Wisconsin Journeyman Plumber Requirements

You've put in years as an apprentice. Now you need to know exactly what stands between you and that journeyman card — the hours, the paperwork, and the exam itself. Wisconsin doesn't leave much room for interpretation here, and a documentation gap can send you back to the end of the line.

Experience Requirements

To qualify for the Wisconsin journeyman plumber exam, you must complete a state-recognized apprenticeship program consisting of:

• 7,428 hours of on-the-job training under direct supervision
• 572 hours of related classroom instruction
• A minimum five-year apprenticeship contract registered with the DWD Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards

Only hours logged under a formal, DWD-registered apprenticeship contract count. If you worked for a plumber before your contract was officially filed, those hours don't apply — even if you were doing legitimate plumbing work.

When you apply through DSPS, you'll need your DWD apprenticeship completion certificate and employer affidavits verifying your hours. Missing documentation is the single most common reason applications stall in the review queue.

The Journeyman Exam

The Wisconsin journeyman plumber exam is administered by Pearson VUE at four testing centers: Eau Claire, Madison, Brookfield, and Kenosha. Out-of-state centers cannot administer the test.

Format:

• Part 1: 87 questions, 3-hour time limit
• Part 2: 120 questions, 3-hour time limit
• Open-book (you can bring specific reference materials in a three-ring binder)
• Passing score: 70% on each part independently

Fees:

• DSPS application fee: $10
• DSPS exam fee (if processed directly): $20
• Pearson VUE administration (instead of the DSPS exam fee): approximately $180

After DSPS reviews your application and approves it, you'll receive an exam authorization email with a candidate ID. You then schedule your appointment through Pearson VUE's online system. Results are mailed or emailed within 21 calendar days.

If you fail, you must log into the LicensE portal, pay a retesting fee, and wait for a new authorization. Only one open exam registration per credential type is allowed at a time.

Licensing Fee and Credential Issuance

Once you pass both parts, the initial licensing fee is $180. Your journeyman credential is issued through the DSPS LicensE portal.

What a Journeyman License Lets You Do

A Wisconsin journeyman plumber can perform plumbing installations, modifications, and repairs under the general supervision of a licensed master plumber. General supervision is less restrictive than the direct on-site supervision required for apprentices — the master plumber takes responsibility for code compliance but doesn't need to be physically present on your job site.

What a journeyman license does not let you do: pull permits, contract for work, bid on jobs, or advertise as an independent plumber. Under Wisconsin Statute Section 145.06, doing any of these without a master license and contractor registration is unlicensed contracting — carrying fines and potential stop-work orders.

Salary Context

Wisconsin journeyman plumber wages vary significantly by region and employer type. Union journeymen working through Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees (JATCs) under organizations like Plumbers Local 75 typically earn higher hourly rates with benefit packages. Non-union journeymen working for independent contractors negotiate wages directly.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports median annual wages for plumbers in Wisconsin that track above the national average for the trade, reflecting the state's demanding credential requirements and the skilled labor shortage in the construction sector.

Renewal Requirements

The journeyman license renews every four years on March 31. Renewal requires:

• 24 hours of DSPS-approved continuing education
• $180 renewal fee (standard)
• $190 if submitted late
• $215 if continuing education is also completed late

Wisconsin does not offer a grace period — working after March 31 of your renewal year without current credentials is treated as unlicensed practice.

The Wisconsin Plumber License Guide covers the full journeyman application process, including documentation checklists and the exact sequence for filing with DSPS.

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