Wyoming Contractor License Types
| License Type | Application Fee | Annual Renewal | Bond |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Contractor (Business License) State-issued license authorizing a business to perform electrical contracting work in Wyoming. The electrical contractor must employ a Wyoming-licensed Master Electrician full-time to serve as the Master of Record / Qualifier. Issued by the Wyoming Department of Fire Prevention & Electrical Safety under WS 35-9-120 through 35-9-130. Renews every July 1. | $400 initial | $400 (renews on July 1) | No state bond required for electrical contractors |
| Master Electrician Highest individual electrical license in Wyoming. Requires 8 years / 16,000 hours of electrical work experience (of which 4 years / 8,000 hours must be as a licensed journeyperson), 576 hours of approved classroom instruction, and passage of the Wyoming Master Electrician exam (open-book, administered by ICC / Pearson VUE — confirm current question count, passing score, and exam fee with WSFM). Three-year license renewing July 1. | $200 initial (plus ICC exam fee — confirm current amount with WSFM) | $100 every 3 years, plus 16 hours continuing education (8 hours NEC) | None |
| Journeyman Electrician Mid-level individual electrical license. Requires 4 years / 8,000 hours of work experience across residential, commercial, and industrial categories (no more than 75% in any one category), 576 hours of approved classroom instruction through a Department of Labor-approved apprenticeship, and passage of the Wyoming Journeyman Electrician exam (open-book, administered by ICC / Pearson VUE — confirm current question count, passing score, and exam fee with WSFM). Three-year license renewing January 1. | $100 initial (plus ICC exam fee — confirm current amount with WSFM) | $50 every 3 years, plus 16 hours continuing education (8 hours NEC) | None |
| Apprentice Electrician Entry-level electrical registration. Apprentices must register with the Department of Fire Prevention & Electrical Safety shortly after starting employment (confirm current deadline with WSFM) and work under the direct supervision of a licensed journeyperson or master electrician. | $20 initial | Required; apprentices accumulate on-the-job training hours toward journeyperson qualification | None |
Processing time: Electrical contractor applications through the WSFM eLicense portal typically process in a few weeks once the Master of Record is identified and all documentation is uploaded. Municipal licenses vary: Natrona County processes contractor applications in 7–10 business days; Cheyenne and Gillette require board review for some classifications. from application submission to license issuance.
Wyoming does not require a state-level general contractor license. However, this doesn't mean contractors can operate without any oversight. Many cities and counties in Wyoming have their own licensing requirements, and specialty trades (plumbing, electrical, HVAC) typically require state licensing even when general contracting doesn't.
No state general contractor license. Only electrical trades are licensed statewide by the Wyoming State Fire Marshal under WS 35-9-120 through 35-9-130 (Title 35 Chapter 9 Article 1). Plumbing and HVAC are municipal in practice — the 2011 Plumbers Licensing Act (WS 33-47-101 et seq.) was never implemented. GC licensing is handled by major cities. Senate File 114 (2024) requires Wyoming municipalities to grant reciprocity to contractor licenses issued by other Wyoming cities/counties. Monopolistic workers' comp through WY Dept. of Workforce Services.
How to Verify a Contractor in Wyoming
Since Wyoming doesn't have statewide licensing, you'll need to:
- Check local requirements. Contact your city or county building department to find out if contractors need a local license, permit, or registration to work in your area.
- Verify specialty licenses. If your project involves plumbing, electrical, HVAC, or other specialty trades, those contractors should hold state-issued specialty licenses. Check the Wyoming Department of Fire Prevention & Electrical Safety (electrical only; no state GC license) for specialty license verification.
- Ask for proof of insurance. Even without a licensing requirement, any reputable contractor should carry general liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance. Ask for certificates before signing a contract.
- Check the Better Business Bureau. In states without licensing boards, the BBB and online reviews are your primary tools for vetting contractors.
- Verify business registration. Check that the contractor is registered as a business with the Wyoming Secretary of State.
Protecting Yourself Without State Licensing
In states like Wyoming where there's no state licensing board to file complaints with, it's especially important to:
- Get a detailed written contract before any work begins
- Never pay more than 10-30% upfront
- Verify the contractor pulls all required building permits
- Get multiple bids and check references
- Use a credit card for payments when possible (chargeback protection)
Should Wyoming Require Contractor Licensing?
States without contractor licensing consistently have higher rates of consumer complaints about home improvement fraud. Licensed states provide consumers with surety bond protection, complaint investigation, and disciplinary enforcement that unlicensed states lack. If you're in Wyoming, consider advocating for statewide contractor licensing through your state legislature.
Sources
Facts on this page were verified against the following primary sources on April 20, 2026. Licensing laws, fees, and bond amounts change — always confirm with the official board before acting.
- WSFM — Wyoming Department of Fire Prevention & Electrical Safety (home) — Primary state regulator for electrical licensing under the Wyoming State Fire Marshal. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
- WSFM — Electrical Licensing (license types, fees, CE, renewal cycles) — Apprentice, Journeyman, Master, and Electrical Contractor license requirements and fees; eLicense portal. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
- WSFM — Electrical Safety Overview — Authority under WS Title 35-9 and Wyoming Administrative Rules; 2.5% processing fee notice (eff. April 1, 2025). (retrieved 2026-04-20)
- WSFM — Personnel and Inspectors — Cheyenne main office: 320 W. 25th Street, Suite 3, Cheyenne, WY 82002; licensing phone 307-777-7288. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
- Wyoming Legislature — Senate File 114 (2024) Contractor License Reciprocity — Requires Wyoming municipalities to recognize contractor licenses issued by other Wyoming jurisdictions without additional fees or testing. Effective July 1, 2024. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
- Wyoming Statutes — Title 35 Chapter 9 Article 1 (Electrical Licensing, WS 35-9-120 through 35-9-130) — Article 1 of Chapter 9 — Department of Fire Prevention and Electrical Safety; electrical licensing statutes WS 35-9-120 through 35-9-130. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
- Wyoming Statute 39-16-306 — Nonresident Contractor Bond (Justia) — WS 39-16-306(a)(i) requires nonresident contractors to post a 3%-of-payments bond; WS 39-16-306(a)(iii) authorizes a $1,000,000 blanket bond in lieu. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
- Wyoming Legislature — Title 40 Chapter 12 (Consumer Protection Act) — Wyoming Consumer Protection Act including WS 40-12-702 exterior storm-damage contractor disclosure rules. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
- Wyoming Attorney General — Consumer Protection & Antitrust Unit — Complaint intake: 109 State Capitol, Cheyenne, WY 82002; ag.consumer@wyo.gov. Categories accepted and excluded. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
- Wyoming Department of Workforce Services — Resident Contractor Resources — Wyoming resident-contractor certification for the 5% bid preference on public works (Labor Standards Division). (retrieved 2026-04-20)
- Wyoming Department of Workforce Services — Workers' Compensation Division — Wyoming's monopolistic workers' compensation program — coverage for Wyoming workers must be purchased through the state, not private carriers. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
- City of Laramie — Contractor Licensing — Municipal licensing for general contractors and trade specialists (electrical, mechanical, plumbing, etc.) via Civic Access portal; 307-721-5271. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
- City of Gillette — 2026 Contractor License Application — Class A/B/R/C/D/F license classes, fees, insurance minimums, $5,000 bond requirement; Development Services 307-686-5260. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
- Rock Springs Municipal Code — Contractor Registration — $125 initial contractor registration fee; $100 renewal; 15-day renewal window after expiration. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
Other States
Looking up a contractor in a different state? Visit our state-by-state contractor license lookup page to find the right verification tool for your state.
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