Wisconsin Plumber License Requirements

Official classification: Plumber License (Journeyman / Master Plumber) · Issued by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS).

🔧 PlumberWI ✔ Verified 2026-06-24

In Wisconsin, plumbers must hold the Plumber License (Journeyman / Master Plumber), issued by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), and no state surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed plumber in Wisconsin

Follow these steps to earn your Plumber License (Journeyman / Master Plumber). Every figure is verified against the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS); full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. Journeyman: a DSPS-approved 5-year apprenticeship with 8,000+ hours of on-the-job training, 572 paid and 260 unpaid instruction hours; or 1 year as a licensed Journeyman Restricted. Master: 3+ years (1,000 hrs/year) as a licensed journeyman, or a related engineering degree.
Pass the Journeyman Plumber Exam and Master Plumber Exam exams. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Line up insurance. You'll need liability insurance (No state-mandated general-liability minimum (local jurisdictions may require it)), and workers' compensation coverage.
Clear the background check. Criminal-history disclosure required (DSPS Form 2255).
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) — Apprentice $15; Journeyman $10; Master $20 application fee, plus a Journeyman $180; Master $500 (4-year) license fee. Processing time: Processed through the DSPS LicensE portal.
Keep the license active. Renew every 4 years (Journeyman and Master); expires March 31, completing Journeyman and Master: 24 hours per 4-year cycle (12 hours for the restricted tiers).

Wisconsin plumber license lookup

To confirm a plumber is properly licensed in Wisconsin — or to check the status of your own license — search the issuing agency's official license database. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Verify a license now: Search the official license.wi.gov database →

License types

Plumbing Apprentice — Entry level in an approved apprenticeship; works under supervision.
Journeyman Plumber — Performs plumbing work under the supervision of a master plumber.
Master Plumber — Responsible for plumbing installations; pulls permits and supervises journeymen and apprentices.
Journeyman/Master Plumber Restricted — Limited-scope appliance or service-and-repair tiers.

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	Journeyman: a DSPS-approved 5-year apprenticeship with 8,000+ hours of on-the-job training, 572 paid and 260 unpaid instruction hours; or 1 year as a licensed Journeyman Restricted. Master: 3+ years (1,000 hrs/year) as a licensed journeyman, or a related engineering degree.
Application fee	Apprentice $15; Journeyman $10; Master $20
License fee	Journeyman $180; Master $500 (4-year)
Renewal fee	Journeyman $180; Master $500 (every 4 years); expires March 31
Renewal period	Every 4 years (Journeyman and Master); expires March 31
Continuing education	Journeyman and Master: 24 hours per 4-year cycle (12 hours for the restricted tiers).
Bond required	No statewide surety bond is required for a plumber license. (Milwaukee requires a master plumber performance bond for local permits — a city, not state, requirement.)
Liability insurance	No state-mandated general-liability minimum (local jurisdictions may require it)
Property damage	Not specified at the state level
Workers' comp	Required for any employer under Wisconsin law
Background check	Criminal-history disclosure required (DSPS Form 2255).
Credit requirement	None
Reciprocity	None — out-of-state applicants must meet Wisconsin apprenticeship requirements and pass Wisconsin exams.
Processing time	Processed through the DSPS LicensE portal.

Exams

Journeyman Plumber Exam	Provider: Wisconsin DSPS or Pearson VUE · Passing: 70% · Fee: $20 (DSPS) or $180 (Pearson VUE); open book
Master Plumber Exam	Provider: Wisconsin DSPS or Pearson VUE · Passing: 70% · Fee: $30 (DSPS) or $190 (Pearson VUE); open book

Preparing for the Plumber exam? State-specific contractor exam-prep courses help you pass the first time. Start exam prep →

Local / municipal notes

No one may perform plumbing in Wisconsin without a license (Wis. Stat. 145.06). Milwaukee requires additional local contractor registration with a performance bond and proof of insurance — a city requirement, not a state one.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Wisconsin plumber license cost?

Application: Apprentice $15; Journeyman $10; Master $20. License: Journeyman $180; Master $500 (4-year). Renewal: Journeyman $180; Master $500 (every 4 years); expires March 31.

How do I look up a plumber license in Wisconsin?

Search the official license database at license.wi.gov. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Do plumbers in Wisconsin need a surety bond?

No statewide surety bond is required for a plumber license. (Milwaukee requires a master plumber performance bond for local permits — a city, not state, requirement.)

What experience is required for a Wisconsin plumber license?

Journeyman: a DSPS-approved 5-year apprenticeship with 8,000+ hours of on-the-job training, 572 paid and 260 unpaid instruction hours; or 1 year as a licensed Journeyman Restricted. Master: 3+ years (1,000 hrs/year) as a licensed journeyman, or a related engineering degree.

Is insurance required for plumbers in Wisconsin?

Liability: No state-mandated general-liability minimum (local jurisdictions may require it) Workers' compensation: Required for any employer under Wisconsin law

How often must a Wisconsin plumber license be renewed?

Every 4 years (Journeyman and Master); expires March 31. Continuing education: Journeyman and Master: 24 hours per 4-year cycle (12 hours for the restricted tiers).

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-06-24 — always confirm current requirements directly with the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) before applying. This is not legal advice.