How to become a plumber in Minnesota

Minnesota licenses plumbers at the state level through DLI.¹ You start as an apprentice or trainee and work toward the exam.

Pick your way in

A program hires you, pays you on the job and runs your classes.

Learn the basics, then find work to log your hours.

Get hired as a helper by a licensed plumbing contractor and log hours on the job.

Start as an apprentice or trainee
Join a registered apprenticeship, take a trade school program, or work as a helper for a licensed contractor.
Issued by
Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), with the Plumbing Board
Compare the ways in
Journeyworker license4 yrs
4 years of practical plumbing experience as an apprentice or registered unlicensed individual (up to 24 months of earlier experience can count)
Time
4 yrs
Run your own shop
To bid and contract on your own you need a plumbing contractor license or registration.
Issued by
Dept of Labor and Industry (DLI) - Construction Codes and Licensing
Minnesota contractor license

Already logging hours?

Exam vendor, code book, fees, renewal and reciprocity for the Minnesota license.

Pay once you're working

$94,410

a year is the median for plumbers in Minnesota ($45.39 an hour, May 2025).⁵

Minnesota median $45.39 an hour

Yes. Minnesota licenses plumbing contractors through the Dept of Labor and Industry (DLI).³

Projections Central expects about 850 plumber openings a year in Minnesota through 2034, counting new jobs and people leaving the trade.⁴

Next step

11 registered programs in Minnesota. Enter your ZIP to see the closest ones and what they ask for.