Minnesota General Contractor License Renewal: Deadlines, Fees and CE

Minnesota has 3 General contractor license classes. Most renew every 2 years. The renewal fee is about $505. Fees change, so check the official site for the exact amount. Continuing education is 14 hours. The details for each class are below.

Full rule details

Verified dataLast checked Oct 17, 2026, next review due July 2027

Informational: verify with the issuing board.

Remind me before it expires How reminders work

Construction Contractor Registration (commercial / non-licensed contractors)

Contractor Registration (IR) · State registration · Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry - Construction Codes and Licensing Division (CCLD) (Board of Electricity, Plumbing Board)

Remind me before this expires

Renew on the official site 651-284-5034

Renewal cycle: Every 2 years
Continuing education: Not required
Deadline rule: Registrations renew every two years by the end of December in odd-numbered years; renewal window opens 60 days before Dec 31.

Show fees, grace period, bond and insurance

Grace period: Not published, check with the board

Fees, approximate

Renewal fee: Check the official site for the fee.
Late fee: Check the official site for the fee.

Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Why approximate?

Boards change fees often and some charge extra processing fees. We show a recent amount so you can plan.

Bond: Not required
Insurance: Not required
Reciprocity: Not applicable.

Notes

Minnesota does not license commercial general contractors at the state level; anyone providing building construction or improvement services (commercial or residential) must register with DLI (Minn. Stat. 326B.701) unless they hold a DLI license under chapter 326B or 299M or are otherwise exempt. Contractors doing work that needs a license (boiler, electrical, elevator, high-pressure piping, plumbing, residential building) must get that license instead. DLI does not publish a registration fee, late fee or reinstatement rule on its fee schedule or registration pages. Renewal is every two years by December 31 of odd-numbered years; iMS sends a reminder 60 days before expiration. Contact 651-284-5074, [email protected]. Local jurisdictions may require local licenses.

MediumLast checked Oct 17, 2026

Sources (5)

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Residential Building Contractor

BC · State license · Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry - Construction Codes and Licensing Division (CCLD) (Board of Electricity, Plumbing Board)

Remind me before this expires

Renew on the official site 651-284-5034

Renewal cycle: Every 2 years
Continuing education: 14 hours
Show CE rules
Qualifying person (QP) must complete 14 hours DLI-approved CE per two-year period (at least 1 hour Energy Code and 1 hour business management). Q registration (QB/QC) renews automatically when QP completes the 14 hours; license cannot be renewed unless QP registration is active. If Q registration inactive over 2 years, QP must retake exam. Sponsors report completion to DLI.
Deadline rule: Two-year license ending March 31; some licenses expire in odd-numbered years and others in even-numbered years. Complete renewal must be received before expiration.

Show fees, grace period, bond and insurance

Grace period: None - DLI must receive a complete renewal application on or before the expiration date (Minn. Stat. 326B.094 subd. 3); license may expire before the renewal is processed.

Fees, approximate

Renewal fee: About $505
Late fee: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
About $90 late fee when completed renewal not received by expiration date. Renewal fee depends on gross annual receipts: under about $1 million = about $505; about $1M-$5M = about $605; over about $5 million = about $705 (each plus about $90 if late: about $595/about $695/about $795).
Reinstatement: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
Per Minn. Stat. 326B.094 subd. 2 and 326B.092 subd. 4: a license may be renewed up to 2 years after expiration by paying all renewal fees for the expired period, the late fee, and the current renewal fee; while expired the licensee cannot perform licensed activity. More than 2 years after expiration: renewal fee is returned and a new license (including exam) is required.

Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Why approximate?

Boards change fees often and some charge extra processing fees. We show a recent amount so you can plan.

Bond: Not required
Insurance: Statute 326B.86 subd. 2: commercial general liability (premises/operations and products/completed operations) of at least $100,000 per occurrence, $300,000 aggregate bodily injury and $25,000 property damage, or a single limit of $300,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate; written by a Minnesota-licensed insurer; DLI listed as certificate holder. Workers' compensation compliance form also required. Contractor Recovery Fund fee (varies by gross annual receipts) is included in renewal fee and replaces bonding; after a Recovery Fund payout the license is suspended until repaid (twice the amount plus interest) and a surety bond of at least $40,000 is posted.
Reciprocity: No reciprocity located for residential contractor licenses.

Notes

Renewal fee shown is the lowest tier (under $1M gross receipts) = $180 license + $5 CE + $320 Recovery Fund fee. Active Secretary of State filing, current liability insurance and workers' comp compliance, and active QP registration required. After expiration municipalities cannot issue building permits to the contractor. BC allows new construction plus all CR work; Only residential (and combination) work is licensed; electrical, plumbing and mechanical work requires separate trade licensing. Specialty contractors offering only one special skill and those under $15,000 annual receipts (certificate of exemption, $10) are exempt.

HighLast checked Oct 17, 2026

Sources (8)

Residential Remodeler

CR · State license · Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry - Construction Codes and Licensing Division (CCLD) (Board of Electricity, Plumbing Board)

Remind me before this expires

Renew on the official site 651-284-5034

Renewal cycle: Every 2 years
Continuing education: 14 hours
Show CE rules
Qualifying person (QP) must complete 14 hours DLI-approved CE per two-year period (at least 1 hour Energy Code and 1 hour business management). Q registration (QB/QC) renews automatically when QP completes the 14 hours; license cannot be renewed unless QP registration is active. If Q registration inactive over 2 years, QP must retake exam. Sponsors report completion to DLI.
Deadline rule: Two-year license ending March 31; some licenses expire in odd-numbered years and others in even-numbered years. Complete renewal must be received before expiration.

Show fees, grace period, bond and insurance

Grace period: None - DLI must receive a complete renewal application on or before the expiration date (Minn. Stat. 326B.094 subd. 3); license may expire before the renewal is processed.

Fees, approximate

Renewal fee: About $505
Late fee: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
About $90 late fee when completed renewal not received by expiration date. Renewal fee depends on gross annual receipts: under about $1 million = about $505; about $1M-$5M = about $605; over about $5 million = about $705 (each plus about $90 if late: about $595/about $695/about $795).
Reinstatement: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
Per Minn. Stat. 326B.094 subd. 2 and 326B.092 subd. 4: a license may be renewed up to 2 years after expiration by paying all renewal fees for the expired period, the late fee, and the current renewal fee; while expired the licensee cannot perform licensed activity. More than 2 years after expiration: renewal fee is returned and a new license (including exam) is required.

Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Why approximate?

Boards change fees often and some charge extra processing fees. We show a recent amount so you can plan.

Bond: Not required
Insurance: Statute 326B.86 subd. 2: commercial general liability (premises/operations and products/completed operations) of at least $100,000 per occurrence, $300,000 aggregate bodily injury and $25,000 property damage, or a single limit of $300,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate; written by a Minnesota-licensed insurer; DLI listed as certificate holder. Workers' compensation compliance form also required. Contractor Recovery Fund fee (varies by gross annual receipts) is included in renewal fee and replaces bonding; after a Recovery Fund payout the license is suspended until repaid (twice the amount plus interest) and a surety bond of at least $40,000 is posted.
Reciprocity: No reciprocity located for residential contractor licenses.

Notes

Renewal fee shown is the lowest tier (under $1M gross receipts) = $180 license + $5 CE + $320 Recovery Fund fee. Active Secretary of State filing, current liability insurance and workers' comp compliance, and active QP registration required. After expiration municipalities cannot issue building permits to the contractor. CR limited to work on existing structures; Only residential (and combination) work is licensed; electrical, plumbing and mechanical work requires separate trade licensing. Specialty contractors offering only one special skill and those under $15,000 annual receipts (certificate of exemption, $10) are exempt.

HighLast checked Oct 17, 2026

Sources (8)

The hours, required topics, approved providers and reporting rules for each license are on the Minnesota General contractor continuing education page.

How to renew

1Check your Construction Contractor Registration (commercial / non-licensed contractors) deadline: Registrations renew every two years by the end of December in odd-numbered years; renewal window opens 60 days before Dec 31.
2Renew online at https://ims.dli.mn.gov/
3Check your Residential Building Contractor deadline: Two-year license ending March 31; some licenses expire in odd-numbered years and others in even-numbered years. Complete renewal must be received before expiration.
4Complete 14 continuing education hours before renewing. Qualifying person (QP) must complete 14 hours DLI-approved CE per two-year period (at least 1 hour Energy Code and 1 hour business management). Q registration (QB/QC) renews automatically when QP completes the 14 hours; license cannot be renewed unless QP registration is active. If Q registration inactive over 2 years, QP must retake exam. Sponsors report completion to DLI.
5Confirm your insurance meet the board requirements and are not expiring.
6Renew online at https://www.dli.mn.gov/business/residential-contractors/contractor-remodeler-license-renewals
7Pay the renewal fee on the official site. Expect about $505, but fees change.
8If you miss the deadline: About $90 late fee when completed renewal not received by expiration date. Renewal fee depends on gross annual receipts: under about $1 million = about $505; about $1M-$5M = about $605; over about $5 million = about $705 (each plus about $90 if late: about $595/about $695/about $795).
9Check your Residential Remodeler deadline: Two-year license ending March 31; some licenses expire in odd-numbered years and others in even-numbered years. Complete renewal must be received before expiration.

Minnesota General contractor renewal questions

Answers come from the records above. Informational: verify with the issuing board.

When does a Minnesota general contractor license expire?

Construction Contractor Registration (commercial / non-licensed contractors): renews every 2 years. Registrations renew every two years by the end of December in odd-numbered years; renewal window opens 60 days before Dec 31. Residential Building Contractor: renews every 2 years. Two-year license ending March 31; some licenses expire in odd-numbered years and others in even-numbered years. Complete renewal must be received before expiration. Residential Remodeler: renews every 2 years. Two-year license ending March 31; some licenses expire in odd-numbered years and others in even-numbered years. Complete renewal must be received before expiration. Check with Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry - Construction Codes and Licensing Division (CCLD) (Board of Electricity, Plumbing Board) before you rely on it.

How many CE hours does a Minnesota general contractor license need?

Construction Contractor Registration (commercial / non-licensed contractors): no CE required. Residential Building Contractor: 14 hours per renewal. Residential Remodeler: 14 hours per renewal. Check with Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry - Construction Codes and Licensing Division (CCLD) (Board of Electricity, Plumbing Board) before you rely on it.

Does Minnesota accept general contractor licenses from other states?

Not applicable. Check with Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry - Construction Codes and Licensing Division (CCLD) (Board of Electricity, Plumbing Board) before you rely on it.

Sources

Spot something out of date?

Informational only. Check it with the issuing board. Licensing rules, deadlines and CE requirements change, fee amounts are approximate, and this page can be out of date. It is not legal advice, and we are not affiliated with any state board. Read the disclaimer.

This information is here to help you plan, not to replace the board. Fee amounts are approximate and may be out of date. Deadlines and continuing education rules change too, sometimes without much notice. Always confirm with your licensing board and its official site before you rely on a date or an amount. This is not legal advice.

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