Choosing a plumber

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Choosing a plumber

Protect your health and property when having plumbing work done

Hiring a licensed, bonded and insured plumber can help protect homeowners from non-complying work, costly errors, accidents, physical injury and improper plumbing installations. These potential problems can lead to property damage and adverse health effects to building occupants.

State licensing

All individual plumbers in Minnesota must be licensed or registered with our agency. Businesses that contract with consumers to provide plumbing services must have a plumbing contractor license. Licensed plumbing contractors carry a surety bond and liability insurance.

A Minnesota plumbing license demonstrates that the plumber has years of practical, hands-on training, and a proven knowledge of plumbing codes, materials and approved construction methods. All plumbers' licenses must be renewed biannually and should be carried at all times on a work site. Check a plumber's license here.

Code compliance

All plumbing work statewide must comply with the current Minnesota Plumbing Code.

What training and education does a licensed Minnesota plumber have?

Registered unlicensed plumber — The registered unlicensed plumber is the starting position for aspiring plumbers. Registered unlicensed plumbers must register with us and work under the direct supervision of a licensed journeyworker or master plumber. After four years and at least 7,000 hours of practical work experience, an apprentice is eligible to take an exam for a journeyworker license.
Certified pipelayer — A certified pipelayer is an individual who has completed pipe-laying training in an approved program, and has a certificate to show record of the training. This certificate, or pipelayer's card, may be carried by an individual in lieu of a plumber license to work on water service pipes, building drain/sanitary sewer pipes and storm sewer pipes within the property lines of a facility or residence, but not inside buildings. This does not qualify a person to work on interior plumbing.
Restricted journeyworker plumber — A restricted journeyworker plumber was required to document at least two years of practical plumbing experience prior to Oct. 1, 2008. A restricted journeyworker plumber must work under the direction of a master plumber or a restricted master plumber. A restricted journeyworker may work without on-site supervision only in cities with a population of less then 5,000.
Restricted master plumber — A restricted master plumber was required to document at least four years of practical plumbing experience prior to Oct. 1, 2008. A restricted master plumber can bid on plumbing jobs, big and small, and may also design the plumbing systems that will be installed only in cities with a population of less then 5,000.
Journeyworker plumber — Apprentices who pass the exam can become licensed journeyworker plumbers. Journeyworker plumbers must work under the direction of a master plumber in any city with a population over 5,000. A licensed journeyworker is considered knowledgeable and may work without on-site supervision.
Master plumber — A licensed master plumber will have five or more years of practical work experience and knowledge of the Minnesota State Plumbing Code. He or she will have thousands of hours experience with water distribution systems, drain, waste and vent system installation, and fixture installation. A master plumber can bid on plumbing jobs, big and small, and may also design the plumbing systems that will be installed.

Who administers the plumbing program?

The Plumbing Board is responsible for adopting the Minnesota Plumbing Code and any amendments.

Enforcement of plumbing codes

We may take action against a plumber who does non-complying work. Possible actions against plumbers include invocation of the bond to correct non-complying work, fines and suspension or revocation or a license (Minn. Statutes, Section 144.989 to 144.993).