WISCONSIN FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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Dwelling Contractor

What can I expect from an online course?

What can I expect from a correspondence course?

How do I obtain a Dwelling Contractor license?

Do I need continuing education?

How do I contact the Wisconsin Department of Commerce, Safety and Buildings division?

What does the Safety and Buildings Division have to say about the new Dwelling Contractor education requirements?

What are the Dwelling Contractor, DC-Restricted and Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification instructions from Safety and Buildings?

Where can I find the Safety and Buildings Division List of Administrative Codes?

What can I expect from an online course?

1. You may take the course from any computer at any time in as many sessions as you wish.

2. Once you have enrolled in the online course it will be available to you immediately.

3. All of the reference material needed to complete the course is available to download in Adobe Acrobat PDF format (Acrobat Reader is available free if you do not already have it).

4. Each quiz question refers you back to the document and approximate location in the document where the answer may be found.

5. The quizzes are graded immediately after you complete them so that you can see if you passed. If not, just retake them as many times as you need at no additional charge.

6. Once you have completed all of the questions with a 70% or better your Course Completion Certificate will be available for immediate download.

It's really that easy! No timer is required so your course only takes as long as it takes for you to answer the questions correctly. This on average saves students 5-6 hours over sitting in a classroom where the full 12 hours of “seat time” is required.

An online format is the fastest and easiest way to complete your education. You may complete the education in the comfort of your own home and in much less time than an on-site course. Our correspondence courses are also very convenient although it will take longer to receive your Course Completion Certificate due to mailing and manual grading of quiz questions.

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What can I expect from a correspondence course?

1. Once you enroll in the course all of the reference materials will be mailed to you via UPS Ground. Everything you need in order to complete the education is included.

2. Each quiz question refers you back to the document and approximate location in the document where the answer may be found.

3. Once you have completed the quiz questions you may mail or fax them back to us. You also have the option to take your quizzes online if you choose.

4. Once we receive your quiz answers we will grade them within two business days.

5. Once your quizzes have been graded and you have passed the course with a 70% or better your Course Completion Certificate will be mailed back to you. We can also fax or e-mail it if requested. If you do not pass, we will contact you and you may retake the quizzes as many times as needed at no charge.

It's really that easy!

A correspondence format is a convenient way to complete your education for those not comfortable with online education. You may complete the course in the comfort of your own home and in much less time than an on-site classroom course.

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How do I obtain a Dwelling Contractor license?

Step 1: Check to make sure that you have not been grandfathered for the new education at http://commerce.wi.gov/SBdocs/SB-CredDwelConGrandData0807.pdf . People who are not listed here have not been grandfathered by the Safety and Buildings division and will need to take a Dwelling Contractor Initial Qualifier course.

Step 2: If you have not been grandfathered in to the new education then enroll in one of our Wisconsin Dwelling Contractor Initial Qualifier courses at www.MyContractorCampus.com . Online, correspondence and on-site formats are all available.

Step 3: Complete your education and print out your certificate.

Step 4: Download the Credential Application at http://commerce.wi.gov/SBdocs/SB-FormCredAppDcq.pdf fill in the correct information and write a check for the appropriate fee.

Step 4: If you do not already hold a Dwelling Contractor Certification/Dwelling Contractor Financial Responsibility Certification download the form at http://commerce.wi.gov/SBdocs/SB-FormCredAppDc.pdf fill in the correct information and write a check for the appropriate fee.

Step 5: Mail all of your paperwork including a copy of your course completion certificate and applicable checks to the Department of Commerce.

Step 6: The Department of Commerce will process your application and issue your credential number if all of your paperwork is in order.

Step 7: Every two years you will now need to complete 12 credit hours of continuing education to renew your Dwelling Contractor Qualifier certificate. This continuing education must be complete at least 3 months prior to your renewal date. We hope that you will consider our courses when the time comes to take your education. Our continuing education courses may be found at www.MyContractorCampus.com.

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Do I need continuing education?

Yes. To renew your Dwelling Contractor Qualifier certificate you will need 12 hours of continuing education every two years. This education must be completed and your license renewal application sent in at least 3 months prior to your expiration date. The available continuing education courses are available by clicking here or going to www.MyContractorCampus.com.

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How do I contact the Wisconsin Department of Commerce, Safety and Buildings division?

Safety and Buildings may be contacted at:

201 W Washington Ave, 4 th Floor

Madison, WI 53703

608-266-3151

Main web page: www.commerce.wi.gov/SB/

Or to contact specific staff members do to www.commerce.wi.gov/SB/SB-DivContacts.html

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What does the Safety and Buildings Division have to say about the new Dwelling Contractor education requirements?

"In order to obtain construction or erosion control building permits for one- and two-family dwellings, a contractor shall possess a Wisconsin Dwelling Contractor Certification (see separate application) and in addition that dwelling contractor shall have an employee, owner, CEO or Chairman of the Board that as an individual holds this Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification."

(Department of Commerce, Credential Application , page 2)

“Beginning January 1, 2008, that contractor also must hold or employ someone holding a Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification. As of January 1, 2008, the local official issuing the permit will be required to check for both of the certifications. A property owner will still be able to obtain a building permit for their residence without holding either certification.

(These dwelling contractor certification requirements do not apply to plumbing, electrical, or heating work, or to work on commercial or multifamily dwellings.)

- The Safety and Buildings Division intends to continue most of the previous process pertaining to the Dwelling Contractor Financial Responsibility Certification. Any contractor wishing to obtain a one- or two-family dwelling building permit will need to hold the Dwelling Contractor Financial Responsibility Certification. The requirements for the certification will remain the same.

There will be two ways to obtain the Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification.
1. People who were part of a Dwelling Contractor Financial Responsibility Certification current in mid-April, 2006, will be able to receive a Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification because of their status. They may have been the certificate applicant, the contact, or an eligible business owner or officer. They will be "grandfathered in." The Safety and Buildings Division will send letters in August 2007 to people on record with the division in April 2006 as being the applicant or contact for the Dwelling Contractor Financial Responsibility Certification. The letter will inform the recipient of their options concerning the Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification. The letter will also describe who else at the company may be eligible to obtain the qualifier certification. In September, S&B will begin processing grandfathered (and new) Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification applications. In September, S&B will post on the Internet lists of people holding Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certifications, http://commerce.wi.gov/SB/SB-CredList.html.

2. People who obtain a new Dwelling Contractor Financial Responsibility Certification after mid-April, 2006 need to hold a Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification or employ someone holding a Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification, in order to obtain a one- or two-family dwelling building permit after January 1, 2008.

If someone (is not "grandfathered-in" and) wishes to obtain a new Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification, they will need to take and pass a contractor initial training class approved by the Safety and Buildings Division. People who now hold a Dwelling Contractor Financial Responsibility Certification and are not eligible to be "grandfathered-in" should receive a letter from S&B informing them of their need to take an initial training class.

Approved Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification courses may be organized by various entities and may charge varying fees for attendance. Criteria for those training classes will be decided upon at the July 16, 2007, code advisory council meeting. S&B will begin approving initial training classes in July 2007 and will announce online as soon as possible which classes have been approved: http://commerce.wi.gov/SB/SB-DivContinuingEducation.html.

After taking the initial training class, someone will need to apply to the Safety and Buildings Division to obtain a Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification.

- In the future, anyone renewing any Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification will need to attend 12 approved continuing education hours during the two-year education cycle that parallels the two-year term of the certification.”

(Department of Commerce, Dwelling Contractor Qualification and Education)

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What are the Dwelling Contractor, DC-Restricted and Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification instructions from Safety and Buildings?

Dwelling Contractor, DC-Restricted, and Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certifications

Who should have these credentials? A person may obtain a building permit for a one- or two-family dwelling only if (see exception) the person holds a dwelling contractor certification and or a dwelling contractor - restricted certification, except as provided under s. 101.654(1)(b), Stats. There is an exception for an owner of a dwelling who resides or will reside in the dwelling and who applies for the building permit.
This situation will change January 1, 2008 . To obtain a one- or two-family dwelling building permit as of that date, a person must have a dwelling contractor certification (or restricted) and have, or employ someone with, a dwelling contractor qualifier certification. People who held DCCs as of mid-April 2006 have been offered the opportunity to obtain the qualifier certification without having to take a prerequisite qualifier course. People who obtain a DCC after mid-April 2006 must take a course in order to obtain the qualifier certification or must employ someone with the qualifier certification. The administrative rules that deal with the qualifier certification are adopted and go into effect on September 1, 2007.

How does the restricted credential vary? The a dwelling contractor-restricted category is for projects under $25,000, for contractors who provide a surety bond of less than $25,000. The figure of $5,000 mentioned in 101.654(2)(a)1, Stats. is the minimum for providing a surety bond. That minimum only is valid for the restricted category; there should be at least a $25,000 bond for the "full" or unrestricted dwelling contractor category, if a bond is provided and not the certificate of insurance described in 101.654(2)(a)2, Stats. - Here is a link to the dwelling contractor -restricted application .

What are the prerequisites for obtaining the dwelling contractor? A person applying for a dwelling contractor certification or a restricted certification shall provide evidence that the person complies with worker's compensation requirements, unemployment compensation requirements, and liability or bond insurance requirements as specified under s. 101.654(2) and (2m), Stats. The person applying shall be the owner of the contracting business, a partner in the contracting business applying on behalf of a partnership, or the chairman of the board or chief executive officer applying on behalf of the contracting corporation. - Here is a link to the dwelling contractor application .

101.654(2) An applicant for a certificate of financial responsibility shall provide to the satisfaction of the department proof of all of the following: (a) That the applicant has in force one of the following:

1. A bond endorsed by a surety company authorized to do business in this state of not less than $5,000, conditioned upon the applicant complying with all applicable provisions of the one- and 2-family dwelling code and any ordinance enacted under s. 101.65(1)(a).

2. A policy of general liability insurance issued by an insurer authorized to do business in this state insuring the applicant in the amount of at least $250,000 per occurrence because of bodily injury to or death of others or because of damage to the property of others.

(b) If the applicant is required under s. 102.28(2)(a) to have in force a policy of worker's compensation insurance or if the applicant is self-insured in accordance with s. 102.28(2)(b), that the applicant has in force a policy of worker's compensation insurance issued by an insurer authorized to do business in this state or is self-insured in accordance with s. 102.28(2)(b).

(c) If the applicant is required to make state unemployment insurance contributions under ch. 108 or is required to pay federal unemployment compensation taxes under 26 USC 3301 to 3311, that the applicant is making those contributions or paying those taxes as required.

(2m) If an applicant wishes to use a bond under sub. (2)(a)1. of less than $25,000 to comply with sub. (2) (a), the applicant shall agree not to perform any work on a dwelling for which the estimated cost of completion is greater than the amount of the bond. The department shall indicate any restriction under this subsection on the certificate of financial responsibility issued.

What are the prerequisites for obtaining the dwelling contractor qualifier certification? A person wishing to obtain a dwelling contractor qualifier certification must attend 12 hours of approved qualifier training education and pass an exam given with that education. Proof of training attendance will need to be provided with the qualifier application.

- Here is a link to the dwelling contractor qualifier application .
- Anyone wishing to apply to have qualifier initial training or continuing education courses approved can use the Educational Course Application form, SBD-9156. Available online, PDF file .
- A list of approved qualifier training classes is online.

How does someone apply for the credentials? For a new Dwelling Contractor (and Restricted) Certification, a person shall provide an application form, a $10 application fee, the information described above in "prerequisites," and a $25 one-year certification fee. For the Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification, a person shall provide an application form, a $10 application fee, the information described above in "prerequisites," and a $30 two-year certification fee.

What are the term of the credential? The Dwelling Contractor (and Restricted) Certification is for one year from date of issuance. The Dwelling Contractor Qualifier term will be two years

Application form for the credential. PDF file unrestricted or restricted or qualifier , or fax a request for a specific credential form to 608-783-7400, or email a form request to madisoncred@commerce.state.wi.us .
Is there a continuing education requirement? There is not an education requirement for the Dwelling Contractor (and Restricted) Certification. Anyone wishing to renew their Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification will need to obtain 12 credit hours of continuing education over the two-year educational cycle.

How will the credential be renewed? A renewal letter will be sent to the credential holder approximately 45 days before the renewal date.

Comm 5 is the Licenses, Registrations, and Certifications Code. Relevant sections for this credential are: Comm 5.001 through 5.12 and Comm 5.31.

12/19/07 http://www.commerce.state.wi.us/SB/SB-DivCreds.html#D

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Where can I find the Safety and Buildings Division List of Administrative Codes?

You may find the codes at http://commerce.wi.gov/SB/SB-DivCodesListing.html.

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