Minnesota is one of the most thoroughly licensed states in the country. From electricians and plumbers to nurses and cosmetologists, the state requires a valid license before practicing in hundreds of professions. Knowing which board issues which license — and how to verify it — is the starting point for any MN license search.
This directory covers the major Minnesota professional license categories, the agencies that regulate them, and links to our search tool for verification.
Construction & Trades Licenses (DLI)
The Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) regulates construction trades and building professionals in Minnesota.
DLI License Categories
- Residential Building Contractor — New residential construction and additions
- Residential Remodeler — Alterations to existing homes
- Residential Roofer — Roofing on residential structures
- Residential Specialty Contractor — Single-trade residential specialists
- Manufactured Home Installer — Setting up manufactured/mobile homes
- Electrical Contractor — Electrical work (business license)
- Master Electrician — Individual license, can pull permits
- Journeyman Electrician — Individual license, journeyman level
- Residential Wireman — Limited to single-family and duplex
- Plumbing Contractor — Plumbing work (business license)
- Master Plumber — Individual license, can pull permits
- Journeyman Plumber — Individual license, journeyman level
- Elevator Contractor — Elevator installation and repair
- Boiler Inspector — Pressure vessel and boiler inspection
- Mechanical Contractor — HVAC and related mechanical systems
- Water Conditioning Contractor — Water treatment equipment
Search all DLI construction licenses →
Healthcare Licenses (Minnesota Department of Health + Boards)
Healthcare professionals in Minnesota are licensed through multiple agencies depending on their specialty:
Board of Medical Practice
- Physician (MD/DO)
- Physician Assistant
- Respiratory Therapist
- Athletic Trainer
- Acupuncturist
Board of Nursing
- Registered Nurse (RN)
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)
Board of Dentistry
- Dentist
- Dental Hygienist
- Dental Therapist
Board of Pharmacy
- Pharmacist
- Pharmacy Technician
- Pharmacy (facility license)
Other Healthcare Boards
- Board of Chiropractic Examiners — Chiropractor
- Board of Optometry — Optometrist
- Board of Podiatric Medicine — Podiatrist
- Board of Physical Therapy — Physical Therapist
- Board of Occupational Therapy — Occupational Therapist
- Board of Social Work — Licensed Social Worker
- Board of Psychology — Psychologist
- Board of Marriage & Family Therapy — MFT
Healthcare licenses are available through the Minnesota eLicense system.
Real Estate Licenses (Commerce)
The Minnesota Department of Commerce licenses real estate professionals:
- Real Estate Salesperson — Must work under a broker
- Real Estate Broker — Can operate independently and employ salespersons
- Closing Agent — Title/escrow professionals
- Mortgage Loan Originator — Residential mortgage professionals
Cosmetology & Beauty Industry Licenses (Commerce)
The Department of Commerce also handles beauty industry licensing:
- Cosmetologist — Hair, nails, skin (full service)
- Esthetician — Skin care only
- Nail Technician — Nail services only
- Cosmetology Instructor — Teaching in accredited programs
- Cosmetology Salon/School — Facility licenses
- Barber — Hair cutting (regulated separately from cosmetology)
Financial & Insurance Licenses (Commerce)
- Insurance Producer — Selling insurance products
- Insurance Company — Insurer authorization
- Securities Broker-Dealer — Investment services
- Investment Advisor — Financial advisory services
- Money Transmitter — Money services businesses
Private Detective & Security Licenses (DPS)
The Department of Public Safety licenses:
- Private Investigator
- Armed/Unarmed Security Guard
- Private Detective Agency
- Protective Agent
Other Regulated Professions
| Profession | Licensing Agency |
|---|---|
| Professional Engineer (PE) | Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying |
| Architect | Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying |
| Land Surveyor | Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying |
| Veterinarian | Board of Veterinary Medicine |
| Attorney | Minnesota State Bar |
| CPA | Board of Accountancy |
| Funeral Director | Board of Mortuary Science |
| Pesticide Applicator | MDA (Agriculture) |
| Well Driller | Department of Health |
How to Search Any Minnesota Professional License
MN License Hub covers all 36 DLI license types with 244,000+ records. For healthcare and commerce licenses, the Minnesota eLicense system at elicense.mn.gov is the primary search tool.
For construction trades — contractors, electricians, plumbers, roofers — our free search tool provides the fastest lookup with daily-updated data:
Search Minnesota construction & trades licenses →
Need more detail? Our paid compliance reports include license history, expiration tracking, renewal alerts, and status changes — useful for employers, insurers, and anyone managing contractor compliance at scale.
Get a full compliance report →
Related Articles
- How to Look Up a Minnesota Professional License
- Minnesota Contractor License Requirements: Complete 2026 Guide
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- Minnesota Plumbing License Lookup: What Homeowners Need to Know
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