Minnesota general contractor license & renewal
The requirements, the timing and the official sources. Everything we’ve verified, in one place.
License fee
$180.00
Required hours
—
Not verified yet
Exam
Residential building contractor: the qualifying person takes the qualifying builder (QB) exam; residential remodeler: the qualifying remodeler (QC) exam.
Renewal
Residential building contractor and remodeler business licenses are on a two-year cycle ending on March 31, with some expiring in odd-numbered years and others in even-numbered years.
Before you begin
Agency guidance
A license is required when contracting directly with the owner of one-to-four-unit residential real estate for work in more than one special skill, subject to listed exemptions.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Any individual or company that contracts directly with an owner of residential real estate (one to four units) to provide work in more than one special skill must have a residential building contractor or residential remodeler license.Official source
Agency guidance
The $180 base fee excludes the mandatory Contractor Recovery Fund assessment.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
An additional fee is required for the Contractor Recovery Fund based on your gross annual receipts.Official source
Agency guidance
The qualifying person's Q registration is separate from the business license; its two-year expiration may differ.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Like business licenses, Q registrations are good for two years. Q registrations do not always expire on the same date as the business license for which the individual acts as qualifying person.Official source
Agency guidance
The renewal page links to iMS for renewal.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Access iMS to begin the license renewal processOfficial source
How to get this license
Use the agency’s requirements below to plan your next steps. Missing details stay marked.
Start with the licensing authority
Licensing board
Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry
Official agency page
Check the qualifications
Exam
Residential building contractor: the qualifying person takes the qualifying builder (QB) exam; residential remodeler: the qualifying remodeler (QC) exam.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
If you intend to obtain a residential building contractor (BC) license, your qualifying person must take the qualifying builder (QB) exam. If you intend to obtain a residential remodeler (CR) license, your qualifying person must take the qualifying remodeler (QC) exam.
Official sourceBond
The Contractor Recovery Fund replaces bonding requirements for residential building contractors and remodelers.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
The Contractor Recovery Fund replaces bonding requirements.
Official sourceInsurance
Liability minimums: $100,000 per occurrence, $300,000 aggregate and $25,000 property damage; workers’ compensation compliance is also required.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
The minimum coverage is $100,000 per occurrence, $300,000 aggregate, and $25,000 in property damage coverage. Proof of workers’ compensation insurance must be provided on a DLI-approved form.
Official sourceReview fees and apply
Application fee
Not verified yet
Exam fee
Not verified yet
License fee
$180.00
Apply with the agency
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Visit iMS, the department’s online application and renewal system, to get started
Official source
Reciprocity
Not verified yet
Official sources and verification (15)
Last verified 2026-10-24. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.
Visit iMS, the department’s online application and renewal system, to get startedOfficial source
Verified 2026-10-24
If you intend to obtain a residential building contractor (BC) license, your qualifying person must take the qualifying builder (QB) exam. If you intend to obtain a residential remodeler (CR) license, your qualifying person must take the qualifying remodeler (QC) exam.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
The Contractor Recovery Fund replaces bonding requirements.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
The minimum coverage is $100,000 per occurrence, $300,000 aggregate, and $25,000 in property damage coverage. Proof of workers’ compensation insurance must be provided on a DLI-approved form.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Residential building contractor and remodeler business licenses are on a two-year cycle ending on March 31, with some expiring in odd-numbered years and others in even-numbered years.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Residential building contractor and remodeler business licenses are on a two-year cycle ending on March 31, with some expiring in odd-numbered years and others in even-numbered years.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
To renew your Q registration, complete 14 hours of approved continuing education prior to the expiration date of your Q registration.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Of the 14 hours, one hour must relate to the Minnesota Energy Code and one hour must relate to business management strategies.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Any individual or company that contracts directly with an owner of residential real estate (one to four units) to provide work in more than one special skill must have a residential building contractor or residential remodeler license.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
An additional fee is required for the Contractor Recovery Fund based on your gross annual receipts.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Like business licenses, Q registrations are good for two years. Q registrations do not always expire on the same date as the business license for which the individual acts as qualifying person.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Keep exploring.
Same license in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Last verified 2026-10-24.
Official sources (3)
Not legal or tax advice. Confirm with the official agency before filing.