Contractor License Renewal in Minnesota (2026)

Contractor license renewal in Minnesota is handled by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), Construction Codes and Licensing Division, which requires General Contractors to renew every 24 months. Below are the renewal deadline rule, continuing-education (CE) hours, fees, and a direct link to the official renewal page — last verified 2026-06-01. This is an unofficial guide; always confirm the details with the board before you file.

Minnesota Contractor renewal at a glance

Renewal cycle	24 months
Deadline rule	Licenses run on a two-year cycle and expire March 31; some licenses expire in odd-numbered years and others in even-numbered years. Renewal can begin up to 60 days before expiration and must be submitted by March 31 to avoid a late fee.
CE hours required	14 hours
Renewal fee	see board (fee not fixed/published)
Online renewal	Yes
CE tracking system	iMS (DLI online application/renewal system) — QP continuing education status can be checked in iMS and Q registration renews automatically upon CE completion.
Governing body	Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), Construction Codes and Licensing Division

Go to the official Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), Construction Codes and Licensing Division renewal page →

Last verified 2026-06-01 from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), Construction Codes and Licensing Division. automated research workflow (official minnesota contractor board), confidence high.

Continuing-education requirements for Contractors in Minnesota

CE is required of the qualifying person (QP) tied to the license, not the business license directly. The QP must complete 14 hours of DLI-approved continuing education per two-year cycle to renew their Q registration; at least one hour must relate to the Minnesota Energy Code and at least one hour to business management strategies. The contractor/remodeler license cannot be renewed unless its QP holds an active Q registration, which renews automatically once the 14 CE hours are completed.

Need approved hours? Compare Minnesota Contractor CE courses (some links are affiliate links).

How to renew your Contractor license in Minnesota

Confirm your renewal deadline and current status on the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), Construction Codes and Licensing Division portal.
Complete the required 14 CE hours and confirm they appear in iMS (DLI online application/renewal system) — QP continuing education status can be checked in iMS and Q registration renews automatically upon CE completion..
Submit the renewal application and pay the current fee online.
Keep proof of CE and your renewal confirmation for your records.

Good to know: Minnesota licenses residential building contractors and remodelers at the state level through DLI. No single fixed renewal fee: the renewal fee is tiered by gross annual receipts — under $1M = $505; $1M to $5M = $605; over $5M = $705 (each includes a $90 base license renewal fee plus the Contractor Recovery Fund fee). A $90 late fee applies if the renewal is not received by the March 31 expiration date. Renewal also requires an active Minnesota Secretary of State business filing (corporation/LLC/assumed name), current general liability insurance listing DLI as certificate holder, and workers' compensation information. After expiration, municipalities cannot issue building permits to contractors whose renewals are not yet approved. Note: separate state registration/licensing regimes exist for specialized trades (electrical, plumbing, high-pressure piping, etc.) and for construction contractor registration; the figures here are for the residential building contractor/remodeler license. CE is counted per the QP rather than per the license.

Contractor license renewal in Minnesota: frequently asked questions

How often do I renew my Contractor license in Minnesota?

Minnesota Contractor licenses renew every 24 months. Licenses run on a two-year cycle and expire March 31; some licenses expire in odd-numbered years and others in even-numbered years. Renewal can begin up to 60 days before expiration and must be submitted by March 31 to avoid a late fee.

How many CE hours are required to renew an Contractor license in Minnesota?

Approximately 14 continuing-education hours per cycle. CE is required of the qualifying person (QP) tied to the license, not the business license directly. The QP must complete 14 hours of DLI-approved continuing education per two-year cycle to renew their Q registration; at least one hour must relate to the Minnesota Energy Code and at least one hour to business management strategies. The contractor/remodeler license cannot be renewed unless its QP holds an active Q registration, which renews automatically once the 14 CE hours are completed. Confirm the current requirement with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), Construction Codes and Licensing Division.

Can I renew my Minnesota Contractor license online?

Yes — Minnesota offers online renewal through the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), Construction Codes and Licensing Division. Use the official link on this page.

What happens if I let my Minnesota Contractor license expire?

Practicing on an expired license is generally prohibited and can carry penalties. A late fee of about $90 may apply. Contact the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), Construction Codes and Licensing Division promptly if your license has lapsed.

Renew the same license in another state

All states: General Contractor renewal