Hiring a contractor in Minnesota: check, red flags, complaints
Check the BC, CR or RR license number in DLI's iMS. A Q number alone isn't a license. (source: DLI: Residential contractor FAQs (opens in a new tab), source: DLI: Residential contractor licensing (opens in a new tab))
Check a license on the DLI website (official site, opens in a new tab)
How: Search DLI's iMS system. License numbers start BC, CR or RR. A Q number is a person's registration, not a company license. (source: DLI: Residential contractor FAQs (opens in a new tab), source: DLI: Residential contractor licensing (opens in a new tab))
Checked against official Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry sources. See sources.
Red flags when hiring
- Quotes a Q number as its license. (source: DLI: Residential contractor FAQs (opens in a new tab))
- A roofer quoting gutters, soffit or fascia on a roofer license. (source: DLI: Residential contractor licensing (opens in a new tab))
- A solar installer without a BC or CR license. (source: DLI: Residential contractor licensing (opens in a new tab))
Contractor Recovery Fund
- Pays up to $550,000 per licensee. The license is suspended after a payout. (source: DLI: Residential contractor FAQs (opens in a new tab))
- To reinstate, the licensee repays twice the amount plus interest and gets a surety bond of at least $40,000. (source: DLI: Residential contractor FAQs (opens in a new tab))
Sources and last verified
Last verified: . Next check due: . Every fact on this page links to one of these official pages.
- DLI: Residential contractor licensing (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- DLI: Residential contractor FAQs (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- DLI: Contractor, roofer and remodeler exams (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
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