How to Verify a Roofer's License in Wisconsin (Step by Step)

Verifying a Wisconsin roofer’s license takes about two minutes at dsps.wi.gov and tells you more than an hour of reviews: whether the business is real, insured, and accountable. Here’s exactly how. Check us first if you like; that’s what the lookup is for.

The two credentials you’re looking for

Wisconsin residential contractors carry a two-part credential (full detail in our guide to getting licensed):

Dwelling Contractor: the business’s certification, required to pull permits on 1- and 2-family homes.
Dwelling Contractor Qualifier: an individual’s credential, earned through education and examination on the building code.

A legitimate residential roofing outfit can show you both. Ours is on our about page: Matt Posten holds WI Dwelling Contractor Qualifier #5751-DCQ.

The lookup, step by step

Go to dsps.wi.gov and find the license lookup (labeled “Look Up a License” / credential search).
Search the individual’s name for the Qualifier credential, or the business name for the Dwelling Contractor certification. Ask the contractor for the exact registered name, since marketing names and legal names sometimes differ.
Check three fields on the result: the credential type matches the two above, the status is current/active, and the name actually matches who you’re dealing with.
No result? Ask the contractor for their credential number and search that. Still nothing? See the red flags below.

Two minutes, no account, free.

Red flags that should end the conversation

“We don’t need a license for this.” For contracted residential roofing work in Wisconsin, they do.
A name mismatch. The truck says one company, the credential (if any) says another, the contract a third.
License “pending” or “in process” during a sales pitch. Come back when it exists.
Door-knocking after a storm with out-of-state plates. The classic storm-chaser pattern: fast contract, faster exit, warranty worthless by November.
Friction on insurance proof. Real contractors send a certificate of insurance the same day, and their agent confirms it’s active.

Why we push this so hard

A repairs-first company lives on trust, and verifiable credentials are trust you don’t have to take on faith. The same skepticism that protects you from the unlicensed guy protects the licensed trades that do it right, so check everyone. Then, whether it’s a small leak fix or a full replacement, you’re negotiating with a real business instead of hoping. Questions about what you found in a lookup? Ask us; we’re happy to translate DSPS-speak even if the roofer you’re checking isn’t us.

Frequently asked questions

What license should a Wisconsin roofer have?

For residential work: a Dwelling Contractor certification held by the business, and a Dwelling Contractor Qualifier credential held by a person in it. Both are searchable at dsps.wi.gov. "Licensed and insured" in an ad means nothing until you have looked both up yourself.

What if I can't find the contractor in the DSPS lookup?

Ask them directly for their credential numbers and the exact name they are registered under. Legitimate contractors answer instantly, and business names sometimes differ from marketing names. If they dodge, cite "exemptions," or say the license is "in progress," stop. An unlicensed contractor cannot pull permits, and their promises have nothing behind them.

Does hiring a licensed roofer really matter for a small repair?

Yes, and not mainly for the permit (small repairs often need none). The license means a real business: verifiable identity, insurance on file with the state, an exam passed on the building code, and something to lose by doing bad work. The unlicensed guy with a ladder has none of those, and if he falls off your roof, that can become your problem.

Should my roofer also have insurance I can verify?

Yes. Ask for a certificate of insurance naming their general liability carrier, and call the agent listed to confirm it is current. Any legitimate contractor provides this without friction. The state credential requires financial responsibility, but confirming active coverage directly is the belt to that suspender.