How to look up a license in Wisconsin
To confirm a Wisconsin license, search the board that issued it: Cosmetology Examining Board, DFI, OCI and DSPS for the cosmetologists, notaries, insurance agents and security guards, among others, we cover.
On this page
Official license searches in Wisconsin
3 official searches from 4 boards cover the Wisconsin licenses on this site (some boards share one state search). 3 of the rows also link a complaint page.
| Board | Licenses it covers | Search | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetology Examining Board | cosmetologists | License search1 | – |
| Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) | notaries | License search2 | File a complaint3 |
| Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) | insurance agents | License search4 | File a complaint5 |
| Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) | security guards and real estate agents | License search6 | File a complaint6 |
What each search covers
A board's search lists only its own licenses:
- Cosmetology Examining Board: the 3 credentials it issues for cosmetologists, including Cosmetologist, Cosmetology Apprentice (Training License / apprentice permit) and Cosmetology Instructor (cosmetology instructor certificate).
- Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions: the 2 credentials it issues for notaries, including Notary Public (four-year commission) and Notary Public (permanent commission for attorneys).
- Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance: the 4 credentials it issues for insurance agents, including Intermediary Individual (Producer/Agent) — resident, Temporary Intermediary (Agent) License, Intermediary Individual (Producer/Agent) — nonresident and Intermediary Firm.
- Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services: the 6 credentials it issues for security guards and real estate agents, including Private Security Person (private security permit), Firearms Permit, Firearms Certifier (Firearms Proficiency Certifier), Private Detective/Security Agency, Real Estate Salesperson and Real Estate Broker.
Occupations without a state search here
- Registered nurses: the Board of Nursing pages we cite do not link a public search; ask the board to confirm a license.
- Plumbers: the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) pages we cite do not link a public search; ask the board to confirm a license.
- Electricians: the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) pages we cite do not link a public search; ask the board to confirm a license.
- Massage therapists: the Massage & Bodywork Therapy Credentialing Board pages we cite do not link a public search; ask the board to confirm a license.
- General contractors: the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) pages we cite do not link a public search; ask the board to confirm a license.
How to check a license
Search the board for the work you are hiring for, then check the status, the license type and the expiration date (what to check in the result).
The occupation pages explain what each license level allows: cosmetologists, notaries, insurance agents, security guards, real estate agents.
Sources
Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.
- CosmetologistWisconsin Department of Safety and Professional ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- DFI home pageWisconsin Department of Financial InstitutionsChecked November 7, 2026
- Notary Public: Report a ViolationWisconsin Department of Financial InstitutionsChecked November 7, 2026
- Agents/AgenciesWisconsin Office of the Commissioner of InsuranceChecked November 8, 2026
- Agent Frequently Asked QuestionsWisconsin Office of the Commissioner of InsuranceDated July 17, 2026Checked November 8, 2026
- Private Security PersonWisconsin Department of Safety and Professional ServicesChecked November 7, 2026