Wisconsin Master Plumber Exam

The Wisconsin master plumber exam is an eight-hour, two-part test — and the logistics of scheduling, showing up with the right materials, and knowing what to expect from the format matter almost as much as your technical knowledge.

Exam Format and Scoring

The master plumber exam is divided into two parts, each administered separately:

You must pass both parts independently. A strong score on Part 1 does not compensate for falling below 70% on Part 2. The journeyman exam follows the same structure but is shorter — 87 and 120 questions with three-hour limits per part.

Scheduling Through Pearson VUE

DSPS contracts with Pearson VUE to administer all Wisconsin plumbing trade exams. The scheduling process works like this:

1. Submit your application and documentation through the DSPS LicensE portal
2. Wait for DSPS to review your experience records and issue an exam authorization email
3. Log into Pearson VUE's online scheduler using the candidate ID from your authorization
4. Book your appointment at one of the four approved testing centers

Testing locations: Eau Claire, Madison, Brookfield, and Kenosha. These are the only centers authorized for Wisconsin plumbing exams — you cannot take the test at an out-of-state Pearson VUE location.

The Pearson VUE administration fee is approximately $190 for the master exam (compared to about $180 for the journeyman exam). If you apply directly through DSPS without using Pearson VUE's scheduling system, the breakdown is a $20 application fee plus a $30 exam fee.

Reference Materials Allowed

Both the journeyman and master exams are open-book, but "open-book" has very specific boundaries. You may bring up to nine reference publications, and they must be bound together in a three-ring binder. Approved references include:

• Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 145
• Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 305
• Wisconsin Plumbing Code SPS 381–387
• NFPA 13D (residential sprinkler systems)
• POWTS Component Manuals

Prohibited: Loose papers, sticky notes, paperclips, and any materials not on the approved list. Pearson VUE proctors enforce these rules strictly.

Check-In and Identity Verification

When you arrive at the testing center, you must present a government-issued photo ID that exactly matches the legal name on both your LicensE portal account and your Pearson VUE profile. Any mismatch — even a middle name discrepancy — can result in denied entry. You'll also sign a paper Honesty Agreement at the registration desk before entering the testing room.

Score Reporting and Retesting

Exam results are officially mailed or emailed within 21 calendar days of the test date. If you fail one or both parts, the retesting process requires logging into your LicensE portal, paying a retesting fee, and waiting for a new exam authorization. Only one open exam registration per credential type is allowed at a time — you can't schedule a retake while a previous authorization is still active.

After Passing

Once both parts are cleared, you'll pay the $500 license fee to receive your master plumber credential. From there, the path continues to contractor registration and business setup if you want to run your own shop.

The Wisconsin Plumber License Guide covers the full exam workflow alongside the application and documentation steps that lead up to it.

See more Wisconsin guides →