Minnesota Plumber License Renewal (DLI)

Last reviewed October 2026 · 5 min read

Minnesota master and journeyworker plumber licenses, and plumbing contractor licenses, are two-year licenses that expire on December 31 and renew through DLI's iMS system. Journeyworker and contractor licenses expire in odd-numbered years; the statute and Minn. R. 4716.0040 put master plumber licenses in even-numbered years. Plumbers need 16 hours of approved CE each license period, at least 8 of them on the State Plumbing Code, and DLI must receive the complete renewal by the expiration date.

At a glance

Journeyworker plumber: Expires on December 31 of each odd-numbered year. Next: December 31, 2027
Master plumber: Expires on December 31 of each even-numbered year under Minn. Stat. 326B.49 and Minn. R. 4716.0040 (2026, 2028 and so on). Go by the expiration date on your license in iMS
Plumbing contractor: Expires on December 31 of each odd-numbered year. Next: December 31, 2027
License term: Renewed master and journeyworker plumber licenses are two-year licenses
Continuing education: 16 hours of approved CE in each two-year license period for master and journeyworker plumbers (restricted plumbers too). At least 8 hours must be on the State Plumbing Code; the other 8 can be on the Plumbing Code, technical topics related to plumbing installations and equipment, the Minnesota State Building Code or the Minnesota Statutes governing plumbing work. Hours can be taken online
When to take it: During the license term, before you submit the renewal. Hours count only for the period in which you earn them and don't carry over
Getting credit: CE sponsors report your attendance to DLI, so you don't send completion certificates with the renewal
Fee: $93 for a master plumber, $53 for a journeyworker plumber, $188 for a plumbing contractor
Late fee: Added when DLI receives the renewal after the expiration date: DLI's renewal forms charge $40 for a master plumber ($133 in all), $20 for a journeyworker ($73 in all) and $90 for a plumbing contractor
Renew: Online through iMS, DLI's application and renewal system, or with DLI's paper renewal form. DLI's form for master and journeyworker licenses says they can't be renewed earlier than 60 days before they expire
Deadline: DLI must receive a complete renewal application by the expiration date. While the license is expired, you can't do the work it covers
After it expires: A master, journeyworker or plumbing contractor license can be renewed up to two years after the expiration date, paying the renewal fees for the time it was expired plus the late fee. After two years, a master or journeyworker plumber must retake and pass the exam to get a new license
Contractor renewal: DLI won't renew the contractor license without current liability insurance and workers' compensation information on file. Your responsible master plumber's license and your Secretary of State business filing must be active too
Contractor bond and insurance: A $25,000 surety bond (continuous) and public liability insurance, including products liability, of at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per occurrence, plus at least $10,000 of property damage insurance, from an insurer licensed in Minnesota

DLI's plumbing license basics page says "journeyworker and plumber licenses" expire on December 31 of odd-numbered years, but Minn. Stat. 326B.49 and Minn. R. 4716.0040 both say master plumber licenses expire on December 31 of even-numbered years. Check the date on your own license.

Restricted master and restricted journeyworker plumber licenses are no longer issued; existing ones renew for the same fees as master and journeyworker licenses and must be renewed for as long as you work in the trade. Renew a restricted license on time: it can be lost for good, and the statute and the rule disagree on how soon after it expires.

A plumbing contractor's responsible individual must be a master plumber, and can be the responsible individual for only one contractor. If that person leaves, the contractor has 60 days to name a new one or the license is terminated.

Registered unlicensed plumbers renew every year by June 30, with 2 hours of approved CE.

How to renew

Look up your license in iMS and note the expiration date: December 31 of odd-numbered years for journeyworkers and contractors, December 31 of even-numbered years for masters under the statute.
Finish 16 hours of approved CE, at least 8 on the State Plumbing Code, before you submit the renewal. Your sponsor reports the hours to DLI.
Renew online in iMS (or with the paper form) and pay the fee: $93 master, $53 journeyworker, $188 contractor. Master and journeyworker licenses can be renewed from 60 days before they expire.
Contractors: check DLI has your current liability insurance and workers' comp information, and that your responsible master plumber's license and your Secretary of State filing are active.
Make sure DLI has the complete renewal by December 31, or the late fee applies and you can't work under the license until it's renewed.

Still tracking this in a spreadsheet? On a paid plan, get emailed 90, 60, 30, 7 and 1 days before it expires, by default.

Start free

Deadline checklist

90 days outCheck the expiration date in iMS and book the CE hours you still need (16 per license period, at least 8 on the State Plumbing Code).
60 days outMaster and journeyworker renewals open. Finish your CE first: it must be earned before you submit the renewal.
30 days outRenew in iMS and pay the fee. Contractors: check your insurance information, your responsible master's license and your Secretary of State filing.
December 31Last day for DLI to receive a complete renewal without the late fee. Once the license expires, you can't do the work it covers.

Put this renewal in your calendar

Know your expiration date? Download a free calendar file with reminders before it, no sign-up needed. It's made in your browser: nothing you type is sent to us (your browser keeps it only if you follow the sign-up link, for your new ledger). A Google Calendar button sends just that one event to Google.

The file covers one date: once you renew, make a new one. How to add it to your calendar

The license isn't the only thing expiring

Most lapses that cost contractors work aren't the license itself. They're one of these, renewing on a different date:

Your plumbing contractor license (odd-numbered years) and your responsible master plumber's license
Your registered unlicensed plumbers' registrations (every June 30)
The contractor's liability insurance policy DLI must have current information on
General liability insurance policy
Workers' compensation policy (or exemption)
Certificates of insurance (COIs) you've given to clients and GCs
Commercial auto insurance

LicenseLedger keeps every one of those dates in one place and emails you before each one expires, with reminders far enough ahead to finish CE and paperwork.

Track your renewal dates free

Frequently asked questions

When do Minnesota plumber licenses expire?

On December 31. Journeyworker plumber and plumbing contractor licenses expire on December 31 of each odd-numbered year. Master plumber licenses expire on December 31 of each even-numbered year under Minn. Stat. 326B.49 and Minn. R. 4716.0040 (2026, 2028 and so on).

How many CE hours does a Minnesota plumber need to renew?

16 hours of approved CE in each two-year license period, at least 8 of them on the State Plumbing Code. Hours count only for the period in which you earn them and don't carry over.

How much does it cost to renew a Minnesota plumbing license?

$93 for a master plumber, $53 for a journeyworker plumber and $188 for a plumbing contractor. Renewing after the expiration date adds a late fee: DLI's renewal forms charge $40 for a master plumber, $20 for a journeyworker and $90 for a plumbing contractor.

Can I renew an expired Minnesota plumber license?

A master, journeyworker or plumbing contractor license can be renewed up to two years after the expiration date, paying the renewal fees for the time it was expired plus the late fee. After two years, a master or journeyworker plumber must retake and pass the exam. While the license is expired, you can't do the work it covers.

What bond and insurance does a Minnesota plumbing contractor need?

A $25,000 surety bond and public liability insurance, including products liability, of at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per occurrence, plus at least $10,000 of property damage insurance.

Official sources

Rules, fees and CE requirements change. Confirm the current requirements with the official source before you renew:

Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), plumbers

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Other Minnesota guides

All Minnesota guides on one page

Plumber guides for other states

2027 license renewal deadlines, month by month

Get a reminder before this renewal is due

Add this license, your insurance policies and the COIs you collect from subs to LicenseLedger, and get an email before each one expires. Free for up to 3 records, no credit card required.

Start free

How LicenseLedger works for plumbers

Not ready to sign up? Get the free tracking spreadsheet

Minnesota Plumber License Renewal (DLI)

Last reviewed October 2026 · 5 min read

At a glance

Journeyworker plumber: Expires on December 31 of each odd-numbered year. Next: December 31, 2027
Master plumber: Expires on December 31 of each even-numbered year under Minn. Stat. 326B.49 and Minn. R. 4716.0040 (2026, 2028 and so on). Go by the expiration date on your license in iMS
Plumbing contractor: Expires on December 31 of each odd-numbered year. Next: December 31, 2027
License term: Renewed master and journeyworker plumber licenses are two-year licenses
Continuing education: 16 hours of approved CE in each two-year license period for master and journeyworker plumbers (restricted plumbers too). At least 8 hours must be on the State Plumbing Code; the other 8 can be on the Plumbing Code, technical topics related to plumbing installations and equipment, the Minnesota State Building Code or the Minnesota Statutes governing plumbing work. Hours can be taken online
When to take it: During the license term, before you submit the renewal. Hours count only for the period in which you earn them and don't carry over
Getting credit: CE sponsors report your attendance to DLI, so you don't send completion certificates with the renewal
Fee: $93 for a master plumber, $53 for a journeyworker plumber, $188 for a plumbing contractor
Late fee: Added when DLI receives the renewal after the expiration date: DLI's renewal forms charge $40 for a master plumber ($133 in all), $20 for a journeyworker ($73 in all) and $90 for a plumbing contractor
Renew: Online through iMS, DLI's application and renewal system, or with DLI's paper renewal form. DLI's form for master and journeyworker licenses says they can't be renewed earlier than 60 days before they expire
Deadline: DLI must receive a complete renewal application by the expiration date. While the license is expired, you can't do the work it covers
After it expires: A master, journeyworker or plumbing contractor license can be renewed up to two years after the expiration date, paying the renewal fees for the time it was expired plus the late fee. After two years, a master or journeyworker plumber must retake and pass the exam to get a new license
Contractor renewal: DLI won't renew the contractor license without current liability insurance and workers' compensation information on file. Your responsible master plumber's license and your Secretary of State business filing must be active too
Contractor bond and insurance: A $25,000 surety bond (continuous) and public liability insurance, including products liability, of at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per occurrence, plus at least $10,000 of property damage insurance, from an insurer licensed in Minnesota

Registered unlicensed plumbers renew every year by June 30, with 2 hours of approved CE.

How to renew

Look up your license in iMS and note the expiration date: December 31 of odd-numbered years for journeyworkers and contractors, December 31 of even-numbered years for masters under the statute.
Finish 16 hours of approved CE, at least 8 on the State Plumbing Code, before you submit the renewal. Your sponsor reports the hours to DLI.
Renew online in iMS (or with the paper form) and pay the fee: $93 master, $53 journeyworker, $188 contractor. Master and journeyworker licenses can be renewed from 60 days before they expire.
Contractors: check DLI has your current liability insurance and workers' comp information, and that your responsible master plumber's license and your Secretary of State filing are active.
Make sure DLI has the complete renewal by December 31, or the late fee applies and you can't work under the license until it's renewed.

Still tracking this in a spreadsheet? On a paid plan, get emailed 90, 60, 30, 7 and 1 days before it expires, by default.

Start free

Deadline checklist

90 days outCheck the expiration date in iMS and book the CE hours you still need (16 per license period, at least 8 on the State Plumbing Code).
60 days outMaster and journeyworker renewals open. Finish your CE first: it must be earned before you submit the renewal.
30 days outRenew in iMS and pay the fee. Contractors: check your insurance information, your responsible master's license and your Secretary of State filing.
December 31Last day for DLI to receive a complete renewal without the late fee. Once the license expires, you can't do the work it covers.

Put this renewal in your calendar

The file covers one date: once you renew, make a new one. How to add it to your calendar

The license isn't the only thing expiring

Most lapses that cost contractors work aren't the license itself. They're one of these, renewing on a different date:

Your plumbing contractor license (odd-numbered years) and your responsible master plumber's license
Your registered unlicensed plumbers' registrations (every June 30)
The contractor's liability insurance policy DLI must have current information on
General liability insurance policy
Workers' compensation policy (or exemption)
Certificates of insurance (COIs) you've given to clients and GCs
Commercial auto insurance

LicenseLedger keeps every one of those dates in one place and emails you before each one expires, with reminders far enough ahead to finish CE and paperwork.

Track your renewal dates free

Frequently asked questions

When do Minnesota plumber licenses expire?

How many CE hours does a Minnesota plumber need to renew?

16 hours of approved CE in each two-year license period, at least 8 of them on the State Plumbing Code. Hours count only for the period in which you earn them and don't carry over.

How much does it cost to renew a Minnesota plumbing license?

Can I renew an expired Minnesota plumber license?

What bond and insurance does a Minnesota plumbing contractor need?

A $25,000 surety bond and public liability insurance, including products liability, of at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per occurrence, plus at least $10,000 of property damage insurance.

Official sources

Rules, fees and CE requirements change. Confirm the current requirements with the official source before you renew:

Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), plumbers

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Other Minnesota guides

All Minnesota guides on one page

Plumber guides for other states

2027 license renewal deadlines, month by month

Get a reminder before this renewal is due

Add this license, your insurance policies and the COIs you collect from subs to LicenseLedger, and get an email before each one expires. Free for up to 3 records, no credit card required.

Start free

How LicenseLedger works for plumbers

Not ready to sign up? Get the free tracking spreadsheet