Plumbing Contractor Permit Requirements in Minneapolis, MN

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC/corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Minnesota Master Plumber License and Plumbing Contractor License

   Required to operate a plumbing contracting business in Minnesota. Issued by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI). The Master Plumber exam requires at least 1 year as a licensed journeyworker plumber. The plumbing contractor license requires a $25,000 surety bond and liability insurance of at least $50,000 per person/$100,000 per occurrence (products liability) plus $10,000 property damage.

   Official government source

   $188 plumbing contractor (business) license, initial and biennial renewal; the individual master plumber license is about $93 for a two-year term ($80 base + $8 board + $5 continuing education), plus a $50 application and examination fee·Varies with exam scheduling and DLI application review; plumbing contractor licenses expire Dec. 31 of odd-numbered years

   $188 plumbing contractor (business) license, initial and biennial renewal; the individual master plumber license is about $93 for a two-year term ($80 base + $8 board + $5 continuing education), plus a $50 application and examination fee

   Varies with exam scheduling and DLI application review; plumbing contractor licenses expire Dec. 31 of odd-numbered years

2. Minnesota Workers' Compensation Insurance

   Required for all plumbing contractors with employees in Minnesota.

   Official government source

   Varies by payroll·1–5 days

   Varies by payroll

   1–5 days

3. Minnesota Business Entity Registration (if applicable)

   LLCs and corporations must register with the Minnesota Secretary of State (Chapter 322C for LLCs).

   Official government source

   $135 (mail filing) or $155 (online/in-person filing)·Immediate (online or in person); 4-7 business days if filed by mail

   $135 (mail filing) or $155 (online/in-person filing)

   Immediate (online or in person); 4-7 business days if filed by mail

1. City of Minneapolis Plumbing Contractor License

   Plumbers working in Minneapolis need a city plumbing licence from Business Licenses and Consumer Services in the Community Planning and Economic Development department. The licence covers work on branch and main sewers, drains, water mains and water pipes, and installation or repair of fuel gas piping and venting, gas burner equipment, atmospheric burners, combustion air piping, pipes, stopcocks, taps and water closets, plus power burners up to 100,000 BTU. A $25,000 State of Minnesota surety bond must accompany the application, and individual workers may need a competency card. The qualifying party must hold a Minnesota state master plumber licence.

   Official government source

   $299 a year (2026 Minneapolis License Fee Schedule, 'Plumber'), plus a $25,000 surety bond - the bond premium is quoted by the surety·Allow a few weeks for application review

   $299 a year (2026 Minneapolis License Fee Schedule, 'Plumber'), plus a $25,000 surety bond - the bond premium is quoted by the surety

   Allow a few weeks for application review

2. Minneapolis Plumbing Contractor License

   Minneapolis does not require a general business license for contractors. Plumbing businesses operating in Minneapolis need a Minneapolis Plumbing License (a contractor trade license) issued by the city, in addition to Minnesota state plumbing contractor licensing from the MN Department of Labor and Industry. There is no separate general business license required on top of these.

   Official government source

   $299 a year for the Minneapolis plumber trade license, per the City License Fee Schedule; a $25,000 state surety bond must be filed with the application·Apply through Business Licenses & Consumer Services; a competency card may also be required

   $299 a year for the Minneapolis plumber trade license, per the City License Fee Schedule; a $25,000 state surety bond must be filed with the application

   Apply through Business Licenses & Consumer Services; a competency card may also be required

Official Sources

• Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry — Plumbing
• City of Minneapolis — Trade Licenses

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