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How to become an electrician in Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) licenses electricians in Wisconsin.

See your steps Find an apprenticeship

Your ladder

Dates if you start in Nov 2026 and work 40 hours a week.

  1. Electrical ApprenticeStart here
  2. Journeyman Electrician8,000 hours on the job
  3. Master Electrician10,000 hours on the job
  4. Electrical ContractorRun your own business

First: start as an apprentice.

Find an apprenticeship

Dates are estimates, worked out from the hours on the job each license requires and the hours a week you pick.

Your steps

Steps for: New to the trade. The dates follow your ladder. Change where you are, your start month or your hours a week at the top of the page.

  1. Step 1, Start here

    Start as an apprentice

    An apprenticeship is a paid job with training. You work for an employer and you learn the trade on the job. Wisconsin has 238 registered electrician apprenticeship programs. The median wage is $19.76 an hour at the start and $39.00 an hour at the end.

    The programs with the most active apprentices

    See all 238 programs

  2. Step 2,

    Get your Electrical Apprentice license

    Apply to DSPS for the Electrical Apprentice license.

    Hours on the job
    8,000
    Fee
    $15

    The apprenticeship for the Electrical Apprentice license takes 8,000 hours on the job and 400 classroom hours.

    What this license lets you do: “A person who holds a license as a licensed journeyman electrician or a registration as a registered electrical apprentice shall perform electrical wiring activities under the general supervision of a person who holds a license as a licensed master electrician or a registration as a registered master electrician, except as provided in subd. 2.”

    How to apply: “Go to license.wi.gov to apply for a credential or license.”

    The application fee is $15. The Electrical Apprentice license costs $15.

    You don't need to take an exam for the Electrical Apprentice license.

    You renew the Electrical Apprentice license every year. The renewal costs $15. You don't need continuing education to renew.

    These are the hours of the Construction Electrician apprenticeship, published by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. The Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) requires the apprenticeship and sets no hours of its own.

    These are the paid classroom hours of the same apprenticeship. Some sponsors add more classroom hours.

    The official wording of the requirement
    Electrical Apprentice“A person applying for an Electrical Apprentice, an Industrial Electrical Apprentice, or a Residential Electrical Apprentice registration shall be entered into an electrical apprentice contract recognized under ch. 106, Stats.”

  3. Step 3,

    Complete 8,000 hours on the job

    To qualify for the Journeyman Electrician license, you need 8,000 hours on the job.

  4. Step 4,

    Apply for your Journeyman Electrician license

    Apply to DSPS for the Journeyman Electrician license. You must pass the journeyman electrician license examination. The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) gives the exam at its own exam sites. Pearson VUE gives it on computer at Pearson test centers in Wisconsin.

    Hours on the job
    8,000
    Exam
    $30
    Fee
    $35

    The Journeyman Electrician license requires 8,000 hours on the job.

    What this license lets you do: “A person who holds a license as a licensed journeyman electrician or a registration as a registered electrical apprentice shall perform electrical wiring activities under the general supervision of a person who holds a license as a licensed master electrician or a registration as a registered master electrician, except as provided in subd. 2.”

    How to apply: “Go to license.wi.gov to apply for a credential or license.”

    About the exam: “The exam is open book, and the passing score is 70%. Exam Length (hrs): 4. Exam Questions: 100. Eligible exam candidates for trade credentials may choose to register for a computer-based exam at a Pearson testing location. Candidate Fee to Pearson: $95. Candidate Fee to DSPS: $30.”

    The application fee is $35. The Journeyman Electrician license costs $100.

    You must pass the journeyman electrician license examination. The exam costs $30.

    You renew the Journeyman Electrician license every 4 years. The renewal costs $100. You need 24 hours of continuing education for each renewal.

    If you don't complete an apprenticeship, you need 8,000 hours over at least 48 months. A 3-year approved apprenticeship also qualifies you, and a 2-year electrical program counts for 2,000 of the hours.

    If you take the exam on a computer at Pearson VUE, Pearson VUE charges its own $95 fee.

    The official wording of the requirement
    Journeyman Electrician“Applicant must complete one of the following to qualify for the examination: Completion of a construction electrician apprenticeship program in installing, repairing, and maintaining electrical wiring that has a duration of at least 3 years and that is approved by the U.S. department of labor or by the department of workforce development; or Experience in installing, repairing, and maintaining electrical wiring during a period of not less than 48 months, with at least 8,000 hours of experience over that period. For purposes of meeting this requirement, a degree or diploma from a 2-year program in a school of electrical engineering or from a 2-year program in an accredited technical or vocational school in an electrical-related program shall be accepted by the department as being equivalent to 12 months and 2,000 hours of experience.”

  5. Step 5,

    Renew your license

    You renew the Journeyman Electrician license every 4 years.

Other electrician licenses

Electrician, Registered

What this license lets you do: “A person who is enrolled as a Registered Electrician shall perform electrical wiring activities under the direct supervision of a person who holds a license either as a licensed master electrician or a licensed journeyman electrician or holds a registration as a registered master electrician.”

How to apply: “Go to license.wi.gov to apply for a credential or license.”

The application fee is $15. The Electrician, Registered license costs $20.

You don't need to take an exam for the Electrician, Registered license.

You renew the Electrician, Registered license every year. The renewal costs $20. You need 24 hours of continuing education for each renewal.

Master Electrician

Hours on the job
10,000
Exam
$30
Fee
$35

The Master Electrician license requires 10,000 hours on the job.

How to apply: “Go to license.wi.gov to apply for a credential or license.”

About the exam: “The exam is open book, and the passing score is 70%. Exam Length (hrs): 4. Exam Questions: 50. Eligible exam candidates for trade credentials may choose to register for a computer-based exam at a Pearson testing location. Candidate Fee to Pearson: $95. Candidate Fee to DSPS: $30.”

The application fee is $35. The Master Electrician license costs $200.

You must pass the master electrician license examination. The exam costs $30.

You renew the Master Electrician license every 4 years. The renewal costs $200. You need 24 hours of continuing education for each renewal.

You need 10,000 hours over at least 60 months if you qualify by hours alone. If you hold a journeyman electrician license, you need 12 months of wiring experience instead, and an electrical engineering degree also qualifies you.

If you take the exam on a computer at Pearson VUE, Pearson VUE charges its own $95 fee.

The official wording of the requirement
Master Electrician“Applicant must complete one of the following to qualify for the examination: A bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in electrical engineering; Twelve months of experience in installing, repairing, and maintaining electrical wiring while being licensed as a Journeyman Electrician; or Experience in installing, repairing, and maintaining electrical wiring during a period of not less than 60 months, with at least 10,000 hours of experience over that period.”

To run an electrical business

This is the license for running an electrical business.

Electrical Contractor

What this license lets you do: “A licensed electrical contractor shall utilize the appropriately licensed or registered individuals to construct, install, repair or maintain electrical wiring.”

How to apply: “Go to license.wi.gov to apply for a credential or license.”

The application fee is $35. The Electrical Contractor license costs $200.

You don't need to take an exam for the Electrical Contractor license.

You renew the Electrical Contractor license every 4 years. The renewal costs $200. You don't need continuing education to renew.

Take the exam

LicenseExam
Journeyman Electricianjourneyman electrician license examinationThe Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) gives the exam at its own exam sites. Pearson VUE gives it on computer at Pearson test centers in Wisconsin.
Master Electricianmaster electrician license examinationThe Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) gives the exam at its own exam sites. Pearson VUE gives it on computer at Pearson test centers in Wisconsin.

You take the exam for the license you apply for.

What electricians earn in Wisconsin

$36.80an hour

$76,540 a year, full time

Half of the electricians on a payroll in Wisconsin earn more than $36.80 an hour, and half earn less. The federal wage survey puts the yearly figure at $76,540.

These figures cover everyone on a payroll as an electrician in Wisconsin, from apprentices to people with decades in the trade, so they aren't a starting wage. The survey counts 14,310 jobs. The figures don't include self-employed electricians.

The yearly figure is for full-time work all year, which is 2,080 hours.

Use a license from another state

If you hold a license from one of the states listed for a license, you may be able to use your license to qualify in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin licenseRecognized from
Journeyman Electrician licenseIowa and New Hampshire
Master Electrician licenseIowa

Iowa and New Hampshire both list the Wisconsin Journeyman Electrician license for reciprocity. It isn't an automatic transfer: you apply to that state and meet its own conditions, which can include your exam history, your experience and a check of your license.

Journeyman Electrician license: If you got your Iowa or New Hampshire journeyman electrician license by passing that state's exam, you can use it. You can get the Wisconsin Journeyman Electrician license with no exam. Your license must be valid. You must have held it for at least 1 year in a row right before you apply.

Master Electrician license: If you got your Iowa master electrician license by passing Iowa's exam, you can use it. You can get the Wisconsin Master Electrician license with no exam. Your license must be valid. You must have held it for at least 1 year in a row right before you apply.

These states recognize a license from Wisconsin.

Wisconsin licenseRecognized by
Journeyman Electrician licenseIowa and New Hampshire

Questions

How long does it take to become an electrician in Wisconsin?

If you work full time, you reach the 8,000 hours for the Journeyman Electrician license in about 4 years.

Can you become an electrician with no experience?

Yes. You can start as an apprentice and learn the trade on the job.

Wisconsin electrician apprenticeships

How much do most electricians earn in Wisconsin?

Half of the electricians on a payroll in Wisconsin earn between $26.84 and $45.09 an hour. These figures don't include overtime pay.

Can an electrician earn $100,000 a year in Wisconsin?

Yes. The highest-paid 10% of electricians on a payroll in Wisconsin earn more than $101,770 a year before overtime.

Contact the licensing office

Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Servicesdsps.wi.gov/a-z-professions-list/electrical-apprentice
Check a licenseLook up a license

Words to know

Apprentice
Someone who learns the trade on the job, working under a licensed worker.
Journeyman
The license level after apprentice. Some states write journeyperson, journeyworker or journey level.
Master
A higher license level, for a worker with more years in the trade. It often lets you supervise others.
Continuing education
Classes you take to keep your license.
Reciprocity
An agreement that lets you use a license from one state to get a license in another.
Pearson VUE
A company that runs licensing exams at its own test centers.
Median
The middle figure. Half of the workers earn more, and half earn less.

Sources

33
  1. Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, electrician licensing, the licensing office
  2. Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, electrician licensing, license search
  3. Wisconsin State Legislature, Wis. Stat. 101.862(2)
  4. Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, Journeyman Electrician, licenses from other states
  5. Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, electrician licensing, the licensing office and license names
  6. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
  7. Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, electrician licensing, the licensing office and license names (second page)
  8. Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, Electrical Apprentice, experience
  9. Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, Electrical Apprentice, experience
  10. Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, electrician licenses, fees and renewal
  11. Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, electrician licensing, the licensing office and license names (third page)
  12. Wisconsin State Legislature, Wis. Admin. Code SPS 305.45(2)(c)1.
  13. Wisconsin State Legislature, Wis. Stat. 101.87(1)(b)
  14. Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, Journeyman Electrician, experience
  15. Wisconsin State Legislature, Wis. Admin. Code SPS 305.44(2)
  16. Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, electrician licenses, exam
  17. Wisconsin State Legislature, electrician licenses, fees
  18. Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing, Journeyman Electrician, licenses from other states
  19. Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, Master Electrician, licenses from other states
  20. Wisconsin State Legislature, Wis. Admin. Code SPS 305.43(2)(c)
  21. Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, Master Electrician, experience
  22. Wisconsin State Legislature, Wis. Admin. Code SPS 305.02(2)
  23. Wisconsin State Legislature, Wis. Admin. Code SPS 305.09(7)(c)1.
  24. Wisconsin State Legislature, Wis. Admin. Code SPS 305.07(2)(b)1.
  25. Wisconsin State Legislature, Wis. Admin. Code SPS 305.40(1)
  26. Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, electrician licensing
  27. Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, electrician licensing (second page)
  28. Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, electrician licensing (third page)
  29. Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, electrician licensing (fourth page)
  30. Wisconsin State Legislature, Wis. Admin. Code SPS 305.41(1)(a)
  31. New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, electrician licensing
  32. Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, email reply about the plumbing exam fee and licenses from Iowa and New Hampshire
  33. U.S. Department of Labor national apprenticeship data, extract of August 17, 2026

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