Firm Licensure

Minnesota regulates firms to ensure that any business offering architecture, engineering, land surveying, landscape architecture, geoscience, or certified interior design services operates under proper professional oversight. A firm license ensures that the public is protected by requiring qualified, licensed professionals to take responsible charge of all regulated work.

Firms may elect to become a professional firm under MN Statute 319B, which requires additional steps to be taken with the Minnesota Secretary of State. Please refer to the statute for more information.   

Registration
Renewal
Temporary Permit

Registration

If your company elects to become a Professional Firm under MN Statute 319B, please follow these steps:
1. Complete the Professional Firm Registration Application.
2. This application must be signed by an individual who
  - holds a current license/certificate from the Board, and
  - is an owner or employee of the professional firm.
3. The application also requires that you list all owners/those with governance authority.
  "Governance authority" means the authority and responsibility to:
  - determine important policies for a professional firm;
  - superintend the professional firm’s overall operations; and
  - maintain general, active management of and ultimate control over all matters involving professional judgment. (MN Statute 319B.02.9)
4. Submit a copy of your Articles of Incorporation (for Minnesota firms) or Certificate of Authority (for "foreign" firms – those not based in Minnesota) from the Minnesota Secretary of State website. You may also call the SOS office at 651-296-2803.
5. Include the page signed by the Secretary of State but also the page that notes your "Professional Status"/319B election.
6. Pay the $100 filing fee. (Checks or money orders should be made payable to the “MN Board of AELSLAGID”. The Board is unable to accept cash, credit card, or other electronic form of payment for the registration fee.)
When all the proper documentation and payment have been received, the Board will issue you a Firm Registration certificate.

If your firm ever rescinds its 319B election or is dissolved, please notify the Board in writing.

For other firm registration questions not answered above, including the status of your registration, please email aelslagid@state.mn.us
Renewal

Firm registrations with the Board expire on December 31 of each year and require annual renewal.

To renew your firm’s registration:
1. Complete the Professional Firm Registration Renewal.
2. If your firm has updated your Articles of Incorporation or Certificate of Authority, or if your list of owners or those with governance authority has changed, you will also need to submit this updated information according to the instructions on the renewal form.
3. Pay the annual renewal fee of $25. (Checks or money orders should be made payable to the “MN Board of AELSLAGID”. The Board is unable to accept cash, credit card, or other electronic form of payment for the renewal fee.)
Note: You will not receive a new certificate from the Board. If you require a receipt of payment, please email the Board at aelslagid@state.mn.us with “Receipt Requested” as the subject line.
Temporary Permit

Soliciting Work in Minnesota If the Firm Does Not Have a Minnesota-Licensed Professional

While firm registration is not required for a firm to work in Minnesota (unless the firm is registered with the Minnesota Secretary of State as a Professional Firm), please be aware on behalf of your staff that those licensed in another jurisdiction but not in Minnesota may not solicit work in Minnesota without first notifying the Board in writing. They are further required to deliver a copy of that notice to every potential client for whom they are seeking to provide services, and they must apply for licensure/certification within ten days if selected as the design professional for a project in this state. See MN Statute 326.13, clause (2) for details.

To facilitate gaining licensure in order to begin a specific project in Minnesota, the following professionals can request a temporary permit:
Please note: Requesting a temporary permit neither negates nor replaces the solicitation notification requirement. All other professions regulated by the Board must apply for licensure following the regular application process.