Minnesota plumbing license lookup: how to check and get a license
Minnesota plumbing license lookup: who issues plumber licenses (DLI), how to check one online, the license types, and 1,803 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors by county.
Do plumbers need a license in Minnesota?
| Who licenses them | Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) |
|---|---|
| License types | Plumbing Contractor, Master Plumber, Journeyworker Plumber, Restricted Master Plumber, Restricted Journeyworker Plumber |
| When a license is required | License required for plumbing work regardless of job size; plumbing contractors need a bond of at least $25,000 (Minn. Stat. 326B.46) |
Plumbing contractors must employ a licensed master plumber and carry a bond, liability and workers' compensation insurance. Restricted licenses are limited to towns under 5,000 people.
How do you look up a plumber's license in Minnesota?
- Ask the plumber for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the Minnesota plumbing 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 plumber about it before you sign or pay a deposit, or contact DLI.
What plumbing licenses does Minnesota issue?
- Plumbing Contractor
- Master Plumber
- Journeyworker Plumber
- Restricted Master Plumber
- Restricted Journeyworker Plumber
How do you get a plumbing 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.
How many plumbers are there in Minnesota?
The Census Bureau counted 1,803 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors with employees in Minnesota in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Hennepin County | 242 |
|---|---|
| Anoka County | 142 |
| Dakota County | 107 |
| Ramsey County | 91 |
| Wright County | 81 |
| St. Louis County | 76 |
| Washington County | 72 |
| Sherburne County | 69 |
What do Minnesota homes mean for plumbing 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 plumber in Minnesota?
- Ask for the license number and look it up yourself on the state or city license search. Licensing is set by the state in some places and by the city or county in others.
- Ask whether the job needs a permit. Water heater swaps, gas work and moving fixtures often do, and the licensed plumber pulls it.
- Get the price in writing: a flat rate for the job, or the hourly rate, the trip fee and how parts are billed.
- For emergencies, ask what the after-hours rate is before the plumber drives out.
- Ask who does the work. A licensed master can send helpers, but the license holder is responsible for the job.
Plumbers in other states
Sources: Minnesota licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.