Professional Engineer (PE) / Wisconsin
2026 data Wisconsin board official source

Wisconsin Professional Engineer (PE) License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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Provides engineering services to the public. Requires FE + PE exams.

What the Wisconsin data shows for Professional Engineer (PE)s

Wisconsin's path to professional engineer (pe) licensure runs through board-approved instruction, 4 years of supervised work experience, and a passing score on FE Exam then PE Exam before applicants younger than 18 can be licensed. Wisconsin folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Bachelors Degree in Engineering".

Upfront cost is $213, with renewal running $180 on a 2-year cycle. Maintaining the license requires 30 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

For professional engineer (pe)s, the reciprocity picture is: NCEES model law: recognized in most states.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
19/100
Professional Engineer (PE) · Wisconsin

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training N/A
N/A
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$213
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$90/yr
$180 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
15.0 hrs/yr
30 hours every 2 years
Experience Required F
4 years
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Wisconsin

Education / Training Hours
Bachelors Degree in Engineering
Not specified
Exam Requirement
FE Exam then PE Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$213
Renewal Fee
$180
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
30 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Not Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Work Experience Required
4 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Professional Engineer (PE) All Wisconsin licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Wisconsin licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Professional Engineer (PE) in Wisconsin? ▼
In Wisconsin, the license path calls for, a passing score on FE Exam then PE Exam, and a $213 initial fee.
How do I get certified as a Professional Engineer (PE) in Wisconsin? ▼
Certification as a professional engineer (pe) in Wisconsin means clearing the state's checklist plus 4 years of work experience, and a passing exam score. The Wisconsin licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Professional Engineer (PE) license to Wisconsin from another state? ▼
Reciprocity for professional engineer (pe)s nationally works like this: NCEES model law: recognized in most states. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into Wisconsin. Verify the specifics with the Wisconsin licensing board.
Does Wisconsin require a background check for Professional Engineer (PE) licensing? ▼
There's no state-level background-check requirement for professional engineer (pe) licensing in Wisconsin; some employers choose to screen candidates anyway.
What are the continuing education requirements for Professional Engineer (PE) in Wisconsin? ▼
Licensed professional engineer (pe)s in Wisconsin must complete 30 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $180.

Related Guides

What to do with this professional engineer (pe) license

Professional Engineer (PE) in Wisconsin, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a professional engineer (pe)-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Wisconsin's professional engineer (pe) requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Professional Engineer (PE) in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state professional engineer (pe) license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Wisconsin's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Wisconsin overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Wisconsin licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.