How to Become a Licensed Plumber in Minnesota: License Requirements and Guide

Minnesota, Plumbing License

Like other states, in order to become a licensed plumber in Minnesota, you need to go through the licensing process. The plumbing license is governed by the Minnesota Department of Labour and Industry (DLI).

Plumbing can be both fulfilling and financially rewarding if you are serious about making it your next career step. Before you can work as a Journeyman or Master plumber in Minnesota, you must first obtain a plumber’s license. The plumber is licensed by the Minnesota Department of Labour and Industry to ensure that they have the requisite skills and experience to operate safely and lawfully.

In this article, we cover how to become a licensed plumber in Minnesota together with licensing requirements. This includes from the apprentice to journeyman and finally to master plumber. So let’s go through it together!

How to Get a Plumbing License in Minnesota?

Plumbing licenses are issued by the Minnesota Department of Labour and Industry. The first step in becoming a licensed plumber is to register with the state as an unlicensed plumber. In the section below, we cover each level of license in Minnesota.

Minnesota Plumbing Apprenticeship Requirements

In Minnesota, an apprentice plumber is called an unlicensed plumber. To learn the required skills as an unlicensed plumber in Minnesota, you must work for 4 years alongside a skilled plumber during an apprenticeship program that is available in every region.

Once you’re ready and have your high school diploma, enroll with Minnesota’s Construction Codes and Licensing Division or the Minnesota Department of Labour’s Apprenticeship Training Program (registration costs $30.00).

Below are the requirements to register as unlicensed plumber in Minnesota:

  • You just need to pay a fee of $14
  • Once as a registered unlicensed plumber, you may only perform the plumbing work under the direct supervision of a licensed journeyworker plumber or master plumber;
  • The unlicensed plumber may work under the direct supervision of a restricted journeyworker plumber or license-restricted master plumber if such work is in communities where the population is under 5,000;
  • Must also be a W-2 employee of a licensed restricted plumbing contractor, licensed plumbing contractor, or a registered plumbing employer (for work performed on the employer’s premises only).
  • The unlicensed plumber must renew his registration each by 30 June with the renewal fee of $19;
  • Registered unlicensed plumbers must maintain and complete 2 hours of continuing education related to code every year by June 30;
  • Employers will not submit your work experience. You must submit your work experience by yourself for what you have gained in the previous year;
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During the work as a registered unlicensed plumber, you must demonstrate that you have 4 years of practical plumbing experience to be eligible for applying for journeyworker plumber. This consists of 2,000 hours in water distribution system installation, 2,000 hours in Drain, waste, and vent system installation, and 1,000 hours in Fixture installation

You can find further information on unlicensed plumber in Minnesota following this link: https://www.dli.mn.gov/workers/plumber/registered-unlicensed-plumbers

Minnesota Journeyworker Plumber License Requirements

In Minnesota, the journeyman plumber is called journeyworker plumber. A journeyworker plumber is classified as a person, other than a master plumber; according to the Minnesota Department of Labour and Industry.

To become a journeyworker plumber, you must first serve as a registered unlicensed plumber under the guidance of a master plumber for at least four years. You can take the journeyworker plumber test after you’ve met this state standard. A journeyworker plumber can work on any plumbing job but need to be under the supervision of a master plumber.

Below are the requirements to become a journeyworker plumber in Minnesota:

  • You must complete a registered plumbing apprenticeship program, Or
  • Have at least four years of recorded practical plumbing experience as a DLI-registered unlicensed plumber with a minimum of 7,000 hours which include 2,000 hours in water distribution system installation, 2,000 hours in Drain, waste, and vent system installation, and 1,000 hours in Fixture installation; Or
  • Hold a restricted journeyworker plumber license or restricted master plumber license and with a minimum 2 years of practical plumbing experience gained while being a restricted plumber license; Or
  • You hold a current plumber’s license from another state where the licensing jurisdiction has similar requirements as compare to Minnesota; being at least four years of practical plumbing experience and an examination to qualify for licensure.
  • Pay the application fee of $50
  • Pass the examination

You will receive instructions on how to pay for your journeyworker plumbing license if you pass the exam. If you do not pass the exam, you can reapply for the exam after 30 days following the result.

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Minnesota Master Plumber License Requirements

The next step after being a journeyworker plumber is to become a master plumber.

According to the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, a master plumber is described as “a person who is skilled in the in the planning, superintending and the practical installation of plumbing, who is otherwise lawfully qualified to contract for plumbing and installations and to conduct the business of plumbing and who is familiar with the laws and rules governing the same.”

Below are the requirements to become a journeyworker plumber in Minnesota:

  • You must be a licensed journeyworker plumber for at least one year; Or
  • Currently, hold licensed master plumber from another state where the requirements of the licensing jurisdiction are equivalent to those of Minnesota. The requirements are determined by the Minnesota Department of Labour and Industry; Or
  • Currently, hold a Minnesota restricted master plumber with 5 years of verifiable experience in business as a plumbing contractor in Minnesota.
  • Pay the application fee of $50
  • Pass the examination

Just like the journeyworker plumber, you will receive instructions on how to pay for your master plumbing license if you pass the exam. If you do not pass the exam, you can reapply for the exam after 30 days following the result.

Minnesota Plumbing Contractor License Requirements

According to the Minnesota Department of Labour and Industry, a plumbing contractor is “a person who may contract to perform or offer to perform plumbing work in all areas of the state when such contractor has at all times a licensed master plumber as a responsible individual and maintains compliance with the required bond, general liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance requirements (Minnesota Statute 326B.46)”.

In addition, the person above is defined as an individual proprietorship, partnership, corporation, Limited Liability Company, limited liability partnership, limited partnership, or any other legal entity.

Below are the requirements to get the plumbing contractor license in Minnesota:

  • Must hold an active master plumber license (If apply for restricted plumbing contractor license must hold a restricted master plumber),
  • Must be an owner, officer, or member of the business that apply for the license or a W-2 employee who is actively engaged in the company’s plumbing work;
  • The applicant must not be the responsible licensed individual for any other plumbing contractor;
  • Must be responsible for all plumbing work performed by the company’s employees;
  • Must have a Record and approval of the work experience of all registered unlicensed plumbers employed by the company;
  • Provide proof of a public liability insurance policy with the coverage of at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per occurrence as well as the property damage insurance coverage of at least $10,000;
  • Must provide a surety bond of $25,000 in the DLI-approved form;
  • Submit the application form and pay the license fee of $128.
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Salary of Plumber in Minnesota

The salary of a plumber is determined by his or her licence level and venue.

  • The pay rate of a plumber is strongly dependent on his or her license status, place, and experience.
  • A registered unlicensed plumber who is an apprentice can earn about $15 per hour at the beginning stage.
  • The total wage for a journeyman or master plumber is $30.82 per hour, or $58,701.

Insurance for Plumbers in Minnesota

As a plumber, you will need to have health and disability insurance coverage. If you are a plumber work in an organization, the employer will handle the insurance for you; however, if you are an independent plumber, you will need to pay the insurance coverage for your own plan or get the insurance coverage through the union.

Minnesota Plumbing License Reciprocity

Minnesota has a plumbing reciprocal agreement with North Dakota and South Dakota. If you have an equivalent journeyworker plumbing license as well as a master plumbing license, you can apply for license reciprocity to work in Minnesota.

In order to apply for license reciprocity, you need to complete the reciprocity application form and submit online via the link here: https://secure.doli.state.mn.us/license/initialapp.aspx

Minnesota License Renewal

The license renewal depends on each level of license as below:

  • Registered unlicensed plumber: Need to pay registration renewal of $19 by June 30 each year.
  • Journeyworker plumber: Need to pay a renewal license fee of $48 by December 31 of odd-numbered years. In case you pay the renewal fee late, you will need to bear the late fee of $17.50 in addition to the renewal fee.
  • Master plumber: Need to pay a renewal license fee of $88. The late fee is 37.50 in addition to the normal renewal fee.
  • Plumbing contract: Need to pay a renewal license fee of $128.

References

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