Wisconsin Roofer 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 2026-06-24

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.
Line up insurance. You'll need liability insurance ($250,000 per occurrence (an accepted alternative to the $25,000 bond)), and workers' compensation coverage.
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. Renew dwelling Contractor: annual. Dwelling Contractor Qualifier: every 2 years., completing Dwelling Contractor: none. Qualifier: 12 hours per 2-year cycle (incl. 4 hours on construction laws/codes, contracts, liability, and risk management).

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 after a 1+ year lapse $200
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).
Processing time	Processed through the DSPS LicensE portal.

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)

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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 after a 1+ year lapse $200.

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) Workers' compensation: Required if the business has employees

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 2026-06-24 — 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.