Make Sure Your Plumber And Plumbing Contractor Are Licensed!

Under Wisconsin law, a person may only present themselves as a "plumber" if they have completed an apprenticeship that includes five years of classroom study and on-the-job training and has also passed a State licensing examination.  This law was created for your protection - to provide assurances that you are hiring an experienced and knowledgeable professional.

For your project, follow these steps:

• Only choose a contractor who employs a licensed Master Plumber and other licensed plumbers as required by Wisconsin Law. Check the licenses!
• Consider several contractors who specialize in the type of work you need done.
• Ask for and check each contractor's references.
• Request estimates from each contractor for time and material costs.
• Make sure you have a written contract that includes language indicating the procedures to be followed in the event there are changes needed to the contract.  Be sure to consider the coordination with material deliveries, access to the property, and coordination with other contractors and trades as this could affect the scheduled completion of the project.

Specifically, Wisconsin state law says:

(1)(a) No person may engage in or work at plumbing in the state unless licensed to do so by the department. A master plumber may work as a journeyman. No person may act as a plumbing apprentice or pipe layer unless registered with the department. 

(b) No public utility shall engage in or perform plumbing unless exempted by sub. (4)

(2) No person shall install plumbing unless at all times a licensed master plumber is in charge, who shall be responsible for proper installation. Licenses shall be issued only to individuals, and no license shall be issued to or in the name of any firm or corporation. No such license shall be transferable. It is unlawful for any licensed master plumber to allow the use of his or her license, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of obtaining local permits for others or to allow the use of his or her license by others to install plumbing work.

(3) Each member or employee of a partnership or limited liability company or each officer or employee of a corporation engaging in the business of superintending plumbing installations shall be required to apply for and obtain a master plumber's license before engaging in the work of superintending plumbing installations."

(4) This section shall not apply to:

(a) Plumbing work done by a property owner in a one-family building owned and occupied by him or her as his or her home or farm building, except where such license is required by local ordinance.

(b) Plumbing from the private water supply pump to and including the initial pressure tank and connection to an existing water distribution system, when installed by persons licensed under ch. 162.

(c) Installation of sewer and water service piping from the main to the property lot line, when installed by authorized municipal utility employees or sewer and water utility installers under a contract with a municipality.

(d) Making minor repairs to faucets, valves, pipes or appliances, repair or replacement of electrical or gas energy or other automatic valves or control devices or removing of stoppages in waste or drain pipes.

(e) Installation of sewer and water mains, as defined in ch. 144, when installed by sewer and water utility contractors and their employees.

(f) Installation, repair, or replacement of water service piping, from the property line to the meter, including meter installation, to service any building or structure or proposed building or structure when such installation, repair or replacement is accomplished by employees of a public municipal water utility, providing such utility regularly has engaged in such installation, repair or replacement for at least 5 years prior to January 1, 1964.