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Wisconsin Journeyman & Master Electrician License & Exam Guide

Journeyman and master electrician license and test requirements in Wisconsin — what the state requires, who gives the exam, which NEC edition it is written on, the fees, and how to sign up. Free — no account needed.

Wisconsin

Statewide license
Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS)
Testing provider: Pearson VUE (or in-person at DSPS)608-266-2112 (DSPS); Pearson VUE 877-244-0231
📕 Exam code book: 2017 NEC (DSPS/Pearson VUE exam page lists the 2017 NEC as the allowed code reference; Wisconsin lags the current NEC)
💵 Exam: $30 (DSPS-proctored) or $95 (Pearson VUE)  ·  License/app: License fee $100 (4-year license)
📋 Exam format: Journeyman: 100 questions, 240 minutes (4 hours), open book, 70% to pass. Master: about 50 questions, 4 hours, open book. Based on the NEC plus Wisconsin Administrative Code (SPS 305/316). Offered via Pearson VUE ($95) or DSPS-proctored ($30).

Journeyman

Requires about 8,000 hours of practical experience, typically via a recognized 4-year electrical apprenticeship (Wis. Stat. ch. 106 or federal DOL). Apply and pay online at license.wi.gov; after approval, pass the Journeyman Electrician exam (100 questions, 240 minutes, open book, 70%; $30 through DSPS or $95 through Pearson VUE).

Master

Requires at least 60 months and 10,000 hours of experience (or at least 1,000 hours/year for 7 years) installing/repairing/maintaining electrical wiring, including at least 12 months as a licensed Journeyman Electrician. Apply online at license.wi.gov and pass the Master Electrician exam (about 50 questions, 4 hours, open book).

🔄 Reciprocity: Journeyman reciprocity with Iowa (Journeyman A) and New Hampshire; Master reciprocity with Iowa (Master A). Must have held the out-of-state license continuously for 1+ year; qualifying applicants skip the Wisconsin trade exam but still apply and meet requirements. link
Note: Statewide through DSPS; all applications/renewals through the LicensE portal (license.wi.gov). Exams delivered through Pearson VUE (with a lower-cost DSPS-proctored option). Residential Journeyman/Master and Industrial Journeyman variants also exist.

Studying for the Wisconsin exam?

Kevin's Electrical Prep Course is built by a licensed master electrician, instructor and electrical inspector: 630+ practice questions with every math problem worked out step by step, timed practice exams, video lessons and drive-along audio. Both code books included — NEC 2023 and NEC 2026. Note: Wisconsin currently tests on the NEC 2017. This course teaches the 2023 and 2026 editions, so use it for the code that does not change between editions — theory, math, and how to read the book — and check Wisconsin's own amendments for the rest. $200 for 6 months, and a pass guarantee.

See the course & take 15 free sample questions → Get 6-month access — $200

Wisconsin Electrician License & Exam — Common Questions

Who gives the Wisconsin electrician license exam?

Wisconsin uses Pearson VUE (or in-person at DSPS) as its testing provider. Licensing is handled by Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS).

Which NEC code book is the Wisconsin electrician exam written on?

2017 NEC (DSPS/Pearson VUE exam page lists the 2017 NEC as the allowed code reference; Wisconsin lags the current NEC)

How many questions are on the Wisconsin electrician exam, and what score do you need to pass?

Journeyman: 100 questions, 240 minutes (4 hours), open book, 70% to pass. Master: about 50 questions, 4 hours, open book. Based on the NEC plus Wisconsin Administrative Code (SPS 305/316). Offered via Pearson VUE ($95) or DSPS-proctored ($30).

How much does the Wisconsin electrician license and exam cost?

$30 (DSPS-proctored) or $95 (Pearson VUE) · License/app: License fee $100 (4-year license)

How many hours of experience do you need for a Wisconsin journeyman electrician license?

Requires about 8,000 hours of practical experience, typically via a recognized 4-year electrical apprenticeship (Wis. Stat. ch. 106 or federal DOL). Apply and pay online at license.wi.gov; after approval, pass the Journeyman Electrician exam (100 questions, 240 minutes, open book, 70%; $30 through DSPS or $95 through Pearson VUE).

What are the requirements for a Wisconsin master electrician license?

Requires at least 60 months and 10,000 hours of experience (or at least 1,000 hours/year for 7 years) installing/repairing/maintaining electrical wiring, including at least 12 months as a licensed Journeyman Electrician. Apply online at license.wi.gov and pass the Master Electrician exam (about 50 questions, 4 hours, open book).

What is the difference between a journeyman and a master electrician license in Wisconsin?

Journeyman: Requires about 8,000 hours of practical experience, typically via a recognized 4-year electrical apprenticeship (Wis. Stat. ch. 106 or federal DOL). Apply and pay online at license.wi.gov; after approval, pass the Journeyman Electrician exam (100 questions, 240 minutes, open book, 70%; $30 through DSPS or $95 through Pearson VUE). Master: Requires at least 60 months and 10,000 hours of experience (or at least 1,000 hours/year for 7 years) installing/repairing/maintaining electrical wiring, including at least 12 months as a licensed Journeyman Electrician. Apply online at license.wi.gov and pass the Master Electrician exam (about 50 questions, 4 hours, open book).

Does Wisconsin have electrician license reciprocity with other states?

Journeyman reciprocity with Iowa (Journeyman A) and New Hampshire; Master reciprocity with Iowa (Master A). Must have held the out-of-state license continuously for 1+ year; qualifying applicants skip the Wisconsin trade exam but still apply and meet requirements. link

Anything else worth knowing about the Wisconsin electrician license?

Statewide through DSPS; all applications/renewals through the LicensE portal (license.wi.gov). Exams delivered through Pearson VUE (with a lower-cost DSPS-proctored option). Residential Journeyman/Master and Industrial Journeyman variants also exist.

Check it straight from Wisconsin

Everything above is kept current, but Wisconsin can change a fee, a form or an exam provider at any time — and the state's own site is always the live answer. Before you register, click through and confirm:

These open Wisconsin's official pages in a new tab. Nothing on this site replaces what your state board publishes.

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