Contractor licensing in Wisconsin: the Dwelling Contractor credentials

Licensing office Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) · (608) 266-2112 [3][11]

The license pathway in Wisconsin

1. 1

   Construction worker or apprentice (no state license)

   • Set by the apprenticeship; DWD's carpenter program has 400 hours of paid related instruction

   The state's licensing code (SPS 305) lists no credential for carpenters or general construction workers; the dwelling credentials attach to building permits. Electrical and plumbing work is licensed separately. [2][5]

2. 2

   Dwelling Contractor Qualifier

   • 12-hour approved course in dwelling construction (laws, codes, business practices) within one year before applying
   • Course tests only (no state exam)
   • $15 application + $30 certification
   • Every 2 years; 12 hours CE

   An individual credential that proves the continuing education the law requires for building permits. The contractor must hold it or employ someone who does. [1][2][4]

3. 3

   Dwelling Contractor (certificate of financial responsibility)

   • $15 application + $25 certification
   • Every year

   The business credential. The owner, a partner or the CEO applies with proof of a $25,000 surety bond or $250,000-per-occurrence general liability insurance, and certifies workers' compensation and unemployment insurance compliance. [1][2][3]

Who needs a credential in Wisconsin

Wisconsin's contractor rule is tied to building permits for one- and two-family homes. Under state law and SPS 305.31 (Department of Safety and Professional Services rules), no person may obtain a building permit for a one- or 2-family dwelling unless they hold a Dwelling Contractor (or Dwelling Contractor-Restricted) certification and hold, or employ, a certified Dwelling Contractor Qualifier.

An owner who lives (or will live) in the dwelling and pulls a permit to work on it doesn't need the financial responsibility certificate. A person who holds a current DSPS license for the work being done under the permit, such as a licensed plumber, is exempt from the continuing education requirement.

State law also limits local add-ons: the Attorney General has said local licensing ordinances are preempted if they impose greater financial responsibility, education or exam requirements on dwelling permit applicants than state law does. [1][2]

Dwelling Contractor: insurance or bond

The Dwelling Contractor certification (the law calls it a certificate of financial responsibility) belongs to the business. DSPS asks for one of these:

• A bond of at least $25,000 from a surety company authorized in Wisconsin.
• General liability insurance of at least $250,000 per occurrence.

State law allows a bond as small as $5,000, but a contractor using a bond under $25,000 gets a restricted certificate and may not take on work whose estimated cost is greater than the bond. You also certify compliance with workers' compensation and unemployment insurance laws. The certificate lasts one year; the fee is $15 to apply plus $25. [1][2][3]

Dwelling Contractor Qualifier: the course

The Qualifier is an individual credential. You need at least 12 hours in an approved course in dwelling construction, taken within one year before you apply, with instruction and tests on construction laws, construction codes and construction business practices. State law also says the course must cover accounting, lien law, ethics and best business practices.

The certification lasts two years and costs $15 to apply plus $30. To renew, you need 12 hours of approved continuing education; the law requires at least 4 of every 12 hours on construction laws and codes and contracts, liability and risk management.

The sources differ on who needs the course. State law (s. 101.654(3)) lists proof of a 12-hour approved course among the things DSPS needs before it issues the certificate of financial responsibility (the Dwelling Contractor certification), but DSPS's Dwelling Contractor page says "there is no pre-education requirement for Dwelling Contractor" and asks for the course only from the Qualifier. Confirm with DSPS which applies to you. [1][2][3][4]

Commercial work and specialty trades

The state credentials above apply to one- and two-family dwellings. Electrical, plumbing and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) businesses have their own state credentials: see the Wisconsin electrician, plumber and HVAC pages. We didn't find a state license for general contractors on commercial projects; check with the city or county where you'll build. [1][2]

Apprenticeships

Most people learn the building trades through a registered apprenticeship. DWD's carpenter program runs about 4 years with 5,840 hours on the job and 400 hours of paid related instruction, plus First Aid/CPR and OSHA 10 (OSHA 10-hour safety course) or 30. ABC of Wisconsin runs an open-shop carpentry apprenticeship that takes 4 years, and union apprenticeships are sponsored by local apprenticeship committees (apply directly to the sponsor; DWD lists apprenticeship contacts). See the carpenter apprenticeship guide. [5][6][7][8]

If you're licensed in another state

Wisconsin's dwelling credentials aren't exam-based, so there's no reciprocity agreement to use; an out-of-state contractor applies the same way, with proof of insurance or bond and a Wisconsin-approved 12-hour course. See our license reciprocity guide. [2][3][4]

Steps to get licensed in Wisconsin

1. Get experience in the trades

   Work for a builder or join a registered apprenticeship such as carpentry. The dwelling credentials are needed to obtain permits, not to work on a crew. [2][5]

2. Take a 12-hour qualifier course

   Complete an approved 12-hour initial course in dwelling construction (construction laws, codes and business practices). DSPS lists approved providers on its Dwelling Contractor Qualifier page. [2][4]

3. Apply for the Dwelling Contractor Qualifier

   Within a year of the course, apply on an individual LicensE account, upload the course certificate and pay $15 plus $30. [2][4]

4. Get a bond or liability insurance

   Line up a $25,000 surety bond or $250,000-per-occurrence general liability insurance (an ACORD 25 certificate in the business name), plus workers' compensation and unemployment insurance if the law requires them for your business. [1][3]

5. Apply for the Dwelling Contractor certification

   The owner, a partner or the CEO applies on an organization LicensE account and pays $15 plus $25. See DSPS's Dwelling Contractor page. [2][3]

6. Renew on time

   The Dwelling Contractor certification lasts one year. The Qualifier lasts two years and needs 12 hours of approved CE before renewal. [2]

Where to get the hours

Programs that train general contractors in or for Wisconsin, from their own official pages. Listed by type, not ranked.

• Open shop

  ABC of Wisconsin carpentry apprenticeship

  A four-year registered apprenticeship for employees of approved ABC contractors, with classes at Moraine Park (West Bend) and Northwood Tech (Rice Lake). ABC runs 12 trade programs in all. [6][12]

• Union

  Union carpentry apprenticeships (local apprenticeship committees)

  Construction apprenticeships in Wisconsin are sponsored by local apprenticeship committees; you apply directly to the sponsor. DWD's apprenticeship contacts page lists who to call. [7][8]

• State program

  Wisconsin Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards (DWD)

  Wisconsin's state apprenticeship agency. Its carpenter program runs about 4 years with 5,840 hours on the job and 400 hours of paid related instruction. [5]

Licensed in another state?

Questions people ask