How to get a Journeyman Electrician license in Wisconsin

Wisconsin electrician licenses

Wisconsin issues 11 electrician credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for several of the Wisconsin electrician licenses on this page, so they are shown once here, with the licenses they apply to. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

1. Every license level (all 11)

Requirements

Background check

Background check required^{317181920212223242526}
Optional predetermination through LicensE before applying, for people with convictions who do not yet hold a credential.^{317181920212223242526}
You can ask the board to review your record before you apply^{317181920212223242526}

Social Security number

A Social Security number is required (businesses give their FEIN); applications without it are incomplete.¹

How to apply

1. Create or log in to an individual LicensE account and start "Apply for a License", choosing the electrical credential and application method.^{278910111213141516} license.wi.gov²³
2. Upload the documents for your method (experience form, apprenticeship letter, transcripts, license verification, Form 225X if you have convictions) and answer the attestation questions.^{278910111213141516}
3. Pay the application fee (and exam fee where required) online by card or ACH.^{278910111213141516}

Apply online

license.wi.gov²³

Processing time

DSPS says materials are reviewed within about 10 days of submission; some applications take longer.²

2. Every license level except Registered Master Electrician

Renewal

Renew online

license.wi.gov²³

3. Every license level except Electrical Apprentice, Industrial Electrical Apprentice, Residential Electrical Apprentice, Registered Electrician and Registered Master Electrician

Renewal

How often

Every 4 years⁵

When it expires

4-year term; expires 30 June. DSPS emails a renewal notice and opens renewal about 4 weeks before expiry.²³

4. Every license level except Electrical Apprentice, Industrial Electrical Apprentice, Residential Electrical Apprentice, Registered Master Electrician and Electrical Contractor

Renewal

Approved courses

Only DSPS-approved courses count; providers enter the hours in LicensE, and renewal cannot be submitted until they are entered.¹

5. Every license level except Journeyman Electrician, Industrial Journeyman Electrician, Residential Journeyman Electrician, Master Electrician and Residential Master Electrician

Requirements

Exam

Not required^789111416

6. Journeyman Electrician, Industrial Journeyman Electrician, Residential Journeyman Electrician, Master Electrician and Residential Master Electrician

Fees

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

1. When DSPS finds you eligible, schedule the exam through LicensE at a DSPS site or a Wisconsin Pearson VUE center; apply at least 30 days before a DSPS exam date.⁴
2. After passing (70%), apply and pay the credential fee within 3 months of the results, or you must retest.¹

Renewal

Exemptions

Waiver can be requested for prolonged illness, disability or similar circumstances.¹

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $35¹ (renewal filed after expiration but within one term (in addition to the renewal fee))
Late renewal fee: $25¹ (continuing education completed after the expiration date)
Reinstatement fee: $200¹⁵ (renewal more than one term after expiration (plus application and credential fees))

If it expires

Renewal is allowed up to one term after expiry with the application fee (and late CE filed with a $25 fee); after that, reinstatement needs a $200 administrative fee plus application and credential fees, and DSPS may require proof of competence.¹

7. Electrical Apprentice, Industrial Electrical Apprentice, Residential Electrical Apprentice and Registered Electrician

Fees

Renewal

How often

Every year⁵

8. Journeyman Electrician, Industrial Journeyman Electrician and Residential Journeyman Electrician

Fees

Renewal

Renewal fee

$100⁵

9. Journeyman Electrician, Registered Electrician and Master Electrician

Renewal

Continuing education

At least 24 hours each renewal period¹

10. Electrical Apprentice, Industrial Electrical Apprentice and Residential Electrical Apprentice

Requirements

Experience

Must be under an electrical apprentice contract recognized under Wis. Stat. ch. 106 (DWD).⁷⁸⁹

Fees

How to apply

1. Upload your DWD apprentice contract, credential notice or youth apprenticeship training agreement.⁷⁸⁹

Renewal

When it expires

1-year registration from date of issuance; renewal requires attesting you are still under a ch. 106 apprentice contract.¹⁷¹⁸¹⁹

Renewal fee

$15⁵

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $15¹ (renewal filed after expiration but within one term (in addition to the renewal fee))
Reinstatement fee: $200⁵ (renewal more than one term after expiration (plus application and credential fees))

11. Industrial Journeyman Electrician, Residential Journeyman Electrician and Residential Master Electrician

Renewal

Continuing education

At least 18 hours each renewal period¹

12. Master Electrician, Residential Master Electrician and Electrical Contractor

Fees

Renewal

Renewal fee

$200⁵

13. Journeyman Electrician and Master Electrician

From another state

Military service members, veterans and spouses: Eligible veterans can request a Veterans Fee Waiver (or an Initial Credential Fee Reduction) in the LicensE application.²

14. Registered Master Electrician and Electrical Contractor

Fees

Who needs a Journeyman Electrician license

Performs electrical wiring under the general supervision of a licensed or registered master (or a residential master for dwelling work); may directly supervise registered electricians.¹

Work that does not need this license:

• Exempt: a homeowner wiring the home they own and live in, unless a local ordinance requires a license.¹
• Exempt: maintenance or repair of wiring within an existing facility by its owner/lessee or their employees, and installation inside an existing industrial or manufacturing facility.¹
• Exempt: equipment or systems operating at 100 volts or less, emergency alarm/monitoring systems, and elevator/escalator wiring.¹
• Exempt: replacing an existing switch or outlet with one rated 20 amperes or less.¹
• Exempt: electricity-provider work for utility service, public thoroughfare and airport lighting, and conductors buried with an on-site wastewater system or well pump.¹

Requirements for a Journeyman Electrician license

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4, group 6, group 8, group 9 and group 13 under Applies to every license level.

Education or training

At least 3 years²
Alternative: a construction electrician apprenticeship of at least 3 years approved by the U.S. Department of Labor or Wisconsin DWD (proof: letter from the Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards).²

Experience

At least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training²
Qualify for the exam with a 3-year USDOL/DWD-approved construction electrician apprenticeship, or 48 months with at least 8,000 hours of wiring experience (a 2-year electrical program counts as 12 months and 2,000 hours).²
Substitute: A degree or diploma from a 2-year electrical engineering or accredited technical/vocational electrical program = 12 months and 2,000 hours.²

Exam

Journeyman Electrician examination²
Given by: DSPS (paper exams at DSPS sites) or Pearson VUE computer-based testing in Wisconsin, chosen by the candidate⁴
Passing score: 70%²
When you can take it: After the apprenticeship or the 48-month/8,000-hour experience; the exam is still required for apprenticeship graduates.²
Pearson seat time 4 hours.⁴
Retakes: After a fail, schedule a retake through LicensE (one session at a time per credential); a no-show without 24 hours’ notice counts as a fail and needs a new exam fee.⁴
Time limit: Apply for the license within 3 months after results are mailed or retest; failed parts of a multi-part exam must all be passed within one year.¹

Renewal and continuing education

Moving to Wisconsin with a license from another state

These are the routes DSPS publishes for the Journeyman Electrician license. The other electrician licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

Electrical Apprentice

Works under general supervision of a licensed master or registered master (or residential master for dwelling work) while under an apprentice contract.¹

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 5, group 7 and group 10 under Applies to every license level.

Industrial Electrical Apprentice

Works only within the employer’s facilities under general supervision of a master or registered master while under an industrial apprentice contract.¹

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 5, group 7 and group 10 under Applies to every license level.

Residential Electrical Apprentice

Works on dwelling wiring under general supervision of a master or residential master while under a residential apprentice contract.¹

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 5, group 7 and group 10 under Applies to every license level.

Industrial Journeyman Electrician

Limited to wiring within the facilities or properties of the employer; other wiring only under direct supervision of a master or journeyman. Works under general supervision of a master.¹

Requirements

Education or training

No-exam route: complete a industrial electrical apprenticeship approved by USDOL or Wisconsin DWD.²⁷

Experience

At least 5 years¹⁰
Exam route: at least 1,000 hours a year for at least 5 years in industrial electrical wiring work (full-time electrical-program semesters count as 500 hours each, up to 2,000 hours and 2 years).¹⁰

Exam

Industrial Journeyman Electrician examination¹⁰
Given by: DSPS (paper exams at DSPS sites) or Pearson VUE computer-based testing in Wisconsin, chosen by the candidate⁴
Passing score: 70%¹⁰
When you can take it: Exam only for the experience route; apprenticeship graduates are licensed without it.²⁷
Pearson seat time 4 hours.⁴
Retakes: After a fail, schedule a retake through LicensE (one session at a time per credential); a no-show without 24 hours’ notice counts as a fail and needs a new exam fee.⁴
Time limit: Apply for the license within 3 months after results are mailed or retest; failed parts of a multi-part exam must all be passed within one year.¹
Exam waived: Waived for graduates of a recognized apprenticeship; but if such a licensee is refused renewal for missing CE, they must pass the exam to get the license back.¹

How to apply

1. Apprenticeship route instead: apply under "Other Application Methods" with a Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards letter confirming the industrial apprenticeship; no exam fee.²⁷

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4, group 6, group 8 and group 11 under Applies to every license level.

Registered Electrician

Entry-level enrollment to do electrical wiring under direct supervision of a licensed electrician.¹¹

Requirements

Experience

Supervision: Direct supervision of a licensed master or journeyman or registered master (or residential master/journeyman for dwelling work, or industrial journeyman within that employer’s facility).¹¹

Also required

On any project, registered beginning electricians on site may not exceed twice the number of masters and journeymen on site plus two.¹

Fees

Renewal

When it expires

1-year term from date of issuance.¹

Renewal fee

$20⁵

Exemptions

Waiver can be requested for prolonged illness, disability or similar circumstances.¹
CE does not apply to youth apprentices under s. 106.13, Stats.¹

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $15¹ (renewal filed after expiration but within one term (in addition to the renewal fee))
Late renewal fee: $25¹ (continuing education completed after the expiration date)
Reinstatement fee: $200⁵ (renewal more than one term after expiration (plus application and credential fees))

If it expires

Renewal is allowed up to one term after expiry with the application fee (and late CE filed with a $25 fee); after that, reinstatement needs a $200 administrative fee plus application and credential fees, and DSPS may require proof of competence.¹
A lapsed registered electrician must complete 24 CE hours within the year before reapplying.¹

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 4, group 5, group 7 and group 9 under Applies to every license level.

Residential Journeyman Electrician

Limited to wiring for dwellings, dwelling units and their detached accessory structures; works under general supervision of a master or residential master.¹

Requirements

Education or training

No-exam route: complete a residential electrical apprenticeship approved by USDOL or Wisconsin DWD.²⁸

Experience

At least 3 years¹²
Exam route: at least 1,000 hours a year for at least 3 years in residential electrical wiring work (full-time electrical-program semesters count as 500 hours each, up to 2,000 hours and 2 years).¹²

Exam

Residential Journeyman Electrician examination¹²
Given by: DSPS (paper exams at DSPS sites) or Pearson VUE computer-based testing in Wisconsin, chosen by the candidate⁴
Passing score: 70%¹²
When you can take it: Exam only for the experience route; apprenticeship graduates are licensed without it.²⁸
Pearson seat time 4 hours.⁴
Retakes: After a fail, schedule a retake through LicensE (one session at a time per credential); a no-show without 24 hours’ notice counts as a fail and needs a new exam fee.⁴
Time limit: Apply for the license within 3 months after results are mailed or retest; failed parts of a multi-part exam must all be passed within one year.¹
Exam waived: Waived for graduates of a recognized apprenticeship; but if such a licensee is refused renewal for missing CE, they must pass the exam to get the license back.¹

How to apply

1. Apprenticeship route instead: apply under "Other Application Methods" with a Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards letter confirming the residential apprenticeship; no exam fee.²⁸

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4, group 6, group 8 and group 11 under Applies to every license level.

Master Electrician

Can be responsible for electrical installations and provides general supervision for journeymen and apprentices; may not start work needing a uniform building permit until the permit is issued.¹

Requirements

Education or training

Optional route: a bachelor’s or master’s degree in electrical engineering.¹³

Experience

At least 10,000 hours of on-the-job training¹³
Qualify for the exam by one of: 12 months of wiring experience while licensed as a journeyman, or 60 months with at least 10,000 hours of wiring experience.¹³
License you must hold first: Journeyman license route: 12 months while licensed as a journeyman electrician (one of three options).¹³
Substitute: A bachelor’s or master’s degree in electrical engineering qualifies for the exam on its own.¹³

Exam

Master Electrician examination¹³
Given by: DSPS (paper exams at DSPS sites) or Pearson VUE computer-based testing in Wisconsin, chosen by the candidate⁴
Passing score: 70%¹³
When you can take it: After meeting one of the three qualifications; exam instructions follow DSPS approval.¹³
Pearson seat time 4 hours.⁴
Retakes: After a fail, schedule a retake through LicensE (one session at a time per credential); a no-show without 24 hours’ notice counts as a fail and needs a new exam fee.⁴
Time limit: Apply for the license within 3 months after results are mailed or retest; failed parts of a multi-part exam must all be passed within one year.¹

Also required

A master can exchange the license for a journeyman license and later exchange back without an exam by paying the master license fee.²⁹

From another state

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4, group 6, group 9, group 12 and group 13 under Applies to every license level.

Registered Master Electrician

Grandfather-style master registration without exam for long-serving electricians; carries the same supervision role as a licensed master for journeymen and registered electricians.¹

Requirements

Experience

At least 15 years¹⁴
Born on or before January 1, 1956 with at least 15 years of experience installing, repairing or maintaining electrical wiring.¹⁴

Fees

How to apply

1. Upload government photo ID showing the birth date and Form 3109 Registered Master Electrician Experience.¹⁴

Renewal

When it expires

Does not expire (system shows 3/3/3333).²⁴

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 5 and group 14 under Applies to every license level.

Residential Master Electrician

Limited to wiring for dwellings, dwelling units and their detached accessory structures (garages, carports, gazebos, pools); other wiring only under direct supervision of a master or journeyman.¹

Requirements

Experience

At least 5 years¹⁵
At least 1,000 hours a year for at least 5 years of electrical wiring work; each full-time semester in an electrical program counts as 500 hours, up to 3,000 hours / 3 years.¹⁵
Substitute: Each full-time semester in an electrical-related program = 500 hours, max 3,000 hours and 3 years.¹⁵

Exam

Residential Master Electrician examination¹⁵
Given by: DSPS (paper exams at DSPS sites) or Pearson VUE computer-based testing in Wisconsin, chosen by the candidate⁴
Passing score: 70%¹⁵
When you can take it: After 5 years at 1,000+ hours per year.¹⁵
Pearson seat time 4 hours.⁴
Retakes: After a fail, schedule a retake through LicensE (one session at a time per credential); a no-show without 24 hours’ notice counts as a fail and needs a new exam fee.⁴
Time limit: Apply for the license within 3 months after results are mailed or retest; failed parts of a multi-part exam must all be passed within one year.¹

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4, group 6, group 11 and group 12 under Applies to every license level.

Electrical Contractor

Required to engage in, or offer, the business of installing, repairing or maintaining electrical wiring (with the s. 101.862(4) exemptions).¹

Requirements

Business requirements

Applicant must be the owner, a partner (for a partnership), or the board chair or CEO (for a corporation).¹⁶

Business requirements

Must certify compliance with workers’ compensation (ch. 102) and unemployment compensation (ch. 108).¹⁶

Business requirements

Must use appropriately licensed or registered individuals for the wiring, and show the license number on all bids and contracts; one license covers multiple locations under one FEIN.¹

Renewal

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $35¹ (renewal filed after expiration but within one term (in addition to the renewal fee))
Reinstatement fee: $200¹ (renewal more than one term after expiration (plus application and credential fees))

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 5, group 12 and group 14 under Applies to every license level.

City and county rules

Electrical ApprenticeThe State licenses all electricians and electrical contractors. Cities issue electrical permits, and Milwaukee additionally licenses electrical contractors who pull permits there.³¹

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire an electrician in Wisconsin, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Wisconsin is on the Wisconsin license lookup page.

File a complaint

dsps.wi.gov²³

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• Wis. Stat. s. 101.862 (electrician licensing
• Wis. Admin. Code ch. SPS 305 subch. IV (ss. SPS 305.40–305.47), Register August 2025 No. 836
• Wis. Admin. Code s. SPS 305.02 Table 305.02 and s. SPS 305.06 Table 305.06 (terms)

Common questions

Electrician licenses in other states

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