SPEC SHEET · WI · ELECTRICIAN
Wisconsin electrician license requirements
The answer
Wisconsin licenses electricians statewide through DSPS (Wis. Stat. §101.862 — no one may install electrical wiring unless licensed or registered). Journeyman: complete a recognized apprenticeship OR 8,000 hours over at least 48 months (or 1,000 hrs/yr for 5 years), then pass the exam. School semesters credit 500 hours each (capped at 2,000). Reciprocity with Iowa and New Hampshire.Your paths to the license
Recognized apprenticeship → exam
Complete an electrical construction apprenticeship recognized under Wis. Stats. ch. 106 (or federal DOL); the Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards letter qualifies you to sit the journeyman exam via the LicensE portal.
8,000 hours over 48+ months
Document 8,000 hours of installing/repairing/maintaining wiring over at least 48 months — or at least 1,000 hours per year for 5 years — on the Form 3106T experience table.
School semesters count (500 hrs each)
Each full-time semester in an electrical-related program at an accredited college/technical school counts as 500 hours — up to 2,000 hours / 2 years of the requirement.
Reciprocity: Iowa, New Hampshire
A valid journeyman license gained by STATE EXAM in Iowa or New Hampshire converts to a Wisconsin license without taking the Wisconsin exam. Other states' hours count as experience toward the exam.
License levels in Wisconsin
| Level | What it takes | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Electrical Apprentice | Register with DSPS while indentured in a recognized apprenticeship; work under general supervision. | — |
| Journeyman Electrician | Apprenticeship completion or 8,000 hrs/48 months + exam (4-year credential). | — |
| Master Electrician | Higher-level credential for supervising/qualifying a business; see DSPS Master Electrician requirements. | — |
Published fees
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application / exam / license | Calculated in DSPS's LicensE portal at application |
The exam
| Provider | DSPS (via LicensE portal) |
| Fees | Fees calculated in the LicensE portal; failed exams require a new exam fee |
| Notes | Exams reflect Wis. Admin. Code SPS 316 and the adopted NEC edition. |
Moving here with a license? Renewal? The rest of the picture
Reciprocity: Exam-gained journeyman licenses from Iowa or New Hampshire transfer without the WI exam. Check your exact state pair →
Renewal & continuing education: Journeyman Electrician credentials renew on a 4-year cycle (DSPS Trades Renewal Dates and Fees); CE per current DSPS rules.
Watch out: Registered (non-licensed) electricians work under tighter supervision limits — see SPS 305.40. · Master Electrician and contractor credentials have separate applications.
Official sources for this page
Wisconsin electrician licensing FAQ
How many hours do you need to become a licensed electrician in Wisconsin?
The shortest published route requires 8,000 hours of supervised experience. Wisconsin licenses electricians statewide through DSPS (Wis. Stat. §101.862 — no one may install electrical wiring unless licensed or registered). Journeyman: complete a recognized apprenticeship OR 8,000 hours over at least 48 months (or 1,000 hrs/yr for 5 years), then pass the exam. School semesters credit 500 hours each (capped at 2,000). Reciprocity with Iowa and New Hampshire.
What does the Wisconsin electrician license cost?
Fees calculated in the LicensE portal; failed exams require a new exam fee. Fee amounts are published on the current official application — see the sources below.
Does Wisconsin have electrician license reciprocity?
Yes — verified agreements cover licensees from: Iowa, New Hampshire. Exam-gained journeyman licenses from Iowa or New Hampshire transfer without the WI exam.
How often does the license renew?
Journeyman Electrician credentials renew on a 4-year cycle (DSPS Trades Renewal Dates and Fees); CE per current DSPS rules.
Get your personal route
Four questions — your experience and training matched against Wisconsin's actual routes.