Divisions

The Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) is responsible for ensuring the safe and competent practice of licensed professionals in Wisconsin. The department also administers and enforces laws to assure safe and sanitary conditions in public and private buildings. It provides administrative services to the state occupational regulatory authorities responsible for regulation of occupations and offers policy assistance in such areas as evaluating and establishing new professional licensing programs, creating routine procedures for legal proceedings, and adjusting policies in response to public needs.

DSPS licenses and regulates more than 200 different types of credentials. The agency also provides centralized administrative services to nearly 100 boards, councils, and advisory committees. The boards, councils, and advisory committees have varying levels of responsibility and professional oversight based on statutory provisions.

The Department is organized into five divisions and the Office of the Secretary. The divisions are Industry Services, Legal Services and Compliance, Management Services, Policy Development, and Professional Credential Processing. Information on each division can be viewed by clicking on each of the titles below.

Division of Industry Services (DIS)

DIS is divided into two bureaus, an Administrative Services Section, and the Fire Prevention program.

The Bureau of Field Services performs inspections of commercial buildings, amusement rides, boilers, elevators, pressurized gas systems, and electrical systems. The bureau also performs plan reviews of elevators, boilers, and private onsite wastewater treatment systems. The bureau is also responsible for auditing third party and municipal inspection agencies.

The Bureau of Technical Services performs commercial building, plumbing, and fire suppression plan review. The bureau is also responsible for administering the Uniform Dwelling Code program, the federal HUD Manufactured Housing program, and provides consultations and training to local building officials, as well as commercial and residential contractors.

The Administrative Services Section provides administrative support to internal and external stakeholders. It also administers the Rental Weatherization program for rental properties.

The Fire Prevention Program administers the 2% Fire Dues program and provides consultation, support, and training to over 800 fire departments throughout the state.

Branden Piper

DIS Division Administrator

Branden Piper was appointed as the Division Administrator for the Division of Industry Services, effective March, 2020.

He was a bureau director for the Division of Industry Services for nearly three years before accepting the division administrator position. Prior to that, he had extensive management experience in private sector telecommunications, including TDS Telecom and Frontier Communications. The Janesville native also served eight years as an infantryman in the U.S. Army.

Branden has an MBA from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a bachelor’s degree from Herzing University. He is currently pursuing a second graduate degree, a master’s in engineering management from UW–Madison.

Division of Legal Services and Compliance (DLSC)

DLSC provides legal services to professional boards and the Department regarding the investigation and discipline of licensed credential holders for violations of professional regulations. The Division is also responsible for the complaint intake process, compliance monitoring and a confidential program for impaired professionals. In addition, the Division conducts business compliance inspections and financial audits.

Bob Rondini

Interim DLSC Division Administrator

Division of Management Services (DMS)

DMS provides administrative services to the Office of the Secretary and all other Divisions within the Department. These services include human resources, employment relations, affirmative action, payroll, planning, budget, accounting, information technology, safety, fleet management and facilities management.

DMS Division Administrator

Division of Policy Development (DPD)

DPD is responsible for providing administrative support and policy guidance to the professional boards in the state by facilitating board meetings, serving as a liaison between the boards and the Department, and managing the administrative rule promulgation process for self-regulated professions. The Division also manages the administrative rule promulgation process for professions and technical programs that are directly regulated by the Department. This Division is also responsible for continuing education and examination requirements for regulated professions and administration of the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP).

Gwendolyn Jones

DPD Division Administrator

Gwendolyn Jones was appointed as the Division Administrator for the Division of Policy Development in July 2021.

Prior to joining the Department of Safety and Professional Services, Gwen had retired from the Madison College School of Professional and Continuing Education, where she supervised enrichment programming and directed all marketing activities. Her career also includes extensive private-sector marketing and communications experience as well as varied volunteer and leadership roles in several Madison community organizations.

Gwen earned a bachelor's degree in history and political science from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire.

Division of Professional Credential Processing (DPCP)

DPCP is responsible for all credential application processing, including determination of credential eligibility and renewal. The division is responsible for licensure, renewal and verification of health, business, trades and manufactured home owners/communities credentials, operation of the Department’s Customer Service Center and regulation of the state’s mixed martial arts/boxing program.

Mark Andrews

DPCP Division Administrator