Wisconsin Contractor License Lookup

Wisconsin has no dollar threshold. A contractor who pulls a building permit for a one- or two-family home needs a state Dwelling Contractor certification. Electricians, plumbers and HVAC businesses have their own state credentials. Search contractors on the official site of the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), and see the rules for trades and the job price where each applies. Runs in your browser; nothing is stored.

Search Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS)

Wisconsin rules checked against official sources on October 25, 2026.

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Labor and materials together, in dollars. Leave it blank to see the state's dollar limits.

Wisconsin: Remodel, repair or home improvement

  • Wisconsin has a state rule for this work with no dollar minimum. Credential: Dwelling Contractor certification (with a Dwelling Contractor Qualifier).

    There is no dollar minimum. Anyone who obtains a building permit for a one- or two-family home must hold a DSPS Dwelling Contractor certification and have a certified Dwelling Contractor Qualifier. The trigger is the permit, not the job size. Source: Wis. Stat. 101.654(1)(a), (b); Wis. Admin. Code SPS 305.31(1)

    Conditions and exceptions for this rule:

    • An owner who lives or will live in the home and pulls the permit for work on it is exempt.
    • Work that needs no building permit is not covered by this requirement; local rules may still apply.

Look up a contractor on the official site

Search Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS)

What to check on the board's record

  • The name or business on the record matches the name on your contract or estimate.
  • The status is active, not expired, suspended or revoked.
  • The license type or class covers your kind of job.
  • The license number in the contractor's ads and contract is the same one.

City and county licenses: Cities may license contractors, but a local rule cannot require more financial responsibility, education or exams than state law for permits on one- and two-family homes. Check with your municipality. Source

This summarises state rules from official sources. Only the board's own record can confirm one contractor's license. Checked October 25, 2026.

How Wisconsin licenses contractors

Wisconsin has no dollar threshold. A contractor who pulls a building permit for a one- or two-family home needs a state Dwelling Contractor certification. Electricians, plumbers and HVAC businesses have their own state credentials. Wis. Stat. 101.654(1)(a); Wis. Admin. Code SPS 305.31(1)

Cities may license contractors, but a local rule cannot require more financial responsibility, education or exams than state law for permits on one- and two-family homes. Check with your municipality. (source)

Rules by type of work

Home improvement, new homes and roofing

  • Dwelling Contractor certification (with a Dwelling Contractor Qualifier) (residential): There is no dollar minimum. Anyone who obtains a building permit for a one- or two-family home must hold a DSPS Dwelling Contractor certification and have a certified Dwelling Contractor Qualifier. The trigger is the permit, not the job size. Issued by Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS). Wis. Stat. 101.654(1)(a), (b); Wis. Admin. Code SPS 305.31(1)
    • An owner who lives or will live in the home and pulls the permit for work on it is exempt.
    • Work that needs no building permit is not covered by this requirement; local rules may still apply.

Electrical work

  • electrical contractor license: A business that installs, repairs or maintains electrical wiring must be a DSPS-licensed electrical contractor, and the person doing the work must be a licensed or registered electrician. There is no dollar minimum. Issued by Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS). Wis. Stat. 101.862(1), (2)

Plumbing

  • plumbing license: Plumbing work in Wisconsin must be done by someone licensed by DSPS. There is no dollar minimum. Issued by Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS). Wis. Stat. 145.06(1)(a)

Heating and air conditioning (HVAC)

  • HVAC contractor registration: A business that installs or services heating, ventilating or air conditioning equipment must register with DSPS. There is no dollar minimum. Issued by Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS). Wis. Stat. 101.178(2)

Where to look up contractors in Wisconsin

On the record, check that the name matches your contract, the status is active (not expired, suspended or revoked), the license type covers your job, and the license number matches the one the contractor gave you.

What this tool does not do

  • It does not check any one contractor. Only the board's own record shows whether a license is active and what it covers.
  • It covers state rules. Cities and counties can add their own licenses and permits, and the tool cannot list every local rule.
  • It does not decide whether a contractor broke the law or what you can recover. For a dispute, contact the board or a lawyer.
  • It does not cover every specialty trade a state licenses (for example pest control, elevators or well drilling).

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I look up a contractor license in Wisconsin?

Use the official online license search from the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS). Search by the contractor's name, business name or license number, and check that the status is active and the license type covers your job.

Does Wisconsin require a contractor license?

There is no dollar minimum. Anyone who obtains a building permit for a one- or two-family home must hold a DSPS Dwelling Contractor certification and have a certified Dwelling Contractor Qualifier. The trigger is the permit, not the job size.

Which trades need a state license in Wisconsin?

Electrical: electrical contractor license from the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS). Plumbing: plumbing license from the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS). HVAC: HVAC contractor registration from the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS).

Sources

Checked against official Wisconsin sources on October 25, 2026.

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