Wisconsin · general contractor
State license required
- Experience
- No years of experience are required.2
- Exam
- There is no state licensing exam for the certification.2
- Bond
- Either a surety bond of at least $5,000, or liability insurance (see insurance).1
- Insurance
- As an alternative to a bond, a general liability policy of at least $250,000 per occurrence, from an insurer authorized or eligible as a surplus…1
- Fees
- Dwelling Contractor certification: $15 application fee plus $25 certification fee, and the certification fee is due again each year at renewal.2
- Renewal
- The Dwelling Contractor certification is valid for one year from the date of issue and must be renewed each year with proof of continued financial…2
How do you get a Wisconsin contractor license?
Check that you need a license
You need a Dwelling Contractor certification, plus a Dwelling Contractor Qualifier on staff, to get a building permit for work on a one- or…1
Meet the experience rule
No years of experience are required.2
Apply to the board$15
Dwelling Contractor certification: $15 application fee plus $25 certification fee, and the certification fee is due again each year at renewal.2
WI DSPS siteFile the bond and insurance
Either a surety bond of at least $5,000, or liability insurance (see insurance). As an alternative to a bond, a general liability policy of at least $250,000 per occurrence, from an insurer authorized or eligible as a surplus…1
Wisconsin bond and insurance rulesGet the license, then renew$25
The Dwelling Contractor certification is valid for one year from the date of issue and must be renewed each year with proof of continued financial…2
Renewal and CE
Electrical, plumbing and HVAC licenses in Wisconsin
Which license class do you need in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin certifies Dwelling Contractors for one- and two-family homes: the Dwelling Contractor certification (backed by a $25,000 or larger bond, or by liability insurance), the Dwelling Contractor Restricted certification (for a bond under $25,000), and…3
Do you need workers' comp?
A contractor required by Wisconsin law to carry workers' compensation must have a policy from an insurer authorized in the state, or be self-insured, and must also be current on any state unemployment insurance contributions.1
Wisconsin insurance and bondsSources
- WI DSPS: who needs a license (docs.legis.wisconsin.gov, 2026-10-27)
- WI DSPS: experience (docs.legis.wisconsin.gov, 2026-10-27)
- WI DSPS: license classes (dsps.wi.gov, 2026-10-27)
- DSPS - Electrical / Plumbing / HVAC (dsps.wi.gov, 2026-10-27)