Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) · checked 2026-10-21
Minnesota Plumber License Requirements
Statewide journeyworker and master plumber licenses issued by DLI. A plumbing contractor license covers all areas of the state; a restricted plumbing contractor license excludes cities and towns of more than 5,000 people. Journeyworker plumber: 4 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
- 1JW · Journeyworker plumber 4 years
License levels in Minnesota
Minnesota has one credential on this path: the Journeyworker plumber. The source states the time in years.
| Level | Experience | Classroom | Time from start | Exam | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JW Journeyworker plumber | 4 years | — | 4 years | Yes | Application and exam $50; License (one year) $20 |
Journeyworker plumber (JW)
Four years of practical plumbing experience as a registered apprentice or unlicensed individual makes a person eligible for the journeyworker plumbing exam; up to 24 months of plumbing experience from the 12 months before registering can count toward the four years. Source: Minn. Stat. § 326B.47, Unlicensed individuals (journeyworker exam eligibility).
Exam
1 of the 1 level listed here requires an exam: Journeyworker plumber. The source does not print a pass mark.
Fees
- Journeyworker plumber: application and exam $50, license (one year) $20 ($70 together).
The base license fee in Minn. Stat. § 326B.092 is set by classification: journeyworker $20 a year ($40 for two), master $40 a year ($80 for two); the application and exam fee for a license that needs a commissioner-given exam is $50. The master plumber requirements are in a section that was not read, so the master level is not shown here. Fee source: Minn. Stat. § 326B.092, License fees.
Reciprocity
The Minnesota sources read for this trade name no reciprocity agreement and no route for out-of-state licensees.
How Minnesota compares
Among the 25 states on this site that state a minimum time to the top plumber credential, Minnesota ranks 11 of 25 from shortest (2 years) to longest (9 years). California, Florida, Illinois and Arizona set the same 4 years.
Same trade elsewhere: California · Texas · Florida · Illinois · Ohio. All states side by side: Plumber license requirements by state.
Other trades in Minnesota
- Electrician: Class A master electrician: 5 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
- General contractor: Residential building contractor: the source states no minimum time, plus an exam.
All covered trades on one page: Minnesota trade licenses.
Background reading: From apprentice to master: how long each state takes · What the license fees add up to.
Questions
Who issues the plumber license in Minnesota?
Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), Plumbing Board. Statewide journeyworker and master plumber licenses issued by DLI. A plumbing contractor license covers all areas of the state; a restricted plumbing contractor license excludes cities and towns of more than 5,000 people.
How long does it take to qualify for the Journeyworker plumber in Minnesota?
4 years by this site's count. Four years of practical plumbing experience as a registered apprentice or unlicensed individual makes a person eligible for the journeyworker plumbing exam; up to 24 months of plumbing experience from the 12 months before registering can count toward the four years.
Does Minnesota have plumber license reciprocity?
The Minnesota sources read name no reciprocity agreement for this trade.
What are the Minnesota plumber license fees?
Journeyworker plumber: application and exam $50, license (one year) $20.
Sources and last checked
| What | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Issuing authority | Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), Plumbing Board | 2026-10-21 |
| JW requirements | Minn. Stat. § 326B.47, Unlicensed individuals (journeyworker exam eligibility) | 2026-10-21 |
| Law cited | Minn. Stat. §§ 326B.46, 326B.47; § 326B.092 (fees) | 2026-10-21 |
This page summarises what the Minnesota source said on 2026-10-21. It is general information, not legal advice; the board's own page and the statute are the authority and can change. Confirm with Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) before applying. The free official route is the board itself: its page, application forms and staff answer eligibility questions.