Wisconsin Contractor License Requirements

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Wisconsin administers contractor credentials through the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) — Division of Industry Services under Wis. Stat. § 101.654 and Wis. Admin. Code SPS Chapter 305. Under the Uniform Dwelling Code (UDC), municipal building inspectors are statutorily prohibited from issuing building permits for one- and two-family dwelling construction or remodeling to any contractor who does not hold a valid Dwelling Contractor credential and designate a certified Dwelling Contractor Qualifier (DCQ).

1. Two-Tier Dwelling Contractor & Qualifier Architecture

Under Wis. Stat. § 101.654 and Wis. Admin. Code SPS 305.31, contracting businesses undertaking residential construction, roofing, remodeling, or alterations must obtain a Dwelling Contractor credential.

Proof of minimum $250,000 general liability insurance (or $25,000 surety bond)
Proof of active workers' compensation coverage (Wis. Stat. Ch. 102)
Designation of at least one certified Dwelling Contractor Qualifier
Biennial fee: $30

Under Wis. Admin. Code SPS 305.315, at least one owner, partner, or full-time employee must hold an active DCQ credential.

Completion of a 12-hour initial education course and state exam
Mandatory 12 hours of approved continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle
Biennial fee: $45 ($15 application + $30 credential)

2. Commercial Contracting & Statewide Trade Regimes

Wisconsin does not issue a statewide commercial general contractor license. Commercial construction is regulated under the Wisconsin Commercial Building Code (Wis. Admin. Code SPS 361–366) and local municipal contractor licensing ordinances (e.g., Milwaukee, Madison).

Under Wis. Stat. § 101.862, electrical contracting businesses must hold an Electrical Contractor credential from DSPS and employ a licensed Master Electrician. All installations on site require certified electricians.

Under Wis. Stat. Chapter 145, plumbing businesses must hold a Plumbing Contractor credential and employ a licensed Master Plumber. All plumbing work must be executed by licensed plumbers.

3. Insurance & Municipal Permit Gate

Dwelling contractors must continuously maintain at least $250,000 comprehensive general liability insurance per occurrence under SPS 305.31(2). Employers with 3 or more employees (or 1+ employee earning $500+/quarter) must maintain workers' compensation insurance under Wis. Stat. Chapter 102.

Local building inspection authorities enforcing the Uniform Dwelling Code are prohibited by statute from issuing building permits without verifying that the applicant holds active Dwelling Contractor and Qualifier credentials.