Minnesota kitchen remodel: work on an EXISTING structure in more than one special skill — carpentry, interior finishing, drywall and plaster — needs a residential remodeler (or building contractor) license under § 326B.805. Plumbing or electrical work inside the kitchen pulls the § 326B.46 plumbing contractor license with a master plumber responsible, or the Board of Electricity credential; a mechanical contractor needs no state license, only the $25,000 bond. All agreements must be written under § 326B.809 with the license number on every document.
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
Electrical work needs DLI electrical licenses (contractor/electrician/sign/satellite); employers register unlicensed helpers — DLI verbatim: 'We license electrical contractors, electricians, satellite system installers, sign contractors and register unlicensed individuals.' The Board of Electricity adopted 'the 2026 National Electrical Code (NEC) with an effective date of Aug. 17, 2026' — 'Electrical permits filed before Aug. 17, 2026, must comply with the 2023 NEC. Electrical permits filed on or after Aug. 17, 2026, must comply with the 2026 NEC. Electrical licensing exams will transition to the 2026 NEC beginning Sept. 8, 2026.' Statutory skeleton: §§ 326B.31–399 (Board of Electricity, § 326B.33 licenses) with § 326B.092 fees (business base $180 + $8 board fee for 2 years + $50 exam where commissioner-administered) — per-class fee rows were not read this phase (research §J item 5). Since July 1, 2023 the residential SOLAR installation itself must be performed by a Minnesota-licensed electrical contractor (REQ-MN-SOLAR-001). S-MN-DLI-ELECTRICAL
All residential contractor agreements must be written, priced, with performance guidelines and a free signed copy — Minn. Stat. § 326B.809 verbatim: (a) 'All agreements including proposals, estimates, bids, quotations, contracts, purchase orders, and change orders between a licensee and a customer for the performance of a licensee's services must be in writing and must contain the following: (1) a detailed summary of the services to be performed; (2) a description of the specific materials to be used or a list of standard features to be included; and (3) the total contract price or a description of the basis on which the price will be calculated.' (b) 'Before entering into an agreement, the licensee shall provide a prospective customer with written performance guidelines … All agreements shall be signed and dated by the licensee and customer.' (c) the customer receives a signed and dated document at no charge at signing — agreements, performance guidelines and mechanic's lien waivers. S-MN-MCL-326B-809
License number required on all advertising, contracts, notices and permit applications — DLI FAQ verbatim: 'License numbers must be on all business cards, contracts, notices and statements relating to the filing of mechanics liens and all other advertising including websites. The law does not require a specific size print or location for the license number.' Also: 'The license number of a contractor or remodeler must be placed on all building permits and building permit applications made by or issued by the state or a political subdivision.' Plumbing contractors have a stricter display rule — vehicle signage with characters at least three inches high (REQ-MN-VEHICLE-SIGNAGE-001). S-MN-DLI-RBC-FAQ
02 Which credentials this project can touch
Credential
Relation
Rule
Source
Residential Building Contractor (business license)