Continuing education is a key component of any Minnesota contractor’s career. Not only do you have to take courses and pass exams to gain your license, but you also have to participate in classes to keep it current. Choosing a contractor course requires two primary consideration: the course’s content and its method of delivery.
What Type of Course Do You Want to Take?
Choosing a contractor course means deciding what skills or knowledge you want to acquire.
Are you interested in increasing your knowledge of safety standards on construction sites? Do you want to beef up your skills in construction math? Are your bidding skills a little outdated? You can choose from a wide variety of construction courses, so consider your career aspirations as well as your existing skills set.
Minnesota requires contractors to take 14 hours of continuing education courses every two years to maintain their licenses in good standing. If you haven’t completed your continuing ed classes, it’s essential to choose courses that are approved by the state. However, if you’re just interested in increasing your knowledge base or skills set, you can choose any course you want.
Who Is Giving the Course?
Anyone can set up shop online and offer a contractor course — whether for a fee or for free. However, you don’t want to waste time with outdated, incorrect, or incomplete information, even if you aren’t paying for the privilege.
If you want to complete your continuing education courses, you have to use a provider whose classes are approved. Otherwise, they won’t count toward your license requirements.
Where Do You Take the Course?
A contractor course can be given online or in a regular classroom. Today’s contractors often prefer online or distance learning. You don’t have to abandon your home or a job site for a destination across town. Instead, you can take the course at your own pace and at any time that works for you.
The format of the course matters, too. Do you need any special equipment, such as headphones, a microphone, or software? If so, you’ll have to balance the expense of those items against the value you receive from the course.
What Does the Course Deliver?
Always find out what you should expect to receive when you complete a contractor course.
At the end of a course, you might receive a certificate or diploma that confirms your successful grasp of the material. This is often required for continuing education courses because you have to show evidence to the state. Make sure you will receive a certificate and any other necessary paperwork before you pay for the course and begin.
Fortunately, PDH Contractor Academy offers convenient, easy online contractor courses that satisfy Minnesota state requirements. If you need to complete your continuing education requirements, browse courses by state and get the process started. Once you complete your course, you’ll know your contractor license is secure for the next two years.