Wisconsin Residential Building License

All home builders and remodelers in the State of Wisconsin are required to have a Dwelling Contractor Qualifier license in order to pull building permits for one and two person residential homes. We get a lot of questions on what's required and how the WI licensing system works. The licenses are managed by the Department of Safety & Professional Services, or DSPS.

Here are the basics:

You need 2 licenses - You will need a Dwelling Contractor license (held by the business) and a Dwelling Contractor Qualifier (held by an individual representing the business.)

Per Wis. Admin. Code § SPS 305.31, no person may obtain a building permit for a one- and two-family dwelling unless the person complies with all of the following, except as provided under Wis. Stat. §§ 101.654(1)(b) and (1)(c)(2):

Holds a Dwelling Contractor certification or a Dwelling Contractor Restricted certification issued by the Department;
Holds or engages, as an employee, a person who holds a certification issued by the Department as a Dwelling Contractor Qualifier.

Dwelling Contractor license

Apply for this first!
The business must hold this license.
View the Department of Safety & Professional Services website for more details & to register.
This license is renewed every 2 years.

Dwelling Contractor Qualifier license

An individual who owns or works for the business must hold this license to pull permits.
Requires a 12-hour Initial Qualifier Course before applying for the license. View the list of DSPS' approved providers of this class.
Visit the Department of Safety & Professional Services website for more details & to register.
This license is renewed every 2 years and requires 12 credits of Continuing Education Courses, including 4 of those credits to be a required class that covers building code, legal issues and risk management. The CVHBA offers 6 CEU credits every year in March at the Chippewa Valley Contractor Conference.