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Elevator licensing

Already have what you need to complete an application or renewal? Visit iMS, the department’s online application and renewal system, to get started.

The information below will help you complete the application or renewal successfully.

Who can perform elevator work in Minnesota?

You can perform elevator work* in Minnesota if you are:

  • At least 17 years old,

  • Licensed by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) or registered with DLI as a registered unlicensed elevator constructor,

  • A W-2 employee of a licensed elevator contractor or limited elevator contractor.

You can perform elevator work without a license only if:

  • You are registered with DLI as a registered unlicensed elevator constructor.

  • Your work falls under the scope of the work your employer is authorized to perform.

  • Your work is directly supervised at all times by a licensed journeyworker or master elevator constructor.

  • You and the licensed elevator constructor supervising you must be employed by the same licensed elevator contractor. A licensed employee of one company cannot supervise the unlicensed employees of another company. A licensed elevator constructor may not supervise more than two unlicensed individuals.

Exception to direct supervision:

Registered unlicensed elevator constructors with at least one year experience may perform the following maintenance tasks for elevator equipment without being  directly supervised:

  • oiling,

  • cleaning,

  • greasing,

  • painting,

  • relamping, and

  • replacing of escalator and moving walk comb teeth.

Registered unlicensed elevator constructors may install, maintain or repair platform lifts and stairway chairlifts without direct supervision. Unlicensed employees performing elevator work under this exemption must comply with the requirements above. This exemption does not include the installation, maintenance, repair, or replacement of electrical wiring for elevator equipment.

How do I become a registered unlicensed elevator constructor in Minnesota?

  • Apply online and pay the $10 application fee.

  • You will be assigned a registration number beginning with the letters “RC.”

  • Your registration is valid for one year from the end of the month in which you become registered.

To renew your registration:

Access iMS to begin the license application or renewal process. 

How do I become licensed as an elevator constructor in Minnesota?

Journeyworker elevator constructor license

  • You must pass a written exam before you can apply for a journeyworker elevator constructor license. To take the journeyworker exam, provide evidence of sufficient elevator work experience. When applying online, you can upload any completed work experience forms you have not yet submitted.

  • View information about how to look up your work experience hours.

  • An applicant for a journeyworker elevator constructor license must have completed a four-year elevator mechanics apprenticeship registered with the United States Department of Labor or worked at least 9,000 hours in five consecutive years for a DLI-licensed elevator contractor installing, maintaining, modernizing, testing, wiring and repairing elevators.

  • You will receive instructions about how to pay for your license after you pass the exam. View more information about exams.

  • Journeyworker licenses expire every two years at the end of the month in which the license was originally issued.

To renew your license: 

Access iMS to begin the license application or renewal process. 

Master elevator constructor license

  • You must pass a written exam before you can apply for a master elevator constructor license. To take the exam, provide evidence of sufficient elevator work experience. When applying online, you can upload any completed work experience forms you have not yet submitted.

  • View information about how to look up your work experience hours.

  • An applicant for a master elevator constructor license must have one year of experience working as a journeyworker elevator constructor, or six years of experience in planning for, laying out, supervising and installing apparatus, equipment and wiring for elevators.

  • You will receive instructions about how to pay for your license after you pass the exam. View more information about exams.

  • Master licenses expire on the last day of February of each odd-numbered year.

To renew your license:

Access iMS to begin the license application or renewal process. 

Limited constructor licenses

Limited journeyworker elevator constructor license

  • You must pass a written exam before you can apply for a journeyworker elevator constructor license. To take the journeyworker exam, provide evidence of sufficient elevator work experience.

  • View information about how to look up your work experience hours.

  • An applicant for a limited journeyworker elevator constructor license must have at least two years of experience installing apparatus, equipment, and wiring for elevators covered under the scope of limited elevator work.

  • You will receive instructions about how to pay for your license after you pass the exam. View more information about exams.

  • Limited journeyworker licenses expire every two years at the end of the month in which the license was originally issued.

To renew your license:

Access iMS to begin the license application or renewal process. 

Limited master elevator constructor license

  • You must pass a written exam before you can apply for a journeyworker elevator constructor license. To take the journeyworker exam, provide evidence of sufficient elevator work experience.

  • View information about how to look up your work experience hours.

  • An applicant for a limited master elevator constructor license must have three years of experience planning for, laying out, supervising, and installing apparatus, equipment, and wiring for elevators covered under the scope of limited elevator work.

  • You will receive instructions about how to pay for your license after you pass the exam. View more information about exams.

  • Limited master licenses expire on the last day of February of each odd-numbered year.

To renew your license:

Access iMS to begin the license application or renewal process. 

Work experience

Work experience will be granted if you: 

  • Were actively registered with DLI as a registered unlicensed elevator constructor while working in Minnesota after Jan 1, 2009.

  • Were employed by a DLI-licensed elevator contractor as a registered unlicensed elevator constructor.

  • Performed verifiable work experience while working for a licensed elevator contractor in another state.

Questions?

Contact us at dli.license@state.mn.us or 651-284-5034.

 

 

*NOTE: "Elevator work" means the installing, maintaining, altering, repairing, testing, planning, or laying out of elevator apparatus or equipment as covered by Minnesota Rules, chapters 1307 and 1315. Elevator work also includes electrical wiring on the load side of the elevator equipment disconnect and the decommissioning of elevator equipment to enable safe removal.

"Limited elevator work" means the installing, maintaining, altering, repairing, testing, planning, or laying out of residential elevators, platform lifts, stairway chairlifts, dumbwaiters, material lifts, limited use or limited application elevator equipment, conveyors, and special purpose personnel elevators as covered by Minnesota Rules, chapters 1307 and 1315. Limited elevator work also includes electrical wiring on the load side of the elevator equipment disconnect and the decommissioning of elevator equipment to enable safe removal.