Dwelling Contractor Qualifier (DCQ)

There are two types of accounts in LicensE, one for individual, and another for organization licenses. If you hold or plan to apply for both individual and organization licenses you will need a separate account for each.

Per Wisconsin Administrative code, no person may obtain a building permit for a one and two family dwelling unless the person compiles with the following

• Holds a Dwelling contractor certification or a Dwelling Contractor Restricted Certification issued by the Department.

• Holds or engages, as an employee a person who holds a certification issued by the Department as a Dwelling Contractor Qualifier. 

Per Wisconsin Administrative code the above does not apply to an owner of a dwelling who resides or will reside in the dwelling and who applies for a building permit to work on that dwelling. 

Training and certification are required for professionals who offer or conduct regulated lead-based paint activities in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities. These activities include:

• Abatement of Lead Hazards

• Lead Testing, Inspection, and Risk Assessment

• Most paint-disturbing renovation work (for example, replacing windows, scraping paint prior to re-painting)

• Post renovation and post-abatement clearance (including dust wipe sampling to measure lead dust left behind)

By getting certified and working safely, you protect your own and others' health, and show professional responsibility. For more information about certification, visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Services​ website linked below under "Additional Profession Info."

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

This license renews every 2 years.

• To renew you will need to pay the required fee.

• You must complete 12 hours of relevant department approved continuing education.

  • 4 hours must be in "Construction laws and codes and contracts, liability, and risk management."

  • Your course provider will need to upload this to your LicensE account. We cannot accept certificates of completion from applicants. 

  • Your continuing education will need to be complete before you can submit your renewal application. 

  • Continuing education providers have 14 days to upload certificates. Please keep this in mind with regards to your renewal date.

A list of continuing education providers approved by the Department can be found here: Approved Course Providers List

• 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. 

An individual may submit a petition for variance to any rule in Wisconsin Administrative Code 305 in accordance with State Statute and Administrative Code.

All petitions for variance will require legal review, and will therefore require additional processing time.

Requirements for Petition of Variance:

• Submit a new application for the profession you are trying to obtain

• Required fee as outlined in SPS 305.02 (4)

  • This is in addition to the application and credential fee

  • This will be requested via payment form

• Documentation

  • Clear and concise written statement of the specific provisions of the rule from which the variance is requested along with a specific statement of the procedures and materials to be used if the variance is granted

  • Any other documentation relevant to the petition

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.