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Plumber
Total cost: $210
Governing Authority
Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS)
Official website →Yes
State Licensed?
10,000
Apprentice Hours
9
License Levels
$210
Total Fees
24 hrs
CE Hours
Wisconsin State Plumbing Code (Wis. Admin. Code chs. SPS 381-387)
Code Version
Get the Wisconsin Plumber Roadmap — every step, fee, and deadline mapped out. — every step mapped out.
Get the Roadmap — $20Apprentice Registration Fee
$15
5-year program; renewal every 2 years, no fee
Journeyman License Fee
$180
License fee; application: $10; exam: $20 DSPS or $180 Pearson VUE; 4-year renewal: $180
Master Plumber License Fee
$500
Prorated, expires March 31; application: $20; exam: $30; 4-year renewal
Exam Fee
$20-$30 (DSPS) / $180 (Pearson VUE)
Varies by exam type and provider
Renewal Fee
$180 (journeyman) / $500 (master)
Every 4 years
Regulation Status
VerifiedState Licensed
Yes
Regulation Level
state
License Types Available
State-Level Licensing Required
Regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS)
Apprenticeship Program
10,000
Total Hours
5 yrs
Duration
800
Classroom Hours
9,200
OJT Hours
Registered Apprenticeship Program Required
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Experience Required
Registration required; no prior experience
No exam required
Additional Requirements
Experience Required
Complete approved 5-year plumbing apprenticeship
Exam required
Additional Requirements
Experience Required
At least 1,000 hours/year for at least 3 years as licensed WI Journeyman Plumber, OR engineering degree in civil/mechanical or approved related engineering curriculum
Exam required
Additional Requirements
Exam Information
VerifiedJourneyman Exam
RequiredMaster Exam
RequiredExam Provider
DSPS / Pearson VUE
Plumbing Code Version
Wisconsin State Plumbing Code (Wis. Admin. Code chs. SPS 381-387)
Open Book Exam
Passing Score
70%
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Overall licensing difficulty: 34/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Insurance Required
Bonding Required
Not sure if you need a plumber license? Check whether your state requires one.
Wisconsin has 12% above average — nationally the ratio is 1 per 746 residents.
Wisconsin has above-average plumbers density — competitive market.
Wisconsin ranks #22 out of 51 states by plumbers per capita.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Apprentice Registration 5-year program; renewal every 2 years, no fee | $15 |
Journeyman License License fee; application: $10; exam: $20 DSPS or $180 Pearson VUE; 4-year renewal: $180 | $180 |
Master License Prorated, expires March 31; application: $20; exam: $30; 4-year renewal | $500 |
Exam Fee Varies by exam type and provider | $20-$30 (DSPS) / $180 (Pearson VUE) |
Renewal Fee Every 4 years | $180 (journeyman) / $500 (master) |
Total Initial Fees Journeyman: app ($10) + exam ($20) + license ($180) = $210; Master: app ($20) + exam ($30) + license ($500) = $550 | $210 |
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Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified4 years
Renewal Period
24
CE Hours Required
$180 (journeyman) / $500 (master)
Renewal Fee
Continuing Education Required
Regulatory Board
Every 4 years
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Licenses
Transfer Type
Endorsement
Additional Requirements for Transfer
Most states require plumbers to pass the local exam or apply for endorsement when transferring an out-of-state license. Requirements vary by state.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Wisconsin with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Wisconsin stands out with a 5-year apprenticeship (longest in the country), 9 license types including restricted appliance/service variants, an 8-hour master plumber exam (242 questions in 2 parts), $500 master license fee (among the highest), 4-year renewal cycle, 24 hours CE every 4 years, and comity requiring 5-year apprenticeship + 5 years journeyman + passing WI exam.
5-YEAR apprenticeship — longest in the country (most states require 4 years)
9 license types including restricted appliance and restricted service variants at both journeyman and master
Master plumber exam is 8 HOURS total (242 questions in 2 parts — Part 1: 110 questions/4 hrs + Part 2: 132 questions/4 hrs) — one of the most comprehensive exams in the country
Master plumber license fee: $500 (prorated, expires March 31) — among the highest in the nation
4-year renewal cycle (longer than most states)
CE: 24 hours every 4 years
Uses Wisconsin State Plumbing Code (SPS 381-387)
Comity: must have 5-year apprenticeship + 5 years as journeyman + still pass WI exam
Journeyman exam also 2 parts: 87 questions (3 hrs) + 120 questions (3 hrs)
Apprentice age: 16-18; registration $15
Online portal: license.wi.gov
Exam provider: DSPS / Pearson VUE
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Plumber requirements in Wisconsin verified against Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), April 2026.
Accessed 2026-03-06
Accessed 2026-03-06