Minnesota bathroom remodel: multi-skill work on an existing structure needs the BC or CR license, and the wet wall brings the plumbing layer — a plumbing contractor license under § 326B.46 with a master plumber as responsible individual, the $25,000 bond and $50,000, $100,000 plus $10,000 liability insurance; electrical work needs a Board of Electricity credential. Restricted plumbing contractors stop at cities and towns over 5,000 residents, and the unlicensed contractor's lien is void under § 326B.845.
Residential building contractor / remodeler license required for multi-skill work with owners of 1–4 units — DLI verbatim: 'Any individual or company that contracts directly with an owner of residential real estate (one to four units) to provide work in more than one special skill must have a residential building contractor or residential remodeler license' and 'An owner of residential real estate who builds or improves homes for resale or speculation must have a residential building contractor or residential remodeler license.' Minn. Stat. § 326B.805 subd. 1 makes the license mandatory for anyone meeting the § 326B.802 subd. 11/12 definitions; subd. 3 prohibits acting or holding out as one without a license. The eight special-skill areas are excavation; masonry/concrete; carpentry; interior finishing; exterior finishing; drywall and plaster; roofing; and general installation specialties. S-MN-DLI-RBC-LICENSE
Plumbing contractor license required to offer plumbing work; responsible individual must be a master plumber — Minn. Stat. § 326B.46 verbatim: subd. 1(c) — 'no person shall perform or offer to perform plumbing work with or without compensation unless the person obtains a contractor's license. A contractor's license does not of itself qualify its holder to perform the plumbing work authorized by holding a master, journeyworker, restricted master, or restricted journeyworker license'; subd. 1(b) — the business operates only while 'a licensed master plumber, or in cities and towns with a population of fewer than 5,000 …, a restricted master plumber … is in charge of the plumbing work'; subd. 1b(a) — 'A plumbing contractor's responsible individual must be a master plumber', one contractor only, 15 business days notice of departure and 60 days to replace or the license terminates voluntarily. DLI: 'Businesses that contract to provide plumbing services must have a plumbing contractor license. Licensed plumbing contractors carry a surety bond and liability insurance.' Exemptions (subd. 1a): own occupied residence; employer maintenance crews with a certificate of responsible individual (2-year filing with fee); licensed plumbers employed by a contractor; sewer/water-service installers with bond+insurance; specified chemical-dispensing technicians; well contractors under §§ 103I.525/103I.531. S-MN-MCL-326B-46
Plumbing work requires a surety bond of at least $25,000 — Minn. Stat. § 326B.46 subd. 2(b) verbatim: 'Each person who performs or offers to perform plumbing work within the state shall give and maintain bond to the state in the penal sum of at least $25,000 for (1) all plumbing work entered into within the state or (2) all plumbing work and subsurface sewage treatment work entered into within the state. The bond must comply with section 326B.0921.' The bond (with insurance) is also what exempts sewer/water-service-only installers from the contractor license (subd. 1a(d)). S-MN-MCL-326B-46
Restricted plumbing contractor: work allowed everywhere EXCEPT cities and towns over 5,000 population — Minn. Stat. § 326B.46 subd. 1b(a) verbatim: 'A restricted plumbing contractor license authorizes the contractor to offer to perform and, through licensed and registered individuals, to perform plumbing work in all areas of the state except in cities and towns with a population of more than 5,000 according to the last federal census.' Subd. 1(b): in cities/towns of fewer than 5,000 a restricted master plumber may be in charge of the plumbing work. The restricted tier is Minnesota's under-5,000 carve-out. S-MN-MCL-326B-46
Unlicensed work is a misdemeanor and voids the lien; violating a commissioner order is a gross misdemeanor — Minn. Stat. § 326B.845 verbatim: subd. 1 — 'An individual who violates an order of the commissioner or is the manager, officer, or director of a person who violates an order issued by the commissioner is guilty of a gross misdemeanor'; subd. 2 — 'An unlicensed person who knowingly violates sections 326B.802 to 326B.885 has no right to claim a lien under section 514.01 and the lien is void.' DLI FAQ: 'A person whose company is required to be licensed and who performs unlicensed work as a residential building contractor or remodeler is guilty of a misdemeanor. In addition, an unlicensed person who knowingly violates the law has no right to claim a lien and the lien is void. Individuals engaging in unlicensed activity, misrepresentation or fraud are subject to administrative and civil penalties.' S-MN-MCL-326B-845