Minnesota Lead Abatement Contractor License

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) certifies lead firms under MN Stat. 144.9505 and MN Rule 4761.2200 — any company performing abatement, interim controls, clearance inspections, lead risk assessments, or lead sampling in residences, schools, or child-occupied facilities must hold a current Certified Lead Firm certificate before beginning work. The annual fee is $100, and no bond is required.

Licensing Cost and Renewal

The certification fee is $100, nonrefundable, paid by cashier's check, business check, or money order payable to MDH — no cash. The certificate is valid for 12 months from the date of issuance. Renewal is annual at the same $100 rate. No late-renewal penalty is established under MN Rule 4761.2200, but an expired certificate means the firm is uncertified — and unlicensed work triggers the enforcement penalties below. MDH typically processes new applications in 2–4 weeks; plan renewal submissions well ahead of expiration.

Requirements to Obtain

• Workers' compensation insurance: Proof required at application, with MDH listed as certificate holder (MN Stat. 176.182). Firms exempt from workers' compensation liability under MN ch. 176 must submit a signed exemption letter.
• Continuing education: Each lead supervisor, worker, inspector, and risk assessor employed by the firm must complete an 8-hour EPA-accredited refresher course each license year. Workers may remain on-site for up to 30 calendar days after refresher completion while the renewed individual credential is processed — they must carry the course diploma during that window.
• Staff coverage: All subcontractors performing regulated lead work under the firm's certification must also hold individual MDH licenses under MN ch. 144.
• No surety bond required under MN Rule 4761.2200.

Compliance Risk

Operating without a current Certified Lead Firm certificate violates the Minnesota Lead Poisoning Prevention Act (MN Stat. 144.9501–144.9512). MDH may issue administrative penalty orders of $5,000–$10,000 per violation per day under MN Stat. 144.99, Subdivision 4(c); intentional violations are a misdemeanor under MN Stat. 144.99, Subdivision 11. Separately, EPA may impose federal civil penalties up to $49,772 per violation under TSCA for lead-related work-practice failures. MDH's Asbestos and Lead Compliance Unit handles enforcement: 651-201-4620 or health.asbestos-lead@state.mn.us.

Apply and Renew

Applications go through MDH's online lead licensing portal at health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/lead. For renewal questions, contact MDH directly — the online portal is not configured for renewals. Minnesota accepts EPA-accredited refresher training from approved out-of-state providers, so course completions from another state count toward the MDH annual CE requirement.