Construction / Plumber License / Minnesota
- Minnesota
- Plumber License
- Journeyworker, Master & Contractor
- Updated Oct 2026
How to Get Your Minnesota Plumber License
How to qualify for a journeyworker, master or plumbing contractor license in Minnesota, what happened to restricted licenses, and how the open-book exam works.
Last updated October 27, 2026 from Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry requirements
Application fee
$50
Exam fee; license fee due after you pass
Exam time
5.5 hrs
Journeyworker exam, 240 points
Time to get license
~4 yrs
Registered experience or an apprenticeship
Continuing ed
16 hrs
Before each renewal, up to 4 online
Overview
Do you need a Minnesota plumber license?
Yes. Minnesota requires plumbers to be licensed before any bidding or work takes place. Individuals hold journeyworker or master licenses, and businesses need a plumbing contractor license with a master plumber as the responsible individual.
License required when
- You do plumbing work under the direction of a master plumber (journeyworker)
- You plan, supervise or install plumbing, or run a plumbing business (master)
- Your business contracts or offers to do plumbing work (plumbing contractor)
- Work covers interior plumbing and exterior water service, sanitary sewer and storm sewer within property lines
Common exceptions
- DLI-registered unlicensed plumbers gaining experience under licensed supervision
- Our sources don’t list other exemptions, so check with DLI before doing unlicensed work
Penalties for unlicensed work
The Department of Labor and Industry enforces Minnesota’s plumbing licensing laws (Chapter 326B) and can act against unlicensed plumbing work. Check the statute for specific penalties.
Your fast-track Minnesota plumber license checklist
The Minnesota application, one page
- 4 years of registered experience or a DLI apprenticeship
- Signed, notarized application with fees
- DLI approval letter
- Exam scheduled online
- Passing exam score
- Contractors: bond, insurance and a responsible master plumber
Types
Minnesota plumber license types and classifications
Minnesota has two individual plumber licenses and a business license. Restricted licenses still exist for people who got them between 2007 and 2009, but no new ones are issued.
JRY
Most common
Journeyworker Plumber
Works as an employee of, or under the direction of, a master plumber. Statewide, interior and exterior within property lines.
Exam
Journeyworker exam
Limit
Under a master
MST
Run a business
Master Plumber
Plans, supervises and installs plumbing, contracts for plumbing and conducts the business of plumbing statewide.
Exam
Master exam
Limit
Full scope
PC
Business license
Plumbing Contractor
Lets a business contract for plumbing work anywhere in the state, with a licensed master plumber as its responsible individual.
Exam
No exam stated
Limit
Bond and insurance required
RST
No longer issued
Restricted Plumber
Issued 2007–2009 for work in communities under 5,000 people and unincorporated rural areas. Businesses can still get a restricted contractor license.
Exam
Not issued
Limit
Under 5,000 population
Requirements
Minnesota plumber license requirements, class by class
You only need to meet one of the experience routes for your license level. Contractor requirements are about the business, not the individual.
| Requirement | Journeyworker | Master | Contractor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Experience | 4 years as a DLI-registered unlicensed plumber, or a DLI-registered apprenticeship | 1 year as a licensed journeyworker | Licensed master or restricted master as responsible individual |
| Restricted route | Restricted license plus 2 years’ experience while holding it | Restricted master plus 5 years in business as a Minnesota plumbing contractor | Restricted contractor license if owned by or employing a restricted master |
| Out-of-state route | License from a state requiring 4 years’ experience and an exam | Equivalent master license from another state, as DLI determines | Not stated |
| Exam | 240 points, 70% to pass | 300 points | Not stated |
| Bond and insurance | Not required | Not required | Surety bond, general liability, workers’ comp and unemployment certificates |
| Application | Notarized, with fees | Notarized, with fees | Notarized, with fee; Secretary of State registration |
Steps
How to get your Minnesota plumber license, step by step
- Build your experienceBefore you apply
Log 4 years as a DLI-registered unlicensed plumber or complete a DLI-registered apprenticeship. - Submit your applicationBefore the exam
Send a completed, signed and notarized application with fees to the Department of Labor and Industry. - Schedule your examAfter approval
Once DLI sends your approval letter, book your exam online. - Pass the examExam day
The journeyworker exam is worth 240 points over 5 1/2 hours and needs 70%. Codes and a calculator are provided. - Apply for your licenseAfter passing
DLI mails a letter with instructions on how to apply for your license. - Set up a contractor licenseIf you run a business
Register with the Secretary of State, then provide a surety bond, insurance certificates and a master plumber as your responsible individual.
Exam
What to expect on the Minnesota plumber exam
Minnesota’s plumbing exams are open book, and the department supplies the current statutes, codes and a standard desktop calculator. You don’t bring your own books.
Format
Open book, references provided
Questions
240 pts (JRY) / 300 pts (MST)
Passing score
70% (journeyworker)
Exam vendor
Minnesota DLI
Scoring & content
- Journeyworker: 240 points, 5 1/2 hours, 70% to pass
- Master: 300 points
- Topics: plumbing principles, fixtures, water heaters, water supply, sanitary drainage, vents, traps, storm drainage
- Also covers licensing rules (4716.0100) and Chapter 326B
- Statutes, codes and a desktop calculator are provided
Retake policy
- Retake rules aren’t stated in our sources
- Check with DLI before you schedule
- DLI approval is required before you can book
Exam references · Open book
The Minnesota Journeyworker and Master Plumber exams are open book. The department provides the current statutes and codes and a standard desktop calculator for use during the exam, so you don’t bring your own books.
| Book | Edition | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Plumbing Code (Minnesota Rules chapter 4714) | 2020 | Allowed in exam |
| Minnesota Statutes chapter 326B | Not stated | Allowed in exam |
Prep
Best Minnesota plumber exam prep, compared
We haven’t compared prep courses for this exam yet.
Costs
How much does a Minnesota plumber license cost?
| Item | Type | Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Application and exam fee | Fixed | $50 |
| Exam fee | Fixed | Included in the $50 application fee |
| Initial license fee (includes board fee) | Fixed | $48 journeyworker / $88 master / $188 contractor |
| Contractor surety bond | Variable | Varies |
| Liability and workers’ comp (contractor) | Variable | Varies |
| State fees and exams | Journeyworker; excludes bond and insurance | $98 |
Fees from the Minnesota DLI CCLD licensing fee schedule (updated July 1, 2025) and Plumbing license basics page, checked October 2026.
Reciprocity
Does Minnesota accept out-of-state plumber licenses?
Minnesota has reciprocity agreements with two neighboring states. Out-of-state licenses can also count toward Minnesota’s experience routes.
North Dakota — reciprocity agreement
Details of what’s waived aren’t stated in our sources. Contact DLI.
South Dakota — reciprocity agreement
Details of what’s waived aren’t stated in our sources. Contact DLI.
All other states — license may qualify you
A journeyworker license from a state requiring 4 years’ experience and an exam, or an equivalent master license, can meet Minnesota’s eligibility rules.
Local
Do Minnesota cities and counties have their own plumber licensing rules?
Your plumbing license is issued by the state and lets you work statewide. Local permits and inspections still apply where you work.
State handles
- Journeyworker, master and contractor licenses
- Exam approval and scheduling
- Contractor bond and insurance requirements
- Continuing education and renewals
City & county handle
- Plumbing permits
- Inspections
- Local code enforcement
Governance
Who regulates plumbers in Minnesota
Licensing authority
Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, Construction Codes and Licensing Division
651-284-5012
dli.mn.gov/about-department/our-areas-service/construction-codes-and-licensing
Oversight responsibilities
- Issues journeyworker, master and plumbing contractor licenses
- Approves and schedules plumbing exams
- Registers unlicensed plumbers and apprenticeships
- Sets continuing education for renewal
Maintenance
How to renew your Minnesota plumber license and keep it active
Licenses renew every 2 years. Complete 16 hours of continuing education before each renewal, and up to 4 of those hours can be taken online. Renewal is $53 for a journeyworker and $93 for a master.
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
CE hours
16
Renewal fee
$53 journeyworker / $93 master
Late penalty
$20 journeyworker / $40 master
Renewing your license?
See the Minnesota CE guide: hours, deadline, required topics and how to renew.
FAQ
Minnesota plumber license FAQs
How long does it take to become a journeyworker plumber in Minnesota?
About 4 years of recorded experience as a DLI-registered unlicensed plumber, or completion of a DLI-registered apprenticeship.
Is the Minnesota plumbing exam open book?
Yes. The department provides the current statutes, codes and a desktop calculator, so you don’t bring your own books.
What score do I need to pass?
70% on the journeyworker exam, which is worth 240 points over 5 1/2 hours.
How do I become a master plumber in Minnesota?
Get at least 1 year of experience as a licensed journeyworker, then apply and pass the 300-point master exam.
Can I still get a restricted plumbing license?
No. Restricted individual licenses were only issued from 2007 to 2009. Businesses can still get a restricted contractor license with a restricted master plumber.
Does Minnesota have plumbing reciprocity?
Yes, with North Dakota and South Dakota. Licenses from other states can also count toward eligibility.
How much continuing education do Minnesota plumbers need?
16 hours before each renewal, with up to 4 hours online.
Sources
Official sources for the Minnesota plumber license
- Minnesota DLI, Construction Codes and Licensing Division
- Minnesota DLI, exam scheduling
- Minnesota Plumbing Code, Chapter 4714
- Minnesota Statutes Chapter 326B
- Minnesota Rules 4716.0100, plumber licensing and registration
- Minnesota DLI, CCLD licensing fee schedule (PDF)
- Minnesota DLI, Plumbing license basics
Last updated October 27, 2026. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Exam Insiders is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.