License path
Minnesota Contractor License Exam Prep
Minnesota contractors are licensed by the Minnesota Dept. of Labor and Industry (DLI). Use the classification list below. Some states fold business questions into the trade exam. We do not sell a standalone Law & Business paper for Minnesota.
Confirm question count, time, open-book rules, and passing score on the live board bulletin before you sit. We do not publish a single Q-count for every classification on this page, and we do not guarantee a passing result.
Getting your Minnesota contractor license? Contractor Pathway offers an original, exam-focused study guide and four full-length practice exams for every Minnesota classification that requires a state board exam — currently 6 courses across Electrical, Plumbing and Building / General Contractor. Choose your classification below and study with 30-, 60-, or 90-day access at $99, $129, and $169.
Who licenses contractors in Minnesota
These are the Minnesota classifications we build exam prep for, each licensed by its responsible board:
| Trade area | Licensing authority | Exam basis |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical | Minnesota Board of Electricity | National Electrical Code (NEC) |
| Plumbing | Minnesota Plumbing Board | Adopted plumbing & fuel-gas codes |
| Building / General Contractor | Minnesota Dept. of Labor and Industry | Adopted building code (IBC / IRC) |
Always confirm the current code edition, experience requirements, fees, and passing score with the board and testing vendor before you schedule. Contractor Pathway is an independent exam-prep provider and is not affiliated with any Minnesota board or testing vendor.
How to get licensed in Minnesota
Minnesota licenses the electrical trades through the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI). One figure is worth knowing before you start: Minnesota’s pass mark is higher than almost every other state’s.
- The pass mark is 80 percent. Minnesota Rule 7410.4760 states plainly: “A knowledge test is satisfactorily passed if a score of at least 80 percent is obtained.” Most states set 70. Preparing to a 70% standard here is preparing to fail.
- Show the work experience, then test. You must pass the written examination before applying for a journeyworker electrician licence, and you must provide evidence of sufficient electrical work experience in order to sit it. The examination fee is $50.
- Renew every two years. Journeyworker licences expire every two years at the end of the month in which the licence was originally issued — so your renewal date follows your own licence, not a common state-wide date.
- Sixteen hours of continuing education, twelve on the Code. To renew you complete 16 hours of DLI-approved continuing education, of which at least 12 must relate to the National Electrical Code. The renewal fee is $53, with a $20 late fee if you miss the date.
Sources: Minn. R. 7410.4760, Passing Score; Minnesota DLI electrical licensing basics and continuing education pages. Contractor Pathway is an independent exam-preparation provider and is not affiliated with DLI.
Choose your Minnesota classification
Each course includes a comprehensive study guide — often 10,000 words or more — worked calculations, code-section breakdowns, common exam traps, a glossary, and a 30/60/90-day study plan — plus four full-length practice exams matched to the topic weightings of the Minnesota test.
Minnesota contractor licensing — FAQ
Who licenses contractors in Minnesota?
The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI). The Residential Building Contractor license is held by the business, with a designated qualifying person who passes the exam and completes pre-license training.
What exam does Minnesota require?
A single combined exam covering business, law, and trade content: 110 multiple-choice questions with a 70% passing score, administered by PSI.
Tell me about the Minnesota exam format.
You have five and a half hours, and the exam is open book – the 2020 Minnesota State Residential Code, the DLI Reference Manual, and a calculator are provided. About 60% of the questions cover the Residential Building Code and the rest cover the governing statutes and rules.
Can I retake the Minnesota exam?
Yes. A failed exam can be retaken through PSI for a new $70 fee, with a minimum of one day between attempts – so fast, well-organized preparation pays off.
How long should I study for the Minnesota exam?
Most candidates do well on a 30-, 60-, or 90-day plan depending on experience, which is why we offer access at all three terms ($99 / $129 / $169). Each guide includes a day-by-day study plan.