50-State Guide

Wisconsin

Data provenance — all states

At a Glance

CategoryDetails
IMLC MemberYes
FCVSAccepted
NP Independent PracticeYes (an APRN who has completed all of the following may engage in independent practice: 3,840 hours of professional nursing in a clinical setting, during which at least 24 months have elapsed since the APRN first began the required hours.)
PA Independent PracticeNo
Physician-Owned PC AllowedNo
Max NPs per PhysicianNo Limit
Max PAs per PhysicianNo Limit

Licensure

ItemCost
Initial License$75
Renewal Fee$412
Renewal CycleBiennial
Annualized Cost$206
Controlled Substance RegistrationNo

Endorsement & Reciprocity

Not yet researched — whether this state offers license-by-endorsement or reciprocity, and its prerequisites, is being verified.

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APC Supervision

In-state requirement for supervising physicians: MD must be licensed in WI.

Nurse Practitioners

NPs require physician supervision in Wisconsin.

  • Maximum NPs per physician: No Limit

Physician Assistants

PAs require physician supervision in Wisconsin.

  • Maximum PAs per physician: No Limit

Additional Notes

Determined at the practice level.

CME & Training Requirements

RequirementDetails
Total CME30 hours
Category 1 Minimum30 hours
CycleBiennial
DEA MATE Act8 hrs one-time (federal)
Jurisprudence ExamRequired

Fingerprint Requirements

DetailInfo
RequiredYes
FBI CheckYes
MethodLiveScan / Fieldprint
Out-of-State OptionsContact board

Malpractice Insurance

  • Required for licensure/practice: Yes
  • Applies to: Applies to every Wisconsin health care provider (including physicians) as a precondition to exercising the rights/privileges of the license: primary liability coverage of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence/$1,000,000 per claim and $3,000,000 annual aggregate, obtained via a licensed insurer or by qualifying as a self-insurer.
  • Compensation fund: Separately, Wis. Stat. 655.002(1) mandates participation in the Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund (excess coverage above the primary layer) for any physician for whom Wisconsin is the principal place of practice and who practices more than 240 hours in a fiscal year in the state.
  • The primary-insurance mandate (ch. 655.23) and the separate mandatory-Fund-participation requirement (655.002) work together: physicians must first carry primary coverage, and mandatory-participation physicians are additionally required to participate in the state excess Fund.

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Giving Up a License

  • Status after lapse: expired
  • Lapse consequences: A $25 late renewal fee applies once a credential passes its renewal date. If the credential remains unrenewed for more than 5 years, the examining board may require completion of additional requirements (not exceeding initial-licensure education/exam requirements) to restore it.
  • Voluntary surrender: Available — A physician may voluntarily surrender the license to the Medical Examining Board's secretary. The secretary may refuse to accept the surrender only if the board has already received allegations of unprofessional conduct against the holder -- i.e., the process is available when the physician is not already under investigation.
  • Reinstatement: Renewal less than 5 years after expiration: pay the applicable renewal fee (plus $25 late fee). Renewal 5+ years after expiration: the examining board may impose additional restoration requirements beyond ordinary renewal (per Wis. Stat. 440.08(3)(b)), not to exceed initial-licensure requirements. A voluntarily surrendered license may be restored by the board 'on such terms and conditions as it may deem appropriate.'

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Quirks & Gotchas

Fees

  • Initial application fee discrepancy**: One source cites $75, another lists $150 (or $165 if a state exam is needed, $125 if only USMLE Step 3 remains). Confirm current amounts directly with DSPS — fee tables are buried in a PDF (Renewal Dates and Fees doc) that is not web-readable.
  • FSMB Uniform Application (UA) surcharge**: First-time UA users are hit with a separate $50 one-time service fee from FSMB on top of the state fee. Easy to miss.
  • Renewal fee**: $60–$106 depending on source; biennial cycle ending October 31 of odd-numbered years.
  • Fee reduction form exists**: Form 3217 (Application for Fee Reduction) is available but unadvertised — eligible applicants can request reduced fees.
  • Oral exam fee**: $266, must be paid before you can even schedule the exam. See below.

Application Requirements

  • Form 570** (Credentialing Information) is the core application, but multiple conditional supplemental forms apply:
  • Form 12829** — required if you have any malpractice suits or claims, ever
  • Form 2252** — required for any criminal convictions or pending charges
  • Form 2167** — required for each hospital, facility, or employer
  • Form 3074** — License Transition Addendum (for license type changes)
  • Form 3220** — Sports Physician Licensure Exemption Extension
  • Form 2165** — Post-graduate training certification (waivable only if using FCVS)
  • Malpractice disclosure covers the past 10 years and requires copies of complaints, dispositions, and dismissals — not just a yes/no checkbox.

Jurisprudence Exam

  • Wisconsin does not use a scored jurisprudence exam like some states. Instead, applicants must submit a verified written statement that they are familiar with Wisconsin state health laws and Department of Health Services rules related to communicable diseases (Med 1.02). It is an attestation, not a test — but it is a distinct, required document that trips people up because it reads like a throwaway line.

Fingerprints & Background Check

  • Fingerprints are required for all new applicants. Wisconsin uses Fieldprint as the state vendor for LiveScan digital fingerprint submission.
  • The check runs through both the Wisconsin DOJ and FBI (national criminal history). Form 2687 (FBI Information Authorization) is part of the application package.
  • Background check is not required at renewal — only initial licensure.

Exam Requirements

  • 3 attempts maximum** per USMLE Step (national standard allows 4). This is a hard cut-off.
  • All three Steps must be completed within 10 years of passing Step 1 (12 years for MD/PhD or dual-degree holders).
  • If Step 3 is failed within the attempt limit, the applicant must reapply and submit evidence of additional education or training before the board will consider the application further.
  • COMLEX (DO) is treated equivalently with the same attempt and time constraints.
  • The board can mandate a board oral examination (fee: $266, scheduled monthly) for applicants with: prior discipline, substance use history, hospital privilege loss, non-LCME/COCA-approved school, controlled substance history, psychiatric diagnoses affecting practice, negligence patterns, or adverse employment actions.
  • This is not disclosed upfront and can blindside applicants who answer “yes” to any background question. It adds time and cost unpredictably.
  • The board may also order a SPEX or COMVEX competency assessment at any point.

CME & Mandatory Training

  • Minimum 24 months of accredited postgraduate training required — not 1 year as in some states.
  • International Medical Graduates (IMGs) have the same 24-month requirement. No IMG-specific concession.
  • The board may waive the PGT requirement for applicants already licensed elsewhere with substantial professional experience, but this requires board review and is not automatic.
  • 30 hours of AMA PRA Category 1 or AOA Category 1 CME** per two-year renewal cycle (by October 31 of odd years).
  • Mandatory subset: 2 hours on responsible opioid prescribing per cycle. Required only for physicians who hold a DEA number. If you have no DEA number, this is waived — but the waiver must be specifically invoked.
  • No mandatory implicit bias, sexual misconduct, or human trafficking training currently required (unlike many neighboring states). This may change — Wisconsin’s MEB has been active in rule-making.
  • CME documentation does NOT need to be submitted with renewal — you attest compliance. However, DSPS runs audits and can demand proof at any time. Keep records.

Timeline

  • Standard processing: 12–16 weeks minimum, sometimes 4–6 months depending on completeness and board workload.
  • Board meets monthly; applications requiring oral exam approval wait for the next scheduled meeting.
  • Temporary Practice Option**: Physicians with a valid out-of-state license can obtain a 180-day temporary credential while the permanent application processes — useful for locums or urgent starts.
  • Grace period at renewal: If you submit and pay by 11:59 PM on October 31, your license stays valid during DSPS review. Miss that deadline by one minute and you are technically unlicensed.

Other Gotchas

  • 48-hour rule**: Any criminal conviction judgment must be reported to DSPS by mail within 48 hours. Missing this is classified as unprofessional conduct — independent of the underlying conviction.
  • 30-day rule**: Certified copies of conviction judgment and complaint must follow within 30 days.
  • Adverse licensing actions in other jurisdictions or DEA sanctions must be reported proactively — not just at renewal.
  • Failure to receive DSPS renewal notice is explicitly not an excuse for late renewal. You are responsible for knowing your renewal date.

Interstate / Special License Types

Researched from state board websites and regulatory sources. Verify with the board directly before applying.

Resources

Sources

Data compiled from state medical board websites, FSMB, and regulatory filings.

Have a correction or update? Let us know.