Minnesota contractor license lookup: how to check and get a license
Minnesota contractor license lookup: who issues home improvement contractor licenses (DLI), how to check one online, the license types, and 2,985 residential remodelers by county.
Do home improvement contractors need a license in Minnesota?
| Who licenses them | Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) |
|---|---|
| License types | Residential Building Contractor, Residential Remodeler, Residential Roofer, Construction Contractor Registration (subcontractors) |
| When a license is required | License required to contract directly with owners of 1-4 unit homes for work in more than one skill area; contractors with gross annual receipts under $15,000 may get a Certificate of Exemption |
Licensed residential contractors pay into the state Contractor Recovery Fund along with their license fee. Subcontractors who don't contract with the homeowner register with DLI instead of getting this license.
How do you look up a home improvement contractor's license in Minnesota?
- Ask the home improvement contractor for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the Minnesota contractor license lookup run by DLI.
- Search by license number first. A name search can return several people or companies with similar names.
- Check that the status is active or current, that the license type covers your job, and that the name matches the company on your contract.
- If something doesn't match, ask the home improvement contractor about it before you sign or pay a deposit, or contact DLI.
What contractor licenses does Minnesota issue?
- Residential Building Contractor
- Residential Remodeler
- Residential Roofer
- Construction Contractor Registration (subcontractors)
How do you get a contractor license in Minnesota?
Licenses are issued by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI). Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official DLI source before you apply. Already licensed? List your business on Expert Helper to get matched with customers.
Which Minnesota city is the job in?
How many home improvement contractors are there in Minnesota?
The Census Bureau counted 2,985 residential remodelers with employees in Minnesota in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Hennepin County | 711 |
|---|---|
| Anoka County | 253 |
| Dakota County | 228 |
| Ramsey County | 194 |
| Washington County | 157 |
| Scott County | 118 |
| Wright County | 114 |
| St. Louis County | 101 |
What do Minnesota homes mean for home improvement work?
The median home in Minnesota was built in 1978, 28% of households rent and 74% of homes are single-family houses. 65% of homes heat with utility gas and 19% with electricity, and 1% with fuel oil.
How do you choose a home improvement contractor in Minnesota?
- Check the contractor's license with the state or city. Many places require a home improvement license for residential work over a few hundred dollars.
- Get a written contract with the scope, materials, schedule, total price and payment schedule. Don't pay most of it upfront.
- Ask who pulls the permits. If the contractor suggests skipping a permit that the job needs, find another contractor.
- Ask for proof of liability insurance and workers' compensation, and make sure the policy is current.
- Ask for two or three recent jobs like yours that you can see or call about.
Home Improvement Contractors in other states
Sources: Minnesota licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.