How to get an electrician license in Wisconsin: the official requirements
The Journeyman Electrician license, the experience and training it takes, the exam and how to apply, from the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services.
In Wisconsin, the state electrical license for individual electricians is issued by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. The Journeyman Electrician credential, an individual credential issued by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) under Chapter SPS 305. First-time applicants get it by examination after an electrical construction apprenticeship or the required experience. Apprentice or trainee registration: Electrical Apprentice registration: you must be entered into an electrical apprentice contract recognized under Wisconsin law (ch. 106) and upload a copy of the contract when you apply. No exam is needed for the apprentice registration. Experience and training: To qualify for the exam, complete either a construction electrician apprenticeship of at least 3 years approved by the U.S. Department of Labor or the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, or at least 48 months of experience installing, repairing and maintaining electrical wiring with at least 8,000 hours over that period. A 2-year electrical-related degree or diploma counts as 12 months and 2,000 hours of experience. Licensing exam: The Journeyman Electrician exam: open book, with a passing score of 70%. Exam instructions are sent once you meet the qualifications for examination. How to apply: Apply online through LicensE. Apprenticeship graduates upload a letter from the Wisconsin Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards; experience applicants submit a Trades Experience Form that their witnesses sign.
Wisconsin electrician license requirements
| Requirement | Wisconsin |
|---|---|
| License you apply for | The Journeyman Electrician credential, an individual credential issued by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) under Chapter SPS 305. First-time applicants get it by examination after an electrical construction apprenticeship or the required experience. |
| Apprentice or trainee registration | Electrical Apprentice registration: you must be entered into an electrical apprentice contract recognized under Wisconsin law (ch. 106) and upload a copy of the contract when you apply. No exam is needed for the apprentice registration. |
| Experience and training | To qualify for the exam, complete either a construction electrician apprenticeship of at least 3 years approved by the U.S. Department of Labor or the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, or at least 48 months of experience installing, repairing and maintaining electrical wiring with at least 8,000 hours over that period. A 2-year electrical-related degree or diploma counts as 12 months and 2,000 hours of experience. |
| Classroom hours | Not stated in the official source we read. Check with the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. |
| Licensing exam | The Journeyman Electrician exam: open book, with a passing score of 70%. Exam instructions are sent once you meet the qualifications for examination. |
| How to apply | Apply online through LicensE. Apprenticeship graduates upload a letter from the Wisconsin Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards; experience applicants submit a Trades Experience Form that their witnesses sign. |
| Background check | If you have convictions or pending charges, you upload Form 225X with the required legal documents; convictions and pending charges are reviewed as part of the application. |
| State fees | Journeyman Electrician: $100 credential fee plus a $35 application fee; renewal $100. Electrical Apprentice: $15 credential fee plus a $15 application fee. Exam vendor fees are separate. |
| License term | Four years; the Journeyman Electrician credential renews on June 30. |
| Continuing education | At least 24 hours of acceptable continuing education for each renewal, entered by the course provider. |
Where the official source we read does not state something, the table says so rather than guessing. Fees shown are the licensing authority's own. Fees charged by exam vendors, schools, apprenticeship programs, fingerprint vendors and application portals are not included.
This page covers the electrical license issued by the state. Cities and counties can have their own registration, permit or license rules; ask the local building department where you will work.
How to get licensed in Wisconsin
- Enter an electrical apprentice contract recognized under Wisconsin law and register as an Electrical Apprentice with DSPS.
- Complete an approved construction electrician apprenticeship of at least 3 years, or at least 48 months and 8,000 hours of electrical wiring experience.
- Apply online through LicensE with your apprenticeship letter or Trades Experience Form.
- Once DSPS confirms you qualify, follow the exam instructions and pass the open-book exam (70% to pass).
- Renew with at least 24 hours of continuing education.
Go further
Requirements state by state.
Open →CareerHow to become an electricianThe career path, nationally.
Open →PayElectrician salary in WisconsinWhat electricians earn.
Open →CareerElectrician career guideThe job, skills and outlook.
Open →ResumeElectrician resumeHow to present your hours and licenses.
Open →InterviewElectrician interview questionsWhat hiring managers ask.
Open →Disclosure: TryHired makes HIRED, a paid job-search program, so we have a conflict of interest when we mention it. Everything on this page is free to use without buying anything.
Questions people ask
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How this page is built
Each fact on this page comes from the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (sources named below), read on the dates shown, with the exact wording we relied on kept on file. Requirements and fees change; the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services's current instructions govern. We re-read each state's sources every six months (next review by May 10, 2027).
- Not legal advice.
- Licensing rules can change. Verify current requirements with the issuing agency.
- Fees shown are the licensing authority's own. Fees charged by exam vendors, schools, apprenticeship programs, fingerprint vendors and application portals are not included.
- This page covers the electrical license issued by the state. Cities and counties can have their own registration, permit or license rules; ask the local building department where you will work.
- This page covers the individual license named above. Master, contractor, specialty, sign, residential, limited and out-of-state (reciprocity) licenses have their own rules.
- Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, Journeyman Electrician, official source, read Nov 9, 2026.
- Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, Journeyman Electrician - Licensure by Examination, official source, read Nov 9, 2026.
- Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, Electrical Apprentice - New Licensure, official source, read Nov 9, 2026.
- Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, Credential Fees and Renewal Dates, official source, read Nov 9, 2026.