Wisconsin Roofing License Requirements

Official classification: No statewide roofing license — residential roofing uses the Dwelling Contractor + Qualifier credentials · Issued by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) (for the residential Dwelling Contractor credentials).

🏠 RooferWI ✔ Verified 2026-10-01

In Wisconsin, roofers must hold the No statewide roofing license — residential roofing uses the Dwelling Contractor + Qualifier credentials, issued by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) (for the residential Dwelling Contractor credentials), and a surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed roofer in Wisconsin

Follow these steps to earn your No statewide roofing license — residential roofing uses the Dwelling Contractor + Qualifier credentials. Every figure is verified against the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) (for the residential Dwelling Contractor credentials); full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. No formal experience requirement. The Qualifier must complete a 12-hour DSPS-approved dwelling-construction course within 1 year before applying; no roofing-specific hours are mandated by the state.
Pass the Dwelling Contractor Qualifier course assessment (no state exam for DC/DCR) exam. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Secure your surety bond. Wisconsin requires Dwelling Contractor: a surety bond of at least $25,000 OR general liability insurance of at least $250,000 per occurrence (Wis. Stat. 101.654(2)). Dwelling Contractor Restricted: a $5,000-$24,999 bond.
Check the insurance rules. Liability: $250,000 per occurrence (an accepted alternative to the $25,000 bond). Property damage: Included in the general liability coverage. Workers' compensation: Required if the business has employees.
Clear the background check. Criminal-history disclosure required (DSPS Form 2255).
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) (for the residential Dwelling Contractor credentials) — $15 (Dwelling Contractor); $15 (Qualifier) application fee, plus a Dwelling Contractor $25 (annual); Qualifier $30 (2-year) license fee. Processing time: Processed through the DSPS LicensE portal.
Keep the license active. Renewal: Dwelling Contractor: annual. Dwelling Contractor Qualifier: every 2 years. Continuing education: Dwelling Contractor: none. Qualifier: 12 hours per 2-year cycle (incl. 4 hours on construction laws/codes, contracts, liability, and risk management).

Wisconsin roofer license lookup

To confirm a roofer is properly licensed in Wisconsin — or to check the status of your own license — search the issuing agency's official license database. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Verify a license now: Search the official license.wi.gov database →

License types

Dwelling Contractor (DC) — Business credential required to pull roofing/building permits for one- and two-family dwellings.
Dwelling Contractor Restricted (DCR) — For businesses with a $5,000-$24,999 surety bond; scope limited to projects within the bond amount.
Dwelling Contractor Qualifier (DCQ) — Individual credential that qualifies the roofing business.

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	No formal experience requirement. The Qualifier must complete a 12-hour DSPS-approved dwelling-construction course within 1 year before applying; no roofing-specific hours are mandated by the state.
Application fee	$15 (Dwelling Contractor); $15 (Qualifier)
License fee	Dwelling Contractor $25 (annual); Qualifier $30 (2-year)
Renewal fee	Dwelling Contractor $25/year; Qualifier $30 every 2 years; reinstatement $200 once more than one term has passed since expiration (1 year for the Dwelling Contractor, 2 years for the Qualifier; SPS 305.07(2))
Renewal period	Dwelling Contractor: annual. Dwelling Contractor Qualifier: every 2 years.
Continuing education	Dwelling Contractor: none. Qualifier: 12 hours per 2-year cycle (incl. 4 hours on construction laws/codes, contracts, liability, and risk management).
Bond required	Dwelling Contractor: a surety bond of at least $25,000 OR general liability insurance of at least $250,000 per occurrence (Wis. Stat. 101.654(2)). Dwelling Contractor Restricted: a $5,000-$24,999 bond.
Liability insurance	$250,000 per occurrence (an accepted alternative to the $25,000 bond)
Property damage	Included in the general liability coverage
Workers' comp	Required if the business has employees
Background check	Criminal-history disclosure required (DSPS Form 2255).
Credit requirement	None
Reciprocity	None — Wisconsin does not recognize out-of-state contractor licenses. Military members/spouses may qualify for expedited credentialing (Wis. Stat. 440.09). · other states' agreements
Processing time	Processed through the DSPS LicensE portal.

What a Wisconsin roofer license costs

Application fee	$15 (Dwelling Contractor); $15 (Qualifier).
License fee	Dwelling Contractor $25 (annual); Qualifier $30 (2-year).
Dwelling Contractor Qualifier course assessment (no state exam for DC/DCR)	About $100 (varies by provider).
Surety bond	Dwelling Contractor: a surety bond of at least $25,000 OR general liability insurance of at least $250,000 per occurrence (Wis. Stat. 101.654(2)). Dwelling Contractor Restricted: a $5,000-$24,999 bond.
Renewal fee	Dwelling Contractor $25/year; Qualifier $30 every 2 years; reinstatement $200 once more than one term has passed since expiration (1 year for the Dwelling Contractor, 2 years for the Qualifier; SPS 305.07(2)).
Renewal period	Dwelling Contractor: annual. Dwelling Contractor Qualifier: every 2 years.

Exams

Dwelling Contractor Qualifier course assessment (no state exam for DC/DCR)	Provider: DSPS-approved course providers · Passing: 70% (online/correspondence delivery) · Fee: About $100 (varies by provider)

Renewing a Wisconsin roofer license

The No statewide roofing license — residential roofing uses the Dwelling Contractor + Qualifier credentials renews on a fixed cycle set by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) (for the residential Dwelling Contractor credentials). Finish the continuing-education requirement before you file — boards generally will not process a renewal without it. Late and lapsed renewals are handled differently by every board, so check the renewal page linked below before the deadline passes.

Renewal period	Dwelling Contractor: annual. Dwelling Contractor Qualifier: every 2 years.
Renewal fee	Dwelling Contractor $25/year; Qualifier $30 every 2 years; reinstatement $200 once more than one term has passed since expiration (1 year for the Dwelling Contractor, 2 years for the Qualifier; SPS 305.07(2))
Continuing education	Dwelling Contractor: none. Qualifier: 12 hours per 2-year cycle (incl. 4 hours on construction laws/codes, contracts, liability, and risk management).
Where to renew	Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) (for the residential Dwelling Contractor credentials)

Local / municipal notes

Wisconsin has no dedicated state roofing license. For residential (1-2 family) roofing you must hold Dwelling Contractor + Qualifier credentials to pull permits; commercial roofing needs no state license, only local building permits. Some cities (e.g., Milwaukee, Madison) require local registration or insurance certificates before issuing roofing permits.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Wisconsin roofer license cost?

Application: $15 (Dwelling Contractor); $15 (Qualifier). License: Dwelling Contractor $25 (annual); Qualifier $30 (2-year). Renewal: Dwelling Contractor $25/year; Qualifier $30 every 2 years; reinstatement $200 once more than one term has passed since expiration (1 year for the Dwelling Contractor, 2 years for the Qualifier; SPS 305.07(2)).

How do I look up a roofer license in Wisconsin?

Search the official license database at license.wi.gov. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Do roofers in Wisconsin need a surety bond?

Dwelling Contractor: a surety bond of at least $25,000 OR general liability insurance of at least $250,000 per occurrence (Wis. Stat. 101.654(2)). Dwelling Contractor Restricted: a $5,000-$24,999 bond.

What experience is required for a Wisconsin roofer license?

No formal experience requirement. The Qualifier must complete a 12-hour DSPS-approved dwelling-construction course within 1 year before applying; no roofing-specific hours are mandated by the state.

Is insurance required for roofers in Wisconsin?

Liability: $250,000 per occurrence (an accepted alternative to the $25,000 bond). Property damage: Included in the general liability coverage. Workers' compensation: Required if the business has employees.

How long does it take to get a Wisconsin roofer license?

Processing time: Processed through the DSPS LicensE portal.

Is a background check required for roofers in Wisconsin?

Background check: Criminal-history disclosure required (DSPS Form 2255).

How often must a Wisconsin roofer license be renewed?

Dwelling Contractor: annual. Dwelling Contractor Qualifier: every 2 years. Continuing education: Dwelling Contractor: none. Qualifier: 12 hours per 2-year cycle (incl. 4 hours on construction laws/codes, contracts, liability, and risk management).

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-10-01 — always confirm current requirements directly with the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) (for the residential Dwelling Contractor credentials) before applying. This is not legal advice.