Plumbing license reciprocity by state · Pair verdict

Transfer a plumbing license from California to Minnesota

Your California license, Minnesota's rules. This page computes the pair the boards leave you to guess at — the full checker adds your license status and level.

No endorsement

No endorsement — exam route

Exam-free reciprocity ONLY with North Dakota and South Dakota (DLI / Minn. Stat. 326B.48). Conditions: license obtained by examination at state level in the qualifying state, held at least 1 year, current and in good standing, applicant has not failed the same or greater class of Minnesota exam, and is not under an order to deny/suspend/revoke in Minnesota. Reciprocity application/exam fee $50; on approval the applicant has 180 days to pay the license fee. Minnesota license holders who have not renewed within 2 years after expiration do not qualify through reciprocity and must retest.

Minnesota's journeyman gate, for the exam route: 7,000 hours with category minimums · exam $50. One rule outranks the pair: a lapsed California license endorses nowhere — reinstate at home first.

Rules as published by Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) — Plumbing Board, checked October 22, 2026. Confirm with the board before you apply.

Run this pair with your license status

The two states, side by side

California (where you are licensed)

Contractor-license state (no state journeyman license)

Journeyman gate: not published hours · Fees not published

California ladder page →

Minnesota (where you want to work)

State ladder: apprentice → journeyman → master

Journeyman gate: 7,000 hours · Exam $50

Minnesota ladder page →

The Kit's transfer packet was built for this move

Included in the $49 PlumberLicenseCheck Kit

  • Verification letters to your home board, in the form destination boards request
  • The filing-order checklist for the endorsement or exam-route application
  • An hour-and-experience documentation pack that survives a board audit

See what's inside the Kit

One payment. Yours to keep. The checkers above stay free either way.