Minnesota Electrical Contractor

To get a electrical contractor license in Minnesota, form a business with the MN Secretary of State, designate a Class A Master Electrician as your responsible licensed individual, upload the DLI-required insurance certificate, file a $25,000 surety bond, submit owner disclosures, and pay the $188 fee in iMS.

Requirements last verified: 2026-10-30

Requirement	Details
Licensing agency	Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), Construction Codes and Licensing Division (CCLD). See DLI’s Electrical Contractor Licensing Basics and iMS portal for applications. Source | Source
Fees	Initial license (Class A Electrical Contractor) $188; Renewal $188; Late renewal $278. Source
Responsible individual	Must designate a Class A Master Electrician as responsible licensed individual; must be an owner/officer/member or W‑2 employee; cannot be responsible for another contractor. Source
Insurance	General liability with at least $100,000 per occurrence, $300,000 aggregate, and $50,000 property damage (or $300,000 CSL); submit ACORD or DLI certificate listing DLI as certificate holder. Source | Source
Bond	$25,000 Electrical Contractor Surety Bond on DLI form; continuous, cumulative in two‑year periods. Source
Owner/officer disclosure	File Disclosure of Business Owners, Partners, Officers and Members (≥10% ownership) with application. Source
Exam	No business exam. The responsible individual must hold a Class A Master Electrician license (exam-based per statute). Source
Experience	Business license: none. Master of record must meet Master Electrician qualification paths (e.g., 1 year as JW or 5 years specified experience, or EE degree). Source | Source
Minimum age	No stated age for the business license. Individuals performing electrical work must be at least 17 and appropriately licensed/registered. Source
Renewal	Electrical contractor licenses expire the last day of February in even‑numbered years; renew in iMS and maintain insurance/bond. Source

How to get an electrical contractor license in Minnesota

1. Form and register your business. Register your legal entity and any assumed name (DBA) with the Minnesota Secretary of State, then gather your SOS record printout for the application packet. Source
2. Designate a responsible licensed individual. Secure a Class A Master Electrician as your responsible licensed individual and complete DLI’s Certificate of Responsible Master Electrician (CC0517). Source | Source
3. Obtain required insurance. Ask your agent for an ACORD 25 or DLI certificate meeting the statutory limits and naming DLI as certificate holder; upload it in iMS. Source | Source
4. File the $25,000 bond. Have your surety complete and sign DLI’s Electrical Contractor Surety Bond form; upload the executed bond and POA. Source
5. Complete owner/officer disclosures. Submit DLI’s Disclosure of Business Owners, Partners, Officers and Members for ≥10% owners and key officers. Source
6. Apply and pay in iMS. Log into DLI’s iMS, select Electrical Contractor, upload all forms, and pay the $188 new license fee (renewal also $188; late renewal $278). Source | Source
7. Maintain compliance after approval. Pull permits, schedule inspections, supervise unlicensed workers per ratio rules, and notify DLI within 15 days if your responsible individual changes. Source

Minnesota electrical contractor license: forms, fees, and fine print

DLI’s official packet consolidates what you must upload: the license application, Certificate of Responsible Master Electrician (CC0517), $25,000 bond, insurance certificate, and owner/officer disclosure. The packet also reiterates the exact fees and submission options (online via iMS or by mail). Source | Source

Responsible Master Electrician (Master of Record)

Your responsible licensed individual must be a Class A Master Electrician who is an owner/officer/member or a W‑2 employee and cannot serve as the responsible individual for any other contractor. They’re accountable for all electrical work performed by your company. Source

Insurance and bond—exact Minnesota requirements

Minnesota law requires general liability insurance of at least $100,000 per occurrence, $300,000 aggregate, and $50,000 property damage (or $300,000 CSL), evidenced on an ACORD or DLI-approved certificate listing DLI as certificate holder; plus a $25,000 contractor bond on DLI’s form. Source | Source

Renewal timing and ongoing duties

Electrical contractor licenses expire the last day of February in even-numbered years. Keep your insurance and bond active, obtain permits before work, call for inspections, supervise unlicensed workers (no more than two per licensed electrician), and update DLI within 15 days if your responsible individual changes. Source

Do individuals need experience or pass an exam?

The business license has no exam, but your responsible individual must hold a Class A Master Electrician license. Minnesota Statutes allow qualification via 1 year as a journeyworker, 5 years of specified experience, or an EE degree—plus passing the master exam. Source | Source

Employer registration and supervising unlicensed workers

If you employ registered unlicensed individuals or do employer maintenance work, you must follow DLI supervision rules and may need an Electrical Employer Registration ($100). A licensed person may supervise no more than two unlicensed people. Source | Source

For a deeper dive on what you’ll actually pay from application through renewal (and what can increase your cost), see our breakdown of MN electrical contractor license costs. If you’re also exploring mechanical work, compare bonding and fees in our guide to the Minnesota HVAC contractor license cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to get a Minnesota electrical contractor license?

The DLI fee is $188 for a new Class A Electrical Contractor license. Renewal is also $188, and a late renewal is $278. You’ll also need a $25,000 surety bond and to maintain liability insurance meeting statutory minimums. Source | Source | Source

Do I need a Master Electrician to hold the company’s license?

Yes. You must designate a Class A Master Electrician as your responsible licensed individual (owner/officer/member or W‑2 employee). They cannot serve as the responsible individual for another contractor and are accountable for all company electrical work. Source

What insurance is required for a Minnesota electrical contractor?

General liability with at least $100,000 per occurrence, $300,000 aggregate, and $50,000 property damage (or a $300,000 combined single limit). Provide an ACORD 25 or DLI certificate listing DLI as certificate holder. Source | Source

When do Minnesota electrical contractor licenses expire?

They expire on the last day of February in even-numbered years. Renew through DLI’s iMS and keep your bond and insurance active to avoid a lapsed license and late fees. Source

Is there an exam for the contractor license?

No business exam is required. However, your responsible licensed individual must hold a Class A Master Electrician license, which requires qualifying experience/education under Minnesota Statutes § 326B.33 and passing the master exam. Source

What forms do I submit with my application?

Upload the application, Certificate of Responsible Master Electrician (CC0517), $25,000 bond on DLI’s form, insurance certificate, and the owner/officer disclosure (≥10% owners). File everything through iMS. Source | Source | Source | Source

Ready to move from requirements to done? License Navigator can walk you through Minnesota’s forms, bonding, and iMS submission so you get licensed faster—and renew on time.