Wisconsin electrical license renewal takes 24 hours of continuing education (CE, approved classes that keep a license current) every 4 years for master and journeyman electricians. Residential masters, residential journeymen and industrial journeymen need 18. The Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) sets the rules in SPS 305, and these licenses expire June 30. Your course provider must enter your hours in LicensE, DSPS's online license system, before you can renew.
| Quick facts | Wisconsin electrician CE |
|---|---|
| Hours | 24 every 4 years for master and journeyman. 18 for residential master, residential journeyman and industrial journeyman. |
| Cycle and deadline | 4-year license that expires June 30. Finish your hours before it expires. |
| Required topics | SPS 305 sets totals, not topics. Courses must be DSPS-approved and relate to your license. |
| Who needs CE | Master, journeyman, residential and industrial electricians, plus registered electricians (24 hours, 1-year term). Electrical contractors and apprentices need none. |
| Online allowed | SPS 305 sets no format limit. DSPS must approve the course. |
| Reporting | Your provider enters hours in LicensE within 14 days. |
| JCR approval | On DSPS's Electric Professions Course Provider List. JCR's Wisconsin reporting page lists approved classes in person, virtual and online. |
How many CE hours do Wisconsin electricians need?
It depends on your license. These are DSPS's renewal numbers:
| License | CE hours | Term | Renewal fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master Electrician | 24 CE hours | 4-year term, expires June 30 | $200 renewal fee |
| Journeyman Electrician | 24 CE hours | 4-year term, expires June 30 | $100 renewal fee |
| Residential Master Electrician | 18 CE hours | 4-year term, expires June 30 | $200 renewal fee |
| Residential Journeyman Electrician | 18 CE hours | 4-year term, expires June 30 | $100 renewal fee |
| Industrial Journeyman Electrician | 18 CE hours | 4-year term, expires June 30 | $100 renewal fee |
| Registered Electrician | 24 CE hours | 1-year term from issue | $20 renewal fee |
Credit counts in half hours: 30 minutes of an approved course equals 0.5 hours, and leftover minutes round down.
Need Wisconsin CE hours? JCR CE classes are $230 for 8 hours, in Raleigh, Asheville, Mooresville (Charlotte area) or live on Zoom, plus a bonus 8-hour online video course. JCR CE is approved in 20+ states, and its 8-hour class is DSPS-approved in person or virtual. Add Wisconsin state reporting for $25.
What counts as Wisconsin electrical CEU?
- Approved courses only. Check that the course's approval covers your license type.
- Find providers on DSPS's Electric Professions Course Provider List.
- Online is fine if DSPS approved the course. SPS 305 sets no online limit.
- Keep your certificates for the whole license period. DSPS can ask for them.
Wisconsin's electrical code moved to the 2023 NEC on September 1, 2026, replacing the amended 2017 edition, per a DSPS news release.
How do I renew a Wisconsin electrical license?
- Finish your hours before your license expires.
- Check them on LicensE: open License Lookup, find your credential and scroll to its CE information.
- Watch your email. Renewal opens about 4 weeks before your license expires.
- Renew on LicensE: select "Renew My License," complete the application and pay.
LicensE won't let you submit until your provider has entered all your hours. You can't upload CE yourself.
Late? You can still renew up to one term after expiration with an application fee. Hours earned after expiration need a late CE form and a $25 fee. After that term, reinstatement takes a $200 administrative fee plus the usual fees. Master electricians can ask DSPS to waive CE for prolonged illness or disability.
Wisconsin electrician CE questions
How many CE hours does a Wisconsin master electrician need?
24 hours every 4 years, entered by an approved provider before the license expires June 30.
Do Wisconsin residential electricians need CE?
Yes. Residential masters and residential journeymen need 18 hours every 4 years. So do industrial journeymen.
How do I check my Wisconsin electrical CEU hours?
On LicensE, use License Lookup, open your credential and scroll to its CE information.
Can I upload my own CE in Wisconsin?
No. Your course provider enters it. If a course is missing, ask the provider to enter it.
Which NEC does Wisconsin use now?
The 2023 NEC, since September 1, 2026.
Wisconsin CE from JCR
DSPS lists JCR Productions on its Electric Professions Course Provider List. JCR's Wisconsin reporting page lists these approvals:
- 8-hour CE class: in person or virtual
- 4-hour morning session: in person or virtual
- Detailed NEC Workshop: 7 hours on day 1, 10 on day 2
- Online course: 8 hours
Sign the Wisconsin roster when you arrive and include your licensee number, not a business number.
Add Wisconsin state reporting for $25.
Sources
- DSPS: Master Electrician
- DSPS: Journeyman Electrician
- DSPS: Residential Master Electrician
- DSPS: Registered Electrician
- DSPS: Credential fees and renewal dates
- DSPS: Trades FAQs
- DSPS: Approved course provider lists
- SPS 305.07 and 305.08, renewal and CE
- DSPS: 2023 NEC news release
Last checked October 21, 2026: DSPS's electrician license pages, renewal table, Trades FAQs, course provider list and 2023 NEC news release, and SPS 305.07, 305.08, 305.43 and 305.45.