contractor Exams
National Exams
State General Contractor Exams National Exams

Construction Work Regulated?

Residential building and remodeling construction is regulated at the state level.

Persons with annual gross receipts less than $15,000, single-skill specialty contractors (except roofers) and owners working on their properties are exempted from the residential licensing requirements. Any person claiming the $15,000 annual exemption must file for exemption with the Department of Labor and Industry.

Electrical work also requires state licensing. All electrical work requires inspection.

Who Regulates Construction?

Applications and licensing for residential building and remodeling licenses may be obtained from:

Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry Residential Building Contractors
443 Lafayette Road North
St. Paul, MN 55155
(651) 284-5069/Fax (651) 284-5749
https://www.dli.mn.got/ccld.asp

Electrical licensing applications may be obtained from:

Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry Electrical Licensing and Inspection
443 Lafayette Road North
St. Paul, MN 55155
(651) 284-5055/Fax (651) 284-5743
https://www.dli.mn.gov/main.asp

Requirements?

Residential Contractors: Applicants must pass a written examination with a minimum score of 70% ( 110 questions). Contractors must show proof of workers' compensation insurance or exemption there-from. A certificate of insurance with limits of $100,000per occurrence and $10,000 in property damage must be provided. Contractors must complete 14 hours of approved continuing education prior to bi-annual renewal.

Fees are as follows:

Exam Fee / Initial Application Fee / Renewal Fee

$50 / $120+Recovery Fund fee / $125+Recover Fund fee

Residential contractors are required to make a payment of $400 - $600 into the Contractor Recovery Fund (CRF) at initial application and each bi-annual renewal. The fee is based on the licensee's annual gross receipts. The CRF reimburses customers of licensed residential building contractors and remodelers who obtain a civil judgment against their contractor based on the contractor's fraudulent, deceptive, or dishonest practices; failure of performance (including warranty breach); or conversion of funds. The CRF can pay up to $300,000 on behalf of a single licensed contractor, and up to $75,000 to each individual customer. The CRF generally pays out between $1 and 2 million each year.

Electricians:
All electrical work in Minnesota must be performed by an employee of a licensed electrical contractor or registered electrical employer. Each individual employee must be licensed as a journeyman or master electrician, or be registered with DU as an unlicensed electrician. Unlicensed electricians must be supervised at all times by a licensed electrician, and a licensed electrician can supervise no more than two unlicensed individuals. The unlicensed individual and the licensed electrician providing the supervision must be employed by the same contractor or registered employer.

Applicants for Licensure must pass a trade examination with a score of 70%. Experience requirements are 60 months of experience or an electrical engineering degree for masters and 48 months experience for journeyman (36 months with a degree in electrical construction). Licenses are issued for a two-year period and licensed electricians must take 16 hours of continuing education in order to renew. Registered unlicensed electricians renew annually and must take two hours of continuing education each year. Electrical contractors must provide a $25,000 bond and show evidence of liability insurance and a certificate of employment of a master electrician.

Plumbing:
All plumbing work in Minnesota must be performed by an employee of a licensed plumbing contractor or licensed restricted plumbing contractor (for work in municipalities with a population under 5,000 ). Each individual employee must be licensed as a journeyman or master plumber, or be registered with DLI as an unlicensed plumber.

Applicants for licenst.re must pass a trade examination with a score of 70%. Experience requirements are 60 months of experience for masters and 48 months experience for journeyman. Licenses are issued for a two-year period and licensed plumbers must take 16 hours of continuing education in order to renew. Registered unlicensed plumbers renew annually and must take two hot.rs of continuing education each year. Plumbing contractors and restricted plumbing contractors must provide a $25,000 bond and show evidence of liability insurance and a certificate of employment of a master plumber.

RECIPROCAL AGREEMENTS
Minnesota has electrical examination endorsement agreements with Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota for both Journeymen and Master licenses. They also have a Multi-State Reciprocal Agreement with Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Washington and Wyoming, which applies to the Class A Journeyman license. Applicant must have an active li cense in the state in which they initially pass their exam (qualifying state) and that license has to have been in effect for at least one year.