How to check if a contractor is licensed in Wisconsin
Edited by John Voll. Last verified .
In Wisconsin, the state keeps license or registration records for general contractors, electrical contractors, plumbing contractors and HVAC contractors, and each has an official lookup or board listed below. For roofing contractors, our survey found no state-level license, so check with the city or county where the work is done. Check the record before you sign a contract or pay a deposit, and treat the board's own record as final.
Which board covers which trade
| Trade | Who keeps the record | Official lookup |
|---|---|---|
| General contractor | Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) | Search general contractor licenses |
| Electrical | Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) | Search electrical licenses |
| Plumbing | Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) | Search plumbing licenses |
| HVAC | Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) | Search HVAC licenses |
| Roofing | City or county | Our survey of official Wisconsin sources found no state-level roofing contractor license. Check with the city or county where the work is done. |
Step by step
- Open the official Wisconsin lookup run by DSPS and search the contractor by name or number.
- A builder needs a DSPS certificate of financial responsibility to get a building permit for a one- or two-family dwelling, so ask to see the Dwelling Contractor credential; an owner who lives in the home is exempt. source Every plumbing installation must be under a licensed master plumber who is responsible for it. source Electrical work by anyone other than a master electrician must be under a master electrician who is responsible for it. source The DSPS LicensE public lookup is the official verification of a Wisconsin credential and shows the credential type, city, granted date and license status. source
- Confirm the record is active and the class matches the job (Dwelling Contractor (DC) or Dwelling Contractor Qualifier (DCQ) or Dwelling Contractor Restricted). The board's own record governs.
- Check the bond and insurance on the record against the state minimums: Surety bond of at least $25,000 for an unrestricted Dwelling Contractor credential, or general liability insurance instead; a bond of $5,000 to under $25,000 gets a restricted credential. source General liability insurance of at least $250,000 per occurrence, as an alternative to the bond; workers compensation also required where state law requires it. source
If the contractor is not licensed, or you have a complaint
- Complaints about a Wisconsin trade credential holder go to DSPS online, choosing the Trades category, or by mail to the Division of Legal Services and Compliance. source
Homeowner protections in Wisconsin
- A contractor bonded for less than $25,000 holds a restricted credential and may not take on a dwelling job whose estimated cost is greater than the bond. source
Questions
- How do I check if a contractor is licensed in Wisconsin?
- Search the contractor by name or license number on the official Wisconsin lookup run by DSPS, then confirm the record is active and covers the type of work. For electrical, plumbing, HVAC or roofing work, use that trade's lookup in the table on this page.
- What can I do if a contractor in Wisconsin is not licensed?
- Complaints about a Wisconsin trade credential holder go to DSPS online, choosing the Trades category, or by mail to the Division of Legal Services and Compliance.
All Wisconsin licensing rules by trade
Sources
- https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/DwellingContractor/Default.aspx
- https://license.wi.gov/s/license-lookup
- https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/101.654
- https://dsps.wi.gov/a-z-professions-list/
- https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/101.862
- https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/ch.%20145.pdf
- https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/ch.%20101.pdf
- https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/administrativecode/ch.%20SPS%20305.pdf
- https://dsps.wi.gov/credentialing/credential-fees-and-renewal-dates/
- https://dsps.wi.gov/credentialing/trades-exam-information-and-fee-schedule/
- https://dsps.wi.gov/seeking-information/file-a-complaint/
This is not a government site. The licensing board's own record governs; always confirm on the official lookup. Information as of October 6, 2026.