United States · Licensing examWho needs a Minnesota residential contractor license?
You need one if you contract directly with the owner of a home of one to four units for work in more than one special skill, or if you build or improve homes to sell. Roofing-only contractors need the roofer license, or one of the other two.
Some people are exempt from the license: subcontractors who don't contract with the homeowner, commercial contractors, employees of a licensed contractor, owners working on their own property, and architects and engineers working within their practice. Subcontractors and commercial contractors still register with DLI, through its Construction Contractor Registration Program for commercial work. A builder with gross annual receipts under $15,000 may hold a Certificate of Exemption instead. Cities and counties can require their own license for exemption holders, specialty contractors and commercial work.
Builder, remodeler or roofer: which MN contractor license exam?
| License | Exam | Lets you |
|---|---|---|
| Residential building contractor | Qualifying builder (QB) | Build new homes and remodel |
| Residential remodeler | Qualifying remodeler (QC) | Work on existing homes only, not new homes or detached garages |
| Residential roofer | Qualifying roofer (QR) | Do roofing only |
The builder and remodeler licenses have the same requirements but different exams. The builder exam comes in English and Spanish: ask for the Spanish one by email at DLI.Exam@state.mn.us.
Taking the exam
- Apply online through DLI's iMS licensing system, or on the paper exam application.
- DLI gives the exams at its St. Paul office and at sites around the rest of the state. Dates are on its license exam schedule.
- If you don't pass, wait 30 days, then send a new application and fee to try again.
- After you're licensed, the qualifying person needs 14 hours of approved continuing education every two years for the company to renew.
Minnesota license fees
On top of the $180 license fee, builders and remodelers pay into the Contractor Recovery Fund, by gross annual receipts. Roofers pay the $180 fee and file a surety bond, listed on the bond page.
| Gross receipts | Recovery Fund fee |
|---|---|
| Under $1 million | $320 |
| $1 to 5 million | $420 |
| Over $5 million | $520 |
Sources: Minnesota DLI and 3 more. Checked October 2026.
- Minnesota DLI: Contractor, roofer and remodeler exams ↗
- Minnesota DLI: Residential contractor licensing ↗
- Minnesota DLI: Residential contractor FAQs ↗
- Minnesota DLI: Roofer license ↗
Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.
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