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.