Minnesota Asbestos Abatement Contractor License

Any company performing asbestos-related work (ARW) in Minnesota must hold a current MDH contractor license before work begins. The annual fee is $105 — the same for new applications and renewals — set by MN Statute 326.75. No bond is required. Workers' compensation insurance is mandatory, and each licensed crew must include an MDH-certified site supervisor on-site at all times.

Licensing Cost and Renewal

The $105 annual fee covers both initial licensing and renewal under MN Statute 326.75. MDH does not charge a separate application fee or late penalty. Licenses are valid for one year from issuance per MN Rules 4620.3200 and must be renewed before expiration — a lapsed license is a licensing violation, not a paperwork gap.

New applicants apply through the MDH OpenGov online portal. Renewals must be handled directly with MDH: call (651) 201-4620 or email health.asbestos-lead@state.mn.us. Payment must be by cashier's check, business check, or money order payable to the Minnesota Department of Health — personal checks and cash are not accepted.

Processing takes 2–4 weeks; submit renewal well ahead of the expiration date.

Requirements to Obtain

Workers' compensation insurance is required at application under MN Statute 176.182. Provide a certificate of coverage, or submit a signed letter explaining statutory exemption. No bond is required.

Certified personnel: The company must designate a responsible individual and ensure each work site has an MDH-certified asbestos site supervisor present throughout the project (MN Rules 4620.3250). Workers and supervisors hold individual MDH certifications separate from the company license — both renew annually.

Annual refresher training: Certified site supervisors and workers must complete an 8-hour annual refresher course that meets AHERA Model Accreditation Plan standards (40 CFR 763, Appendix C). This is the continuing education requirement tied to individual certifications, which the contractor must maintain for its licensed staff.

Application materials: company Minnesota business identification number (from MN Dept. of Revenue), responsible individual's name, address, and signature, and evidence of workers' compensation coverage.

Project Notification and Permit Fees

The contractor license is a prerequisite, not the only obligation. Before each regulated project, submit written notification to MDH at least 5 calendar days in advance (MN Statute 326.74). A project permit fee of 3% of total abatement costs applies per MN Statute 326.75 — calculated on top of the contractor license fee. Small residential projects (between 10 and 260 linear feet on pipes, or 6–160 square feet on other components) pay a flat $35 project fee instead.

Compliance Risk

MDH enforces MN Statutes 326.70–326.81 with civil penalties up to $10,000 per day of violation under MN Statute 326.78. That clock runs for each day the unlicensed work continues — not as a one-time fine. MDH can also revoke or suspend existing licenses. Federal NESHAP regulations layer additional EPA enforcement exposure on top of state penalties for projects involving regulated quantities of asbestos.