Electronic License System Modernization

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Licensing and renewals made easy! For hunters, anglers, boaters, recreational vehicle users and more. A new DNR mobile app and licensing system are coming soon, offering outdoor enthusiasts more options for on-the-go licensing and registration.

Below are some exciting highlights of the modernized system. For additional details and information, please visit the Licensing System What to Expect page.


Introducing the future of outdoor licensing in Minnesota


Coming soon: Purchase and access licenses anytime, anywhere

  • Buy licenses and permits in the new online system, in the new MN DNR Licensing mobile app or in-person from a license agent.

  • Download online purchases right away for instant access to the outdoors.

  • Store licenses on your mobile device or on plain paper - either printed by a license agent or at home. Digital and printed licenses will both suffice in a license check in the field.

  • Cell service or internet connection is necessary to download the app, log in and purchase licenses, but not to store and display licenses purchased.

Coming soon: Validate and register harvests anytime, anywhere

  • Validate and register harvests in the new MN DNR Licensing mobile app or validate on plain paper and register with a license agent or online.

  • No service? No problem. MN DNR Licensing app users can validate harvests, even when offline or out of service, and complete registration in the app once reconnected. Cell service or internet connection is required for initial app download and login.

  • Physical harvest tags are no longer required. Those who opt for a physical site validation (not using the mobile app) will use plain paper instead of a durable tag – either printed at home or by a license agent.

  • Buy your license electronically? No need to delay your hunt, waiting for your tag to be mailed. Use the MN DNR Licensing app or online system to access your license and validation needs immediately after purchase, and before hunting.

Coming soon: Access these features, anytime, anywhere

  • Renew recreational vehicles and watercraft permits in the new online system, in the new MN DNR Licensing mobile app or in-person at a deputy registrar’s office.

  • Find, enroll and pay for education and safety training classes and print duplicates of safety certificates. Safety certifications will update directly in the licensing system, so you can purchase your license right away.


About the Project

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Minnesota IT Services are working to modernize the state's electronic license system (ELS) with an external licensing vendor, PayIt. To ensure a smooth transition, the project team and PayIt have analyzed necessary capabilities, resolved potential issues, and are now in the process of building and testing the system.

View answers to frequently asked questions and what to expect.


Stakeholder Engagement

Stakeholder engagement has been and will continue to be a primary focus to ensure an ELS that best serves the state’s anglers, boaters, hunters, recreational vehicle operators, and people who enroll in DNR safety trainings. You can learn more at our FAQ page where you can sign up to stay informed at https://mndnr.gov/rlp/els.html

Prior to drafting the system requirements, the initial input opportunities were open to license agents, deputy registrars, license buyers, and the general public on their needs and priorities of a modern system. A second round of agents and deputy surveys were completed in January 2024. In addition to the initial input opportunities, the project team continues to conduct regular meetings and consultations with stakeholders to gather feedback and address any concerns throughout the development process. This ongoing engagement ensures that the modernized ELS meets Minnesota's needs and priorities.

This mockup is intended for concept purposes only. It may not reflect the final content.




Licensing and renewals made easy! For hunters, anglers, boaters, recreational vehicle users and more. A new DNR mobile app and licensing system are coming soon, offering outdoor enthusiasts more options for on-the-go licensing and registration.

Below are some exciting highlights of the modernized system. For additional details and information, please visit the Licensing System What to Expect page.


Introducing the future of outdoor licensing in Minnesota


Coming soon: Purchase and access licenses anytime, anywhere

  • Buy licenses and permits in the new online system, in the new MN DNR Licensing mobile app or in-person from a license agent.

  • Download online purchases right away for instant access to the outdoors.

  • Store licenses on your mobile device or on plain paper - either printed by a license agent or at home. Digital and printed licenses will both suffice in a license check in the field.

  • Cell service or internet connection is necessary to download the app, log in and purchase licenses, but not to store and display licenses purchased.

Coming soon: Validate and register harvests anytime, anywhere

  • Validate and register harvests in the new MN DNR Licensing mobile app or validate on plain paper and register with a license agent or online.

  • No service? No problem. MN DNR Licensing app users can validate harvests, even when offline or out of service, and complete registration in the app once reconnected. Cell service or internet connection is required for initial app download and login.

  • Physical harvest tags are no longer required. Those who opt for a physical site validation (not using the mobile app) will use plain paper instead of a durable tag – either printed at home or by a license agent.

  • Buy your license electronically? No need to delay your hunt, waiting for your tag to be mailed. Use the MN DNR Licensing app or online system to access your license and validation needs immediately after purchase, and before hunting.

Coming soon: Access these features, anytime, anywhere

  • Renew recreational vehicles and watercraft permits in the new online system, in the new MN DNR Licensing mobile app or in-person at a deputy registrar’s office.

  • Find, enroll and pay for education and safety training classes and print duplicates of safety certificates. Safety certifications will update directly in the licensing system, so you can purchase your license right away.


About the Project

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Minnesota IT Services are working to modernize the state's electronic license system (ELS) with an external licensing vendor, PayIt. To ensure a smooth transition, the project team and PayIt have analyzed necessary capabilities, resolved potential issues, and are now in the process of building and testing the system.

View answers to frequently asked questions and what to expect.


Stakeholder Engagement

Stakeholder engagement has been and will continue to be a primary focus to ensure an ELS that best serves the state’s anglers, boaters, hunters, recreational vehicle operators, and people who enroll in DNR safety trainings. You can learn more at our FAQ page where you can sign up to stay informed at https://mndnr.gov/rlp/els.html

Prior to drafting the system requirements, the initial input opportunities were open to license agents, deputy registrars, license buyers, and the general public on their needs and priorities of a modern system. A second round of agents and deputy surveys were completed in January 2024. In addition to the initial input opportunities, the project team continues to conduct regular meetings and consultations with stakeholders to gather feedback and address any concerns throughout the development process. This ongoing engagement ensures that the modernized ELS meets Minnesota's needs and priorities.

This mockup is intended for concept purposes only. It may not reflect the final content.



  • License Agent Contact Survey

    Please complete this survey if you are a Minnesota license agent that sells hunting and fishing licenses. You will need to provide your name, business name and location, and agent number to complete the survey. 


    The new electronic licensing system (ELS) is making significant progress toward go-live. It will offer you as a license sales agent a modernized approach to hunting, fishing, trapping, and other outdoor recreation licenses and registration transactions. 


    For go-live planning, we are gathering updated agent contact information to expedite communications and prepare for agent set-up logistics in the new system.


    We will be migrating the agent locations into the new system, however, the points of contact(s) for an agent location need to be updated and will not be migrated. We request a minimum of one contact to receive directions for action or distribution. Your answers to this survey are important for this process and critical for your transition to the new system.

    Once we have updated the contact information, further details will be communicated on the following items:

    • Testing URLs to the new system.
    • Manager(s) receiving usernames and password set up instructions.
    • Setting up clerks for your location. Each individual will need a username and password.
    • Some set up will be done at go-live or your first day of selling licenses.


    For agents that fall under a corporation, there are information technology (IT) considerations for moving for online system access (i.e., firewalls permissions if the agent is under a corporation). Additionally, if communications need to be routed through corporations, that is important to note.




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  • Deputy Registrar Contact Survey

    Please complete this survey if you are a Minnesota deputy registrar that processes recreational vehicle transactions. You will need to provide your name, business name and location, and agent number to complete the survey. 


    The new electronic licensing system (ELS) will offer you as a deputy registrar a modernized approach to hunting, fishing, trapping, and other outdoor recreation licenses and recreational vehicle registration transactions. 


    For go-live planning, we are gathering updated agent contact information to expedite communications and prepare for deputy set-up logistics in the new system.


    We will be migrating the deputy locations into the new system, however, the points of contact(s) for a deputy location need to be updated and will not be migrated. We request a minimum of one contact to receive directions for action or distribution. Your answers to this survey are important for this process and critical for your transition to the new system.

    Once we have updated the contact information, further details will be communicated on the following items:

    • Testing URLs to the new system.
    • Manager(s) receiving usernames and password set up instructions.
    • Setting up profiles for your location. Each individual will need a username and password.
    • Some set up will be done at go-live or your first day of processing recreational vehicle transactions.


    This survey will be open until January 3, 2025.


    Take Survey
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Page last updated: 05 Aug 2025, 02:19 PM