How to Check a Contractor's License in Minnesota

Minnesota requires a state license for residential construction work. If someone wants to build, remodel, or repair your home, they need to be licensed through the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, known as DLI. This is not optional. Minnesota has been licensing residential contractors since 1975, and the system has real teeth: exams, continuing education, and a dedicated recovery fund for homeowners who get burned.

This guide covers how to look up a contractor's license through DLI, what the different license types mean, and what else you should verify before signing a contract.

Who needs a contractor license in Minnesota?

In Minnesota, anyone who contracts to build, remodel, or repair a residential structure must hold a license from the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI). This applies to both residential building contractors (new construction and permitted work) and residential remodelers (improvements to existing homes). Unlicensed residential contracting is illegal and bars access to Minnesota's Contractor Recovery Fund.

Minnesota has two main license categories for residential work:

• Residential building contractor. This license covers anyone who contracts to construct a new residential building or perform work that requires a building permit. If someone is managing a new home build, an addition, or any project that alters the structure of your home, they need this license.
• Residential remodeler. This covers contractors who remodel, repair, or make improvements to existing residential structures. If the work does not involve new construction but still requires a building permit, the contractor needs a remodeler license at minimum.

The distinction matters. A residential remodeler cannot legally take on new construction projects. But a residential building contractor can do remodeling work. If your project involves building something new from the ground up, make sure your contractor holds the building contractor license, not just the remodeler license.

There are limited exemptions. Homeowners doing work on their own primary residence do not need a license, though they still need permits. And contractors working exclusively on commercial projects fall under different rules. But for virtually any residential project you would hire someone for, the license requirement applies.

How do I look up a contractor's license in Minnesota?

Go to the DLI License Lookup at secure.dli.mn.gov/lookup/licenselookup.aspx and search by license number, business name, or individual name. If a business name search returns nothing, try the owner's last name or drop "LLC" / "Inc." from the end — many contractors register under their legal entity name rather than their marketing name.

DLI provides a free online tool to look up any licensed residential contractor in Minnesota. Go to the DLI License Lookup page. You can also reach it by searching for "Minnesota DLI contractor license lookup" and navigating to the verification page.

You can search by:

• License number (fastest if you have it; ask the contractor directly)
• Business name (the most common search method)
• Individual name(useful if you know the contractor's personal name but not their business name)

A few tips for better results: try searching with and without "LLC," "Inc.," or "Co." at the end of the business name. Some contractors register under their legal entity name, which may not match their marketing name. If the business name does not return results, try the owner's last name instead.

What does a Minnesota contractor's license record tell me?

The DLI record shows license type (building contractor vs. remodeler), current status (active, expired, suspended, or revoked), expiration date, and any complaints or enforcement actions. Minnesota licenses renew every two years — confirm the license will still be active when your project ends, not just when it starts.

When you find a contractor in DLI's system, pay attention to these details:

• License type. Whether they hold a residential building contractor license or a residential remodeler license. Make sure the license type matches the scope of your project. A remodeler license does not authorize new construction.
• License status. Active, expired, suspended, or revoked. Only hire contractors whose license shows as active. An expired license means they have not renewed. A suspended or revoked license means DLI took enforcement action, which is a serious warning sign.
• Expiration date. Minnesota contractor licenses must be renewed every two years. Check that the license will not expire in the middle of your project.
• Complaints and enforcement actions. DLI tracks complaints filed against licensed contractors. If there are any notes on the record, investigate them carefully before proceeding.

What is the Minnesota Contractor Recovery Fund and how does it protect me?

The Contractor Recovery Fund is a state-administered safety net that compensates homeowners harmed by licensed contractors through fraud, deception, or dishonest practices. Licensed contractors pay into the fund as part of their licensing fees. If a contractor takes your money and disappears or does severely substandard work, you can file a claim to recover losses — a protection that does not exist if you hire someone unlicensed.

Minnesota has a feature that most states do not: the Contractor Recovery Fund. This fund exists to compensate homeowners who suffer financial losses due to a licensed contractor's fraudulent, deceptive, or dishonest practices. Licensed contractors pay into the fund as part of their licensing fees.

If a licensed contractor takes your money and disappears, does severely substandard work, or otherwise defrauds you, you can file a claim with the recovery fund to recoup some or all of your losses. The fund has limits per claim and per contractor, but it provides a safety net that simply does not exist if you hire someone unlicensed.

This is one of the strongest practical reasons to verify that your contractor is licensed. An unlicensed contractor cannot be covered by the recovery fund. If something goes wrong, you are on your own. A licensed contractor gives you access to this backstop, which has returned millions to Minnesota homeowners over the years.

Do electricians, plumbers, and roofers need separate licenses in Minnesota?

Yes. Specialty trades in Minnesota are licensed independently from the general residential contractor license. Electricians are licensed through the Minnesota Board of Electricity, plumbers through DLI's Plumbing unit, HVAC contractors through separate mechanical licensing, and roofers through a dedicated residential roofing contractor license. Verify each trade separately — your general contractor is responsible for hiring licensed subs, but you should confirm it yourself.

Minnesota's residential building contractor and remodeler licenses cover general contracting work. But several specialty trades have their own separate licensing requirements:

• Electricians. Licensed through the Minnesota Board of Electricity. Electrical work requires a licensed electrical contractor, and the person performing the work must hold a journeyman or master electrician license.
• Plumbers.Licensed through DLI's Plumbing unit. Plumbing work requires a licensed plumbing contractor, and the tradesperson needs a journeyman or master plumber license.
• HVAC contractors. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning work is regulated separately. HVAC contractors need appropriate mechanical licensing.
• Roofers. Minnesota requires a separate roofing contractor license for residential roofing work. This is in addition to the general residential contractor license. Verify both if your project involves roofing.

If your project involves any of these trades, verify both the general contractor's license and the specialty trade license of whoever is doing the electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or roofing work. A general contractor who subcontracts these trades is responsible for hiring licensed professionals, but you should verify it yourself.

What else should I check before hiring a contractor in Minnesota?

Beyond the DLI license, verify general liability insurance (Minnesota does not require it as part of licensing, so you must ask separately), workers' compensation if the contractor has employees, complaint history through the BBB, and at least three recent references. Minnesota law also requires a written contract with the contractor's license number before work begins — never skip it.

A valid DLI license is a strong starting point, but it is not everything. Here is what else to verify before hiring:

• General liability insurance. Ask for a certificate of insurance and confirm it is active by calling the insurance company directly. This protects you if the contractor damages your property or a third party is injured on the job site. Minnesota does not require proof of liability insurance as part of the licensing process, so verifying this is on you.
• Workers' compensation insurance.If the contractor has any employees, Minnesota law requires them to carry workers' comp. If they do not and a worker is injured at your home, you could face liability. Ask for proof and verify it independently.
• Better Business Bureau profile. Check the BBB for complaint history and how the contractor responded. A few complaints that were resolved promptly is different from a pattern of unresolved disputes.
• Online reviews. Look at Google, Yelp, Angi, and Nextdoor for patterns. Individual reviews can be misleading, but consistent themes across multiple platforms tell a reliable story.
• References. Ask for three recent references and actually call them. Ask about the timeline, communication, quality of work, and whether the final price matched the original estimate.
• Written contract.Minnesota law requires residential contractors to provide a written contract before work begins. The contract should include the contractor's license number, a detailed scope of work, payment schedule, timeline, and warranty information. Never start a project without one.

What if I can't find a contractor in Minnesota's DLI system?

The most common reason a contractor doesn't appear in DLI's system is that they are unlicensed — which is illegal for residential work in Minnesota. Also try the owner's last name rather than the business name, and check whether the license simply expired. If a contractor claims an exemption, ask them to specify it and verify directly with DLI before proceeding.

If a contractor does not appear in DLI's license lookup, there are a few possible explanations:

• They are unlicensed. This is the most common reason. Operating without a residential contractor license in Minnesota is illegal. An unlicensed contractor cannot pull building permits, which means your project will not pass inspection and could create problems when you sell your home.
• They registered under a different name.Try searching by the individual owner's name rather than the business name. The legal entity name may differ from what they use on their website or truck.
• Their license expired. Licenses need to be renewed every two years. They may have been licensed previously but let it lapse.
• They claim an exemption. Some contractors will say they do not need a license because their work is small enough or does not require a permit. In most cases involving meaningful residential work, this is not true. Ask them to explain the specific exemption and verify it with DLI directly.

If a contractor cannot produce a valid DLI license number, move on. Beyond the legal risk, hiring an unlicensed contractor in Minnesota means you lose access to the Contractor Recovery Fund, you cannot file a licensing complaint if things go wrong, and your project may not meet code because no permits were pulled.

The bottom line

Minnesota has one of the more established residential contractor licensing systems in the country, and the Contractor Recovery Fund gives homeowners a financial safety net that most states do not offer. Use DLI's free online lookup to confirm that any contractor you are considering holds an active license, and make sure the license type matches the scope of your project.

For any project involving electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or roofing work, verify the specialty trade licenses separately. Then go beyond the license itself: confirm insurance coverage, check complaint history, call references, and get everything in a detailed written contract with the license number included.

The few minutes it takes to run a DLI search can save you from months of problems. Minnesota gives you solid tools and real protections. Use them.