Contractor License from Michigan to Minnesota: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Minnesota Dept. of Labor and Industry (DLI) — Board of Electricity; Construction Codes and Licensing Division (residential contractors) ↗
A contractor license transfers from Michigan 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 Michigan 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 Michigan 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, Michigan → Minnesota
| Michigan (current) | Minnesota (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | Not verified — board site inaccessible. | $50 (Reciprocity application/examination fee is $50; the license fee is additional upon approval.) |
| Processing time | Not verified — board site inaccessible. | Not stated by the board. |
| Licensing authority | Michigan Dept. of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes — Residential Builders; Electrical Administrative 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 Michigan contractor license?
A contractor license transfers from Michigan 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 Michigan 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 Michigan-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 2026-07-21.
- MN DLI — Electrical license reciprocity (partner states + requirements) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- MN DLI — Residential contractors, remodelers, roofers ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Michigan LARA — Bureau of Construction Codes ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]