Wisconsin Roofing License Requirements (2026) | DSPS Dwelling Contractor Guide

Wisconsin does not have a state roofing-specific license, but the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) requires a Dwelling Contractor Certification for any contractor who builds, remodels, or repairs one- and two-family dwellings — which includes residential roofing. Certification requires 12 hours of DSPS-approved continuing education on the Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code (UDC), proof of $250,000 commercial general liability, workers compensation, and registration with DSPS. Wisconsin also enforces the storm-chaser deductible-rebating ban under Wis. Stat. §895.447 and the home improvement contract rules of Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 110.

Regulatory Body Profile

Licensing for this trade is governed by Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), the agency that issues and regulates the credential under Wis. Stat. Chapter 101 (Department of Safety and Professional Services); Wis. Admin. Code SPS chapters covering electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and dwelling contractors. DSPS administers credentialing for construction trades in Wisconsin, adopts and enforces the Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code, Wisconsin Electrical Code, and Wisconsin Plumbing Code, and conducts disciplinary proceedings against credential holders.

Official portal: https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/Default.aspx
Address: 4822 Madison Yards Way, Madison, WI 53705
Phone: (608) 266-2112

The Eligibility Audit

Eligibility begins with two baseline checks: the applicant must be 18 or older and must provide a valid Social Security Number. No WI residency requirement.

Good moral character

DSPS reviews fraud and consumer protection complaints.

Background investigation

Disclosure on application.

Experience and Education Standards

Rather than a set number of years, the cited materials define eligibility through no experience threshold; the 12-hour Dwelling Contractor course is the gating requirement.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

Course completion certificate

Education substitution

Not applicable.

The Exam Syllabus

The cited sources impose no written trade exam at the state level here. The path to the credential runs through: None — Wisconsin Dwelling Contractor Certification requires a 12-hour course but no PSI exam.

Bonding, Insurance & Financial Security

No statewide contractor license surety bond is required for this credential in the cited sources. Project-specific, permit, or public-works bonds may still apply, so confirm bonding before bidding a given job.

General liability

Minimum $250,000 per occurrence commercial general liability under Wis. Admin. Code SPS 305.32. Market practice $1,000,000.

Workers' compensation

Mandatory for every WI employer with three or more employees, or any construction employer with even one employee, under Wis. Stat. §102.04.

Additional financial requirements

No financial statement.

Schedule of Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$30
Initial license	$55
Renewal (every 2 years)	$55

Renewal and Continuing Obligations

The Wisconsin Dwelling Contractor Certification (DSPS) runs on a 2 years renewal cycle. The current renewal fee is $55. Biennial renewal.

Continuing education: 12 hours of DSPS-approved CE on the Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code per two-year cycle.

Downloadable Asset

2026 Wisconsin Roofing License Roadmap (PDF) — a printable step-by-step checklist for the application process.

Download the PDF roadmap →

Out-of-State Reciprocity

For this classification, Wisconsin does not recognize the NASCLA Accredited Examination.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
No formal bilateral reciprocity agreements identified.

No reciprocity. Out-of-state contractors must complete the WI 12-hour course and certify with DSPS.

Weighing more than one jurisdiction? The national hub compares Roofing license requirements in every state — exam, bond, fee, and experience thresholds side by side.

The Application Roadmap

Register the business entity with the WI Department of Financial Institutions. LLC or corporation filing plus EIN.
Complete the 12-hour DSPS Dwelling Contractor course. DSPS-approved provider covering Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code.
Bind general liability ($250K minimum). Per Wis. Admin. Code SPS 305.32.
Bind Wisconsin workers compensation. Mandatory for construction employers at one employee under §102.04.
Submit the DSPS Dwelling Contractor Certification application. $30 application fee plus $25 individual qualifier fee.
Adopt an ATCP 110 compliant contract template. Required for any home improvement over $25 with three-day rescission and price disclosures.
Comply with §895.447 deductible-rebating ban. Cannot waive or rebate insurance deductible on residential roofing.
Renew Dwelling Contractor Certification every two years. 12 hours of CE per renewal cycle.

Where Applications Stall

These are the recurring mistakes that most often delay or reject a Wisconsin Roofing application, based on the official instructions cited here.

Storm-chaser deductible rebating

Wis. Stat. §895.447 prohibits insurance deductible waiver/rebate on residential roofing. WI AG actively prosecutes after hail and tornado events.

Ground snow loads

WI ground snow loads run 30–60 psf depending on county. Reroofs exposing framing must verify the deck and rafters meet current loads.

Ice and water shield

WI UDC requires ice barrier on eaves. Northern WI counties enforce extended coverage due to lake-effect snow.

Asbestos in older BUR

WI DNR requires AHERA notification and licensed abatement for ACM roof removal on buildings built before 1981.

OSHA fall protection

Federal OSHA 29 CFR 1926.501 at six feet. WI has no state plan — federal OSHA enforces directly.

Pre-Application Checklist

Have each of the following squared away before the packet goes to DSPS:

☐ WI Department of Financial Institutions entity registration
☐ DSPS 12-hour Dwelling Contractor course certificate
☐ DSPS Dwelling Contractor Certification application + $55
☐ $250K minimum GL certificate
☐ WI workers compensation declaration page
☐ ATCP 110 compliant contract template

Recommended Study Materials

These materials are drawn from the regulator's own citations and the references applicants commonly use to prepare. CLR receives no compensation for listing them.

Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code (Wis. Admin. Code SPS 320–325) — WI DSPS. Primary code reference.
Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 110 — Home Improvement Practices — WI DATCP. Contract and consumer protection rules.
Wis. Stat. §895.447 — Deductible non-waiver — State of Wisconsin. Storm-chaser law.

Other Wisconsin Trade Licenses

CLR maintains guides for additional Wisconsin trades; the published ones are listed here:

Common Questions

Does Wisconsin license roofing contractors?

Wisconsin requires a DSPS Dwelling Contractor Certification for any contractor who builds, remodels, or repairs one- and two-family dwellings — including residential roofing. There is no separate roofing license.

What is the 12-hour course?

12 hours of DSPS-approved education on the Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code (UDC), required for initial certification and at each two-year renewal.

What insurance does DSPS require?

$250,000 per occurrence commercial general liability under SPS 305.32. Most contractors carry $1,000,000.

Is workers comp mandatory?

Yes for construction employers at one employee under Wis. Stat. §102.04. Non-construction employers have a three-employee threshold.

When does the certification renew?

Every two years with 12 hours of continuing education on the UDC.

Primary Sources

Regulatory requirements on this page are drawn from the official board, statute, and exam-provider materials listed below.

Verified 2026-06-04 · Next scheduled review 2026-09-02