Licensed jobs in Wisconsin
Wisconsin: 10 occupations, 6 licensing agencies. For each one: the board, the main credential, its training, application fee and renewal cycle, from the boards' own pages.
On this page
Occupations we cover in Wisconsin
Wisconsin licenses 10 of the 10 occupations below at the state level. Plumbers have the most levels here (11 credentials); each occupation page covers every level.
| Occupation | Main license | Board | Training or experience | Application fee | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | Cosmetologist 3 credentials in all | Cosmetology Examining Board | Training 1,550 clock hours1 | $112 | – |
| Notary public | Notary Public (four-year commission) 2 credentials in all | DFI | – | $206 | Every 4 years6 |
| Registered nurse (RN) | Registered Nurse (R.N.) — single-state license (Wisconsin only) 2 credentials in all | Board of Nursing | – | $737 | – |
| Insurance agent | Intermediary Individual (Producer/Agent) — resident 4 credentials in all | OCI | Training 20 clock hours11 | $1012 | Every 2 years13 |
| Plumber | Journeyman Plumber 11 credentials in all | DSPS | Training 576 clock hours15 | $1016 | Every 4 years2 |
| Electrician | Journeyman Electrician 11 credentials in all | DSPS | Training 3 years17 Experience 8,000 hours17 | $3516 | Every 4 years2 |
| Security guard | Private Security Person (private security permit) 4 credentials in all | DSPS | – | $272 | – |
| Massage therapist | Massage Therapist or Bodywork Therapist 2 credentials in all | Massage & Bodywork Therapy Credentialing Board | – | $752 | Every 2 years2 |
| Real estate agent | Real Estate Salesperson 2 credentials in all | DSPS | Training 72 clock hours23 | $752 | – |
| General contractor | Dwelling Contractor Qualifier 3 credentials in all | DSPS | Training 12 clock hours26 | $302 | Every 2 years2 |
Licensing boards
6 agencies issue the Wisconsin licenses we cover:
- Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS): plumbers, electricians, security guards, real estate agents and general contractors
- Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI): insurance agents
- Cosmetology Examining Board: cosmetologists
- Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI): notaries
- Board of Nursing: registered nurses
- Massage & Bodywork Therapy Credentialing Board: massage therapists
Moving to Wisconsin with a license
For electricians, the Wisconsin board names the states whose licenses it accepts. The boards for notaries and general contractors publish no transfer route, so you apply as a new applicant. Conditions, fees and forms are on each occupation page.
| Occupation | Routes the board publishes |
|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | License by endorsement, Military service members and spouses and Interstate compact privilege345 |
| Notary public | No reciprocity route6 |
| Registered nurse (RN) | License by endorsement, Interstate compact privilege, Temporary license or permit and Military service members and spouses87910 |
| Insurance agent | Exam waiver14 |
| Plumber | License by endorsement and Exam waiver15 |
| Electrician | Reciprocity agreements18 |
| Security guard | Military service members and spouses19 |
| Massage therapist | License by endorsement, Military service members and spouses and Temporary license or permit202122 |
| Real estate agent | License by endorsement and Military service members and spouses2425 |
| General contractor | – |
Check a license
Every board above runs its own license search. The Wisconsin license lookup page lists them in one place, with the links to report an unlicensed or problem provider.
Sources
Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.
- Wis. Stat. ch. 454 Barbering and Cosmetology (2023-24 Wis. Stats., published 5-13-26)Wisconsin Legislature (Legislative Reference Bureau)Dated May 13, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Credential Fees and Renewal DatesWisconsin Department of Safety and Professional ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- Cosmetologist - Licensure by EndorsementWisconsin Department of Safety and Professional ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- CosmetologistWisconsin Department of Safety and Professional ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- Pennsylvania becomes 13th state to enact Cosmetology Licensure Compact (July 20, 2026)Cosmetology Licensure Compact CommissionDated July 20, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Wisconsin Notary Public HandbookWisconsin Department of Financial InstitutionsChecked November 7, 2026
- Wis. Stat. ch. 441 Board of NursingWisconsin Legislature (Legislative Reference Bureau)Dated October 1, 2026Checked November 8, 2026
- RN Licensure by EndorsementWisconsin Department of Safety and Professional ServicesChecked November 8, 2026
- Wis. Admin. Code ch. N 2 Nurse LicensureWisconsin Legislature (Legislative Reference Bureau)Dated November 1, 2024Checked November 8, 2026
- Wis. Stat. ch. 440 Department of Safety and Professional ServicesWisconsin Legislature (Legislative Reference Bureau)Dated October 1, 2026Checked November 8, 2026
- Prelicensing EducationWisconsin Office of the Commissioner of InsuranceDated July 17, 2026Checked November 8, 2026
- Wis. Stat. ch. 601 (Insurance—administration; fees in s. 601.31)Wisconsin Legislature (Legislative Reference Bureau)Dated October 1, 2026Checked November 8, 2026
- Renew a LicenseWisconsin Office of the Commissioner of InsuranceDated July 17, 2026Checked November 8, 2026
- Agent Frequently Asked QuestionsWisconsin Office of the Commissioner of InsuranceDated July 17, 2026Checked November 8, 2026
- DSPS journeyman-plumber other application methodsWisconsin Department of Safety and Professional ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- Wis. Admin. Code ch. SPS 305 Licenses, Certifications and RegistrationsWisconsin Legislative Reference BureauDated August 1, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- DSPS journeyman-electrician licensure-by-examinationWisconsin Department of Safety and Professional ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- DSPS journeyman-electrician reciprocityWisconsin Department of Safety and Professional ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- Military Reciprocity - LicensEWisconsin Department of Safety and Professional ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- Massage Therapist or Bodywork Therapist – Reciprocal LicensureWisconsin Department of Safety and Professional ServicesChecked November 8, 2026
- Military Benefits Related to Credentialing - DSPSWisconsin Department of Safety and Professional ServicesChecked November 8, 2026
- Bridge Temporary CredentialWisconsin Department of Safety and Professional ServicesChecked November 8, 2026
- Real Estate Salesperson - Licensure by ExaminationWisconsin Department of Safety and Professional ServicesChecked November 6, 2026
- Real Estate Salesperson - Licensure by EndorsementWisconsin Department of Safety and Professional ServicesChecked November 6, 2026
- Real Estate Salesperson (RES) - DSPSWisconsin Department of Safety and Professional ServicesChecked November 6, 2026
- Dwelling Contractor Qualifier - New LicensureWisconsin Department of Safety and Professional ServicesChecked November 6, 2026