SPEC SHEET · MN · PLUMBER
Minnesota plumber license requirements
The answer
Minnesota licenses plumbers statewide through DLI. Register as an unlicensed plumber ($14) and work supervised; the Journeyworker exam ($50) requires a completed registered apprenticeship, sufficient registered work experience, or an out-of-state license from a state requiring 4+ years' experience plus an exam.Your paths to the license
Registered apprenticeship → journeyworker
Complete a registered plumbing apprenticeship program, then pass the journeyworker exam ($50).
Registered unlicensed plumber hours
Register with DLI ($14), work under direct supervision of a journeyworker/master, file experience verification forms, and qualify for the exam on DLI's minimum work-experience requirements.
Out-of-state license route
A current plumber's license from a state that requires at least 4 years of practical experience AND an exam qualifies you to sit Minnesota's journeyworker exam directly.
Journeyworker → master
After 1 year licensed as a journeyworker (or with a restricted master license + 5 years as a Minnesota plumbing contractor), take the master exam.
License levels in Minnesota
| Level | What it takes | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Registered unlicensed plumber | $14 registration; supervised work; renew $19 with 2 CE hours + experience forms. | $14 |
| Journeyworker plumber | Apprenticeship completion / sufficient registered experience / qualifying out-of-state license + written exam ($50). | $50 |
| Master plumber | Journeyworker licensed ≥1 year — or a Minnesota restricted master license + 5 years as a plumbing contractor — + exam. | — |
Published fees
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Unlicensed registration (initial/renewal) | $14 / $19 |
| Journeyworker exam | $50 |
The exam
| Provider | DLI (written exam) |
| Fees | $50 exam fee |
Moving here with a license? Renewal? The rest of the picture
Reciprocity: No named agreements — the out-of-state route (4-year + exam states) is direct exam eligibility. Check your exact state pair →
Renewal & continuing education: Renew through DLI's iMS portal; CE per DLI's current plumbing rules (registered unlicensed: 2 hours + $19).
Watch out: Restricted licenses (small-city work) have separate rules. · Plumbing contractor (business) licensing and bonds are separate.
Official sources for this page
Minnesota plumber licensing FAQ
How many hours do you need to become a licensed plumber in Minnesota?
Minnesota licenses plumbers statewide through DLI. Register as an unlicensed plumber ($14) and work supervised; the Journeyworker exam ($50) requires a completed registered apprenticeship, sufficient registered work experience, or an out-of-state license from a state requiring 4+ years' experience plus an exam.
What does the Minnesota plumber license cost?
Published fees: Unlicensed registration (initial/renewal) $14 · Journeyworker exam $50. Exam-vendor fees may be extra — see the sources below.
Does Minnesota have plumber license reciprocity?
No named agreements — the out-of-state route (4-year + exam states) is direct exam eligibility.
How often does the license renew?
Renew through DLI's iMS portal; CE per DLI's current plumbing rules (registered unlicensed: 2 hours + $19).
Get your personal route
Four questions — your experience and training matched against Minnesota's actual routes.