Wisconsin Plumber License Requirements

Official classification: Plumber License (Journeyman / Master Plumber) · Issued by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS).

🔧 PlumberWI ✔ Verified 2026-06-24

In Wisconsin, plumbers must hold the Plumber License (Journeyman / Master Plumber), issued by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), and no state surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed plumber in Wisconsin

Wisconsin licenses plumbers at the city level rather than statewide, so the path runs through your local permitting office. Here are the general steps — the verified specifics are detailed further down the page.

Start with your city, not the state. Wisconsin has no statewide plumber license — registration, bonds and insurance are set by each municipality, so confirm the rules with your local permitting office first.
Carry the insurance your city requires. No state-mandated general-liability minimum (local jurisdictions may require it)
Post any local bond. No statewide surety bond is required for a plumber license. (Milwaukee requires a master plumber performance bond for local permits — a city, not state, requirement.)
Register and pay the local fees. Apprentice $15; Journeyman $10; Master $20
Renew on your city's schedule. Every 4 years (Journeyman and Master); expires March 31.

License types

Plumbing Apprentice — Entry level in an approved apprenticeship; works under supervision.
Journeyman Plumber — Performs plumbing work under the supervision of a master plumber.
Master Plumber — Responsible for plumbing installations; pulls permits and supervises journeymen and apprentices.
Journeyman/Master Plumber Restricted — Limited-scope appliance or service-and-repair tiers.

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	Journeyman: a DSPS-approved 5-year apprenticeship with 8,000+ hours of on-the-job training, 572 paid and 260 unpaid instruction hours; or 1 year as a licensed Journeyman Restricted. Master: 3+ years (1,000 hrs/year) as a licensed journeyman, or a related engineering degree.
Application fee	Apprentice $15; Journeyman $10; Master $20
License fee	Journeyman $180; Master $500 (4-year)
Renewal fee	Journeyman $180; Master $500 (every 4 years); expires March 31
Renewal period	Every 4 years (Journeyman and Master); expires March 31
Continuing education	Journeyman and Master: 24 hours per 4-year cycle (12 hours for the restricted tiers).
Bond required	No statewide surety bond is required for a plumber license. (Milwaukee requires a master plumber performance bond for local permits — a city, not state, requirement.)
Liability insurance	No state-mandated general-liability minimum (local jurisdictions may require it)
Property damage	Not specified at the state level
Workers' comp	Required for any employer under Wisconsin law
Background check	Criminal-history disclosure required (DSPS Form 2255).
Credit requirement	None
Reciprocity	None — out-of-state applicants must meet Wisconsin apprenticeship requirements and pass Wisconsin exams.
Processing time	Processed through the DSPS LicensE portal.

Exams

Journeyman Plumber Exam	Provider: Wisconsin DSPS or Pearson VUE · Passing: 70% · Fee: $20 (DSPS) or $180 (Pearson VUE); open book
Master Plumber Exam	Provider: Wisconsin DSPS or Pearson VUE · Passing: 70% · Fee: $30 (DSPS) or $190 (Pearson VUE); open book

Preparing for the Plumber exam? State-specific contractor exam-prep courses help you pass the first time. Start exam prep →

Local / municipal notes

No one may perform plumbing in Wisconsin without a license (Wis. Stat. 145.06). Milwaukee requires additional local contractor registration with a performance bond and proof of insurance — a city requirement, not a state one.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Wisconsin plumber license cost?

Application: Apprentice $15; Journeyman $10; Master $20. License: Journeyman $180; Master $500 (4-year). Renewal: Journeyman $180; Master $500 (every 4 years); expires March 31.

Do plumbers in Wisconsin need a surety bond?

No statewide surety bond is required for a plumber license. (Milwaukee requires a master plumber performance bond for local permits — a city, not state, requirement.)

What experience is required for a Wisconsin plumber license?

Journeyman: a DSPS-approved 5-year apprenticeship with 8,000+ hours of on-the-job training, 572 paid and 260 unpaid instruction hours; or 1 year as a licensed Journeyman Restricted. Master: 3+ years (1,000 hrs/year) as a licensed journeyman, or a related engineering degree.

Is insurance required for plumbers in Wisconsin?

Liability: No state-mandated general-liability minimum (local jurisdictions may require it) Workers' compensation: Required for any employer under Wisconsin law

How often must a Wisconsin plumber license be renewed?

Every 4 years (Journeyman and Master); expires March 31. Continuing education: Journeyman and Master: 24 hours per 4-year cycle (12 hours for the restricted tiers).

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-06-24 — always confirm current requirements directly with the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) before applying. This is not legal advice.