Do you need a license to be a carpenter in Minnesota?
No. Minnesota doesn't license carpenters as a trade. Contractors need a license for residential work from Minnesota DLI, Residential Contractors.
State license · By ChiselJobs Team · Updated
In short
Minnesota does not license carpenters, but residential contractors and remodelers need a license from the Department of Labor and Industry. The Residential Building Contractor and Residential Remodeler licenses require a qualifying person to pass an exam, a bond or insurance, and payment into a recovery fund. Contractors grossing under $15,000 a year are exempt. Licenses renew every two years with 14 hours of continuing education, including one on the energy code. Commercial general contracting is licensed locally, not by the state. Minnesota builds under its 2020 Residential and Building Codes, based on the 2018 IRC and IBC.
Key facts
| Carpenter license | No |
| Licensing level | State (residential) |
| General contractor license | No (local) |
| Residential contractor license | Residential Building Contractor; Residential Remodeler |
| Home improvement registration | Covered by remodeler license |
| When a license is needed | Exempt under $15,000/yr gross |
| Carpentry classification | None |
| Exam | Qualifying person exam |
| Experience | None |
| Bond / insurance | Bond/insurance; recovery fund |
| Renewal | 2 years |
| Continuing education | 14 hrs (1 energy code) |
| Local license | No (state license covers) |
| Board | Minnesota DLI, Residential Contractors |
Exam
| Exam provider | Minnesota DLI |
| Questions | 110 |
| Time | 5.5 hours |
| Passing score | 70% |
Residential building contractor, remodeler and roofer exam: 110 multiple-choice questions; qualifying person needs 14 hours CE to renew.
- Source: dli.mn.gov · checked November 6, 2026
- Source: dli.mn.gov · checked November 6, 2026
Bond and insurance
- Source: dli.mn.gov · checked November 6, 2026
Apprenticeship
| Registering agency | State Apprenticeship Agency (Minnesota DLI) |
- Source: apprenticeship.gov · checked November 6, 2026
- Source: dli.mn.gov · checked November 6, 2026
Building code
| Code in force | IRC 2018; IBC 2018 (as 2020 Minnesota Residential and Building Codes) |
2020 Minnesota State Building Code effective March 31, 2020 (mechanical April 6, 2020); enforceable by a municipality only where adopted by local ordinance.
- Source: revisor.mn.gov · checked November 5, 2026
- Source: revisor.mn.gov · checked November 5, 2026
- Source: dli.mn.gov · checked November 5, 2026