Roofing license
Roofing license requirements in Wisconsin
Yes, for residential work — Wisconsin requires anyone pulling a building permit for a one- or two-family dwelling to hold (or employ someone who holds) a Dwelling Contractor Qualifier certification, and the business itself must hold a Dwelling Contractor certification. This covers roofing done on houses, but Wisconsin doesn't separately license roofing on commercial buildings.
The short answer
Yes, for residential work — Wisconsin requires anyone pulling a building permit for a one- or two-family dwelling to hold (or employ someone who holds) a Dwelling Contractor Qualifier certification, and the business itself must hold a Dwelling Contractor certification. This covers roofing done on houses, but Wisconsin doesn't separately license roofing on commercial buildings.
Do you need a license to roof in Wisconsin?
Dwelling Contractor certification (held by the business) plus a Dwelling Contractor Qualifier certification (held personally by an owner or employee) — both issued by the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS); together they authorize residential (one- or two-family dwelling) contracting, including roofing.
Who issues it: Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS).
Last verified: 2026-07-19
Wisconsin roofing license at a glance
Every figure here is a plain-English starting point read from the official state board — always confirm the current requirements at the source before you rely on them.
License type / class
Dwelling Contractor certification (held by the business) plus a Dwelling Contractor Qualifier certification (held personally by an owner or employee) — both issued by the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS); together they authorize residential (one- or two-family dwelling) contracting, including roofing.
Issuing board
Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) — dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/DwellingContractorQualifier
Exam required
No
Experience / qualification
No documented work-experience requirement; qualification is course-based — the Dwelling Contractor Qualifier applicant must complete at least 12 hours in a DSPS-approved initial qualifier course within the year before applying, with no proctored exam.
Bond
The Dwelling Contractor (business) must show either a $25,000 surety bond or $250,000 in general liability insurance per occurrence — DSPS accepts either as proof of financial responsibility.
Insurance minimum
See Bond — $250,000 per-occurrence general liability insurance is one of the two acceptable ways to meet the Dwelling Contractor's financial-responsibility requirement (the other being the $25,000 bond).
Application fee
Dwelling Contractor certification: about $40 total ($15 application + $25 credential fee). Dwelling Contractor Qualifier certification: about $45 initially ($15 application + $30 credential fee).
Renewal
The Dwelling Contractor Qualifier renews every 2 years and must complete 12 hours of continuing education each cycle. Renewal fees are set by DSPS's current fee schedule (see forms 3096/3097) — confirm the exact renewal fee and the business Dwelling Contractor's renewal term directly with DSPS.
Reciprocity
DSPS does not publish a formal reciprocity agreement for these credentials — out-of-state contractors apply through the same LicensE online platform and complete the same course and application requirements as Wisconsin-based applicants.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| License type / class | Dwelling Contractor certification (held by the business) plus a Dwelling Contractor Qualifier certification (held personally by an owner or employee) — both issued by the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS); together they authorize residential (one- or two-family dwelling) contracting, including roofing. |
| Issuing board | Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) — dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/DwellingContractorQualifier |
| Exam required | No |
| Experience / qualification | No documented work-experience requirement; qualification is course-based — the Dwelling Contractor Qualifier applicant must complete at least 12 hours in a DSPS-approved initial qualifier course within the year before applying, with no proctored exam. |
| Bond | The Dwelling Contractor (business) must show either a $25,000 surety bond or $250,000 in general liability insurance per occurrence — DSPS accepts either as proof of financial responsibility. |
| Insurance minimum | See Bond — $250,000 per-occurrence general liability insurance is one of the two acceptable ways to meet the Dwelling Contractor's financial-responsibility requirement (the other being the $25,000 bond). |
| Application fee | Dwelling Contractor certification: about $40 total ($15 application + $25 credential fee). Dwelling Contractor Qualifier certification: about $45 initially ($15 application + $30 credential fee). |
| Renewal | The Dwelling Contractor Qualifier renews every 2 years and must complete 12 hours of continuing education each cycle. Renewal fees are set by DSPS's current fee schedule (see forms 3096/3097) — confirm the exact renewal fee and the business Dwelling Contractor's renewal term directly with DSPS. |
| Reciprocity | DSPS does not publish a formal reciprocity agreement for these credentials — out-of-state contractors apply through the same LicensE online platform and complete the same course and application requirements as Wisconsin-based applicants. |
How to get a roofing license in Wisconsin
- Confirm the job needs a building permit for a one- or two-family dwelling — that's what triggers the certification requirement (roofing counts).
- Complete a DSPS-approved 12-hour initial Dwelling Contractor Qualifier course within the year before you apply.
- Apply for your personal Dwelling Contractor Qualifier certification through the LicensE platform (license.wi.gov).
- Apply for the business-level Dwelling Contractor certification and show proof of the $25,000 bond or $250,000 liability insurance.
- Pull building permits under your certified business name for any residential roofing job.
- Renew your credentials on DSPS's cycle, completing 12 hours of continuing education for the Qualifier each renewal.
Working without a license in Wisconsin
Working or pulling a permit without the required Dwelling Contractor/Qualifier certification is enforceable under Wisconsin's dwelling code: DSPS can issue an immediate stop-work order, and violations carry statutory forfeitures under Wis. Stat. § 101.66(3) (penalty amounts vary by violation), with each day a violation continues treated as a separate offense.
Last verified: 2026-07-19
Roofing license rules change and often vary by city and county. This page is a plain-English starting point, not legal advice — always confirm the current requirements with the state board linked below before you rely on them.
Verify at the source: dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/DwellingContractorQualifier
More official sources: Dwelling Contractor — DSPS · Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Application Information (Form 3097)
Licensed and ready? Now get the site that books the work.
Once you're licensed, the next job comes from being found online — free to build and preview, $49/mo only when you publish.