| 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?
Individuals who did not hold a state Dwelling Contractor Financial Responsibility Certificate on April 11, 2006 must take 12 hours of coursework in construction laws, codes, and business practices and achieve a passing grade of 70% on an objective test before pulling a permit as of January 1, 2008.
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.
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.
1. In August 2007 Commerce sent an application to be grandfathered for the new Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification to those who held their other certificate on April 11, 2006. The letter that Commerce says builders can take advantage of grandfathering until September 1, 2009. The letter that Commerce sent is at http://commerce.state.wi.us/SB/SB-CredDwelConExplan0707.html.
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 email tkasper [at] commerce.state.wi.us.
State of Wisconsin Contractor Education Information – FAQ
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.
Q. WHO MUST TAKE THE "NEW BUILDER" COURSE WITH A TEST?
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.
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.
Q. I SEE ON THE WEBSITE ABOVE THAT I CAN BE GRANDFATHERED. DO I NEED TO DO ANYTHING ELSE?
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)."
Q. I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE THAT SAYS I’M ELIGIBLE TO BE GRANDFATHERED. DO I NEED TO DO ANYTHING ELSE?
a. Same as question above.
Q. HOW DO I GET A CERTIFICATE OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILTY?
A. See www.commerce.state.wi.us to apply.
Q. I did not have my Dwelling Contractor Financial Responsibility Certificate on April 11, 2006. HOW DO I APPLY FOR THE NEW DWELLING CONTRACTOR QUALIFIER CREDENTIAL?
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."
Q. DO I NEED BOTH THE CERTIFICATE OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILTY AND THE DWELLING CONTRACTOR QUALIFIER CREDENTIAL TO PULL PERMITS?
A. Yes.
Q. I AM A COMPANY OWNER. ONE OF MY EMPLOYEES IS THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS THE DWELLING CONTRACTOR QUALIFIER CREDENTIAL. IF THAT EMPLOYEE LEAVES MY COMPANY, WILL MY COMPANY STILL HAVE THE REQUIRED CREDENTIAL?
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.
Q. AFTER I HAVE THE NEW CREDENTIAL, HOW LONG WILL I HAVE TO TAKE THE 12 HOURS OF CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSES?
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.
Q. MAY I TAKE ANY COURSE I CAN FIND TO FULFILL THE 12-HOUR REQUIREMENT?
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.
For questions, see www.commerce.state.wi.us/SB or contact the Department of Commerce at 608-261-8500.
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