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Official board data · verified May 2026
Residential Building Contractor contractor

Minnesota General Contractor License

A Minnesota Residential Building Contractor requires 14 continuing-education hours every 2 years, a $360 state renewal fee, and no state license bond. Minnesota currently enforces the 2020 IRC. Requirements, approved courses, bond and renewal steps for 2026.

At a glance MN · IBC/IRC
CE hours
14 / 2-yr
Renewal fee
$360
Bond
None ✓
Code
2020 IRC

Source: MN DLI · compiled 2026-05-23

Need your 14 CE hours? RedVector (Vector Solutions) carries the largest approved-course catalog for Minnesota.

See approved courses

Informational only — not legal advice, and not affiliated with any licensing board. Confirm every figure with the official board before you act. Some links are affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Full disclaimer.

Continuing education

Hours required
14
Renewal cycle
2 yr
Provider approval
Required
Subject breakdown
  • Energy code
  • Building code

CE courses for Minnesota residential building contractors

General Contractor continuing-education providers offering courses for Minnesota. Confirm a provider appears on MN DLI’s approved-provider list before you buy.

Affiliate disclosure: the links below are affiliate links — clicking may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. Our editor’s pick is the provider with the largest continuing-education catalog among those approved for your state; the rest are listed alphabetically. Affiliate status doesn’t change which providers appear or their order.

Editor's pick largest approved catalog for MN

RedVector (Vector Solutions)

Broad catalog across all four trades

Online self-paced · from $19 · 250+ courses

View courses →

At Your Pace Online

Multi-trade CE with real coverage in many states

Online self-paced · from $15 View courses

Still need to pass the licensing exam? @HomePrep →

Bond & insurance

Contractor bond
Not required

No state license bond required at this tier. Local permits may still require one.

Insurance
$100,000

General-liability minimum. Workers’ compensation insurance is required.

These limits often apply to the licensed contractor/business, not an individual contractor working as an employee — confirm which applies to your situation with MN DLI.

Compare GL & workers’-comp quotes

Reciprocity

Minnesota does not publish direct reciprocity for this license. Out-of-state holders typically apply for endorsement and may need to pass the state exam. The reciprocity map shows which states do honor each other.

How to renew, step by step

  1. 1

    Check your renewal deadline

    Log in to the MN DLI portal and confirm your expiration date and license number before doing anything else.

  2. 2

    Complete continuing education

    Complete your 14 required CE hours every 2 years with a board-approved provider (provider approval is required in this state). Keep your completion certificates.

  3. 3

    Gather bond & insurance proof

    Have current proof of your license bond and general-liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage ready to upload.

  4. 4

    Submit and pay

    Submit the renewal through the MN DLI portal and pay the $360 fee. Renewing online is faster than mailing a paper form.

  5. 5

    Save your confirmation

    Download the confirmation and your updated license. If you missed the deadline, look for the late/reinstatement path rather than re-applying from scratch.

Frequently asked questions

How many CE hours do I need for Minnesota Residential Building Contractor renewal?
14 hours every 2 years. Subjects: Energy code; Building code.
What does Minnesota Residential Building Contractor renewal cost?
The state filing fee is $360. Approved CE courses are an additional cost that varies by provider (commonly around $15–$100).
Does Minnesota accept reciprocity for this license?
Minnesota does not publish reciprocity for this license. Out-of-state holders typically apply for endorsement and may sit for an exam.
Which code is Minnesota currently enforcing?
Minnesota is currently on the 2020 IRC. Make sure your CE courses cover the current code year.

Don’t lose your license to a missed deadline

Minnesota Residential Building Contractors renew every 2 years. Set a reminder so you have time to finish your 14 CE hours before you’re due.

Used to set your reminder. With the email option we’ll time it 90, 30 and 7 days before.

Add it to your calendar

Download a calendar file with alerts 90, 30 and 7 days before. Works with Apple, Google and Outlook. Nothing leaves your device.

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