Wisconsin electricians are in high demand. According to a 2015 report in the Green Bay Press-Gazette, trained trades, particularly electricians and plumbers, are in short supply while new building grows. The primary cause of the scarcity, according to the paper, is the retirement of senior electricians. IBEW local unions predict a 15% to 25% workforce deficit over the next five years, implying more work prospects than ever before.
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Wisconsin’s Electrician Licensing Options
There are two categories of electrician licenses issued by the state of Wisconsin:
Journeyman Electrician
Master Electrician
Residential Master Electrician is a specialization of the Master Electrician license for people who desire to operate in family homes. Industrial Journeyman Electricians and Residential Journeyman Electricians are two types of Journeyman Electricians.
Wisconsin’s Electrician Licensing Requirements
Is an electrician’s license necessary in Wisconsin? Yes.
Only licensed or certified technicians can fix, repair, or construct power lines in the state (DSPs). A certified Journeyman Electrician or licensed Master Electrician must supervise a registered electrical or electric licensee.
Each jurisdiction has its standards for contractor licensure, which are better handled by each state and city. Electricians must adhere to the local regulations in the area where they plan to operate.
Steps in the Wisconsin Electrician Licensing Process
- Finish a program of apprenticeship.
- Please register for the Journeyman Electrician test and pay for it.
- Contemplate being a Master Electrician after one year of practice.
GET THE REQUIRED EXPERIENCE: You must be registered in an authorized apprenticeship program recognized by Wisconsin State Statute 106, in conformance with the Wisconsin Bureau of Apprentice program Guidelines or the Governmental Labor department, in needed to execute existing electrical actions under the guidance of a Master or Journeyman Electrician.
You should either finish an Electrical Construction Certificate or have one of the following qualifications to be a Journeyman Electrician:
- With eight thousand hours of experience over four years, they install, repair, and maintain electrical wiring.
- You must have 1,000 hours of work experience per year for at least five years.
You must achieve one of the following qualifications to become a Master Electrician:
- Job skills as a certified Journeyman Electrician for one year.
- Over 60 months of work, you should have accumulated 10,000 hours of expertise in constructing, fixing, and repairing power lines.
- For seven years, 1,000 hours of experience each year where required. Electrical engineering study at an approved college, institution, professional, or technical college is comparable to 500 hours of practice. A maximum of 3,000 hours (or three years of professional experience) can be used to the needed exercise.
- Have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited engineering school or institution.
APPLY FOR A LICENSE AS AN ELECTRICIAN: Applicants must submit their intended electrician license through the Wisconsin DSPS after completing all necessary work requirements.
Journeyman Electrician: A $35 entry fee and a $30 electrician examination fee. The exam is 4 hours long and consists of 100 questions in total. Applicants who make the grade pay a $100 prorated credentials fee depending on a four-year term beginning June 30.
Master Electrician: A $35 application fee and a $20 electrical exam fee. The exam is 4 hours long and consists of 50 questions. Applicants who pass the test pay a $200 prorated credential fee, which begins on June 30 and is based on a four-year term.
The tests are an open book, and you should pass with a score of 70% or above. The exam covers SPS 305 and 316 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code and the 2017 National Electrical Code (NEC).
Electrician Licensing in Wisconsin: How Much Does It Cost?
You may anticipate paying additional fees related to electrical academic programs plus the cost of registrations and assessments. The overall cost of an electrical engineering curriculum at a tech school is from $9,000 to $11,000. Western Technical College, Gateway Technical College, and Madison Area Technical College are Wisconsin’s best trade and technical institutions.
How long does it take to get an electrician’s license in Wisconsin?
A four-year apprenticeship is required to finish. Then, to get Journeyman or Master Electrician licensing, you must satisfy the requisite amount of hours of practice as described in this handbook.
Reciprocity
Wisconsin has agreements in place with Iowa and New Hampshire for electrical licensing. Without passing the Wisconsin test, a licensed Journeyman Electrician from Iowa or New Hampshire can qualify for a Wisconsin Journeyman Electrician license. They should submit a $35 processing fee and a $100 prorated accreditation cost depending on a four-year term beginning on June 30. Before filing the Wisconsin petition, the applicant must have had an out-of-state license for at least a year.
Candidates from Iowa must have finished an internship or the requisite work hours in Wisconsin. Candidates in New Hampshire must have completed 600-hour electrical training programs.
If you have a valid Master Electrician license in Iowa, you can qualify for a Wisconsin Master Electrician license without taking the test. They should submit a $35 processing fee and a $200 delayed accreditation cost for a four-year term beginning June 30. Before completing the Wisconsin petition, you must have had an Iowa Master Electrician license for at least a year.
Continuing Education Requirements and Renewal
Every four years, the Journeyman Electrician license must be renewed for a price of $100. You must complete continuing education to renew your request.
Every four years, the Master Electrician license must be renewed for a price of $200. To renew your license, you must complete 18 hours of continuing education.
The Wisconsin Department maintains a list of authorized trades continuing education courses and providers.
Salary and career opportunities
The job outlook for Wisconsin electricians is expected to expand by 8% through 2029. Wisconsin’s typical electrician makes $61,220 per year.
There are several advantages to obtaining a Wisconsin electrician license:
Most significantly, to lawfully conduct electrical work in Wisconsin, you must have a license or registration.
Whether for HVAC technicians, plumbers, or electricians, a trade license verifies your knowledge and abilities.
Only licensed electricians can work as independent electrical contractors, run a business and market their services, receive commercial insurance and bonding, obtain building permits, pass inspections, and bid on public or government projects.
A license safeguards both your business and your consumers.
As an electrician, it also boosts your earning ability.
Insurance
Liability coverage costs an average of $45 per month, or $540 per year, for electrical engineers. This coverage responsibility is to treat third parties, property destruction to third parties, and marketing damages.
Buying a company owner’s policy (BOP), which bundles general liability and property investment insurance at a discounted cost, may save electricians money. It safeguards your company’s assets while protecting you from common business dangers.
The average annual cost is $540.
$1 million per incident is the policy maximum.
Final verdict
An electrician’s work is more than a job; it’s a viable career path in the building and construction industry. Wisconsin subcontractors have a diverse range of job choices and make a decent living. Consumers will always require competent trade specialists to build and service power equipment in their households and workplaces, ensuring employment stability. Benefits are expected in the electrician profession. While being an electrician takes time, you may earn money while learning and gaining experience!
