Minnesota Plumber Licensing FAQs

Answers to frequently asked questions about Minnesota’s plumber licensing and continuing education

How to Get a Minnesota Journeyworker Plumber License

  1. Meet at least one of the following minimum experience requirements:
    1. Have at least 4 years (7,000 hours) experience as a DLI-registered unlicensed plumber OR
    2. Have completed a DLI-registered apprenticeship program OR
    3. Have had an active MN restricted plumbing license for at least 2 years OR
    4. Have a current plumber’s license from another state that requires at least 4 years of experience to advance to journeyworker
  2. Apply for exam & licensure
  3. Take & pass your exam
  4. Pay the required fees
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How to Get a Minnesota Master Plumber License

  1. Meet at least one of the following minimum experience requirements:
    1. Have at least 1 year (1,750 hours) experience as a licensed journeyworker OR
    2. Have had an active MN restricted master plumbing license and 5 years of verifiable experience as a plumbing contractor OR
    3. Have a current master plumber license from another state where the requirements are equivalent to those in MN
  2. Apply for exam & licensure
  3. Take & pass your exam
  4. Pay the required fees
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Minnesota Plumber Renewal Requirements

Registered Unlicensed Plumbers: Registrations expire June 30th, annually. Must complete 2 hours of continuing education annually.

Journeyworker Plumbers: Licenses expire December 31st of odd-numbered years. Must complete 16* hours of continuing education every two years.

Master Plumbers: Licenses expire December 31st of even-numbered years. Must complete 16* hours of continuing education every two years.

*Minimum of 8 hours must be related to the State Plumbing Code.

Getting Licensed

Who needs to be licensed for plumbing in Minnesota?

Contracting Licenses

Businesses and individuals that contract to perform work on plumbing systems in Minnesota must have a plumbing contractor license or a restricted plumbing contractor license.

  • Plumbing systems include all potable water, building supply, and distribution pipes; all plumbing fixtures and traps; all drainage and vent pipes; and all building drains and building sewers, including their respective joints and connections, devices, receptors, and appurtenances within the property lines of the premises and includes potable water piping, potable water treating or using equipment, and nonpotable water piping serving plumbing fixtures.
  • A plumbing contractor license is required for plumbing work in Minnesota communities with a population over 5,000.
  • Plumbing work in communities with a population less than 5,000 may be performed by employees of a licensed restricted plumbing contractor.
  • Restricted plumbing contractors cannot contract to perform work in communities with a population over 5,000.
  • Employees of a licensed plumbing contractor are not required to have their own plumbing contractor license.
  • Employees who perform plumbing work must be licensed as a journeyworker plumber, master plumber, registered with DLI as a registered unlicensed plumber, or enrolled in a registered plumbing apprenticeship program.
  • General contractors and construction management firms that contract with licensed subcontractors to perform plumbing work are not required to have their own plumbing contractor license.

Individual Plumbing Licenses

You can perform plumbing work in Minnesota if you are:

  • At least 18 years old.
  • Licensed with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) or registered with DLI as a registered unlicensed plumber, or enrolled in a DLI-registered apprenticeship program.
  • A W-2 employee of a licensed plumbing contractor or registered plumbing employer.
  • Licensed owner or officer of a licensed plumbing contractor or restricted plumbing contractor.

You can perform plumbing work without a license if:

  • You are registered with DLI as a registered unlicensed plumber or enrolled in a registered apprenticeship program.
  • Your work falls under the scope of the work your employer is authorized to perform.
  • Your work is always directly supervised by a licensed journeyworker or master plumber.

What are the types of plumbing licenses available in Minnesota?

  • Registered Unlicensed Plumber (formerly known as an apprentice)
  • Journeyworker Plumber
  • Master Plumber
  • Plumbing Contractor

Does Minnesota have reciprocal licensing with other states?

Applicants may obtain a Minnesota journeyworker plumber or master plumber license without examination if they obtained their journeyworker plumber license or master plumber license by examination in any of the following states:

  • North Dakota
  • South Dakota

What fees are associated with becoming a plumber in Minnesota?

Journeyworker

  • Application/Exam: $50
  • License: Instructions will be given after exam has been passed
  • Renewal: $48

Master

  • Application/Exam: $50
  • License: Instructions will be given after exam has been passed
  • Renewal: $88

Renewing a License

When do I need to renew my Minnesota plumbing license?

Registered Unlicensed Plumbers: Registrations expire June 30th, annually.

Journeyworker Plumbers: Licenses expire December 31st of odd-numbered years.

Master Plumbers: Licenses expire December 31st of even-numbered years.

How do I renew my plumbing license in Minnesota?

Submit the renewal fee and application either online or by mail.

Click here for links to applications.

Do I need continuing education to renew my plumbing license in Minnesota?

Registered Unlicensed Plumbers: Must complete 2 hours of continuing education annually.

Journeyworker Plumbers: Must complete 16* hours of continuing education every two years.

Master Plumbers: Must complete 16* hours of continuing education every two years.

*Minimum of 8 hours must be related to the State Plumbing Code.

How do I get my journeyworker plumbing license in Minnesota?

  1. Meet at least one of the following minimum experience requirements:
    1. Have at least 4 years (7,000 hours) experience as a DLI-registered unlicensed plumber OR
    1. Have completed a DLI-registered apprenticeship program OR
    1. Have had an active MN restricted plumbing license for at least 2 years OR
    1. Have a current plumber’s license from another state that requires at least 4 years of experience to advance to journeyworker
  2. Apply for exam & licensure
  3. Take & pass your exam
  4. Pay the required fees

What fees are associated with becoming a journeyworker plumber in Minnesota?

  • Application/Exam: $50
  • License: Instructions will be given after exam has been passed
  • Renewal: $48

What does your journeyworker plumber exam prep cover?

  • Administration
  • Definitions
  • General Regulations
  • Plumbing Math
  • Fixtures, Faucets and Fixture Fittings
  • Water Heaters
  • Water Supply & Distribution
  • Sanitary Drainage
  • Indirect and Special Waste
  • Vents
  • Traps, Interceptors and Separators
  • Storm Drainage
  • Appendices
  • Hands-On Practical Application

Where can I take the Minnesota journeyworker plumber exam?

  • Alexandria
  • Duluth
  • New Ulm
  • St. Paul

How do I know if I passed the Minnesota journeyworker plumber exam?

  • Exam results will be mailed to applicants within two weeks of the examination. If you passed, the letter will also include directions on how to obtain your license.

What happens if I fail my exam?

If you do not pass the exam you must wait 30 days before reapplying.

How do I get my master plumbing license in Minnesota?

  1. Meet at least one of the following minimum experience requirements:
    1. Have at least 1 year (1,750 hours) experience as a licensed journeyworker OR
    2. Have had an active MN restricted master plumbing license and 5 years of verifiable experience as a plumbing contractor OR
    3. Have a current master plumber license from another state where the requirements are equivalent to those in MN
  2. Apply for exam & licensure
  3. Take & pass your exam
  4. Pay the required fees

What fees are associated with becoming a master plumber in Minnesota?

  • Application/Exam: $50
  • License: Instructions will be given after exam has been passed
  • Renewal: $88

What can I expect from your Minnesota master plumber exam prep?

  • Administration
  • Definitions
  • General Regulations
  • Plumbing Math
  • Fixtures, Faucets and Fixture Fittings
  • Water Heaters
  • Water Supply & Distribution
  • Sanitary Drainage
  • Indirect and Special Waste
  • Vents
  • Traps, Interceptors and Separators
  • Storm Drainage
  • Appendices
  • Hands-On Practical Application

Where can I take the Minnesota master plumber exam?

  • Alexandria
  • Duluth
  • New Ulm
  • St. Paul

How do I know if I passed the Minnesota master plumber exam?

Exam results will be mailed to applicants within two weeks of the examination. If you passed, the letter will also include directions on how to obtain your license.

What happens if I fail my exam?

If you do not pass the exam you must wait 30 days before reapplying.

What continuing education is required to renew my Minnesota plumber license?

Registered Unlicensed Plumbers: Registrations expire June 30th, annually. Must complete 2 hours of continuing education annually.

Journeyworker Plumbers: Licenses expire December 31st of odd-numbered years. Must complete 16* hours of continuing education every two years.

Master Plumbers: Licenses expire December 31st of even-numbered years. Must complete 16* hours of continuing education every two years.

*Minimum of 8 hours must be related to the State Plumbing Code.

Who submits my Minnesota plumbing continuing education course completions to the state?

We will submit your course completion to the state.

Are your continuing education courses approved for credit in the state of Minnesota?

Yes, our courses are approved by the state and we are a state approved continuing education sponsor.

Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry
Plumbing Board
443 Lafayette
St. Paul, MN 55155
(651) 284-5005
dli.license@state.mn.us
https://www.dli.mn.gov/workers/plumbers

Exams are scheduled through the DLI Plumbing Board.

Once I order a course, how long before I can start?

You may begin immediately! Simply click the Login button in the upper right-hand corner on your desktop or in the upper-right menu on mobile. Once you’ve entered your login and password, you will be taken to your courses. Follow the instructions and enjoy!

Once I start an online course, can I start and stop it at any time?

Our courses are available online, 24/7, and you can log in and log out at any time during the course. If you are going to be away from your computer for more than 10-15 minutes, we recommend that you log out. When you log back in, you will be able to re-enter the lesson you were last in.

How long do your exam prep courses take to complete?

It depends on your learning style and comfort level with the topics we cover. There is no set time for completing exam prep courses — you go at your own pace!

Many plumbers like to re-watch materials, while others like to re-take the practice tests. Our recommendation is to go through the course as many times as you need to be comfortable with the material and any applicable reference books. The more familiar you are with the materials, the better you will do on your exam!

How long do I have access to my courses?

After you purchase a course, you have unlimited access for six months. If you need additional time, please contact our offices to arrange an extension (please note: a fee may apply).

Do your courses have tests?

It depends on course type and location. Most continuing education courses include quizzes.

Exam prep courses have a short quiz at the end of each lesson and a longer practice test at the end of the course. These quizzes and tests are there to help you practice taking an exam and identify areas you may wish to review more.

If I fail a practice test, do I have to take it again?

No. Practice tests are just that: for practice. You will have the opportunity to retake the practice tests until you do pass. The practice tests are there to help you get used to the process of using your reference materials and finding the correct answers during an exam. If you don’t pass on the first try, take the time to note what sections of the material you need to review.

Once I complete a course, can I still go back and review the lessons and quizzes?

You can review the lessons and quizzes at any time during the six months you have access to the courses.