Minnesota Plumbing Board (Department of Labor and Industry, Construction Codes and Licensing Division) administers plumber licensing in Minnesota. Every figure below is verified against the board’s own official pages and dated. Who must personally hold a credential — the contractor, the business, or the individual worker — is set out under Requirements.
What it’s called
Minnesota regulates plumbing through the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), Construction Codes and Licensing Division (CCLD), and the Minnesota Plumbing Board under Minn. Stat. 326B.41-326B.49 and Minn. R. ch. 4716. Official credential names: Registered Unlicensed Plumber (formerly called an apprentice; DLI’s license-types page uses ‘Unlicensed individual - plumbing’; registration numbers begin with PA), Journeyworker Plumber (renewal form code PJ), Master Plumber (PM), and Plumbing Contractor (business license). Closed, grandfathered restricted tiers still renew: Restricted Journeyworker Plumber (JR), Restricted Master Plumber (MR), and Restricted Plumbing Contractor, usable in all areas of the state except cities and towns with a population of more than 5,000 (Minn. Stat. 326B.475 subd. 2; 326B.46 subd. 1b(a)). Other credentials: Certified Pipelayer (the ‘pipelayer’s card’ for exterior sewer and water pipe within property lines), Plumbing Bond Registration (pipe layer), Medical Gas Certification, Backflow Prevention Tester (BT) and Rebuilder (BF), and water conditioning licenses. Structure: performing or offering plumbing work as a business requires a contractor’s license backed by a $25,000 bond and liability insurance (Minn. Stat. 326B.46 subd. 1(c), subd. 2), except as provided in subd. 1a - for example, a licensed plumber working for a licensed contractor needs no separate contractor license.
License types & fees
| Type | Experience | Exam | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Unlicensed Plumber (formerly Apprentice Plumber - prefix PA) | No prior plumbing work experience is required to register. Minn. Stat. 326B.47 subd. 1(a): 'All unlicensed individuals, other than plumber's apprentices and individuals who have completed pipe laying training as prescribed by the commissioner, must be registered under subdivision 3.' DLI's registered-unlicensed page: 'An individual who is not licensed as a plumber may only perform plumbing work in Minnesota if they are registered with us as a registered unlicensed plumber (formerly known as an apprentice).' Age - two official sources differ: Minn. R. 4716.0050 subp. 2(A) says 'A registered unlicensed plumber must be at least 18 years of age or be a high school graduate, except that a registered unlicensed plumber employed and supervised by the registered unlicensed plumber's parent must be at least 16 years of age.'; DLI's plumbing license basics page lists 'At least 18 years old' among the conditions for performing plumbing work. DLI's registered-unlicensed page also requires the registrant to be 'a W-2 employee of a licensed plumbing contractor, licensed restricted plumbing contractor or a registered plumbing employer (for work performed on the employer's premises only)'. Under Minn. Stat. 326B.47 subd. 1(b) a registered unlicensed individual may assist in the installation of plumbing 'only while under the direct supervision of a master, restricted master, journeyworker, or restricted journeyworker plumber', who must be employed by the same employer. Minn. Stat. 326B.42 subd. 2 defines direct supervision to mean, among other things, that "at all times while the plumber's apprentice or registered unlicensed individual is performing plumbing work, the supervising plumber is present at the location where the plumber's apprentice or registered unlicensed individual is working"; that "the supervising plumber is physically present and immediately available to the plumber's apprentice or registered unlicensed individual at all times for assistance and direction"; and that "any form of electronic supervision does not meet the requirement of physically present". Registration runs 'from July 1 of each year to June 30 of the following year' (326B.47 subd. 3). To renew, the registrant submits a Plumbing Work Experience Verification Form signed by the employer's responsible master plumber; 'No more than a total of 1,750 qualifying hours may be reported per 12-month registration period' (form, 8.1.2024). Under Minn. Stat. 326B.47 subd. 2, 'If two years after completing the training the individual has not taken the examination, the four years of experience shall be forfeited.' | None for initial registration. | $14 new registration (form pe_apprentice_plumber_registration_form 8.1.2024; equals the entry-level 1-year base fee $10 plus the $4 board fee in Minn. Stat. 326B.092 subd. 7). Renewal: the form and DLI's plumbing license basics page charge $19 ($10 base + $4 board + $5 continuing education fee), while DLI's registered-unlicensed page says 'The renewal fee is $14.' Late renewal (received after expiration): $24 on the form, which states 'A late fee of $5.00 is required for late renewals'. Reinstatement of a registration expired more than 12 months: $24, and 'Accrued work experience during the unregistered period is lost and may not be applied toward licensure' (form). |
| Journeyworker Plumber License (prefix PJ) | Minn. R. 4716.0020 subp. 1(B) lists three routes to the journeyworker examination: (1) registration as a plumber's apprentice or registered unlicensed plumber plus 'at least four years of recorded practical plumbing experience, as specified in subpart 2, item F'; (2) a current Minnesota restricted journeyworker or restricted master license plus at least two years of practical plumbing experience gained while holding it (subp. 2(E): at least 1,000 hours water distribution, 1,000 hours drain, waste and vent, 500 hours fixtures); or (3) 'a current plumber's license from another state where the licensing jurisdiction requires at least four years of practical plumbing experience and an examination to qualify for licensure.' DLI's experience page also lists completion of 'a DLI-registered apprenticeship program'. One year of experience is at least 1,750 hours and 'not more than 1,750 hours shall be credited for one calendar year' (4716.0020 subp. 2(A)-(B)), so four years means at least 7,000 hours. For a registered unlicensed plumber the hours must include at least 2,000 hours water distribution system installation, 2,000 hours drain, waste and vent system installation, and 1,000 hours fixture installation (subp. 2(F)(1)); the rest may be in any aspect of plumbing. 'Not more than two years of the practical plumbing experience from a state other than Minnesota shall be credited unless the applicant first obtains a plumber's license in the other state' (subp. 2(C)). Minn. Stat. 326B.47 subd. 2: 'Up to 24 months of practical plumbing experience prior to becoming a plumber's apprentice or registered unlicensed individual may be applied to the four-year experience requirement', but none of it counts if the individual had no practical plumbing experience in the 12 months immediately before registering. Experience must be certified by the licensed master plumber responsible for the work (subp. 2(G)), except experience gained during military service and certified by the applicant's military officer, in a commissioner-approved plumbing education class, or as an apprentice in another state verified by that state's plumbing licensing agency or a federal agency (subp. 2(F)(2)(a)-(c)). | Minnesota Journeyworker Plumber Examination administered by DLI at its St. Paul office (Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, except holiday weeks) and at regional test sites (Bemidji, Detroit Lakes, Duluth, Mankato, Moorhead, Rochester, St. Cloud, Virginia, Wilmar, Winona); time limit 'All plumbing exams: 5.5 hours' (DLI license exam schedule page). Applicants apply in iMS and pay the $50 exam fee. Minn. Stat. 326B.49 subd. 1(a) requires 'passing a satisfactory examination developed and administered by the commissioner, based upon rules adopted by the Plumbing Board, showing fitness', and Minn. R. 4716.0030 subp. 2 speaks of 'a passing grade'; no passing percentage, question count or content outline appears in the statute, the rules or the DLI pages read. DLI plumbing license basics page: 'If you do not pass the exam you must wait 30 days before reapplying'. | $50 application and examination fee, 'separate from the license fee' (Minn. Stat. 326B.092 subd. 1(a); form pe_plumber_exam). The license fee 'is due after the applicant passes the examination and before the license is issued' (subd. 1(a)); DLI does not publish the initial amount. Under subd. 7 it is the journeyworker base fee ($40 for a 2-year license, $20 for 1 year; the duration of an initial license is rounded up to a whole number of years) plus the board fee ($8 for 2 years, $4 for 1 year). Renewal: $53 every two years by December 31 of odd-numbered years; late renewal $73 (form pe_renewal 8.1.2024; DLI basics page: 'late fee of $20 added for late renewals'). |
| Master Plumber License (prefix PM) | Minn. R. 4716.0020 subp. 1(A): 'at least one year of practical plumbing experience as a licensed journeyworker plumber as described in subpart 2'; or 'a current master plumber license from another state where the requirements of the licensing jurisdiction are equivalent to those of Minnesota, as determined by the commissioner'; or 'a current Minnesota restricted master plumber license and five years of verifiable experience in business as a plumbing contractor in Minnesota.' Form pe_plumber_exam (8.1.2024) offers the same routes. DLI's license-types page: the master license 'authorizes the individual to perform plumbing statewide, for both interior plumbing and exterior water service, sanitary sewer and storm sewer systems within the property lines.' | Minnesota Master Plumber Examination administered by DLI (St. Paul office and regional test sites); time limit 5.5 hours (DLI license exam schedule page). $50 exam fee. No passing percentage, question count or content outline appears in the statute, the rules or the DLI pages read. 'If you do not pass the exam you must wait 30 days before reapplying' (DLI plumbing license basics page). | $50 application and examination fee (Minn. Stat. 326B.092 subd. 1(a)). License fee due after passing; DLI does not publish the initial amount. Under subd. 7 it is the master base fee ($80 for 2 years, $40 for 1 year) plus the board fee ($8 / $4). Renewal: $93 every two years by December 31 of even-numbered years; late renewal $133 (form pe_renewal 8.1.2024; DLI basics page: 'late fee of $40 added for late renewals'). |
| Plumbing Contractor License (Business License) | Business license. Minn. Stat. 326B.46 subd. 1(c): 'Except as provided in subdivision 1a, no person shall perform or offer to perform plumbing work with or without compensation unless the person obtains a contractor's license.' DLI's license-types page defines the person as 'an individual proprietor, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, limited partnership or any other legal entity.' Under subd. 1b(a) each contractor must designate a responsible licensed plumber, and 'A plumbing contractor's responsible individual must be a master plumber.' Under subd. 1b(b) the responsible individual must be the individual, proprietor, general partner, chief manager, officer or a managing employee who is 'actively engaged in performing plumbing work on behalf of the contractor', and 'An individual may be the responsible licensed individual for only one contractor.' Bond and insurance (subd. 2): a bond 'in the penal sum of at least $25,000' and public liability insurance 'with limits of at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per occurrence and property damage insurance with limits of at least $10,000'. Workers' compensation: DLI's license-types page and the application (pe_contr_lic16) require compliance with Minnesota workers' compensation law. Subd. 1b(d): on the departure of the responsible individual 'the licensee must notify the commissioner within 15 business days', has 60 days to obtain a new one, and failure to do so 'will, with or without notice, result in the voluntary termination of the license.' | None for the business entity; designated responsible individual must hold an active Minnesota Master Plumber license. | $188 new license and $188 renewal (not expired); $278 renewal after expiration, which includes the late fee (form pe_contr_lic16). The $188 equals the 2-year business base fee $180 plus the $8 board fee (Minn. Stat. 326B.092 subd. 7). Contractor licenses expire December 31 of each odd-numbered year (326B.49 subd. 1(c)). Plus the $25,000 surety bond (326B.46 subd. 2(b)). (The $100 fee in 326B.49 subd. 1(e) is for an employer's certificate of responsible individual under the maintenance exemption, not a contractor fee; see exemptions.) |
| Restricted Master Plumber (prefix MR) & Restricted Journeyworker Plumber (prefix JR) - closed, grandfathered licenses | CLOSED CLASS: no new restricted licenses are being issued. Minn. Stat. 326B.475 subd. 3: 'Applications for restricted master plumber and restricted journeyworker plumber licenses must be submitted to the commissioner prior to October 1, 2008.' A second window under subd. 1(a)(3) required that 'the commissioner of labor and industry receives the completed application and fee between October 1, 2009, and October 15, 2009' ($30 fee); for that window a restricted journeyworker applicant needed at least two years of practical plumbing experience, and a restricted master applicant at least four years, or at least two years as a plumbing contractor. Existing restricted licenses can only be renewed: they 'must be renewed for as long as that licensee engages in the plumbing trade' (subd. 4). Territory - official sources word it differently: 326B.475 subd. 2, 'A restricted master plumber and restricted journeyworker plumber may engage in the plumbing trade in all areas of the state except in cities and towns with a population of more than 5,000 according to the last federal census.'; DLI's license-types page describes the work as 'in cities and towns with a population of fewer than 5,000 according to the most recent federal census'. Forfeiture - the statute and the rule conflict: 326B.475 subd. 4, 'Notwithstanding section 326B.094, failure to renew a restricted master plumber and restricted journeyworker plumber license within 12 months after the expiration date will result in permanent forfeiture'; Minn. R. 4716.0040 subp. 1 still says a restricted licensee 'who does not renew the license within two years of the license expiration will permanently forfeit the restricted plumber license.' The statute's 12-month period is the shorter one. | None. Restricted licenses were never issued by examination: Minn. R. 4716.0020 subp. 1, 'An applicant for a plumber's license, other than a restricted journeyworker or restricted master plumber license, must satisfactorily pass an examination given by the commissioner.' | Renewal only. Minn. Stat. 326B.475 subd. 7: 'The renewal fee for the restricted master plumber and restricted journeyworker plumber licenses is the same fee as for a master or journeyworker plumber license, respectively.' Form pe_renewal lists Plumbing Master (PM, MR) $93 renewal / $133 late and Plumbing Journeyman (PJ, JR) $53 / $73. Restricted plumbing contractor: $188 renewal, $278 after expiration (pe_contr_lic16). |
| Certified Pipelayer & Plumbing Bond Registration (Pipe Layer) | Certified pipelayer: 'an individual who has completed pipe-laying training recognized by this agency and has a certificate to show record of the training. This certificate, or "pipelayer's card," may be carried by an individual in lieu of a plumber license to work on water service pipes, building drain/sanitary sewer pipes and storm sewer pipes within the property lines of a facility or residence, but not inside of buildings.' (DLI license-types page). Statutory basis: 'A license is not required for individuals performing building sewer or water service installation who have completed pipe laying training as prescribed by the commissioner.' (Minn. Stat. 326B.46 subd. 1(a)). Plumbing bond registration (pipe layer): a business that performs only building sewer and water service installation 'must file an original plumbing contractor code compliance bond and SSTS business license surety bond' (DLI license-types page) and may work without a contractor's license if it complies with the bond and insurance requirements of subd. 2 (326B.46 subd. 1a(d)). | Completion of approved pipe-layer training course (in lieu of state plumber examination). | Minn. Stat. 326B.49 subd. 1(f): the commissioner charges each person giving bond under 326B.46 subd. 2(b) 'a biennial bond filing fee of $100, unless the person is a licensed contractor.' |
| Medical Gas Certification | Minn. Stat. 326B.438 subd. 2: 'An individual shall not engage in the installation, maintenance, or repair of a medical gas system unless the individual possesses a current Minnesota master or journeyworker plumber's license and is certified by the commissioner under rules adopted by the Minnesota Plumbing Board.' The work itself requires a contractor license (same subdivision; Minn. R. 4716.0072 subp. 1). Minn. R. 4716.0072 subp. 2(A)(2) requires 'both current licensure as a master plumber or journeyworker plumber under Minnesota Statutes, section 326B.46, and current certification as a certified installer'; a certified installer 'has met the requirements of ASSE Standard 6010 Medical Gas Systems Installers and the brazing qualification as defined in NFPA 99C' (4716.0071 subp. 3). Exemption (326B.438 subd. 3): an individual who on August 1, 2010 held a valid ASSE 6010 certificate and was a qualified NFPA 99C brazer is exempt from the licensing requirement, provided that certification and brazer qualification are maintained and the individual is certified by the commissioner. The certification 'must be renewed biennially' (subd. 2). | No DLI examination; the prerequisite is ASSE Standard 6010 certification plus the NFPA 99C brazing qualification (Minn. R. 4716.0071 subp. 3). | Under Minn. Stat. 326B.438 subd. 4 a medical gas certificate 'shall be considered a journeyworker level license' for fees under 326B.092 (journeyworker base fee $40 for 2 years plus board fee; $5 continuing education fee on renewal). Renewal requires 4 hours of approved medical gas continuing education each certification period (Minn. R. 4716.0205 subp. 1(D)). |
| Backflow Prevention Tester (BT) & Backflow Prevention Rebuilder (BF) | Minn. Stat. 326B.437(b): an individual may not test a reduced pressure zone backflow prevention assembly unless the individual holds a backflow prevention rebuilder certificate or is certified as a backflow prevention tester. Minn. R. 4716.0096 subp. 1: a rebuilder 'must be a licensed master plumber, journeyworker plumber, or restricted master or restricted journeyworker plumber and possess current American Society of Sanitary Engineering (ASSE) Standard 5110 Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester and ASSE Standard 5130 Backflow Prevention Assembly Repairer certifications.' Subp. 2: a tester 'shall possess a current ASSE Standard 5110 Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester certification.' Installing, repairing or rebuilding these assemblies as a business requires a plumbing contractor's license (326B.437(a)). | No DLI examination; the prerequisites are ASSE 5110 (tester) and, for rebuilders, ASSE 5110 plus ASSE 5130 certification (Minn. R. 4716.0096). | Minn. Stat. 326B.437(c): 'Certificates are issued for an initial period of two years and must be renewed every two years thereafter'; for fees under 326B.092 the certificate 'shall be considered an entry level license.' Renewal requires recertification in the ASSE standards (Minn. R. 4716.0205 subp. 1(E)). |
Who does NOT need this license — exemptions
Minnesota plumbing exemptions are codified in Minn. Stat. 326B.46 subd. 1(a), subd. 1a(a)-(e), subd. 5, and subd. 6 (the list below covers all of them). (1) HOMEOWNER RESIDENCE EXEMPTION (Subd. 1(a) & Subd. 1a(a)): ‘Anyone not so licensed may do plumbing work which complies with the provisions of the minimum standards prescribed by the Plumbing Board on premises or that part of premises owned and actually occupied by the worker as a residence, unless otherwise forbidden to do so by a local ordinance.’ (2) PIPELAYER TRAINING / EXTERIOR SEWER AND WATER EXEMPTION (Subd. 1(a)): ‘A license is not required for individuals performing building sewer or water service installation who have completed pipe laying training as prescribed by the commissioner.’ (3) COMMERCIAL CHEMICAL DISPENSING & DISHWASHING MACHINES (Subd. 1(a)): ‘A license is not required for individuals servicing or installing a commercial chemical dispensing system or servicing or replacing a commercial dishwashing machine, including connecting a commercial chemical dispensing system or commercial dishwashing machine to a water line or drain line, provided that: (1) the individual servicing or installing the commercial chemical dispensing system or servicing or replacing the commercial dishwashing machine is an employee of the manufacturer or distributor of the commercial chemical dispensing system or commercial dishwashing machine; (2) the individual servicing or installing the commercial chemical dispensing system or servicing or replacing the commercial dishwashing machine has a minimum of 25 hours of classroom or laboratory training, a minimum of 20 hours of in-field training with a qualified technician on the types of systems being installed, followed by a minimum of 100 hours of supervised field experience. The training and experience curriculum required under this clause must be approved by the commissioner, in consultation with the manufacturer or distributor, but the commissioner shall not require training or experience hours in excess of the amounts specified in this clause; (3) the manufacturer or distributor of the commercial chemical dispensing system or commercial dishwashing machine must meet the insurance requirements of section 326B.46, subdivision 2, paragraph (c); (4) the connection is a push fit fitting, compression fitting, or threaded pipe fitting to an existing water line or drain, which has been initially installed by a licensed plumber; and (5) the commercial chemical dispensing system complies with ASSE 1055 or contains code-approved integral backflow protection.’ (4) INDUSTRIAL & FACILITY MAINTENANCE EXEMPTION FROM CONTRACTOR LICENSE (Subd. 1a(b)): ‘An individual who is an employee working on the maintenance and repair of plumbing equipment, apparatus, or facilities owned or leased by the individual’s employer and which is within the limits of property owned or leased, and operated or maintained by the individual’s employer, shall not be required to maintain a contractor license as long as the employer has on file with the commissioner a current certificate of responsible individual… The filing of the certificate of responsible individual does not exempt any employee of the employer from the requirements of this chapter regarding individual licensing as a plumber or registration as an unlicensed individual.’ (5) MANUFACTURED HOME INSTALLERS (Subd. 5): ‘Persons licensed as manufactured home installers under chapter 327B are not required to be licensed under sections 326B.42 to 326B.49 when connecting the exterior building drain sewer outlets to the aboveground building sewer system and when connecting the exterior water line to the aboveground water system to the manufactured home as described in National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974… No additional licensure, bond, or insurance related to the scope of work permitted under this subdivision may be required of a licensed manufactured home installer by any unit of government.’ (6) WELL CONTRACTORS (Subd. 6): ‘No license, registration, or bond under sections 326B.42 to 326B.49 is required of a well contractor or a limited well/boring contractor who is licensed and bonded under section 103I.525 or 103I.531 and is engaged in the work or business of designing and installing: (1) water service pipe from a well to a pressure tank; (2) a frost-free water hydrant with an antisiphon device on a well water service pipe located entirely outside of a building requiring potable water; (3) a control valve, located outside the building, on a well water service pipe; or (4) a main control valve located within two feet of the pressure tank on the distribution supply line.’ (7) LICENSED PLUMBER EMPLOYED BY A CONTRACTOR (Subd. 1a(c)): ‘If a contractor employs a licensed plumber, the licensed plumber does not need a separate contractor license to perform plumbing work on behalf of the employer within the scope of the licensed plumber’s license.’ (8) SEWER AND WATER SERVICE INSTALLERS WITH BOND AND INSURANCE (Subd. 1a(d)): ‘A person may perform and offer to perform building sewer or water service installation without a contractor’s license if the person is in compliance with the bond and insurance requirements of subdivision 2.’ (9) WATERPROOFING CONTRACTORS - SUMP PUMPS (Subd. 1a(e)): ‘Waterproofing contractors licensed under sections 326B.801 to 326B.89 may install in existing single-family dwellings a single sump pump, which receives subsurface or seepage water through a subsoil drain and discharges to grade. The Minnesota Plumbing Code applies to this paragraph, including provisions relating to proper installation, use of approved materials, and proper support of the materials.’ Note on (4): the employer pays a $100 filing fee for each certificate of responsible individual (Minn. Stat. 326B.49 subd. 1(e)), and the certificate expires two years from filing (326B.46 subd. 1a(b)).
Fees
Fees come from Minn. Stat. 326B.092, 326B.49 and DLI’s 8.1.2024 forms. (1) REGISTERED UNLICENSED PLUMBER: $14 new registration ($10 entry-level base + $4 board fee, 326B.092 subd. 7); $19 renewal by June 30 ($10 + $4 + $5 continuing education fee) per the form and DLI’s basics page, though DLI’s registered-unlicensed page says ‘The renewal fee is $14.’; $24 late renewal; $24 reinstatement after more than 12 months expired, with the unregistered period’s hours lost. (2) JOURNEYWORKER: $50 application and examination fee (326B.092 subd. 1); license fee after passing, computed under subd. 7 (journeyworker base $40 for 2 years or $20 for 1 year, plus $8 or $4 board fee; DLI does not publish the initial amount); $53 renewal by December 31 of odd-numbered years; $73 late. (3) MASTER: $50 application and examination fee; license fee after passing computed the same way (master base $80 / $40 plus board fee); $93 renewal by December 31 of even-numbered years; $133 late. LATE FEES: the statute says a late renewal ‘must be accompanied by a late fee equal to one-half of the license renewal fee’ (326B.092 subd. 3); DLI’s forms charge half of the base fee only ($5, $20, $40, $90), which is less than half of the full renewal fee. The amounts above are what DLI charges. (4) PLUMBING CONTRACTOR: $188 new ($180 business base + $8 board fee; pe_contr_lic16); $188 renewal by December 31 of odd-numbered years; $278 renewal after expiration including the late fee; continuous $25,000 surety bond. (5) OTHER: $100 filing fee for each employer certificate of responsible individual under the maintenance exemption (326B.49 subd. 1(e)); $100 biennial bond filing fee for a pipe-layer bond registrant that is not a licensed contractor (326B.49 subd. 1(f)); medical gas certificate charged as a journeyworker-level license (326B.438 subd. 4); backflow certificates charged as entry-level licenses (326B.437(c)); $30 service charge for a check returned for nonpayment (forms, citing Minn. Stat. 604.113).
Exam
Plumbing examinations are administered directly by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry under Minn. Stat. 326B.092, 326B.49, and Minn. R. 4716.0020 and 4716.0030. Testing is at DLI’s St. Paul office (Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, except weeks with a state holiday) and at regional sites in Bemidji (Northwest Technical College), Detroit Lakes (Holiday Inn; MNDOT), Duluth (The Inn on Lake Superior; MNDOT Northeast District Headquarters), Mankato (MNDOT), Moorhead (Public School Operations Facility), Rochester (MNDOT), St. Cloud (MNDOT Training Center), Virginia, Wilmar (MNDOT) and Winona (Winona State University); ‘Not all exam types are available each day.’ ‘All plumbing exams: 5.5 hours’ (DLI license exam schedule page). The $50 application and examination fee is paid with the application in iMS (Minn. Stat. 326B.092 subd. 1(a)). The statute requires ‘passing a satisfactory examination developed and administered by the commissioner, based upon rules adopted by the Plumbing Board, showing fitness’ (326B.49 subd. 1(a)) and the rule refers to ‘a passing grade’ (4716.0030 subp. 2); no passing percentage, question count or content outline appears in the statute, the rules or the DLI pages read. ‘If you do not pass the exam you must wait 30 days before reapplying’ (DLI plumbing license basics page). After passing, the applicant is told how to pay the license fee, which is due before the license is issued (basics page; 326B.092 subd. 1(a)).
Renewal & continuing education
Annual for Registered Unlicensed Plumbers; every two years for journeyworker, master and contractor licenses. (1) Registered unlicensed plumbers: the registration period is July 1 to June 30 (Minn. Stat. 326B.47 subd. 3; Minn. R. 4716.0050 subp. 2). (2) Journeyworker plumber licenses expire December 31 of each ODD-numbered year (Minn. Stat. 326B.49 subd. 1(b); Minn. R. 4716.0040 subp. 1). (3) Master plumber licenses expire December 31 of each EVEN-numbered year (same sources). DLI’s plumbing license basics page instead says ‘Journeyworker and plumber licenses expire on Dec. 31 of odd-numbered years.’ (4) Contractor licenses expire December 31 of each odd-numbered year (326B.49 subd. 1(c)). ‘Licenses are not renewable prior to 60 days before expiration.’ (form pe_renewal). Lapse: a licensee ‘may apply to renew a license no later than two years after the expiration of the license’ (326B.094 subd. 2); after that, Minn. R. 4716.0040 subp. 1 says a journeyworker or master ‘is no longer eligible for renewal. The person must retake and pass the examination before a new license will be issued.’ Renewing within two years requires all past-due renewal fees plus the late fee (326B.092 subd. 4; 4716.0040 subp. 2). Restricted journeyworker and restricted master licenses: 326B.475 subd. 4 makes failure to renew ‘within 12 months after the expiration date’ a permanent forfeiture; Minn. R. 4716.0040 subp. 1 still says two years. 16 hours every two-year license period for master, journeyworker and restricted plumbers (Minn. R. 4716.0205 subp. 1(A)): ‘At least eight hours of instruction must pertain to the Plumbing Code, and the remainder must pertain to the Plumbing Code, technical topics related to plumbing installations and equipment, this chapter, the Minnesota State Building Code, or Minnesota Statutes, sections 326B.41 to 326B.59.’ DLI’s CE page: ‘All 16 hours may be on the State Plumbing Code.’ Registered unlicensed plumbers: two hours pertaining to the Plumbing Code by June 30 each year (4716.0205 subp. 1(C)); ‘Credits totaling more than the minimum two hours cannot be carried over into subsequent registration periods.’ (DLI CE page). Medical gas certificate holders: four hours on medical gas topics, NFPA 99 or the medical gas statute each certification period (4716.0205 subp. 1(D)). Backflow testers and rebuilders: no DLI hours, but they must recertify in ASSE 5110 (and 5130 for rebuilders) (4716.0205 subp. 1(E); DLI CE page). Water conditioning masters and journeyworkers: four hours, and the two sources differ on the required topic - Minn. R. 4716.0205 subp. 1(B), ‘At least two hours must pertain to the Plumbing Code’; DLI’s CE page, ‘At least two hours must pertain to technical topics related to water conditioning installation and servicing, or the Minnesota statutes and rules relating to water conditioning.’ ‘Continuing education sponsors are required to report a plumber’s attendance directly to us’ (DLI). No CE requirement for the plumbing contractor license itself is listed in Minn. R. 4716.0205 or on DLI’s CE page.
How to apply
Applications are handled by Minnesota Plumbing Board (Department of Labor and Industry, Construction Codes and Licensing Division). Start at the official application page .