SPEC SHEET · WI · PLUMBER
Wisconsin plumber license requirements
The answer
Wisconsin licenses plumbers statewide through DSPS. The Journeyman Plumber license requires COMPLETING A PLUMBING APPRENTICESHIP (Wis. Stat. §106.025 or federal DOL) — or a comparable 5-year out-of-state apprenticeship program — plus the state exam. Journeymen work under a licensed Master Plumber's general supervision.Your paths to the license
Apprenticeship → exam (the standard route)
Complete a plumbing apprenticeship recognized under Wis. Stat. §106.025 or the federal DOL; the Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards letter qualifies you for the journeyman exam.
Out-of-state apprenticeship (comity)
A completed out-of-state 5-year plumbing apprenticeship program (with the required related instruction) qualifies you to take the Wisconsin journeyman exam.
Restricted licenses for narrower work
Restricted Appliance and Restricted Service licenses cover narrower scopes with lighter requirements — a foothold if you service appliances or do utility work.
License levels in Wisconsin
| Level | What it takes | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Plumbing Apprentice | Register while indentured in a recognized apprenticeship. | — |
| Journeyman Plumber | Apprenticeship completion + exam (4-year credential). | — |
| Master Plumber | Higher credential required to supervise journeymen and run plumbing work; separate DSPS application. | — |
Published fees
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application / exam / license | Calculated in DSPS's LicensE portal |
The exam
| Provider | DSPS (via LicensE portal) |
| Fees | Fees calculated in the LicensE portal |
Moving here with a license? Renewal? The rest of the picture
Reciprocity: No automatic reciprocity — the comity route accepts equivalent 5-year out-of-state apprenticeships for exam eligibility. Check your exact state pair →
Renewal & continuing education: Journeyman/Master Plumber credentials renew on a 4-year cycle; CE per current DSPS rules.
Watch out: Wisconsin's journeyman route runs through an apprenticeship — raw unregistered hours alone do not qualify. · Master Plumber is required to supervise and contract.
Official sources for this page
Wisconsin plumber licensing FAQ
How many hours do you need to become a licensed plumber in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin licenses plumbers statewide through DSPS. The Journeyman Plumber license requires COMPLETING A PLUMBING APPRENTICESHIP (Wis. Stat. §106.025 or federal DOL) — or a comparable 5-year out-of-state apprenticeship program — plus the state exam. Journeymen work under a licensed Master Plumber's general supervision.
What does the Wisconsin plumber license cost?
Fees calculated in the LicensE portal. Fee amounts are published on the current official application — see the sources below.
Does Wisconsin have plumber license reciprocity?
No automatic reciprocity — the comity route accepts equivalent 5-year out-of-state apprenticeships for exam eligibility.
How often does the license renew?
Journeyman/Master Plumber credentials renew on a 4-year cycle; CE per current DSPS rules.
Get your personal route
Four questions — your experience and training matched against Wisconsin's actual routes.