350 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Q: What license is required to work as a utility contractor in Wisconsin?
A: A Utility Contractor License issued by the Wisconsin Department of Safety
and Professional Services (DSPS).
2. Q: How often must a Wisconsin utility contractor license be renewed? A:
Every 2 years, with renewal required by March 1st of even-numbered years.
3. Q: What is the minimum experience requirement for a utility contractor
license in Wisconsin? A: 4 years of experience in utility construction work,
with at least 2 years in a supervisory capacity.
4. Q: What is Wisconsin's "Diggers Hotline" and when must it be called?
A: Wisconsin's utility location service (811) that must be called at least 3
working days before excavation.
5. Q: What is the maximum fine for not calling Diggers Hotline in
Wisconsin? A: Up to $10,000 per violation for willful violations.
6. Q: What Wisconsin statute governs utility contractors? A: Wisconsin
Statute Chapter 101.65 and Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter SPS 305.
7. Q: What insurance coverage is required for Wisconsin utility
contractors? A: General liability insurance of at least $300,000 and workers'
compensation as required by law.
8. Q: What is the bonding requirement for Wisconsin utility contractors?
A: A surety bond of $15,000 for contractors with annual gross receipts under
$150,000.
9. Q: Who can apply for a Wisconsin utility contractor license? A: An
individual with qualifying experience or a business entity with a qualifying
agent.
10. Q: What continuing education is required for Wisconsin utility
contractors? A: 8 hours of approved continuing education every 2 years.
,11. Q: What is the application fee for a Wisconsin utility contractor
license? A: $85 for initial application and $85 for renewal.
12. Q: Can an out-of-state contractor work in Wisconsin without a license?
A: No, all utility contractors must be licensed regardless of their home state.
13. Q: What is required to transfer a Wisconsin utility contractor license?
A: Submit a transfer application with appropriate fees and documentation.
14. Q: What constitutes a utility under Wisconsin law? A: Gas, electric,
water, sewer, telecommunications, and cable television infrastructure.
15. Q: What is the penalty for working without a utility contractor license
in Wisconsin? A: Fines up to $10,000 and potential criminal charges.
16. Q: How long does Wisconsin keep utility contractor license records? A:
Minimum of 7 years after license expiration or revocation.
17. Q: What is required for a reciprocal license in Wisconsin? A: Wisconsin
does not have reciprocal licensing for utility contractors.
18. Q: Can a Wisconsin utility contractor license be suspended? A: Yes, for
violations of regulations, non-payment of fees, or disciplinary actions.
19. Q: What is the scope of work covered by a Wisconsin utility contractor
license? A: Installation, maintenance, and repair of utility infrastructure and
related systems.
20. Q: Are there separate endorsements for different utility types in
Wisconsin? A: No, the utility contractor license covers all utility types.
21. Q: What documentation is required for license application? A: Proof of
experience, insurance, bond, and completed application with fees.
22. Q: Can a business operate without a qualifying agent present? A: No, a
qualifying agent must be actively involved in utility contractor operations.
23. Q: What is the Wisconsin definition of "utility construction"? A:
Installation, maintenance, alteration, or repair of utility distribution systems.
24. Q: Are there different license classes for utility contractors in
Wisconsin? A: No, Wisconsin has a single utility contractor license
classification.
, 25. Q: What happens if a qualifying agent leaves a company? A: A new
qualifying agent must be designated within 30 days or operations must cease.
26. Q: Can a Wisconsin utility contractor subcontract work? A: Yes, but all
subcontractors must also be properly licensed.
27. Q: What is required for change of ownership of a licensed company? A:
Submit change of ownership application with appropriate documentation and
fees.
28. Q: Are there emergency work provisions in Wisconsin utility
regulations? A: Yes, emergency work may proceed with notification, but
permits must be obtained after.
29. Q: What is the Wisconsin Public Service Commission's role in utility
contracting? A: Regulates utility companies and oversees safety standards for
utility infrastructure.
30. Q: Can penalties be appealed in Wisconsin? A: Yes, through the
Department of Safety and Professional Services appeal process.
31. Q: What constitutes "supervision" under Wisconsin utility contractor
regulations? A: Direct oversight and responsibility for utility construction
activities.
32. Q: Are apprentices allowed to work on utility projects in Wisconsin? A:
Yes, under direct supervision of licensed contractors and qualified personnel.
33. Q: What is the Wisconsin requirement for keeping work records? A:
Maintain records for at least 3 years after project completion.
34. Q: Can a license be renewed after expiration in Wisconsin? A: Yes,
within one year with late fees; after one year requires new application.
35. Q: What safety certifications are recognized in Wisconsin? A: OSHA
10/30, first aid/CPR, and utility-specific safety training programs.
36. Q: Are there restrictions on advertising for unlicensed contractors? A:
Yes, it's illegal to advertise utility contractor services without proper licensing.
37. Q: What is required for permit applications in Wisconsin? A:
Completed application, plans, specifications, and applicable fees.
38. Q: Can municipal utilities have different requirements? A: Yes,
municipalities may have additional local requirements beyond state regulations.
1. Q: What license is required to work as a utility contractor in Wisconsin?
A: A Utility Contractor License issued by the Wisconsin Department of Safety
and Professional Services (DSPS).
2. Q: How often must a Wisconsin utility contractor license be renewed? A:
Every 2 years, with renewal required by March 1st of even-numbered years.
3. Q: What is the minimum experience requirement for a utility contractor
license in Wisconsin? A: 4 years of experience in utility construction work,
with at least 2 years in a supervisory capacity.
4. Q: What is Wisconsin's "Diggers Hotline" and when must it be called?
A: Wisconsin's utility location service (811) that must be called at least 3
working days before excavation.
5. Q: What is the maximum fine for not calling Diggers Hotline in
Wisconsin? A: Up to $10,000 per violation for willful violations.
6. Q: What Wisconsin statute governs utility contractors? A: Wisconsin
Statute Chapter 101.65 and Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter SPS 305.
7. Q: What insurance coverage is required for Wisconsin utility
contractors? A: General liability insurance of at least $300,000 and workers'
compensation as required by law.
8. Q: What is the bonding requirement for Wisconsin utility contractors?
A: A surety bond of $15,000 for contractors with annual gross receipts under
$150,000.
9. Q: Who can apply for a Wisconsin utility contractor license? A: An
individual with qualifying experience or a business entity with a qualifying
agent.
10. Q: What continuing education is required for Wisconsin utility
contractors? A: 8 hours of approved continuing education every 2 years.
,11. Q: What is the application fee for a Wisconsin utility contractor
license? A: $85 for initial application and $85 for renewal.
12. Q: Can an out-of-state contractor work in Wisconsin without a license?
A: No, all utility contractors must be licensed regardless of their home state.
13. Q: What is required to transfer a Wisconsin utility contractor license?
A: Submit a transfer application with appropriate fees and documentation.
14. Q: What constitutes a utility under Wisconsin law? A: Gas, electric,
water, sewer, telecommunications, and cable television infrastructure.
15. Q: What is the penalty for working without a utility contractor license
in Wisconsin? A: Fines up to $10,000 and potential criminal charges.
16. Q: How long does Wisconsin keep utility contractor license records? A:
Minimum of 7 years after license expiration or revocation.
17. Q: What is required for a reciprocal license in Wisconsin? A: Wisconsin
does not have reciprocal licensing for utility contractors.
18. Q: Can a Wisconsin utility contractor license be suspended? A: Yes, for
violations of regulations, non-payment of fees, or disciplinary actions.
19. Q: What is the scope of work covered by a Wisconsin utility contractor
license? A: Installation, maintenance, and repair of utility infrastructure and
related systems.
20. Q: Are there separate endorsements for different utility types in
Wisconsin? A: No, the utility contractor license covers all utility types.
21. Q: What documentation is required for license application? A: Proof of
experience, insurance, bond, and completed application with fees.
22. Q: Can a business operate without a qualifying agent present? A: No, a
qualifying agent must be actively involved in utility contractor operations.
23. Q: What is the Wisconsin definition of "utility construction"? A:
Installation, maintenance, alteration, or repair of utility distribution systems.
24. Q: Are there different license classes for utility contractors in
Wisconsin? A: No, Wisconsin has a single utility contractor license
classification.
, 25. Q: What happens if a qualifying agent leaves a company? A: A new
qualifying agent must be designated within 30 days or operations must cease.
26. Q: Can a Wisconsin utility contractor subcontract work? A: Yes, but all
subcontractors must also be properly licensed.
27. Q: What is required for change of ownership of a licensed company? A:
Submit change of ownership application with appropriate documentation and
fees.
28. Q: Are there emergency work provisions in Wisconsin utility
regulations? A: Yes, emergency work may proceed with notification, but
permits must be obtained after.
29. Q: What is the Wisconsin Public Service Commission's role in utility
contracting? A: Regulates utility companies and oversees safety standards for
utility infrastructure.
30. Q: Can penalties be appealed in Wisconsin? A: Yes, through the
Department of Safety and Professional Services appeal process.
31. Q: What constitutes "supervision" under Wisconsin utility contractor
regulations? A: Direct oversight and responsibility for utility construction
activities.
32. Q: Are apprentices allowed to work on utility projects in Wisconsin? A:
Yes, under direct supervision of licensed contractors and qualified personnel.
33. Q: What is the Wisconsin requirement for keeping work records? A:
Maintain records for at least 3 years after project completion.
34. Q: Can a license be renewed after expiration in Wisconsin? A: Yes,
within one year with late fees; after one year requires new application.
35. Q: What safety certifications are recognized in Wisconsin? A: OSHA
10/30, first aid/CPR, and utility-specific safety training programs.
36. Q: Are there restrictions on advertising for unlicensed contractors? A:
Yes, it's illegal to advertise utility contractor services without proper licensing.
37. Q: What is required for permit applications in Wisconsin? A:
Completed application, plans, specifications, and applicable fees.
38. Q: Can municipal utilities have different requirements? A: Yes,
municipalities may have additional local requirements beyond state regulations.
