License Finder

Review Independent Contractor Registration

Construction contractor registration with DLI

Most contractors who provide residential or commercial building construction or improvement services are required to register with DLI through the Construction Contractor Registration Program if they do not hold a contractorâ??s license.

Registration renewal information

Note: If contractors are performing any construction work for which a license, certification or separate registration is required under Minn. Stat. Chapter 326B (i.e. Boiler, Electrical, Elevator, HPP, Plumbing or Residential Building Contractor) they must apply for a license and may not submit a Contractor Registration. Contact CCLD's Licensing Services at (651) 284-5031 (personal licenses) or (651) 284-5034 (business licenses) for more information. 

Do you need to register?

An individual or business that performs commercial or residential building construction or improvement services must register with us unless they:

• have a current license, certificate or registration issued by the agency;

• are an employee of a business performing construction services; or

• have a current residential building contractor or remodeler certificate of exemption; or

• are excluded from registration requirements under Minn. Stat. § 326B.701

Contractors who hire unregistered subcontractors, misclassify workers or fail to register are in violation of the law and can be charged with monetary penalties.

• Background information and frequently asked questions about the law

• Nine-factor test: What are the nine conditions to be an independent contractor?

• Contractor registration enforcement actions 

If a license is required, do not register

If contractors are performing any construction work for which a license, certification or separate registration is required (i.e. boiler, electrical, elevator, high-pressure piping, plumbing or residential building contractor), they must apply for a license and may not submit a contractor registration. Contact 651-284-5034 or dli.license@state.mn.us for more information about licensing.

A contractor registration is not a license

Being registered does not authorize you to contract with homeowners to perform construction or remodeling work of any kind. It is a violation of state law for a registered contractor to hold him or herself out as a licensed contractor or to imply that a registration number is a license number.

Why is registration important?

• The Contractor Registration Program was created by the legislature to assist us while investigating worker misclassification (treating employees as independent contractors) in the construction industry.

• By law, an unregistered subcontractor is presumed to be an employee of any contractor that hires them.

• Hiring an unregistered individual is a violation of law, though the monetary penalty is forgiven for the first violation.

• Even if your subcontractors are registered, your relationship with them must meet the Nine Factor Test or they will be deemed to be employees of your company even if they operate as a business entity (corporation or LLC) and maintain their own liability and workersâ?? compensation insurance.

Online verification of registered contractors

Verify contractor registration with DLI's License Lookup searchable database

• "License class" select "Business"

• "Select a discipline" select "Registered Contractors"

• "Select a classification" select "CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION"

• Click "Search" button

• Results will show names and status of currently registered contractors

Questions? 

 Contact DLI at 651-284-5074 or dli.register@state.mn.us