Plumber License from California to Minnesota: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry — Construction Codes and Licensing Division (CCLD) ↗
A plumbing license transfers from California to Minnesota by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry — Construction Codes and Licensing Division (CCLD), verify your California license, and meet Minnesota's endorsement requirements. Minnesota waives its journeyworker plumber exam only for applicants licensed by examination at the state level in North Dakota or South Dakota; every other out-of-state plumber must pass the Minnesota journeyworker exam..
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Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
California is not among the states Minnesota names for an automatic exam waiver, so this move runs on the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry — Construction Codes and Licensing Division (CCLD)'s individual endorsement or equivalency review rather than a guarantee. Minnesota waives its journeyworker plumber exam only for applicants licensed by examination at the state level in North Dakota or South Dakota; every other out-of-state plumber must pass the Minnesota journeyworker exam.. Bring your California license, proof that it is active and in good standing, and your apprenticeship and exam records — and get any discretionary exam or experience credit in writing before you rely on it.
What changes, California → Minnesota
| California (current) | Minnesota (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | No state journeyman plumber license exists, so there is no journeyman fee. For reference, the CSLB C-36 plumbing CONTRACTOR license (contractor tier, out of scope) is $450 original application + $200 initial license fee (sole owner) / $350 (non-sole owner), plus a bond and Live Scan fingerprint fee. | $50–$103 ($50 reciprocity/exam application fee; journeyworker license fee ~$53 (biennial) due within 180 days of approval; master renewal ~$93.) |
| Processing time | Not applicable — no state journeyman plumber license is issued | No board-stated processing time; the license fee must be paid within 180 days of approval. |
| Licensing authority | California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) | Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry — Construction Codes and Licensing Division (CCLD) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Minnesota sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Minnesota's current requirements on the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry — Construction Codes and Licensing Division (CCLD) website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry — Construction Codes and Licensing Division (CCLD) (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
- Hold the same or higher class of license, obtained by state-level examination, in North Dakota or South Dakota.
- Have held that qualifying license for at least one year, current and in good standing.
- The qualifying license must not have been obtained through a reciprocal agreement with a city or other political subdivision.
- Not have previously failed the same or higher class Minnesota plumber examination.
- Pay the fees ($50–$103 ($50 reciprocity/exam application fee; journeyworker license fee ~$53 (biennial) due within 180 days of approval; master renewal ~$93.)) and allow No board-stated processing time; the license fee must be paid within 180 days of approval..
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Minnesota accept a California plumbing license?
A plumbing license transfers from California to Minnesota by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry — Construction Codes and Licensing Division (CCLD), verify your California license, and meet Minnesota's endorsement requirements. Minnesota waives its journeyworker plumber exam only for applicants licensed by examination at the state level in North Dakota or South Dakota; every other out-of-state plumber must pass the Minnesota journeyworker exam..
Which exam applies moving from California to Minnesota?
Minnesota waives its journeyworker plumber exam only for applicants licensed by examination at the state level in North Dakota or South Dakota; every other out-of-state plumber must pass the Minnesota journeyworker exam..
What does the California-to-Minnesota move cost and how long does it take?
$50–$103 ($50 reciprocity/exam application fee; journeyworker license fee ~$53 (biennial) due within 180 days of approval; master renewal ~$93.); processing No board-stated processing time; the license fee must be paid within 180 days of approval..
Can I keep my California plumbing license after I'm licensed in Minnesota?
Yes — plumbing licenses in different jurisdictions run independently. Keep the California credential active on its own renewal and continuing-education schedule and you hold both, which is common for plumbers working near a state line.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- Minnesota DLI — Plumbing reciprocity ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Minnesota DLI — Plumbing license basics (fees, license types) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- CSLB — C-36 Plumbing Contractor classification detail (plumbing licensed only at contractor level) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- CSLB — Reciprocal Classifications List (C-36 reciprocity maps only to Arizona C-37/C-37R) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- CSLB — Reciprocity Exam Requirements (trade portion may be waived; Law & Business exam still required; 5-year license) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]