Who needs a license?

If you have questions about whether a license is required, contact the Department of Labor and Industry at (651) 284-5069 to discuss your activities and what type of license may be required. Unlicensed activity may result in administrative action.

More information is available under "Residential building contractor license" at left.

All residential building contractors and residential remodelers who contract with an owner to construct or improve dwellings for habitation by one to four families (including detached garages) and perform two or more special skills must be licensed unless exempt under one of the provisions noted below. The licensing requirement also applies to any person acting as a "spec" homebuilder. The only difference between a residential building contractor and residential remodeler is a residential building contractor can build new homes and work on existing structures, whereas a remodeler can only work on existing structures.

The following are exempt from the contractor/remodeler licensing requirements:

employees of a licensed contractor or remodeler;
material suppliers who do not install or attach the items;
owners doing work on their own property (unless they are engaged in building on speculation);
architects or engineers doing work within the scope of their practice;
people whose annual gross receipts from their residential contracting or remodeling activities are less than $15,000 (gross receipts are defined as the total amount derived from residential contracting or remodeling activities, regardless of where the activities are performed, and must not be reduced by cost of goods sold, expenses, losses or any other amount)*;
school districts and technical colleges;
plumbers, electricians, mechanical contractors and other professionals who are otherwise subject to statewide licensing, when engaged in the activity that is the subject of licensure;
specialty contractors who provide only one "special skill" (except residential roofers);
any person who only engages in activities found within one of the eight categories listed below is not required to be licensed (except residential roofers).

*Note: Any person claiming the "gross receipts" exemption must obtain a Certificate of Exemption from the Department of Labor and Industry by filing an application that requires an affidavit stating the applicant does not expect to exceed $15,000 in gross annual receipts during the calendar year for which the exemption is requested. The Certificate of Exemption must be renewed annually. If the person's gross receipts exceed $15,000 at any time during an annual exemption period, the Certificate of Exemption must be immediately surrendered and application for a license must be filed.

*"Special skill"* means one of the following eight categories
1. Excavation excavation trenching grading site grading	2. Masonry/concrete drain systems poured walls slabs and poured-in-place footings masonry walls masonry fireplaces masonry veneer water resistance and waterproofing
3. Carpentry rough carpentry finish carpentry doors, windows and skylights porches and decks (excluding concrete footings) wood foundations drywall installation (excluding taping and finishing)	4. Interior finishing floor covering wood floors cabinet and countertop installation insulation and vapor barriers interior or exterior painting ceramic, marble and quarry tile wallpapering ornamental guardrail and installation of prefabricated stairs
5. Exterior finishing siding soffit, fascia and trim exterior plaster and stucco painting rain carrying systems, including gutters and down spouts	6. Drywall and plaster installation taping finishing interior plaster painting wallpapering
7. Roofing roof coverings roof sheathing roof weatherproofing and insulation repair of roof support system, but not construction of new roof support system Roofers are required to obtain a license. Contact the Department of Labor and Industry for further information.	8. General installation specialties garage doors and openers pools, spas and hot tubs fireplaces and wood stoves asphalt paving and seal coating exterior plaster and stucco ornamental guardrail and prefabricated stairs

Roofers: For more information regarding the specific licensing requirements for people who only engage in residential roofing activities, contact the Department of Labor and Industry at (651) 284-5069.

Siding contractors: Siding contractors who also install doors, windows or skylights must be licensed as a residential building contractor or remodeler.

Anyone who is licensed as a residential building contractor or remodeler can engage in all of the special skill categories noted above, including roofing, without obtaining a separate roofer license