The Physical Therapy Examining Board is created under Wis. Stat. § 15.045(7r) and has authority as outlined in Wis. Stat. ch. 448, Subch. III.
Members
The members of the Physical Therapy Examining Board are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Legislature to serve 4-year terms. The Board consists of 3 licensed physical therapists, 1 licensed physical therapist assistant, and 1 public member.
| Member | Officer | Member Type | Term Expiration |
|---|
Johnson, Steven W.
| Chairperson
| Physical Therapist Member
| 7/1/2029
|
Brewer, Kate
| Vice Chairperson
| Physical Therapist Member
| 7/1/2028
|
Bulkow, Brad W.
| Secretary
| Physical Therapist Member
| 7/1/2027
|
Bader, Lisa
|
| Physical Therapist Assistant Member
| 7/1/2029
|
McEldowney, Todd
|
| Public Member
| 7/1/2025
|
*Board members whose terms have expired may continue to serve until their successor is confirmed by the Senate.
Announcements
Wisconsin Physical Therapy Examining Board 2025 Annual Report
- Board Members in 2025: Barbara Carter, PTA (Black River Falls) completed her service in 2025; Lisa Bader, PTA (La Crosse) appointed in 2025; Todd McEldowney, Public Member (Rhinelander); Brad Bulkow, PT (Milwaukee); Kate Brewer, PT (Milwaukee) and Steve Johnson, PT (La Crosse).
- Officers in 2025: Steve Johnson (Chair), Kate Brewer (Vice Chair), and Brad Bulkow (Secretary)
- 2025 Liaison Appointments:
- Credentialing – Brad Bulkow, Kate Brewer (Alternate – Steve Johnson)
- Monitoring – Todd McEldowney, Steve Johnson (Alternate – Kate Brewer)
- Education and Exams – Steve Johnson, Brad Bulkow
- Legislative – Steve Johnson (Alternate – Brad Bulkow)
- Travel – Steve Johnson (Alternate – Kate Brewer)
- Website –Brad Bulkow, Todd McEldowney (Alternate – Steve Johnson)
- Professional Assistance Procedure – Steve Johnson (Alternate – Todd McEldowney)
- Screening Panel – Todd McEldowney, Steve Johnson (Alternate – Kate Brewer)
- Licensure Compact – Kate Brewer (Alternate – Brad Bulkow)
- Administrative Rules:
- The Board has approved development of a Preliminary Rule Draft: PT 1 and 5, relating to telehealth and supervision of PTAs
- The Board has approved development of a Preliminary Rule Draft: PT 1, relating to compact privilege process clarification
- The Board is deliberating a rulemaking project, PT 9, relating to continuing education providers
- Conferences, Trainings and Special Meetings:
- Steve Johnson (delegate) and Tom Ryan (Executive Director) attended the 2025 FSBPT Leadership Issues Forum (LIF) – July 19-20, 2025 in Arlington, VA.
- Steve Johnson (delegate) attended the 2025 FSBPT Annual Meeting and Delegate Assembly – October 23-25, 2025 in Spokane, WA
- Licensing Activity: PT PTA
Applications Received 733 146
Licenses Issued 520 90
License Renewals 7091 2123
PT PTA
Bridge Licenses Issued (Act 10) 10 2
Predetermination reviews 0 1
- Enforcement Activity (PT and PTA):
Complaints received: 27
Source of complaints received (Note: A complaint may have more than one source):
- Consumer: 4
- Employer: 4
- Professional Organization: 0
- Self: 1
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services: 9
- State: 7 (GA Board – 4, MN Board – 1, TX Board - 2)
- Family: 2
- Inmate: 0
- Insurance Company: 0
- Co Worker: 3
- Youth Sports Organization: 1
- Number of respondents involved: 29
- Number of these cases opened for investigation: 12
- Total cases/respondents closed: 25
Note: Cases closed in 2025 may have been received in previous years.
- Closed at screening: 17
- Closed after investigation: 2
- Closed After Legal Action: 3 (Administrative Warnings)
- Closed with formal action: 3
- Cases pending as of January 2025: 11 (Note: Cases pending = status of open for investigation, open for legal action, hearing)
- Projects for 2026:
- Explore the feasibility of implementing the FSBPT ID, which would create an opportunity for Wisconsin to participate more fully in the Examination, Licensure, and Disciplinary Database (ELDD) and advance the Board's consumer protection mission.
- Focus on outreach to increase awareness of the PTEB and to advance its mission. Continue to engage with the FSBPT. Participation in the Fall 2026 American Public Therapy Association – Wisconsin Chapter professional conference is anticipated.
- Continue rulemaking projects regarding telehealth and supervision of PTA's, compact privilege process clarification, and continuing education.