Contractor License from Colorado to Minnesota: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-08-07 · source: Minnesota Dept. of Labor and Industry (DLI) — Board of Electricity; Construction Codes and Licensing Division (residential contractors) ↗
A contractor license transfers from Colorado to Minnesota by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Minnesota Dept. of Labor and Industry (DLI) — Board of Electricity; Construction Codes and Licensing Division (residential contractors), verify your Colorado license, and meet Minnesota's endorsement requirements. The Minnesota residential building contractor/remodeler/roofer license (DLI) offers no reciprocity — a qualifying person must pass the Minnesota exam. The Minnesota Board of Electricity grants Class A journeyworker and master electrician licenses WITHOUT examination to applicants who obtained an equivalent license by state-level examination in a reciprocal-agreement state..
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Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
Minnesota does not have a trade agreement covering Colorado for the selected trade, so this move runs on Minnesota's case-by-case endorsement process. If you do commercial general-building work, check whether Minnesota accepts the NASCLA exam — passing it once can replace the trade exam here and in about fourteen other states. Electricians should check Minnesota's NERA status.
What changes, Colorado → Minnesota
| Colorado (current) | Minnesota (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $100–$140 (Plumbing application fee per the DPO Plumbing Licensing Guide: Residential $100, Journeyworker $120, Master $140. Electrical application fees are NOT published on the board's website or in the Electrical Licensing Guide — they are charged by credit card inside the DPO Online Services portal. All fees non-refundable and non-transferable. No state general contractor or HVAC fee exists.) | $50 (Reciprocity application/examination fee is $50; the license fee is additional upon approval.) |
| Processing time | Neither the State Electrical Board nor the State Plumbing Board publishes a processing-time estimate; DPO only warns that an incomplete application will delay processing | Not stated by the board. |
| Licensing authority | Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations — State Electrical Board and State Plumbing Board | Minnesota Dept. of Labor and Industry (DLI) — Board of Electricity; Construction Codes and Licensing Division (residential contractors) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Minnesota sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Minnesota's current requirements on the Minnesota Dept. of Labor and Industry (DLI) — Board of Electricity; Construction Codes and Licensing Division (residential contractors) website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Minnesota Dept. of Labor and Industry (DLI) — Board of Electricity; Construction Codes and Licensing Division (residential contractors) (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Obtained the same or greater class of electrical license by examination at the state level (not via a city/local reciprocal agreement) in the first state.
- Held the license at least one year; current and in good standing.
- Must not have failed the same or greater class of Minnesota license exam.
- Submit the reciprocity application with a $50 application/examination fee, plus the license fee upon approval.
- Pay the fees ($50 (Reciprocity application/examination fee is $50; the license fee is additional upon approval.)) and allow Not stated by the board..
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Minnesota accept a Colorado contractor license?
A contractor license transfers from Colorado to Minnesota by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Minnesota Dept. of Labor and Industry (DLI) — Board of Electricity; Construction Codes and Licensing Division (residential contractors), verify your Colorado license, and meet Minnesota's endorsement requirements. The Minnesota residential building contractor/remodeler/roofer license (DLI) offers no reciprocity — a qualifying person must pass the Minnesota exam. The Minnesota Board of Electricity grants Class A journeyworker and master electrician licenses WITHOUT examination to applicants who obtained an equivalent license by state-level examination in a reciprocal-agreement state..
What still applies even if reciprocity covers my trade?
Minnesota's business and law exam, financial statement, bond, and registration — reciprocity waives the trade exam only, not these.
What does the Colorado-to-Minnesota move cost and how long does it take?
$50 (Reciprocity application/examination fee is $50; the license fee is additional upon approval.); processing Not stated by the board..
Would the NASCLA exam help for this move?
If you do commercial general-building work, possibly — about 15 states accept the NASCLA Accredited Commercial General Building exam toward licensure. Check whether Minnesota is one on the Minnesota Dept. of Labor and Industry (DLI) — Board of Electricity; Construction Codes and Licensing Division (residential contractors) site.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-08-07.
- MN DLI — Electrical license reciprocity (partner states + requirements) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- MN DLI — Residential contractors, remodelers, roofers ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Colorado State Electrical Board — Applications and Forms (License by Endorsement Method / License by Reciprocity Method, NERA state list) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- Colorado State Plumbing Board — Applications and Forms (License by Endorsement Method) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- Colorado DORA — Consumer Protection, Home & Repair ("Not all occupations are licensed, such as roofers and general contractors") ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- Colorado DPO — About (complete list of regulated Occupational Professions programs; no general contractor, HVAC/mechanical, or roofing program) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-08-07
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]