Chapter 441

441.001(3c) (3c) Practice of a certified nurse-midwife. “Practice of a certified nurse-midwife” means practice in the management of women’s health care, pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum care for newborns, family planning, and gynecological services consistent with the standards of practice of the American College of Nurse-Midwives or its successor.

441.001(3g) (3g) Practice of a certified registered nurse anesthetist. “Practice of a certified registered nurse anesthetist” means providing anesthesia care, pain management care, and care related to anesthesia and pain management for persons across their lifespan, whose health status may range from healthy through all levels of acuity, including persons with immediate, severe, or life-threatening illness or injury, in diverse settings, including hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, outpatient clinics, medical offices, and home health care settings.

441.001(3n) (3n) Practice of a clinical nurse specialist. “Practice of a clinical nurse specialist” means providing advanced nursing care, primarily in health care facilities, including the diagnosis and treatment of illness for identified specific populations based on a specialty.

441.001(3r) (3r) Practice of a nurse practitioner. “Practice of a nurse practitioner” means practice in ambulatory, acute, long-term, or other health care settings as a primary or specialty care provider who provides health services, including assessing, diagnosing, treating, or managing acute, episodic, and chronic illnesses.

441.001(3w) (3w) Prescription order. “Prescription order” has the meaning given in s. 450.01 (21).

441.001(4) (4) Professional nursing. “Professional nursing” means the performance for compensation of any act in the observation or care of the ill, injured, or infirm, or for the maintenance of health or prevention of illness of others, that requires substantial nursing skill, knowledge, or training, or application of nursing principles based on biological, physical, and social sciences. Professional nursing includes any of the following:

441.001(4)(a) (a) The observation and recording of symptoms and reactions.

441.001(4)(b) (b) The execution of procedures and techniques in the treatment of the sick under the general or special supervision or direction of a physician, podiatrist licensed under ch. 448, chiropractor licensed under ch. 446, dentist licensed under ch. 447, or optometrist licensed under ch. 449, or under an order of a person who is licensed to practice medicine, podiatry, chiropractic, dentistry, or optometry in another state if the person making the order prepared the order after examining the patient in that other state and directs that the order be carried out in this state.

441.001(4)(c) (c) The execution of general nursing procedures and techniques.

441.001(4)(d) (d) Except as provided in s. 50.04 (2) (b), the supervision of a patient and the supervision and direction of licensed practical nurses and less skilled assistants.

441.001(5) (5) Recognized role. “Recognized role” means one of the following roles:

441.001(5)(a) (a) Certified nurse-midwife.

441.001(5)(b) (b) Certified registered nurse anesthetist.

441.001(5)(c) (c) Clinical nurse specialist.

441.001(5)(d) (d) Nurse practitioner.

441.001 History History: 1975 c. 303; 1977 c. 86; 1981 c. 314, 317; 1983 a. 189; 1983 a. 273 s. 8; 1987 a. 264; 1991 a. 181; 1997 a. 62; 1999 a. 22; 2001 a. 107 ss. 72, 75 to 80; Stats. 2001 s. 441.001; 2003 a. 321; 2005 a. 149; 2017 a. 180; 2017 a. 364 ss. 32, 33; 2025 a. 17.

441.001 Annotation This section is not a safety statute. Leahy v. Kenosha Memorial Hospital, 118 Wis. 2d 441, 348 N.W.2d 607 (Ct. App. 1984).

441.01 441.01 Board of nursing.

441.01(3) (3) The board may promulgate rules to establish minimum standards for schools for professional nurses, schools for licensed practical nurses, and schools for advanced practice registered nurses, including all related clinical units and facilities, and make and provide periodic surveys and consultations to such schools. The board may also promulgate rules to prevent unauthorized persons from practicing professional nursing.

441.01(4) (4) The board shall direct that those schools that qualify be placed on a list of schools the board has approved for professional nurses, of schools the board has approved for licensed practical nurses, or of schools the board has approved for advanced practice registered nurses on application and proof of qualifications, and the board shall make a study of nursing education and promulgate rules and policies to improve it.

441.01(5) (5) The board may promote the professional education of graduate registered nurses licensed in Wisconsin, through creation of scholarships available to such graduate registered nurses, by foundation of professorships in nursing courses in Wisconsin colleges and universities, by conducting educational meetings, seminars, lectures, demonstrations and the like open to registered nurses, by publication and dissemination of technical information or by other similar activities designed to improve the standards of the nursing profession in this state. The board may promote the training of licensed practical nurses through support of workshops and institutes and by conducting meetings, lectures, demonstrations and the like open to licensed practical nurses.

441.01(6) (6) The board shall investigate any nurse anesthetist who is found to have acted negligently by a panel established under s. 655.02, 1983 stats., or by a court.

441.01(7) (7) 

441.01(7)(a) (a) The board shall require each applicant for the renewal of a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or advanced practice registered nurse license issued under this chapter to do all of the following as a condition for renewing the license:

441.01(7)(a)1. 1. Complete and submit to the department with the application for renewal of the license a nursing workforce survey developed by the department of workforce development under s. 106.30 (2).

441.01(7)(a)2. 2. Pay a nursing workforce survey fee of $4. All moneys received under this subdivision shall be deposited into the general fund and credited to the appropriation account under s. 20.165 (1) (jm).

441.01(7)(b) (b) The board may not renew a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or advanced practice registered nurse license under this chapter unless the renewal applicant has completed the nursing workforce survey to the satisfaction of the board. The board shall establish standards to determine whether the survey has been completed. The board shall, by no later than June 30 of each odd-numbered year, submit all completed nursing workforce survey forms to the department of workforce development.

441.01(7)(c) (c) An applicant who is renewing both a registered nurse and advanced practice registered nurse license under s. 441.09 (1) (c) is only required to pay a single fee under par. (a) 2.

441.01 History History: 1971 c. 125; 1975 c. 37; 1977 c. 29, 418; 1979 c. 34; 1983 a. 253, 1983 a. 273 ss. 2, 8; 1985 a. 340; 1987 a. 264; 1999 a. 22; 2009 a. 28; 2013 a. 124; 2017 a. 329, 364; 2025 a. 17.

441.06 441.06 Registered nurses; civil liability exemption.

441.06(1) (1) Subject to s. 441.07 (1g), the board shall grant a license as a registered nurse to an applicant for licensure who complies with all of the following requirements:

441.06(1)(a) (a) The applicant graduates from a high school or its equivalent as determined by the board.

441.06(1)(b) (b) The applicant does not have an arrest or conviction record, subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322, and 111.335.

441.06(1)(c) (c) The applicant holds a diploma of graduation from a school of nursing approved by the board or that the board has authorized to admit students pending approval, and, if that school is located outside this state, submits evidence of general and professional educational qualifications comparable to those required in this state at the time of graduation.

441.06(1)(d) (d) The applicant pays the fee specified in s. 440.05 (1).

441.06(1)(e) (e) The applicant passes the examination approved by the board to receive a license as a registered nurse in this state. The applicant may not take the examination before receiving a diploma under par. (c) unless the applicant obtains a certificate of approval to take the examination from the school of nursing the applicant attends and submits that certificate to the board prior to examination.

441.06(1c) (1c) The board shall grant a multistate license, as defined in s. 441.51 (2) (h), to an applicant for a multistate registered nurse license under s. 441.51. Subject to s. 441.07 (1g), the requirements under sub. (1) shall apply to such an applicant, except that the requirements under s. 441.51 (3) (c) for granting a multistate license shall supersede the requirements under sub. (1) to the extent of any conflict.

441.06(1m) (1m) The holder of a license as a registered nurse under the laws of another state or territory or province of Canada may be granted a license as a registered nurse in this state without examination if the holder’s credentials of general and professional educational qualifications and other qualifications are comparable to those required in this state during the same period and if the board is satisfied from the holder’s employment and professional record that the holder is currently competent to practice the profession. The board shall evaluate the credentials and determine the equivalency and competency in each case. The application for licensure without examination shall be accompanied by the fee prescribed in s. 440.05 (2).

441.06(2) (2) The holder of the license is a “registered nurse”, may append “R.N.” to his or her name and is authorized to practice professional nursing.

441.06(3) (3) Except as provided in s. 441.09 (1) (c), a registered nurse practicing for compensation shall, on or before the applicable renewal date specified under s. 440.08 (2) (a), submit to the board on furnished forms a statement giving name, residence, and other facts that the board requires, with the nursing workforce survey and fee required under s. 441.01 (7) and the applicable renewal fee determined by the department under s. 440.03 (9) (a).

441.06(4) (4) Except as provided in ss. 257.03 and 440.077, no person may practice or attempt to practice professional nursing, nor use the title, letters, or anything else to indicate that he or she is a registered or professional nurse unless he or she is licensed under this section. Except as provided in ss. 257.03 and 440.077, no person not so licensed may use in connection with his or her nursing employment or vocation any title or anything else to indicate that he or she is a trained, certified or graduate nurse. This subsection does not apply to any registered nurse who holds a multistate license, as defined in s. 441.51 (2) (h), issued by a jurisdiction, other than this state, that has adopted the nurse licensure compact.

441.06(6) (6) No person licensed as a registered nurse under this section is liable for any civil damages resulting from his or her refusal to perform sterilization procedures or to remove or aid in the removal of a human embryo or fetus from a person, if the refusal is based on religious or moral precepts.

441.06 History History: 1971 c. 125, 215; 1973 c. 159; 1975 c. 39, 199; 1977 c. 29, 164; 1979 c. 34, 162; 1987 a. 27, 264; 1991 a. 39; 1999 a. 22; 2001 a. 107; 2005 a. 96, 187; 2007 a. 20; 2009 a. 42; 2013 a. 114 ss. 4, 5; 2013 a. 124 s. 28; 2015 a. 55, 195; 2017 a. 135, 329; 2021 a. 158, 246; 2025 a. 17.

441.065 441.065 Use of titles.

441.065(1) (1) Except as provided in sub. (2), no person licensed under this chapter may use, assume, or append to his or her name any title that is not granted under this chapter unless the person holds another credential, as defined in s. 440.01 (2) (a), that entitles the person to use, assume, or append to his or her name the title or the person is permitted to use, assume, or append to his or her name the title under any law of this state.

441.065(2) (2) 

441.065(2)(a) (a) Subsection (1) does not prohibit a person who holds a doctorate degree from using, assuming, or appending to his or her name the title “doctor” or any other words, letters, or abbreviations that represent that the person holds that doctorate degree or the field in which the degree was received. If a person to whom this paragraph applies uses, assumes, or appends to his or her name the title “doctor,” the person shall also use, assume, or append to his or her name words, letters, or abbreviations that represent the field in which the person received the doctorate degree.

441.065(2)(b) (b) Subsection (1) does not prohibit a person who holds a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree from using, assuming, or appending to his or her name any words, letters, or abbreviations that represent that the person holds that degree or the field in which the degree was received.

441.065 History History: 2025 a. 17.

441.07 441.07 Disciplinary proceedings and actions.

441.07(1c) (1c) Subject to the rules promulgated under s. 440.03 (1), the board may conduct investigations and hearings to determine whether a person has violated this chapter or a rule promulgated under this chapter.

441.07(1g) (1g) Subject to the rules promulgated under s. 440.03 (1), the board may deny an initial license or revoke, limit, suspend, or deny the renewal of a license of a registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse, or licensed practical nurse or reprimand a registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse, or licensed practical nurse if the board finds that the applicant or licensee committed any of the following:

441.07(1g)(a) (a) Fraud in the procuring or renewal of the license.

441.07(1g)(b) (b) One or more violations of this subchapter or any rule adopted by the board under the authority of this subchapter.

441.07(1g)(c) (c) Acts that show the registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse, or licensed practical nurse to be unfit or incompetent by reason of negligence, abuse of alcohol or other drugs, or mental incompetency.

441.07(1g)(d) (d) Misconduct or unprofessional conduct. In this paragraph, “unprofessional conduct” includes making a determination under ch. 154 or 155 if the person does not have sufficient education, training, and experience to make the determination. In this paragraph, “misconduct” and “unprofessional conduct” do not include any of the following:

441.07(1g)(d)1. 1. Providing expedited partner therapy as described in s. 448.035.

441.07(1g)(d)2. 2. Prescribing or delivering an opioid antagonist in accordance with s. 441.18 (2).

441.07(1g)(e) (e) A violation of any state or federal law that regulates prescribing or dispensing drugs or devices, if the person may issue prescription orders under s. 441.09 (2).

441.07(1g)(f) (f) A violation of the requirements of s. 253.10 (3) (c) 2., 3., 4., 5., 6. or 7.

441.07(1m) (1m) The board may use any information obtained by the board or the department under s. 655.17 (7) (b), as created by 1985 Wisconsin Act 29, in investigations and disciplinary proceedings, including public disciplinary proceedings, conducted under this chapter.

441.07(1r) (1r) If the board finds that a person licensed under this chapter has violated s. 441.065, the board shall discipline the person as follows:

441.07(1r)(a) (a) For a 1st violation, issue a written warning.

441.07(1r)(b) (b) For a 2nd violation, suspend the license of the person.

441.07(1r)(c) (c) For a 3rd violation, revoke the license of the person.

441.07(2) (2) The board may reinstate a revoked license, no earlier than one year following revocation, upon receipt of an application for reinstatement. This subsection does not apply to a license that is revoked under sub. (1r) or s. 440.12.

441.07 History History: 1977 c. 418; 1979 c. 317, 337; 1981 c. 162; 1983 a. 273 s. 8; 1985 a. 29, 340; 1987 a. 264; 1993 a. 138; 1995 a. 309; 1997 a. 237; 1999 a. 22; 2009 a. 280; 2013 a. 114, 200; 2019 a. 90; 2025 a. 17.

441.08 441.08 Temporary permit. A nurse who has graduated from a school approved by the board or that the board has authorized to admit students pending approval but who is not licensed in this state may be granted a temporary permit upon payment of the fee specified in s. 440.05 (6) by the board to practice for compensation until the nurse can qualify for licensure. The temporary permit may be renewed once. Further renewals may be granted in hardship cases. The board may promulgate rules limiting the use and duration of temporary permits and providing for revocation of temporary permits.

441.08 History History: 1971 c. 125; 1977 c. 29; 1979 c. 337; 1987 a. 264; 2009 a. 28; 2013 a. 124; 2017 a. 329.

441.09 441.09 Advanced practice registered nurses; civil liability exemption.

441.09(1) (1) License.

441.09(1)(a) (a) An applicant who satisfies all of the following requirements may apply to the board for initial licensure by the board as an advanced practice registered nurse:

441.09(1)(a)1. 1. The applicant satisfies one of the following criteria:

441.09(1)(a)1.a. a. The applicant holds a valid license to practice as a registered nurse issued under s. 441.06 (1), (1c), or (1m).

441.09(1)(a)1.b. b. The applicant applies concurrently for a license under s. 441.06 (1), (1c), or (1m) with the application for a license under this paragraph.

441.09(1)(a)1.c. c. The applicant is a registered nurse who holds a multistate license, as defined in s. 441.51 (2) (h), issued by a jurisdiction, other than this state, that has adopted the nurse licensure compact.

441.09(1)(a)2. 2. The applicant provides evidence satisfactory to the board that he or she satisfies one of the following criteria:

441.09(1)(a)2.a. a. The applicant has completed a graduate-level or postgraduate-level education program that is approved by the board and that prepares the applicant for the practice of advanced practice registered nursing in one of the 4 recognized roles, and the applicant holds a current certification by a national certifying body approved by the board.

441.09(1)(a)2.b. b. On January 1, 2026, the applicant was licensed as a registered nurse in this state and was practicing in a recognized role, and the applicant satisfies additional criteria established by the board by rule under sub. (6) (a) 3. relating to practice, education, or certification.

441.09(1)(a)3. 3. The applicant pays the fee specified under s. 440.05 (1).

441.09(1)(a)4. 4. The applicant provides to the board evidence of any malpractice liability insurance coverage required under sub. (5).

441.09(1)(a)5. 5. If the applicant is applying to receive a certified nurse-midwife specialty designation under par. (b) 1., the applicant does all of the following:

441.09(1)(a)5.a. a. Provides evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant is currently certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board or its successor.

441.09(1)(a)5.b. b. Files with the board any plan required under sub. (3m) (f).

441.09(1)(a)6. 6. The applicant does not have an arrest or conviction record, subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322, and 111.335.

441.09(1)(a)7. 7. The applicant meets any other criteria established by the board by rule under sub. (6) (a) 3. relating to the education, training, or experience required for each recognized role.

441.09(1)(b) (b)

441.09(1)(b)1. 1.

441.09(1)(b)1.a. a. Subject to subd. 3. and s. 441.07 (1g), the board shall grant an advanced practice registered nurse license to an applicant the board determines meets the requirements under par. (a). The board shall also grant a person who is granted a license under this subd. 1. a. one or more specialty designations corresponding to the recognized roles for which the board determines that the person qualifies based on the person’s qualifications under par. (a).