Wisconsin contractor license requirements

Licenses and registrations

Dwelling Contractor (DC) certification

Contracting businesses that obtain building permits for one- and two-family dwellings. Held by the business; the applicant is the owner, a partner or the chief executive.

• When it applies: No dollar threshold. Required to obtain a building permit for a one- or two-family dwelling. Owners who live, or will live, in the dwelling are exempt.
• Good to know: Financial responsibility: $25,000 surety bond or general liability insurance of at least $250,000 per occurrence. No pre-education requirement.

Dwelling Contractor Qualifier (DCQ) certification

An individual who must be held or employed by the permit applicant along with the Dwelling Contractor certification.

• When it applies: Same as DC: tied to one- and two-family dwelling permits.
• Good to know: Requires at least 12 hours in an approved initial qualifier course (taken within the past year). 12 hours of CE each 2-year renewal.

Dwelling Contractor Restricted certification

An alternative to the Dwelling Contractor certification for obtaining one- and two-family dwelling permits.

• Good to know: Scope of the restriction was not confirmed.

What you need to qualify

• Exams: No exam is listed for the Dwelling Contractor certification. The DCQ requires a 12-hour approved course.
• Insurance: For the Dwelling Contractor certification, either general liability insurance of at least $250,000 per occurrence (ACORD 25 certificate) or a surety bond. The applicant attests that the business complies with workers' compensation and unemployment compensation requirements.
• Bond: A surety bond of at least $25,000 from a surety authorized in Wisconsin can be used instead of liability insurance.
• Also required: Applications are filed through DSPS's LicensE system. Lead-based paint work is certified separately by the Department of Health Services.

Fees, renewal and continuing education

• Fees: Dwelling Contractor (business): $25 initial credential fee plus $15 application fee; $25 renewal. Dwelling Contractor Qualifier (person): $30 initial credential fee plus $15 application fee; $30 renewal. Dwelling Contractor Restricted: $25 plus $15 application fee; $25 renewal.
• Renewal: Dwelling Contractor and Dwelling Contractor Restricted: every year from the date of issuance. Dwelling Contractor Qualifier: every 2 years from the date of issuance.
• Continuing education: Dwelling Contractor Qualifier: 12 hours of approved CE per 2-year renewal, including 4 hours in construction laws and codes, contracts, liability and risk management. No CE for the Dwelling Contractor (business) certification.

Contracts and homeowner protections

Under ATCP 110 (Home Improvement Practices), a home improvement contract must be in writing if the buyer pays before the work is finished, or if the seller solicited the job away from its place of business (in person, by mail, phone or flyers). The contract must be signed by all parties and include the seller's name and address (and any sales agent), a description of the work and materials, the total price including finance charges, start and completion dates, any mortgage or security interest, any warranty, and other documents that are part of the contract. All changes must also be in writing. On request, the seller must provide lien waivers from contractors, subcontractors and suppliers. Sellers may not ask for final payment or a completion certificate before the work is done, or misrepresent that they are licensed, bonded or insured. A buyer who loses money because of a violation may sue and recover twice the loss.

Electrical, plumbing and HVAC work

DSPS also licenses electricians (registered and journeyman), plumbers (including journeyman plumbers) and HVAC qualifiers.

City and county rules

Local building departments issue permits for one- and two-family dwellings and require the state Dwelling Contractor credentials. Check with the municipality for any local contractor registration.

What to confirm with the state

We couldn't confirm these on an official page when we checked. Ask the licensing office before you rely on them:

• Penalties for working without the Dwelling Contractor certification (SPS 305).
• Scope and eligibility of the Dwelling Contractor Restricted certification.
• Whether a DCQ exam is required in addition to the 12-hour course.
• Local municipal contractor registration rules.

Sources

1. DSPS: Dwelling Contractor (DC) and Dwelling Contractor Qualifier
2. DSPS: Dwelling Contractor (DC) New Licensure
3. DSPS: Dwelling Contractor Qualifier (DCQ)
4. DSPS: DCQ New Licensure
5. DSPS: Credential Fees and Renewal Dates
6. Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 110 Home Improvement Practices
7. Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 110.05 Home improvement contract requirements