Roofing license
Roofing license requirements in Minnesota
Yes — a company doing residential roofing in Minnesota must hold a state residential roofer (or residential building contractor) license from the Department of Labor and Industry.
The short answer
Yes — a company doing residential roofing in Minnesota must hold a state residential roofer (or residential building contractor) license from the Department of Labor and Industry.
Do you need a license to roof in Minnesota?
Residential Roofer license (roofing only) or Residential Building Contractor / Remodeler license, issued by the MN Dept. of Labor and Industry (DLI).
Who issues it: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI).
Last verified: 2026-07-19
Minnesota roofing license at a glance
Every figure here is a plain-English starting point read from the official state board — always confirm the current requirements at the source before you rely on them.
License type / class
Residential Roofer license (roofing only) or Residential Building Contractor / Remodeler license, issued by the MN Dept. of Labor and Industry (DLI).
Issuing board
Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) — dli.mn.gov
Exam required
Yes
Experience / qualification
No prerequisite experience or education to sit the exam, but the company's qualifying person must pass the DLI prelicensing exam.
Bond
A $15,000 surety bond is required.
Insurance minimum
General liability of at least $300,000 per occurrence with at least $10,000 property damage, plus workers' compensation and unemployment insurance (or filed exemptions).
Application fee
License fee of $180, plus a criminal-background-check submission for listed owners and officers.
Renewal
License renews on the DLI cycle; the qualifying person must complete continuing education.
Reciprocity
No general reciprocity; out-of-state companies license through DLI.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| License type / class | Residential Roofer license (roofing only) or Residential Building Contractor / Remodeler license, issued by the MN Dept. of Labor and Industry (DLI). |
| Issuing board | Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) — dli.mn.gov |
| Exam required | Yes |
| Experience / qualification | No prerequisite experience or education to sit the exam, but the company's qualifying person must pass the DLI prelicensing exam. |
| Bond | A $15,000 surety bond is required. |
| Insurance minimum | General liability of at least $300,000 per occurrence with at least $10,000 property damage, plus workers' compensation and unemployment insurance (or filed exemptions). |
| Application fee | License fee of $180, plus a criminal-background-check submission for listed owners and officers. |
| Renewal | License renews on the DLI cycle; the qualifying person must complete continuing education. |
| Reciprocity | No general reciprocity; out-of-state companies license through DLI. |
How to get a roofing license in Minnesota
- Designate a qualifying person to take the DLI residential roofer exam.
- Pass the prelicensing exam (110 questions, 70% to pass).
- Obtain the $15,000 surety bond and the required liability, workers' comp, and unemployment coverage.
- Submit the license application, $180 fee, and background-check forms to DLI.
- Keep continuing education and insurance current at renewal.
Working without a license in Minnesota
Doing residential roofing without the required license can bring administrative penalties from DLI.
Last verified: 2026-07-19
Roofing license rules change and often vary by city and county. This page is a plain-English starting point, not legal advice — always confirm the current requirements with the state board linked below before you rely on them.
Verify at the source: dli.mn.gov
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