Contractor Education Information

Beginning January 1, 2008, contractors and remodelers will need to have the "qualifier credential" in addition to the Dwelling Contractor Financial Responsibility Certificate in order to pull a construction or erosion control permit for a one- or two-family dwelling in Wisconsin. This credential is issued by the Department of Commerce and is called the Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Credential.

Who must take the "new builder" course with a test?

The Dept of Commerce sent a letter to those who the Dept. does not believe are not eligible to be grandfathered in August 2007. The letter that Commerce sent is at http://commerce.state.wi.us/SB/SB-CredDwelConTrainingNeeded0807.html.

WBA New Builder Course 

The WBA "New Builder" 12-hour course is a day and one-half long. For more information visit the WBA online at www.wisbuild.org. Click on the box in the top center of the WBA home page that refers to new builder classes.

Grandfathered Builders

Builders who did hold their Dwelling Contractor Financial Responsibility Certification on April 11, 2006 do not need to take the "new builder class." They must take action, however, in order to be grandfathered.

Builders who want to check on the status of either credential, as well as dates of expiration can check http://apps.commerce.state.wi.us/SB_Credential/SB_CredentialApp.

Builders who need to apply for the Certificate of Financial Responsibility should contact the Department of Commerce at 608-261-8500 or go to www.commerce.state.wi.us to apply for it.

The application form for the new Dwelling Contractor Qualifier is at www.commerce.wi.gov/sb/. Once at the site, click on the box in the center of the page that says "Dwelling Contractor Certification Info"

For questions to the Department of Commerce, contact section leader Tom Kasper at 608-267-7586 or e-mail tkasper [at] commerce.state.wi.us.

As you have read in both MABA and WBA publications for a number of months, beginning January 1, 2008, contractors and remodelors will need to have the "Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Credential " in addition to the Dwelling Contractor Financial Responsibility Certificate in order to pull a permit for a one- or two-family dwelling in Wisconsin. This credential is issued by the Department of Commerce.

A. Individuals who did not hold a state Dwelling Contractor Financial Responsibility Certificate on April 11, 2006, must take a "New Builder Course" — 12 hours of coursework in construction laws, codes, and business practices, and achieve a passing grade of 70 percent on an objective test before pulling a permit as of January 1, 2008.

The Wisconsin Builders Association is offering a "New Builder Course," which is a 12-hour course. Visit www.wisbuild.org to register online or call WBA at 608-242-5151.

Builders who did hold their Dwelling Contractor Financial Responsibility Certification on April 11, 2006, do not need to take the "New Builder Course." They must take action, however, in order to be grandfathered.

Q. HOW DO I KNOW IF I CAN BE GRANDFATHERED AND NOT HAVE TO TAKE THE "NEW BUILDER COURSE"?

A. You can check your status online at http://apps.commerce.state.wi.us/SB_Credential/SB_CredentialApp.

A. Yes, you must apply for and pay the fee to receive the new Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Credential. You can apply online at www.commerce.wi.gov/sb/, click on the box in the center of the page that says "Dwelling Contractor Certification Info," then select the "New Dwelling Contractor Certification Application (PDF)."

a. Same as question above.

Q. HOW DO I GET A CERTIFICATE OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILTY?

A. See www.commerce.state.wi.us to apply.

A. The application form for the new Dwelling Contractor Qualifier is at www.commerce.wi.gov/sb/. Once at the site, click on the box in the center of the page that says "Dwelling Contractor Certification Info."

A. Yes.

A. No. The Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Credential is assigned to a person, not a company. If the person who holds the credential leaves, someone else in your company must hold the credential in order to pull permits.

A. You will need to have taken 12 hours of continuing education not later than 3 months prior to the expiration date that is listed on the new Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Credential card, not the date on your Certificate of Financial Responsibility card.

A. No. To count toward the 12 hours of education, courses must be approved by the Department of Commerce. Be sure to check two things before you sign up for a course —first, whether it has been approved by Commerce and second, how many hours of credit the course will supply.