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How to become a licensed electrician in Wisconsin. State-level licensing required. Total initial fees: $165. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Electrician
Governing Authority
Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS)
Official website →Most information on this page has been verified.
80% of data points are verified against official sources. 7 fields based on preliminary research. 2 fields need verification. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Yes
State Licensed?
Apprentice Hours
3 levels
License Levels
Total Initial Fees
CE Hours
NEC Version
Regulation Status
VerifiedState Licensed
Yes
Regulation Level
state
License Types
Notes
Wisconsin requires completion of an electrical construction apprenticeship program recognized under Wis. Stat. ch. 106 or the Federal DOL for journeyman licensure. There is a separate Residential Master Electrician license limited to dwellings, dwelling units, and detached accessory buildings. Registered Electricians must work under direct supervision of a licensed Master or Journeyman. Some municipalities (e.g., Milwaukee, Superior) have additional local requirements.
State-Level Licensing Required
Regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS)
Official Title
Registered Electrician
Experience Required
No prior experience required. Must be enrolled in or completing an apprenticeship program. Must perform electrical wiring activities under direct supervision of a licensed Master or Journeyman Electrician.
Exam Required
No
Additional Requirements
Official Title
Journeyman Electrician
Experience Required
Completed an electrical construction apprenticeship program recognized under Wis. Stat. ch. 106 or the Federal Department of Labor. Must pass exam.
Exam Required
Yes
Additional Requirements
Official Title
Master Electrician
Experience Required
At least 2 years as a licensed Journeyman Electrician plus additional education. Must pass Master exam.
Exam Required
Yes
Additional Requirements
Apprenticeship
Hours Breakdown
5
Years
DOL Registered Apprenticeship
Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
Journeyman Exam
Required
Master Exam
Exam Provider
Pearson VUE (Pearson Professional Assessments). Schedule online at pearsonvue.com.
NEC Version
2017 NEC (codified in Wis. Admin. Code SPS 316). Rulemaking underway to adopt 2023 NEC but not yet finalized.
Open Book
Yes
Journeyman Exam Details
100
Questions
240 min
Time Limit
70%
Passing Score
Master Exam Details
50
Questions
240 min
Time Limit
70%
Passing Score
Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Insurance Required
Bonding Required
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Apprentice Registration Fee $15 application fee + $15 credential fee. 1-year term. | |
Journeyman License Fee $35 application fee + $30 exam fee (Pearson VUE) + $100 credential fee (prorated based on 4-year term) | |
Master License Fee $35 application fee + $20 exam fee (Pearson VUE) + $200 credential fee (prorated based on 4-year term) | |
Exam Fee Journeyman exam: $30. Master exam: $20. Paid to Pearson VUE. | |
Renewal Fee Journeyman: $100 per 4-year renewal. Master: $200 per 4-year renewal. Late fee: additional $35. Late CE adds $25 processing fee. | |
Total Initial Fees Journeyman: $35 app + $30 exam + $100 credential = $165. Master: $35 app + $20 exam + $200 credential = $255. |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified4 years (Master and Journeyman, expire June 30). 1 year for Registered Electricians.
Renewal Period
24 hrs
CE Hours Required
CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$100
Journeyman: $100 per 4-year renewal. Master: $200 per 4-year renewal. Late fee: additional $35.
Regulatory Board
Electrician licenses must be renewed on schedule. Most states require continuing education covering NEC code updates, safety practices, and applicable state/local amendments.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
Reciprocity Type
Endorsement
Transfer Details
Iowa and New Hampshire (Journeyman level). Licensed Journeyman Electricians from these states may apply for WI Journeyman license without taking the WI exam.
Additional Requirements for Transfer
Electrician license reciprocity varies significantly by state. Some states offer endorsement for experienced electricians, while others require passing the state exam regardless of prior credentials.
Wisconsin mandates formal apprenticeship program completion (not just hours of experience) for journeyman licensure. The state uses Pearson VUE for exam administration, which is unusual -- most states use PSI. Wisconsin is notably behind on NEC adoption, still enforcing the 2017 NEC while most states have moved to 2020 or 2023. Credential fees are prorated based on the 4-year term cycle.
Wisconsin requires completion of a formal apprenticeship program (recognized under Wis. Stat. ch. 106 or Federal DOL) for journeyman licensure -- experience alone is not sufficient.
There is a separate Residential Master Electrician license requiring 5 years (1,000+ hours/year) of experience, limited to dwellings and detached accessory buildings.
Exams are administered by Pearson VUE (not PSI or Prometric).
Allowed exam references: NEC codebook (bound), Wis. Admin. Code SPS 305 and SPS 316 (in 3-ring binder), and printed notes (3-hole punched in binder). No loose papers, removable tabs, sticky notes, or paperclips.
Wisconsin still uses the 2017 NEC (SPS 316); rulemaking to adopt 2023 NEC is underway but not yet finalized.
No state-level surety bond required for electrical contractors, but some municipalities (e.g., City of Superior: $25,000; City of Milwaukee) require local bonds.
Reciprocity is limited to Iowa and New Hampshire at the journeyman level only.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Wisconsin.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#12 of 51
Cost
#16 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Electricians (SOC 47-2111)
Entry Level
$56,340
25th percentile
Median
$75,090
+20% vs. national avg ($62,350)Experienced
$91,030
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
12,630 employed in this state
Source: BLS OEWS – Electricians (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+7.1%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+60,000
over 10 years
Annual Openings
68,500
per year (avg.)
839,600 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Electrical Career Ladder+8% salary growth potential
You are here
Electrician (Journeyman)
$75,090
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
You are here
Electrician (Journeyman)
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
$75,090
Master electrician license + contractor license
$81,460
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 212–224 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services - Electrical — Licensing Requirements
2–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services - Electrical — Licensing Requirements
Study guides and NEC code practice tests for the electrician licensing exam.
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Official regulatory agency — added during electrician audit
Accessed 2026-03-22
Primary DSPS page for journeyman licensing
Accessed 2026-03-19
Master exam details
Accessed 2026-03-19
Registered electrician information
Accessed 2026-03-19
Official application form
Accessed 2026-03-19
Official application form
Accessed 2026-03-19
Official application form
Accessed 2026-03-19
Candidate handbook dated July 2024
Accessed 2026-03-19
Official electrical code admin rules
Accessed 2026-03-19
Official homepage
Accessed 2026-03-19
Wisconsin requires state-level licensing. All licensing is managed through the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS).
Requirements vary by state and local jurisdiction. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.