Third-Party Logistics Providers

A Minnesota Board of Pharmacy issued third-party logistics provider registration is a six-digit number that begins with a “9”. If your current license begins with any other number, please refer back to the license menu to find the appropriate license for your facility.

Third-party logistics providers (3PL) are entities that provide or coordinate warehousing or other logistics services of a product in interstate commerce on behalf of a manufacturer, wholesale distributor, or dispenser of a product. At no time does a 3PL take ownership of the product or have responsibility to direct the sale or disposition of the product. "Product" means a prescription drug in a finished dosage form for administration to a patient without substantial further manufacturing. For exclusions please see MN Statues 151.441 subd. 9.

All fees are non-refundable.

To avoid late fees, renewal applications, supporting documentation, and correct payment must be received as a complete packet by the Board, prior to the expiration date. Any payment received without an application will not be processed. Licenses are mailed to the facility’s physical address.

Renewal Applications and Instructions

License renewal payments are due October 1 of each year, and licenses expire October 31 of each year. Online renewals will be available on September 1. Visit our online licensing/registration platform to begin.
Additional guidance and tip sheets are found on our main License/Registration page.

New Applications

Applications for licensure in Minnesota should be submitted in its entirety 60 days prior to the effective date to allow the application to be reviewed and processed. If an application is missing documents, signatures or other requirements, the applicant will be contacted for additional information or documentation, and processing will be delayed. 

No license may be issued or renewed for a third-party logistics provider facility that is located in another state unless the applicant supplies the Board with proof of licensure or registration by the state in which the third-party logistics provider facility is physically located or by the United States Food and Drug Administration.

• Required documents must be submitted with each application. Duplicate documents sent in with similar or related applications will not be retrieved for the completion of multiple applications.
• Applications are considered withdrawn if they are found to be missing items and if those items are not submitted to complete an application within one year of the original application submission date.
• The application will be cancelled and a new application packet, including applicable fee(s), must be submitted if a change in location occurs while the application is under review by the Board.
• Allow a minimum of 60 days from the time your application packet is complete, along with all missing items received by the Board, for review and final license issuance.

Forms

Application for a New Third Party Logistics Provider License
Use this application to apply for a new third-party logistics provider license. Submit the completed form, required documents, and payment 60 days prior to the effective date.

Supporting forms for NEW licenses:

• If applicant facility is owned by a Partnership or Sole Proprietor, complete this form.
• If applicant facility is a Corporation/LLC, complete this form.
• Facility Manager or Designated Representative Affidavit Form. Minnesota statutes require an authorized representative of wholesalers and 3PLs to be designated and to have a criminal background check completed. However, the Board will exercise enforcement discretion and will issue initial licenses without the completion of criminal background check until the Minnesota Health Licensing Board’s Criminal Background Check Program develops policies and procedures to meet this requirement; or the Board arranges an alternative process.

Change of Ownership Form

• Licenses and registrations granted by the Board are not transferable. When a change of ownership of the licensee occurs, a new application must be submitted to the Board.
  • For a non-resident facility, it is recommended the new application and supporting documentation be submitted no later than 30 days after the change has occurred.
• Upon approval of the application, a new license will be issued.
• All application payments are non-refundable.

The following are some examples of ownership changes that require you to report a change of ownership.

• Sale of licensee to another individual or person;
• If cumulative 20% or more of the stock (ownership interest in licensee) changes hands since original license issued;
• A change in business structure (Ex. – Inc. to LLC.) for the parent;
• The addition of one or more partners to a partnership; or
• One partner buying out the other partner.

Name Change Form
Name changes should be submitted 30 days prior to the change for facilities located in Minnesota. Non-resident facilities must report the name change of the facility on the notification form and include the license issued by the home state regulatory agency showing the new facility name.

Relocation Form

• It is recommended that resident facilities (those facilities that are located in the state of Minnesota) submit the relocation application to the Board a minimum of 60 days prior to the date that the physical relocation takes place.
• Non-resident facilities must submit a relocation application after their home state regulatory agency has issued a license showing the new address and an inspection has been conducted of the new location. It is recommended the application and supporting documentation be submitted to the Board no later than 30 days after the change has occurred.
• In each case, in accordance with Minnesota Statute section 151.065, a new license is issued upon approval of the application. All application payments are non-refundable.

Facility Manager or Designated Representative Affidavit Change Form
Use this form to report any change to the Facility Manager or Designated Representative. Changes must be reported to the Board within 30 days of the change.

Officer Change Form
Use this form to report any change to the officers of the facility. Officer changes must be reported to the Board within 30 days of the change.

License Closure Form
Submit this form 14 days prior to the date the facility closes or will no longer conduct business in Minnesota.

FAQ's

Q: Where are the official licensing requirements and related regulations available for review?
A: The Office of the Registrar of the State of Minnesota publishes statutes at this website: Notable Minnesota statutes for 3PL include all references in 151.43 to 151.471

Q: Does a manufacturer’s own label distribution warehouse need to be licensed?
A: If the activities at the distribution warehouse only involve distribution of that manufacturers’ own products and not repackaging and relabeling, the facility does not need to be licensed (not as a manufacturer and not as a wholesaler).

Q: Does a third-party logistics provider that coordinates logistic services of over-the-counter drugs need to be licensed?
A: The definition of a 3PL as defined in Minnesota Statute 151.441, was taken directly from federal law and it uses the word “product” not the word “drug.” Consequently, a 3PL that handles only OTC products, does not need to be licensed. Note that the definition of wholesaler distribution uses the word “drug”, so wholesalers of OTC drugs do have to be licensed.

Q: What are the requirements for a ‘designated person’ as it pertains to 3PLs?
A: The designated person requirements are found in Minnesota statute 151.471 Subd. 2 (h) 5 and subsequent related parts. The designated person must not have been convicted of certain felonies. This person is responsible for the quality, safety, and security of drugs and has other clear responsibilities as defined in that statute. The person should be regularly employed, actively engaged in operations, and have the ability to control functions to meet the requirements listed. The Board has the authority to request criminal background checks to be run on designated representatives of 3PLs and wholesalers.

Q: I represent a 3PL who currently holds a valid wholesaler license in Minnesota. Is it necessary to obtain the 3PL license or may we continue to operate under the wholesaler license?
A: See the definitions of “wholesaler” and “third-party logistics provider” in Minnesota Statute 151.441. If the activities are consistent with the definition of a “third-party logistics provider” then the firm must be licensed as a 3PL. If the activities are consistent with the definition of a “wholesaler” then the firm must be licensed as a wholesaler. Minnesota Statute 151.47 Subd. 1a indicates (in part, emphasis added) that “The board shall not license a person as a wholesale distributor unless the person is engaged in wholesale distribution.”