WI · Electrician

Electrician licensing in Wisconsin

State-issued license classes for electricians in Wisconsin. Each class links to the issuing state board for primary-source verification.

WISCONSIN · electrician

Electrical Contractor

Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services →

Scope of Work

A Wisconsin Electrical Contractor credential authorizes a person or entity to engage in the business of installing, repairing, or maintaining electrical wiring under Wis. Admin. Code § SPS 305.41. The contractor is responsible for utilizing appropriately licensed or registered individuals on each job (Master Electrician, Journeyman Electrician, Registered Electrician, and Electrical Apprentice) and must include the Electrical Contractor license number on bids and contracts. The contractor is also responsible for compliance of work performed under its license. Source: DSPS Electrical Contractor (https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/ElectricalContractor/Default.aspx).

Experience and Training

The Electrical Contractor credential is a business license rather than an individual credential. Application is made on DSPS Form 3103 and includes the identity of the Master Electrician of record, worker's compensation insurance documentation (Wis. Stat. ch. 102), proof of business registration with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, and the required fee calculated in LicensE. A single Master Electrician may serve as Master of record for only one Electrical Contractor at a time. Source: DSPS Form 3103 Electrical Contractor License Application Information (https://dsps.wi.gov/Credentialing/Trades/fm3103.pdf).

Military Crosswalk

The contractor credential is issued to a business entity, so the military crosswalk applies to the Master Electrician of record who must separately qualify for the Master Electrician license. DSPS credits verified military electrical supervisory experience under Wis. Stat. § 440.052 toward the Master Electrician credential.

Exam

No separate exam is required for the Electrical Contractor credential itself. The Master Electrician of record must pass the Wisconsin Master Electrician exam through LicensE. Source: DSPS Electrical Contractor (https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/ElectricalContractor/Default.aspx).

Reciprocity

The Electrical Contractor credential is a Wisconsin business credential and is not reciprocal with other states. A business based in another state applies for a Wisconsin Electrical Contractor license by meeting the Wisconsin requirements, including a Wisconsin-licensed Master Electrician of record.

Renewal and CE

Renewal cycles and fees are calculated in LicensE. The DSPS Trades Renewal Dates and Fees document publishes current cycle lengths and fees (https://dsps.wi.gov/Credentialing/Trades/TradesRenewalDatesFees.pdf). Continuing education is not required for the Electrical Contractor credential; the Master Electrician of record is separately responsible for maintaining their individual credential.

Scope Limitations

The Electrical Contractor credential authorizes business operations but does not authorize individuals to perform electrical work. Work must be performed by appropriately licensed or registered individuals under the supervision structure required by Wis. Admin. Code ch. SPS 305. If the Master Electrician of record leaves the firm, the firm must designate a new Master of record within the time required by DSPS rule or cease operations as an Electrical Contractor. Any work performed without appropriate individual licensure is a violation of Wis. Admin. Code § SPS 305.41.

WISCONSIN · electrician

Journeyman Electrician

Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services →

Experience

8,000 hrs

Exam

Wisconsin DSPS (via LicensE at license.wi.gov)

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Scope of Work

A Wisconsin Journeyman Electrician is authorized to install, repair, and maintain electrical wiring in Wisconsin. Wisconsin also issues narrower credentials: Residential Journeyman Electrician (residential wiring only, 3 years minimum), Industrial Journeyman Electrician (industrial wiring only, 5 years minimum), and Registered Electrician (limited-scope residential work). The General Journeyman scope covers residential, commercial, and industrial electrical work. Source: DSPS Journeyman Electrician (https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/JourneymanElectrician/Default.aspx).

Experience and Training

Completion of a DSPS-recognized electrical apprenticeship (typically 4 to 5 years with 8,000 hours of on-the-job training plus related classroom instruction) under Wis. Stat. § 106.025, OR documented equivalent experience installing, repairing, and maintaining electrical wiring with a minimum of 1,000 hours per year for the required period. Experience is documented on DSPS Form 3106 by each licensed supervising electrician. Source: DSPS Form 3106 Journeyman Electrician Application Information (https://dsps.wi.gov/Credentialing/Trades/fm3106.pdf).

Military Crosswalk

DSPS credits verified military electrical experience under Wis. Stat. § 440.052. Relevant ratings include Navy Construction Electrician (CE), Army Interior Electrician (12R), and Air Force Electrical Systems (3E0X1). Applicants submit DD-214 and training transcripts with the DSPS application through LicensE.

Exam

Administered by DSPS via LicensE (license.wi.gov). The Journeyman Electrician exam is open-book with a passing score of 70%. Core topics include the NEC edition adopted by DSPS under Wis. Admin. Code ch. SPS 316, grounding and bonding, services and feeders, branch circuits, overcurrent protection, motors and motor controls, conductor ampacity and sizing, special occupancies, Wisconsin electrical law, and the Wisconsin Commercial Building Code. Permitted exam reference materials are listed in the DSPS Trades Exam Materials Allowed document (https://dsps.wi.gov/Documents/DPD-OEE/DSPSPermittedTradesExamMaterials.pdf). Fees are calculated in LicensE at application.

Reciprocity

Wisconsin does not maintain a broad list of journeyman-to-journeyman reciprocity agreements. Out-of-state journeyman electricians apply through LicensE and may be evaluated for equivalent hours, apprenticeship completion, and exam content; most applicants are required to pass the Wisconsin exam. Verify current reciprocity on the DSPS Journeyman Electrician page.

Renewal and CE

4-year renewal cycle. Renewal fee is $100 (2026). Wisconsin does not require continuing education for Journeyman Electrician renewal; however, periodic Code updates to Wis. Admin. Code ch. SPS 316 and adoption of newer NEC editions affect exam content and ongoing practice. Source: DSPS Trades Renewal Dates and Fees (https://dsps.wi.gov/Credentialing/Trades/TradesRenewalDatesFees.pdf).

Scope Limitations

The Journeyman Electrician is an individual credential. Contracting for electrical work in one's own name requires the firm to hold an Electrical Contractor license with a Master Electrician of record. The journeyman does not design or lay out electrical systems for permit submission; that authority rests with the Master Electrician and the Electrical Contractor.

WISCONSIN · electrician

Master Electrician

Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services →

Experience

10,000 hrs

Exam

Wisconsin DSPS (via LicensE at license.wi.gov)

Renewal

Every 4 yrs

Scope of Work

A Wisconsin Master Electrician may plan, lay out, and supervise electrical installations. The Master is the designated individual of record for an Electrical Contractor business, signs permit applications, and is responsible for compliance of work performed under the contractor credential. Wisconsin also issues a Residential Master Electrician with a narrower residential-only scope. Source: DSPS Master Electrician (https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/MasterElectrician/Default.aspx).

Experience and Training

At least 60 months (5 years) of experience installing, repairing, and maintaining electrical wiring, with a minimum of 10,000 hours over that period; OR at least 1,000 hours per year for at least 7 years. Experience is documented on DSPS Form 3107 by each licensed supervising electrician. Holding a Wisconsin Journeyman Electrician license is the common pathway but not strictly required if the hours and 60-month threshold are independently verified. Source: DSPS Form 3107 Master Electrician Application Information (https://dsps.wi.gov/Credentialing/Trades/fm3107.pdf).

Military Crosswalk

DSPS credits verified military electrical supervisory experience under Wis. Stat. § 440.052. Military supervisory hours may count toward the 10,000-hour and 60-month requirements when verified on DSPS Form 3107 by the supervising authority. Applicants submit DD-214 and training transcripts through LicensE.

Exam

Administered by DSPS via LicensE (license.wi.gov). The Master Electrician exam is open-book with a passing score of 70%. Core topics include the NEC edition adopted by DSPS under Wis. Admin. Code ch. SPS 316, service and feeder calculations, short-circuit and fault-current analysis, motor circuit design, transformer sizing, overcurrent coordination, special occupancies and equipment, grounding and bonding calculations, Wisconsin electrical law, and the Wisconsin Commercial Building Code. Permitted references are listed in DSPS Trades Exam Materials Allowed (https://dsps.wi.gov/Documents/DPD-OEE/DSPSPermittedTradesExamMaterials.pdf). Fees are calculated in LicensE at application.

Reciprocity

Wisconsin has a reciprocity pathway with Iowa: a person holding a valid, unexpired Iowa Master A Electrician license acquired through the Iowa state examination, and who has held that Iowa license continuously for at least one year immediately prior to application in Wisconsin, may apply for a Wisconsin Master Electrician license without retaking the Wisconsin exam. Source: DSPS Master Electrician Exams (https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/MasterElectrician/Exams.aspx).

Renewal and CE

4-year renewal cycle. Renewal fees are calculated in LicensE at renewal. Wisconsin does not require continuing education for Master Electrician renewal; however, periodic Code updates to Wis. Admin. Code ch. SPS 316 and adoption of newer NEC editions affect exam content and ongoing practice. Source: DSPS Trades Renewal Dates and Fees (https://dsps.wi.gov/Credentialing/Trades/TradesRenewalDatesFees.pdf).

Scope Limitations

The Master Electrician is an individual credential. It does not by itself authorize a business to contract for electrical work; the business must hold an Electrical Contractor license with the Master as the Master of record. Wisconsin also recognizes a Residential Master Electrician with residential-only scope. Work that exceeds the Master's scope, such as certain specialty installations, may fall under separate credentials or require additional authorization under SPS code.

Reciprocity

Accepts from: IA

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