About Wisconsin Licenses

Wisconsin occupational licenses are administered by the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) under Wis. Stat. ch. 440. License verification for over 250 professions including physicians, nurses, real estate brokers, contractors, accountants, and pharmacists runs through licensesearch.wi.gov.

Wisconsin Licenses

Statewide Records

Broker-Dealers
Official Free
Securities Broker-Dealers licensed with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.
🌐 dfi.wi.gov
Charities & Fund-raisers
Official Free
Database of licensed charitable organizations, professional fund-raisers, counsels, employer organizations, and employer groups. From the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.
🌐 apps.dfi.wi.gov
Check Sellers
Official Free
Sellers of Checks license list from the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.
🌐 dfi.wi.gov
Credit Unions
Official Free
Search or browse Wisconsin credit unions by name. Gives charter number, city, zip code and phone/fax numbers.
🌐 mapping.ncua.gov
Insurance
Official Free
National Association of Insurance Commissioners index of Wisconsin licensed insurance companies, brokers, managers, and intermediaries.
🌐 sbs.naic.org
Loan Companies
Official Free
Loan companies, title lenders, mortgage banking, and pawn broker lenders licensed with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.
🌐 external.dfi.wi.gov
Main Credential Search
Official Free
Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services central health, business, organization, and trade credential verification database.
🌐 license.wi.gov
Motor Vehicle Sales Finance
Official Free
Motor Vehicle Sales Finance Companies licensed with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, including motor vehicle motorcycle, mobile home, and recreational vehicle dealers.
🌐 external.dfi.wi.gov
Organizations
Official Free
Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services license verification for organizations (i.e. accounting firms, barber shops, cemeteries, pharmacies, real estate firms, funeral establishments, cosmetology shops, professional schools, etc.).
🌐 license.wi.gov
Pay Day Lenders
Official Free
Pay Day Lenders loan companies licensed with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.
🌐 dfi.wi.gov
Sales Finance Companies
Official Free
All categories of Sales Finance Companies licensed with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, including state and national banks, savings and loans, and sales finance loan companies.
🌐 external.dfi.wi.gov

Federal Records

Appraisers | FFIEC
Official Free
Wisconsin appraiser national registration verification from the Federal Financial Institutions Examinations Council.
🌐 asc.gov
Banking Institutions
Official Free
Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions license search for Banks, Savings Institutions, State Banks, National Banks, State Savings Banks, State Savings & Loans, Federal Savings Banks, and Federal Savings & Loans.
🌐 external.dfi.wi.gov

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I verify a Wisconsin professional license?

Use the issuing board's online lookup linked under Statewide; results show name, license #, status, and discipline.

Is license verification free?

Yes — all state license lookups are free public services.

What if a license isn't listed?

Some niche or local licenses are issued by city/county or a different agency; check the relevant board.

Does a clean record guarantee competence?

No — it shows the license is current with no recorded discipline; it doesn't assess work quality.