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.

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

Branden Piper / Division Administrator for the Division of Industry Services

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.

​

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.

Vacant / DLSC Division Administrator



DPM 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.

Melinda Boyle-Prior / DPM Division Administrator


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).

SarahBarry.jpg

Audra Cohen-Plata​ / DPD Division Administrator

Audra Cohen-Plata joined DSPS in July 2024, first serving as Administrator for the Division of Performance Management before her appointment to Administrator for the Division of Policy Development in January 2025.

Audra had the privilege of working in the U.S. House of Representatives in various roles for over a decade, most recently as a Constituent Services Manager. Her portfolio included the Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Education, as well as assisting those seeking federal grants. She previously served as a Unit Steward in the Congressional Workers Union and as President of the nonprofit Wisconsin Women in Government.

Audra earned a Master of Science from Edgewood College's School of Business in Organizational Leadership and Change. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with certificates in Global Cultures and European Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She completed a study abroad seminar in Rovinj, Croatia.​​

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 Unarmed Combat Sports program.

Terri Treinen / ​DPCP Division Administrator