Plumber License from North Dakota to Minnesota: Does It Transfer? (2026)

What's different between North Dakota and Minnesota

Computed from both states' verified data rows, in both directions, and from the route every other origin gets into Minnesota. Exam notes are our summary of each board's published rules, with sources below.

Route, each way

North Dakota to Minnesota (this page): Reciprocity agreement.

Minnesota to North Dakota (the reverse move): Reciprocity agreement.

The route is the same in both directions.

Does coming from North Dakota matter?

Coming from North Dakota matters here: only 2 of 50 origins (the other 49 states and DC) get this result for a move into Minnesota.

The others get: licensure by endorsement (39) and no state license to transfer (9).

Reciprocity agreements

Minnesota's reciprocity agreement list names 2 states (North Dakota and South Dakota), including North Dakota.

North Dakota's reciprocity agreement list names 3 states (Minnesota, Montana, and South Dakota), including Minnesota.

Application fee

Minnesota lists $50–$103 for an out-of-state applicant and North Dakota lists $150–$250 for the reverse move; neither may be the full cost.

Exam rules on record

Minnesota and North Dakota carry different exam notes (our summaries, below); any state law or jurisprudence exam is listed with each state's requirements.

• Minnesota (this move): Minnesota waives its journeyworker plumber exam only for applicants licensed by examination at the state level in North Dakota or South Dakota; every other out-of-state plumber must pass the Minnesota journeyworker exam.
• North Dakota (the reverse move): North Dakota waives its journeyman (and master) plumber examination for applicants who hold a current, good-standing license issued under the substantially-equivalent laws of Minnesota, Montana, or South Dakota; reciprocity requires a Certificate of Endorsement from the home-state board (Minnesota licenses must have been held at least one year, and South Dakota journeyman reciprocity additionally requires state residency). All other out-of-state plumbers must pass the North Dakota journeyman written and practical examinations.

What changes, North Dakota → Minnesota

The destination column is what you must satisfy — Minnesota sets the rules for this move.

Step by step

1. Confirm Minnesota's current requirements on the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry — Construction Codes and Licensing Division (CCLD) website (linked below) — rules change.
2. Submit the reciprocity application to the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry — Construction Codes and Licensing Division (CCLD) (application linked below).
3. Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
4. Hold the same or higher class of license, obtained by state-level examination, in North Dakota or South Dakota.
5. Have held that qualifying license for at least one year, current and in good standing.
6. The qualifying license must not have been obtained through a reciprocal agreement with a city or other political subdivision.
7. Not have previously failed the same or higher class Minnesota plumber examination.
8. Pay the fees listed above, and allow for the processing time shown there.

Official links

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