Designer of Engineering Systems

As a credential holder with this Board, you are required to obtain a personal registration seal in compliance with the specifications outlined in Wisconsin Administrative Code.

It is the credential holder's responsibility to obtain a seal, which should only include the numbers before the dash (i.e. 30666-006, 8178-005). The inner circle area of the seal must include the credential holder's name, credential number, and the city and state where the credential holder resides or is employed.

This information serves as a basis for locating the credential holder and should be the same as the mailing address on file with the Board office (i.e. if the credential holder's address is Memphis, TN, then Memphis, TN must be placed on the inner circle).

The letter designation for the field or subfield is as follows:

E – Electrical F – Fire Protection PSS – Private Sewage Systems H – HVAC P – Plumbing

Example: If the registration number is 30666-007 in the field of electrical design, the number on the seal would be D 30666 E.

Questions regarding the submission of plans for state approval should be directed to the DSPS Division of Industry Services at (608) 266-2112.

This credential is for Designer of Engineering System for the following systems: 

• Electrical
• Fire Protection
• HVAC
• Plumbing
• Private Sewage Systems

An applicant must have a specific record of 8 years or more of experience in specialized engineering design work and the satisfactory completion of a written examination in the field or branch, as determined by the designer section, in which certification is sought. No more than 4 of the 8 years may be equivalent academic training or apprenticeship as provided in Wisconsin Statute.

A specific record of 12 years of experience by any person at least 35 years of age who was actively engaged in this state in the preparation of plans, specifications, designs and layouts in specific fields or branches as designated in statute. Such a person may be granted a permit to offer and perform services in the designated field or branch.

A master plumber’s license shall be considered equivalent to the work experience and satisfactory completion of a written examination in the field of plumbing systems, and the holder of a master plumber’s license shall be issued a permit as a designer of plumbing systems upon the making of an application and the payment of the permit fee.

Completion of technological academic training or apprenticeship program may be considered equivalent to experience but may not exceed a total of 4 years.

Graduation from a course other than engineering technology shall be equivalent to 2 years of experience.

Renewal Information

For a list of renewal dates please see: Renewal Date Page

To Renew:

You will be able to renew your credential approximately 4 weeks prior to your license expiring. You will receive an email to the email address on file with instructions on how to renew.

1. ​Online Log In: Go to LicensE

2. Select "Renew My License"

3. Complete the application

4. Upload any required documents

5. Submit payment

6. See fees list here: Credential Fees

There are no current continuing education requirements for this profession.

Per Wisconsin Statute Chapter 443.015 (1m)(a)1 a or b, a credential holder with an active or expired credential is eligible to place his or her credential in Retired status if:

• He or she is retired and no longer engages in the practice for which the credential was issued, and

• He or she is at least 65 years old or has actively maintained or previously held the credential for a minimum of 20 years (consecutive or nonconsecutive).

If you do not intend to practice and want your license in Retired status, renew online in LicensE. Follow instructions given during the renewal process.

• The renewal fee for Retired status is half the regular renewal fee.

• If during the biennium, the credential holder needs to change from Retired to Active status, they must apply for Active status, by submitting CE completion documents along with paying the remaining half of the renewal fee, before returning to the practice authorized under his or her credential by submitting a support ticket to request the change in status.

• You can pay all fees associated with your credential by going to LicensE. 

• You will be asked to pay automatically at the end of your application. 

• You can pay with a credit or debit card, or via an automated clearing house or (ACH) payment.  

Please note, using an ACH payment can increase credential processing times by 3-5 business days.

You can view a list of fees for initial credentials and renewing your credential here: 

Credential Fees

The term credential is used universally to mean license, certification, permit, registration, enrollment and authorization.

• Applicants with convictions, who do not already have a credential, may apply for a predetermination. Predetermination is an optional, first step that happens before you would submit an initial credential application while meeting all credentialing requirements (e.g., education, training, examination, etc.)

  • To apply for a predetermination, log into LicensE.

  • If you have not created an account, you will first need to register.

  • After creating your account, log in, and select “Apply for a Pre-Determination.”

  •   Select the type of credential you would like to apply for.

  •   Follow all application instructions and upload all required documents.

• If the Department decides your record would not disqualify you, you can then apply for the actual credential and meet all the typical requirements like education, training, and exams.

• You may skip the predetermination process and submit your initial application for your credential. You must complete all steps to meet the credentialing requirements such as education, training, exams, and disclose your conviction record on your application.  Convictions and pending charges will be reviewed as part of the application process.

• Some applications require review by Department Legal staff.   

• This can be for a number of reasons, including but not limited to disclosure of convictions or pending charges, professional discipline, malpractice, termination, medical condition, supervised experience and application via reciprocity/endorsement.   

• Applications that require legal review will require additional processing time.  

• An application in the status “Legal File Preparation” is with DSPS and under review. 

Support Ticket
Submit a support ticket on LicensE and click "request support." Please provide as much detail as possible regarding your concern so we can work to answer your question with a one touch resolution. 

Call
608-266-2112

Email
dsps@wisconsin.gov

Office Hours
7:45am-4:30pm
Department of Safety and Professional Services
4822 Madison Yards Way
Madison, WI, 53705

Note: The in-person office does not process same day.

• LicensE at (license.wi.gov) is a self-guided online system where you can manage your professional credential from start to finish. 

• You will still need to review the requirements for the credential you are applying to. These can be found on the A-Z profession page. 

• With LicensE you can: 

  • Apply for a credential for the first time, with steps guiding you to upload your application documents, and pay all required fees.  

  • Renew an existing credential when it is time, to keep your credential active.  

  • View or download your credential for your records or verification.  

  • Update your personal information, including your phone number, email, and mailing address 

  • Submit support tickets and receive responses to your email from our staff experts.  

  • Allow third parties to review and upload required documents on your behalf 

  • Check the status of someone's credential using the public LicensE look up. 

• If you have never held a credential, you will need to create an account the first time you are on LicensE. 

  • To create an account, visit LicensE. You will then select “register for an individual” if you are applying for a license held by an individual, or “register for an organization” if you are applying for a license held by an organization.  

  • If you are not sure if the license you are applying for is an individual or organization license, please visit our A-Z professions page and review the profession page for more information.  

• When you create an account, please be sure to use an email you will always have access to.  

• For more information on LicensE, please see link to LicensE "How To" Page.