Can I Do My Own Electrical Work in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin grants homeowners a specific exemption from electrician licensing requirements when performing electrical work on their own owner-occupied single-family home. This means you can wire a new circuit, install outlets, upgrade your panel, or run new lighting — but only on a home you personally own and live in. The exemption is codified in Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 316, which governs electrical licensing statewide. The homeowner exemption does not waive the permit and inspection requirements. You must pull an electrical permit from your municipality before starting the work, and the completed work must pass inspection by the local electrical inspector. The inspector checks for compliance with the National Electrical Code (NEC) as adopted by Wisconsin, including proper wire sizing, circuit protection, grounding and bonding, box fill calculations, and GFCI/AFCI protection where required. If the work fails inspection, you must correct the deficiencies and schedule a re-inspection. There are important limitations to this exemption. It does not apply to rental properties, duplexes you do not occupy, investment properties, or properties you intend to flip. It also does not cover work on commercial buildings. For any property other than your own owner-occupied single-family home, the electrical work must be performed by a Wisconsin-licensed Master Electrician or Journeyman Electrician working under a Master's supervision. Hiring an unlicensed person to do electrical work on your home (even a knowledgeable friend or relative) is a violation of Wisconsin law. Before attempting DIY electrical work, consider the safety implications. Electrical work is the most common cause of residential fires related to construction defects. If you are not confident in your ability to perform the work to code, hiring a licensed electrician is strongly recommended. Many municipalities offer guidance documents or pre-application consultations to help homeowners understand what is involved before they commit to a DIY electrical project.

Check Your Municipality

Permit requirements, fees, and exemptions vary by municipality. Verify the specifics for your location.