Checked against primary sources 2026-09-07

Every number the state charges

Wisconsin Electrician License Fees and Renewal Dates

Two documents carry the money. Table 305.02 in the rule sets what you pay to apply, sit and be licensed, and the DSPS renewal schedule sets what you pay to keep the card. Both are printed here in the order you meet them.

Test yourself: thirty free questions, timed

Table 305.02, as the state prints it

SPS 305.02 says fees "shall be determined in accordance with Table 305.02," and adds that fees "for licenses, certifications, registrations, and enrollment and for processing examinations shall not be refundable."

The electrician rows, with application fee, examination fee and license fee in that order:

• Electrical Contractor, license: $35, no examination fee, $200.
• Master Electrician, license: $35, $30, $200.
• Residential Master Electrician, license: $35, $30, $200.
• Registered Master Electrician, registration: $35, no examination fee, $150.
• Journeyman Electrician, license: $35, $30, $100.
• Industrial Journeyman Electrician, license: $35, $30, $100.
• Residential Journeyman Electrician, license: $35, $30, $100.
• Registered Electrician, enrollment: $15, no examination fee, $20.
• Electrical Apprentice, registration: $15, no examination fee, $15.

The history note on that section runs from "Cr. Register, October, 1996, No. 490, eff. 11-1-96" through to an amendment registered in September 2023, effective 10/1/2023.

The $30 and the $95 do not agree

Table 305.02 puts the state examination fee at $30. The Pearson VUE Computer-Based Trade Exam Fee Schedule puts $95.00 against every electrician exam under a column headed "Total Candidate Fee Payable to Pearson VUE (USD)."

DSPS's own news release announcing the Pearson partnership says candidates registering with Pearson VUE "will pay a small administration fee to the testing service in addition to the state trades exam fee."

So one DSPS document calls $95 a total and another says the Pearson charge sits on top of the state fee. We have not been able to confirm which is right, so we print both and no all-in figure. The exam cost page works through it.

Why the application forms carry no prices

DSPS's own application forms give no dollar figures at all. Forms 3106 and 3107 both say only "Fees will be calculated in LicensE."

That is why the fee table above comes from the rule rather than the form. Whatever LicensE shows at checkout is the operative number, and Table 305.02 is what the rule authorises.

How long each credential lasts

SPS 305.06 says a credential "shall expire at midnight on the day or date of expiration of the term specified in Table 305.06."

Four years, expiring June 30: master electrician, residential master electrician, journeyman electrician, industrial journeyman electrician, residential journeyman electrician and the electrical contractor license.

One year, expiring on the date of issuance: registered electrician and electrical apprentice, including the residential and industrial apprentice registrations.

The registered master electrician registration is marked "Permanent," with expiration "NA." DSPS's own page says "This registration does not expire."

The renewal fees

From the DSPS renewal schedule, "TradesRenewalDatesFees Rev. 1/4/2024":

• $200.00 every four years on June 30: electrical contractor, master electrician, residential master electrician.
• $100.00 every four years on June 30: journeyman, industrial journeyman, residential journeyman.
• $20.00 every year on the date of issuance: registered electrician.
• $15.00 every year on the date of issuance: electrical apprentice, residential electrical apprentice, industrial electrical apprentice.
• $40.00 every four years on June 30: commercial electrical inspector and UDC electrical inspector.
• Registered master electrician: does not expire, no renewal fee.

The same document carries a $200.00 reinstatement fee for electrical credentials and a $25.00 late continuing education fee on most credentials, excluding apprentices and certain restricted categories.

Filing late, and how late matters

SPS 305.07 sets the mechanics. A renewal notice "shall be mailed by the department to a license, certification, registration, or enrollment holder at least 30 calendar days prior to the expiration," and then the sentence that decides most disputes: "Failure to receive a notice for renewal of a license, certification, registration, or enrollment shall not be considered as an excuse or good cause for failure to renew."

Within one term after expiration, the late filer pays "An application fee as specified in s. SPS 305.02, Table 305.02" and documents continuing education obtained after expiration, with a $25.00 processing fee to file the late continuing education form.

More than one term after expiration, reinstatement runs on "an administrative fee of $200.00, an application, and the application fee," and the department may require a demonstration of competence through examination or documented work experience.

The other charges

SPS 305.09 sets a $15 fee for an examination review request. That is the charge for asking the department to review a paper, and it is separate from the examination fee itself.

Nothing else in the fee table applies to electricians. There is no Wisconsin bond requirement and no state insurance fee in the electrician rows of Table 305.02.

The date to put in your phone

June 30, every fourth year, for the licensed grades. The date of issuance, every year, for the registered electrician enrollment and the apprentice registrations.

Continuing education has to be finished before that date, not after it. The continuing education page has the hours by credential and the waiver clause for illness or disability.

Questions people ask

How much is a Wisconsin electrician license?

Table 305.02 sets a $35 application fee on the licensed grades, a $30 state examination fee, then $100 for a journeyman license or $200 for a master license. The registered electrician enrollment is $15 to apply and $20 for the enrollment.

When does a Wisconsin electrician license expire?

June 30, at the end of a four year term, for journeyman, industrial journeyman, residential journeyman, master, residential master and the electrical contractor license. The registered electrician enrollment and apprentice registrations run one year from the date of issuance.

What is the Wisconsin electrician license renewal fee?

The DSPS renewal schedule prints $100.00 for the journeyman grades, $200.00 for the master grades and the contractor license, $20.00 for the registered electrician and $15.00 for apprentices.

What happens if I renew late?

Within one term after expiration you pay an application fee under Table 305.02 and document continuing education obtained after expiration, with a $25.00 processing fee for the late continuing education form. Past one term, reinstatement takes a $200.00 administrative fee, an application and the application fee.

Are Wisconsin license fees refundable?

No. SPS 305.02 says fees for licenses, certifications, registrations and enrollment, and for processing examinations, are not refundable.

Why does my application form not show a price?

DSPS forms carry no dollar figures. Forms 3106 and 3107 both say only that fees will be calculated in LicensE, which is the department's online system.

What this page cites

• SPS 305.02 and Table 305.02 Every application, examination and license fee for the electrician categories, and the no refunds sentence. source
• SPS 305.06 and Table 305.06 The term and expiration date for each credential, including the permanent registered master registration. source
• Trades renewal dates and fees, Rev. 1/4/2024 The renewal fee for each credential, the $200.00 reinstatement fee and the $25.00 late continuing education fee. source
• SPS 305.07, renewal The 30 day notice, the sentence about not receiving one, and the two late filing routes. source
• Pearson VUE trade exam fee schedule The $95.00 candidate fee for every electrician examination. source
• DSPS Pearson VUE news release, October 4, 2023 Says the Pearson fee is charged in addition to the state trades exam fee. source