Wisconsin License Dwelling Contractor Must Be U.S. Citizen Or Have Legal Status

Wisconsin has now mandated that all dwelling contractors need to be U.S. Citizens or have legal status to obtain a certified license to apply for permits to remodel homes and buildings in the state.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

January 26, 2016 

Madison, WI - The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (WDSPS) is now requiring all Dwelling Contractors in the state to be U.S. Citizens or have legal status to obtain a certification license to get building permits to remodel dwellings and buildings. The newly revised requirement took effect on January 1, 2016. The new WDSPS application for citizenship or legal status in the U.S. reads:

"CERTIFICATION OF LEGAL STATUS:

I declare under penalty of law that I am (check one):
A citizen or national of the United States, or
A qualified alien or nonimmigrant lawfully present in the United States who is eligible to receive this professional license or credential as defined in the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunities Reconciliation Act of 1996, as codified in 8 U.S.C. §1601 et. Seq. (PRWORA).
For questions concerning PRWORA status, please contact the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in the Department of Homeland Security at 1-800-375-5283 or online at http://www.uscis.gov.
Should my legal status change during the application process or after a credential is granted, I understand that I must report this change to the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services immediately."

The Wisconsin Department of Commerce (WDC) requires all Dwelling Contractors to be licensed in the state. Two licenses are required in the state to get remodeling or building permits. One requires for a contractor to have a Dwelling Contractor Certificate of Financial Responsibility by submitting a certificate of insurance to prove that it is a legitimate business and holds the proper insurance and the second is a Dwelling Contractor Qualifier and is issued to an owner or employee of a company. The contractor or employee must take 12 credits hours of WDC approved classes every two years.

The new WDSPS revised requirement of citizenship or legal status now makes it illegal for dwelling contractor businesses owned and operated by undocumented immigrants and their employees from getting certified by the WDSPS to apply for remodeling and building permits in the state.