TradeGuardWisconsin subcontractor insurance & compliance requirements
If you're a general contractor hiring subcontractors in Wisconsin, here are the certificates and documents you should collect and keep current, and how TradeGuard tracks them automatically.
Documents to collect from subcontractors in Wisconsin
The core compliance documents a GC should require and keep current for each sub.
State-issued contractor license or registration
Certificate of Insurance for General Liability coverage
Certificate of Insurance for Workers Compensation coverage, required for any sub with employees
Required for tax reporting on payments over $600
Required on many public and private commercial projects
Required on public works projects over threshold
Required when bidding on public construction contracts; guarantees contractor will honor the bid if awarded
Wisconsin DSPS licenses Dwelling Contractors (DC) and Dwelling Contractor Qualifiers (DCQ) for residential work. Commercial work may require local licensing.
Wisconsin is under federal OSHA jurisdiction.
No statewide contractor bond requirement, though projects or public work may still require bonds.
- DSPS: Wisconsin Dept of Safety and Professional Services
- DWD: Wisconsin Dept of Workforce Development
Summary for Wisconsin
Dwelling contractor license for residential. Commercial work varies. Federal OSHA applies.
Track all of this automatically in Wisconsin
TradeGuard collects every subcontractor's COI, license, and OSHA docs, flags Wisconsin compliance gaps, and warns you before anything expires. Stop tracking it in a spreadsheet.
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Wisconsin compliance FAQ
Do subcontractors need a contractor license in Wisconsin?+
Wisconsin DSPS licenses Dwelling Contractors (DC) and Dwelling Contractor Qualifiers (DCQ) for residential work. Commercial work may require local licensing.
Does Wisconsin follow federal OSHA or a state OSHA plan?+
Wisconsin is covered by federal OSHA. Subcontractors on active job sites are typically expected to carry OSHA 10/30 training.
Is a surety bond required for contractors in Wisconsin?+
Wisconsin does not impose a statewide contractor bond requirement, though individual projects, owners, or public work may still require performance and payment bonds.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Requirements change; confirm current rules with the relevant Wisconsin agencies before relying on them.