While all electrical licenses are administered through the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), apprenticeship committees enforce their own requirements and regulations for applicants. Each committee has slightly different requirements, making it critical for aspiring electricians to read up before applying for a license.
Electricians who wish to perform work on dwellings, structures, or sites must also receive DSPS Dwelling Contractor certification. The same standards apply to general contractors in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Electrical License Reciprocity
Currently, Wisconsin only holds a reciprocity agreement with the state of Iowa for electricians. Other reciprocity agreements are offered on a case-by-case basis to individuals whose electrical contracting license is comparable to Wisconsin’s.
Wisconsin Master Electrician License Requirements
The highest license that electricians can receive in Wisconsin is that of either the master electrician or the residential master electrician. Each entails their own requirements. Below is more information regarding the two distinct licenses:
Master Electrician
Master electricians are licensed to perform all installation, maintenance, and repairs to electrical wiring and equipment.
In order to meet the requirements for master licensure, applicants must complete one of the following:
- At least 12 months of experience as a licensed journeyman electrician;
- At least 60 months (10,000 hours) of experience performing electrical work, OR at least 1,000 hours per year for at least the last 7 years;
- A master’s or bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited university or college.
Each application must include proof of experience, whether that be through official working hours, licensing, or college transcripts. Candidates must submit their Application for the Master Electrician License, alongside a $35 application fee and a $30 exam fee.
Residential Master Electrician
Residential master electricians can only perform electrical work on dwellings and dwelling units. As such, Dwelling Contractor certification applies in this scenario.
Requirements for becoming a residential master electrician are as follows:
- At least 5 years (5,000 hours) of experience, of which 3 years (3,000 hours) may be substituted by any coursework completed in an electrical-related program.
Interested parties must submit the Application for the Residential Master Electrician License, alongside a $35 application fee and a $30 exam fee.
Wisconsin Electrical Insurance Requirements
Master electricians are required to maintain liability insurance in the state of Wisconsin. If you’re contracted under a master electrician, your employer will typically cover your insurance needs.
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Wisconsin Journeyman Electrician License Requirements
Journeyman electricians in the state of Wisconsin are divided into three groups: journeymen, industrial journeymen, or residential journeymen. Below is more information on the different subtypes of journeyman licensing:
Journeyman Electrician
In Wisconsin, journeyman electricians are allowed to perform any and all residential or commercial installation, maintenance, and repairs of electrical wiring. Applicants must submit an Application for Journeyman Electrician License, alongside a $35 application fee and a $30 exam fee.
Becoming a journeyman electrician in Wisconsin entails the following requirements:
- Complete 4 years of job experience (8,000 hours total);
- OR, complete a 2-year degree (2,000 hours) and 3-years of experience (6,000 hours);
- OR, complete an approved apprenticeship program.
Industrial Journeyman Electrician
Industrial journeymen in the state can only perform electrical work in industrial facilities. Those interested in the field must submit an Application for the Industrial Journeyman Electrician License, alongside a $35 application fee and a $30 exam fee.
Below are the requirements to becoming an industrial journeyman in Wisconsin:
- Complete 5 years of job experience, with at least 1,000 hours each year (5,000 hours total);
- OR, complete a 2-year degree (2,000 hours) and 3 years of job experience (3,000 hours);
- OR, complete an approved apprenticeship program.
Residential Journeyman Electrician
Residential journeymen can only perform electrical wiring work on residential buildings and units in the state. Interested parties must submit the Application for Residential Journeyman Electrician License, alongside a $35 application fee and a $30 exam fee.
Aspiring residential journeyman in Wisconsin must meet the following requirements to become licensed:
- Complete 3 years of job experience, with at least 1,000 hours per year (3,000 hours total);
- OR, complete a 2-year degree (2,000 hours) and 1 year of job experience (1,000 hours);
- OR, complete an approved apprenticeship program.
Electrical Journeyman Exam
The journeyman electrician exam is administered by the DSPS, is open book, and requires a score of 70% or higher in order to pass. For further information, refer to the DSPS’s Trades Credentialing Examination Information. As previously mentioned, there is a $30 fee per exam.
Electrician Apprenticeship Requirements
Electrical apprenticeships are similar to that of trade and vocational schools in the sense that enrolled individuals are learning the art of the trade. Apprenticeships, however, offer aspiring electricians the opportunity to learn while still earning money. Many apprenticeships even offer college credit.
Categorized under construction occupations in Wisconsin’s Department of Workforce Development, applicants to an apprenticeship program apply directly to local electrical committees.
Application requirements are unique to each committee, but generally ask applicants to:
- Be at least 18 years old;
- Have a high school diploma, or its equivalent;
- Be physically able to perform the trade;
- Possess a valid driver’s license;
- Complete some level of high school math.
Wisconsin Electrical Apprentice Jobs
Aspiring electricians in Wisconsin can search for apprenticeships through job finding sites like Indeed, or reach out to electrical apprenticeship committees near them.
Electrical Trade Schools in Wisconsin
Some trade and technical school options in Wisconsin offer apprenticeship programs directly through their respective institutions. Below are a few of the trade schools in the state:
- Location: La Crosse, WI
- Tuition: No tuition is required for apprenticeships.
- Contact: (608) 788-7005
- Location: Kenosha, WI
- Tuition: $11,609 for the total program
- Contact: (800) 247-7122
Madison Area Technical College
- Location: Madison, WI
- Tuition: $9,426.30 for the total program
- Contact: (608) 246-6800
Wisconsin Professional License Search
Utilize Wisconsin’s professional license search to verify electrical licenses in your area. Other contracting licenses, such as for plumbing and HVAC, can also be found through the search tool.
For More License and Career Guides
To find out how to become an Electrical Contractor in another state, start here.
For information on other trades in Wisconsin, click on a link below to learn more about the licensing requirements:
- Wisconsin General Contractor License Requirements
- How to Become a Plumber in Wisconsin
- Wisconsin Handyman License Guide
- Wisconsin Welding Schools and Career Guide
- How to Get an HVAC License in Wisconsin
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