In the state of Wisconsin contractors have to have state credentials.

General Building Contractor Certification

Financial Responsibility Certification
Required in order to obtain a building permit for one (1) or two(2)-family dwellings. (Work performed by owners who occupy or will occupy the dwelling are exempt from the certification requirement.)

To apply for the financial responsibility credential, a contractor must show:

• Proof of compliance with Workers Compensation
• Proof of unemployment compensation
• Liability insurance.
• $25,000.00 bond is required for the credential.

Wisconsin does not recognize a reciprocity agreement with any other state.

Asbestos Abatement Certification

The Asbestos Unit at the Wisconsin Bureau of Public Health issues these certificates:

Worker           
Project Designer
Supervisor      
Roofing Worker
Inspector        
Roofing supervisor
Management Planner

Each applicant must complete a training course and pass a closed book exam.

Lead Abatement Certification

The Lead Unit at the Wisconsin Bureau issues the following types of certificates:

Worker           
Risk assessor
Supervisor      
Project designer
Inspector        

Each applicant must complete a training course and pass a closed book exam.

Electrician's Certification

Electricians are accredited which allows them to get licensed in municipalities in the state. For the electrical contractor's credential an applicant must be the head of the electrical company and give the Safety and Buildings Division the following:

• Social security number
• Workers' compensation number
• Unemployment insurance account number
• State tax identification number
• Federal tax identification number
• Names and addresses of all the officers of your company

Journeyman Electrician

The applicant must pass an open book exam on the National Electrical Code and the electrical code part of the Wisconsin Administrative Code  as well as complete one (1) of:

• An electrical apprenticeship program recognized by Wisconsin and the U.S. Department of Labor.
• Five (5) years experience with at least1,000 hours per year of electrical construction work experience for at least, substituting 500 hours of work experience for each semester completed in an accredited electrical study, up to 2,000 hours.

Master Electrician

The applicant must pass an open book exam on the National Electrical Code and the electrical code part of the Wisconsin Administrative Code.

• Seven (7) years work experience with at least 1,000 hours per year of electrical construction.
• 500 hours of work experience for each semester completed in accredited electrical study, up to 3,000 hours.

Plumber’s Certification

The Department of Commerce, Safety and Buildings Division issues the following plumbing credentials:

Master            
Master - restricted appliance
Master - restricted service                  
Apprentice
Journeyman
Journeyman - restricted service          
Plumbing learner - restricted appliance
Journeyman - restricted appliance      
Plumbing learner - restricted service
Pipe Layer

Journeyman plumbers require work experience under a master plumber plus instructional course in the field.

Master plumbers require 1,000 hours per year of work as a licensed journeyman plumber for at least three (3) consecutive years, or a degree in civil engineering, mechanical engineering, or other approved engineering degree in the plumbing field.

HVAC Credentials

For an applicant to qualify for the HVAC credential exam he or she needs to have :

• 1,000 hours per year within four (4) years of work experience in HVAC.
• Four (4) years in an accredited technical school or a both work experience and study for four (4) years.

Fire Sprinklers Credentials

The Safety and Buildings Division issues these qualifications:

• Fire Sprinkler Contractor
• Journeyman Fitter
• Sprinkler Maintenance Contractor
• Sprinkler Maintenance Fitter Credentials

All categories require passing a Division-approved exam.

Well Driller's Credentials 

To take the well driller’s exam:

• Two (2) years of supervised well drilling experience within the last five (5) years.
• Drilled at least 30 wells, or have 1,500 hours of well drilling within two (2) years, with at least ten (10) wells or 750 hours in a single year.

Consumers are advised to check for additional local municipal contractor license requirements as contractor laws can differ from county to county. It is also advised to double check with the state’s requirements before hiring a contractor.