Minnesota Residential Contractor Exam — All Questions
9 questions
Which agency licenses residential building contractors in Minnesota and also administers the licensing exam?
- a.PSI, under contract to the Secretary of State
- b.The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI)✓
- c.Each county's board of building appeals
- d.The Minnesota Department of Commerce
Minnesota residential contractors are licensed by the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) under Minn. Stat. Chapter 326B. Unlike most states, DLI administers the exam itself rather than outsourcing it to PSI or Prometric.Minn. Stat. Ch. 326B
A Minnesota residential contractor is exempt from the license requirement if gross annual receipts from residential building work are no more than:
- a.$600
- b.$50,000
- c.$15,000✓
- d.$100,000
Under Minn. Stat. 326B.805, a person whose gross annual receipts from residential building or remodeling work are $15,000 or less is exempt from the licensing requirement. Above that figure, a license is required.Minn. Stat. 326B.805 (gross-receipts exemption)
Besides the gross-receipts exemption, what other situation can exempt a Minnesota worker from the residential building contractor license?
- a.Performing work in only a single special skill and not coordinating other trades✓
- b.Being at least 40 years old
- c.Owning a truck registered in Minnesota
- d.Working only on weekends
Minnesota exempts a person who works in only one special skill and does not coordinate other trades. The general residential building contractor license is aimed at those who contract directly with homeowners across more than one special skill.Minn. Stat. 326B.805 (single-skill exemption)
Which best describes the Minnesota residential contractor licensing examination?
- a.A closed-book exam of 50 questions in 75 minutes
- b.A closed-book exam scored 81 of 115
- c.An oral interview conducted by PSI
- d.An open-book exam of 110 questions in 330 minutes, requiring 70% to pass✓
The Minnesota exam is a single open-book test of 110 questions in 330 minutes (5.5 hours), and a candidate must score 70% to pass. Candidates may use the 2020 Minnesota Residential Code and the DLI reference manual.Minnesota DLI examination structure
How does Minnesota treat a passing NASCLA Accredited Commercial General Building Contractor result for residential licensure?
- a.It replaces the Minnesota exam entirely
- b.It is not accepted; the candidate must still pass the DLI-administered Minnesota exam✓
- c.It grants an automatic Minnesota license
- d.It replaces the continuing-education requirement
Minnesota does not accept the NASCLA exam. A candidate must pass the DLI-administered Minnesota residential contractor examination regardless of any NASCLA credential.NASCLA acceptance (Minnesota)
What is the difference between a Minnesota Residential Building Contractor license and a Residential Remodeler license?
- a.The Building Contractor license is for commercial towers only
- b.There is no difference; the terms are interchangeable
- c.The Building Contractor license covers new construction and additions, while the Remodeler license covers improvements to existing dwellings✓
- d.The Remodeler license authorizes electrical utility work
A Residential Building Contractor license covers new home construction and additions, while a Residential Remodeler license covers improvements and repairs to existing dwellings. An applicant chooses the category matching the work it performs.Minnesota residential license categories
How does a Minnesota company satisfy the exam requirement for a residential contractor license?
- a.It designates a qualifying person who passes the DLI examination on the company's behalf✓
- b.Every field employee must individually pass the exam
- c.The company registers its name only, with no individual examinee
- d.The company posts a $50,000 bond in lieu of any exam
A Minnesota company designates a qualifying person who passes the DLI licensing examination. The company then holds the license through that qualifying person, who is responsible for its residential contracting.Minnesota qualifying person requirement
A handyman who earned $12,000 last year in a single skill expects to grow, coordinate multiple trades, and bill $40,000 next year. What must happen?
- a.Nothing; the $15,000 exemption is permanent once claimed
- b.The worker must post a bond but needs no license
- c.The worker may keep operating unlicensed indefinitely
- d.The worker must obtain a Minnesota residential contractor license, because receipts will exceed $15,000 and the work now spans multiple skills✓
Once residential building receipts exceed $15,000 and the worker coordinates more than one special skill, the exemptions no longer apply, and a Minnesota residential contractor license (with a qualifying person passing the DLI exam) is required.Minn. Stat. 326B.805 (growth past exemption)
A candidate expects to schedule the Minnesota contractor exam through PSI, like in other states. What is correct for Minnesota?
- a.Minnesota uses Prometric for this exam
- b.Minnesota uses ProV for this exam
- c.The exam is administered directly by DLI, not by PSI✓
- d.The exam is administered by the county building official
Minnesota administers the residential contractor exam directly through DLI, not through PSI or another third-party vendor, which is a distinctive feature of the Minnesota process.Minnesota DLI-administered exam logistics