How to get a plumbing license in Wisconsin: the official requirements
The Journeyman Plumber 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 plumbing license for individual plumbers is issued by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. The Journeyman Plumber credential, an individual credential issued by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. First-time applicants who completed a Wisconsin plumbing apprenticeship apply by examination. Apprentice or trainee registration: Plumbing Apprentice registration: you must be entered into a plumbing 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 a plumbing apprenticeship program recognized under Wisconsin Statute chapter 106 or by the federal Department of Labor, and upload a letter from the Wisconsin Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards confirming you met its requirements. Licensing exam: The Journeyman Plumber exam: open book, with a passing score of 70%. Exam instructions are sent once you meet the qualifications for the exam. How to apply: Apply online through LicensE: create or log into your account, select Apply for a License, choose the license type and application method, upload documents and pay the fees.
Wisconsin plumbing license requirements
| Requirement | Wisconsin |
|---|---|
| License you apply for | The Journeyman Plumber credential, an individual credential issued by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. First-time applicants who completed a Wisconsin plumbing apprenticeship apply by examination. |
| Apprentice or trainee registration | Plumbing Apprentice registration: you must be entered into a plumbing 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 a plumbing apprenticeship program recognized under Wisconsin Statute chapter 106 or by the federal Department of Labor, and upload a letter from the Wisconsin Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards confirming you met its requirements. |
| Classroom hours | Not stated in the official source we read. Check with the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. |
| Licensing exam | The Journeyman Plumber exam: open book, with a passing score of 70%. Exam instructions are sent once you meet the qualifications for the exam. |
| How to apply | Apply online through LicensE: create or log into your account, select Apply for a License, choose the license type and application method, upload documents and pay the fees. |
| Background check | Applicants with convictions may apply for an optional predetermination first; convictions and pending charges are reviewed as part of the application. |
| State fees | Journeyman Plumber: $180 credential fee plus a $10 application fee; renewal $180. Plumbing Apprentice: $15 credential fee plus a $15 application fee. Exam vendor fees are separate. |
| License term | Four years; the Journeyman Plumber credential renews on March 31. |
| Continuing education | 24 hours of continuing education per 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 plumbing 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 a plumbing apprentice contract recognized under Wisconsin law and register as a Plumbing Apprentice with DSPS.
- Complete the recognized plumbing apprenticeship program.
- Apply for the Journeyman Plumber credential on LicensE and upload the Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards completion letter.
- Pass the open-book exam with a score of 70% or more.
- Renew every four years with 24 hours of continuing education.
Go further
Requirements state by state.
Open →CareerHow to become a plumberThe career path, nationally.
Open →PayPlumber salary in WisconsinWhat plumbers earn.
Open →CareerPlumber career guideThe job, skills and outlook.
Open →ResumePlumber resumeHow to present your hours and licenses.
Open →InterviewPlumber 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 plumbing 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, residential, limited and out-of-state (reciprocity) licenses have their own rules.
- Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, Journeyman Plumber, official source, read Nov 9, 2026.
- Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, Journeyman Plumber - Licensure by Examination, official source, read Nov 9, 2026.
- Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, Plumbing 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.