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How to get an HVAC license in Minnesota

Hours, exam, fees and renewal for HVAC work in Minnesota. Taken from official MN pages and checked .

Quick answer
  • Licensing body: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) — mechanical contractor bond (no state HVAC license)
  • State journeyman license: No (Minnesota has no state license for individual HVAC workers. Cities such as Minneapolis issue competency cards (warm air/ventilation, refrigeration, etc.).)
  • Mechanical contractor bond (state filing): No state trade-hour license. To contract for gas, heating, ventilation, cooling, air conditioning, fuel-burning, or refrigeration work you must give and maintain a $25,000 bond to the state (Minn. Stat. 326B.197) filed with DLI, plus meet any local licensing.
  • Exam: see below, via None at the state level
  • Code edition: Statewide Mechanical Code (Minn. Rules ch. 1346 / IMC + IFGC with Minnesota amendments). Local competency exams are set by the city (Minneapolis uses a city exam after Building Official approval).

Requirements by license

Mechanical contractor bond (state filing)

ExperienceNo state trade-hour license. To contract for gas, heating, ventilation, cooling, air conditioning, fuel-burning, or refrigeration work you must give and maintain a $25,000 bond to the state (Minn. Stat. 326B.197) filed with DLI, plus meet any local licensing.Source: revisor.mn.gov · as of
ExamNone at the state level. File the DLI-approved surety bond (Minnesota-licensed surety), disclosure forms, and $100 filing fee. Workers’ compensation certificate of compliance also required in the packet.Source: dli.mn.gov · as of
Fees
  • Bond filing (2 years): $100
  • Bond filing renewal: $100
  • Late renewal (bond filing): $150
Source: dli.mn.gov · as of · Late/new figures also on DLI CCLD fee schedule (mechanical bond MB).
RenewalEvery 2 years. Filing is valid two years. Renew for $100 (or $150 if late per fee schedule).Source: dli.mn.gov · as of
CE to renewNo state CE for the mechanical bond. Local competency cards set their own renewal rules.Source: dli.mn.gov · as of

License types in Minnesota

  • No statewide HVAC technician license
  • No statewide HVAC contractor license
  • DLI mechanical contractor bond ($25,000)
  • Local competency cards / trade licenses (city-by-city)
Source: dli.mn.gov · as of

Local competency cards (example)

DLI does not issue worker cards. Minneapolis (and Saint Paul, with reciprocity) require Certificate of Competency cards for masters/journeymen in warm air/ventilation, refrigeration, and related mechanical trades — on top of the state bond and a city HVAC business license.

City of Minneapolis

Office: Construction Code Services / Competency Card Office
Licenses journeymen?Yes
ExperienceAt least four years’ work experience before you apply for the exam. Mechanical trades also need at least 576 hours of trade-related education (classroom, manufacturer/trade training, or Master-supervised self-study — not regular production work).
ExamCity of Minneapolis (after Building Official approval). Submit application with transcripts/certificates; get an authorization letter; schedule the exam. Pass scores valid one year. Card fee $30 per trade after you pass. Failed exam → 60-day wait
FeesCompetency card (per trade, after pass): $30
RenewalConfirm with Competency Card Office. Saint Paul reciprocity available ($30/trade with copy of both sides of the Saint Paul card)
CENot listed on the competency-cards overview.
NotesHVAC Class A/B business licenses also need the State of MN $25,000 bond. Phone (612) 673-5892 · compcard@minneapolismn.gov.
Still openExact competency-card renewal cycle dollars
ContactMinneapolis Competency Card Office · (612) 673-5892 · compcard@minneapolismn.gov (source)
Source: minneapolismn.gov · as of

Ask the city building department where the job is.

Reciprocity (licensed in another state?)

No statewide HVAC reciprocity. Minneapolis and Saint Paul share competency-card reciprocity. The DLI bond replaces other political-subdivision bonds for covered mechanical work (326B.197).Source: dli.mn.gov · as of

What we couldn't confirm yet

We only publish what we can tie to an official source. These items aren't published anywhere we could verify, so ask the office listed:

FAQ

State HVAC license in Minnesota?

No state contractor or tech license. File a $25,000 mechanical bond with DLI ($100 / 2 years). Cities may require competency cards.

Minneapolis workers?

Warm air/ventilation and refrigeration masters/journeymen need a city competency card (4 years’ experience + 576 education hours).

Already licensed? See Minnesota HVAC license renewal & CE.

Other states

Compare every state side by side: license requirements by state · renewal & CE by state.