Registered Nurse

​​​​​​​​ ​​​​Now Live: Easier Online License Applications!

LicensE, our new, online, self-guided occupational license application platform is now live! The list of licenses available via LicensE plus user guides and other resources are available HERE. Anyone applying for an initial license for any of the credentials listed can apply at license.wi.gov.

LicensE is for new, initial applications only. To renew your license, click HERE. ​​

​License Information

As of June 11, 2018, at 12:01 a.m. CST, any nurse with the multi-state privilege will no longer be able to practice nursing in the state of Rhode Island under the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) or the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC). In order to practice nursing in Rhode Island, you must obtain a Rhode Island nursing license.

Per Wis. Stat. § 440.08 (2), the required renewal date for the Registered Nurse credential is 02/28 or 2/29/even years.  Should you receive your initial credential in the months leading up to this date, you are still required to renew your license by the statutorily defined date.

Exam Applicants: You must also register for the NCLEX Exam.

To be eligible for a WI multi-state license, your primary state of residency must be Wisconsin or you must indicate on the application that you plan on moving to Wisconsin. 

Temporary Permit and Examination

• Before sitting for the examination, an applicant may receive a temporary permit.  Completion of all requirements, except examination, submittal of Form 2434 and payment of a $10.00 fee are required to receive a temporary permit.

• The temporary permit allows the applicant to practice practical nursing under the direct supervision of a registered nurse until a credential is granted. A temporary permit is valid for a period of three months or until the holder receives failing examination results, whichever is shorter.  A temporary permit may be renewed once for an additional three-month period.

Licensure By Endorsement (Applicant who Holds an Active License in Another State)

• To be eligible for a WI multi-state license, your primary state of residency must be Wisconsin or you must indicate on the application that you plan on moving to Wisconsin. 

• Verification of their initial state license and a current state license is required. If initial state license is still active only one license verification is needed.  If the license(s) needed are verifiable through NURSYS (i.e. the states that participate in the NURSYS Nurse Licensure Verification Service), the applicant should not need a temporary permit. Endorsement applicants can apply for a temporary permit only if the initial exam state or current state of licensure does not participate in NURSYS license verification.

Nurse Refresher Course Information (for Endorsement or Late Renewal After 5 Years Applicants - this does not apply to Exam applicants)

• An applicant, who does not have current nursing education or has not been employed in a position that requires a nursing license within the last five (5) years, may apply to the Board for a limited license to enable the applicant to complete a nursing refresher course(s) approved by the Board. Upon successful completion of an approved nursing refresher course(s), the license holder may petition the Board for full licensure. Board Approved Nursing Refresher Courses can be found below.

Information for Providers

• To have a nursing refresher course considered for approval, it is necessary to submit the course curriculum along with a completed and signed request form, Request for Approval of a Nursing Refresher Course, Form 3066OEE.  If the course is approved, it will be added to the list of approved nursing refresher courses posted to the DSPS website (please see web links to lists below).

NCLEX Annual Pass Rates

Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter N 1.09 lists information and requirements for meeting NCLEX pass rate standards for professional nursing schools and practical nursing schools.

Please Note: The Board of Nursing shall consider both the Registered Nurse (RN) NCLEX and Practical Nurse (PN) NCLEX annual pass rates when evaluating a school of professional nursing that grants a certificate of completion for practical nursing.

2021 Wisconsin Annual NCLEX Pass Rate Report​

Renewal Information

Requirements

• FEE (See Renewal Dates and Fees)
• SVY (Nursing Workforce Survey is required to renew and is available during the open renewal period.) (After this time frame, the survey is shortened and incorporated into the renewal     questions.*-Please see below.)
• RES (Report State of Primary Residency)
• If your legal status as a qualified alien or nonimmigrant lawfully present in the United States has changed since the issuance of your credential or your last renewal, please contact the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services at (608) 266-2112 or dsps@wisconsin.gov.

*On November 14, 2013, the Wisconsin Board of Nursing moved to allow the DSPS and the DWD to accept a shortened version of the survey outside of the active renewal cycle, which begins 7-8 weeks prior to the renewal deadline.  After the renewal deadline, licensees will need to complete the shortened survey to fulfill the renewal requirements.  The shortened version of the survey will be incorporated into the renewal questions and will not be provided as a separate link.

The survey is mandated under Chapter 106.30 of the Wisconsin Statutes for all registered nurses (RNs) in Wisconsin.  The Wisconsin Center for Nursing publishes the results.

Wisconsin is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, please visit the NCSBN website for more details.

If you also hold a Wisconsin Nurse Midwife license, please renew that license first.  Doing so will automatically renew your Registered Nurse license, unless you are a Primary Resident of another Compact State.

Renewal Methods

• Online log in here: License Renewal Online
  
• Request a Paper Renewal Form: (608) 266-2112

Wisconsin Act 210 (effective June 1, 2012)

This Act extends the license of a service member if the license expires while they are on active duty from 90 days to 180 days from the date of discharge. The same applies to a spouse of a service member if the spouse does not practice under their license while the service member is on active duty and does not practice because the service member is on active duty.

This Act repeals a provision of prior law that required a service member to meet all of the requirements for license extension or renewal, except for continuing education requirements, in order to have the license extended.

Service members and spouses may request extensions of licenses beyond 180 days from discharge and may request a waiver or extension of time to complete continuing education requirements due to hardship.  Please view Active Duty/Discharge Renewal Extension Form R210.