Chapter N 2

N 2.10(1m)(a)2. 2. A foreign-registered nurse prelicensure education program that has been approved by the authorized accrediting body in the applicable country and has been verified by an independent credentials review agency to be comparable to a board-approved prelicensure education program.

N 2.10(1m)(b) (b) If a graduate from a foreign prelicensure education program not taught in English or if English is not the individual’s native language, successfully passed an English proficiency examination that includes the components of reading, speaking, writing, and listening.

N 2.10(1m)(c) (c) Successfully passed an NCLEX or recognized predecessor examination.

N 2.10(1m)(d) (d) Is eligible for or holds an active, unencumbered license.

N 2.10(1m)(e) (e) Has not been convicted or found guilty, or has entered into an agreed disposition, of a felony offense under applicable state or federal criminal law.

N 2.10(1m)(f) (f) Has not been convicted or found guilty, or has entered into an agreed disposition, of a misdemeanor offense related to the practice of nursing.

N 2.10(1m)(g) (g) Is not currently enrolled in an alternative program.

N 2.10(1m)(h) (h) Is subject to self-disclosure requirements regarding current participation in an alternative program.

N 2.10(1m)(i) (i) Holds a valid United States social security number.

N 2.10(2) (2) Licensed practical nurse applicants for a single state license. An applicant is eligible for a single state practical nurse license if the applicant complies with all of the following requirements:

N 2.10(2)(a) (a) Completed two years of high school or its equivalent.

N 2.10(2)(b) (b) Is 18 years or older.

N 2.10(2)(c) (c) Does not have an arrest or conviction record, subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322 and 111.335.

N 2.10(2)(d) (d) Graduates from any of the following:

N 2.10(2)(d)1. 1. A board-approved school of practical nursing.

N 2.10(2)(d)2. 2. A comparable school of practical nursing.

N 2.10(2)(e) (e) In lieu of meeting the requirement in par. (d), evidence of general and professional educational qualifications comparable to those required in this state at the time of graduation.

N 2.10(2)(f) (f) Passes the NCLEX.

N 2.10(2m) (2m) Licensed practical nurse applicants for a multistate license. An applicant is eligible for a practical nurse multistate license if the applicant meets all of the following requirements:

N 2.10(2m)(a) (a) Graduated from one of the following:

N 2.10(2m)(a)1. 1. A board-approved prelicensure education program.

N 2.10(2m)(a)2. 2. A foreign practical nurse prelicensure education program that has been approved by the authorized accrediting body in the applicable country and has been verified by an independent credentials review agency to be comparable to a board-approved prelicensure education program.

N 2.10(2m)(b) (b) If a graduate from a foreign prelicensure education program not taught in English or if English is not the individual’s native language, successfully passed an English proficiency examination that includes the components of reading, speaking, writing, and listening.

N 2.10(2m)(c) (c) Successfully passed an NCLEX or recognized predecessor examination.

N 2.10(2m)(d) (d) Is eligible for or holds an active, unencumbered license.

N 2.10(2m)(e) (e) Has not been convicted or found guilty, or has entered into an agreed disposition, of a felony offense under applicable state or federal criminal law.

N 2.10(2m)(f) (f) Has not been convicted or found guilty, or has entered into an agreed disposition, of a misdemeanor offense related to the practice of nursing.

N 2.10(2m)(g) (g) Is not currently enrolled in an alternative program.

N 2.10(2m)(h) (h) Is subject to self-disclosure requirements regarding current participation in an alternative program.

N 2.10(2m)(i) (i) Holds a valid United States social security number.

N 2.10 History History: CR 14-002: cr. Register July 2014 No. 703, eff. 8-1-14; correction in (2) (intro.) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register July 2014 No. 703; CR 18-030: am. (1) (intro.), (2) (intro.), cr. (1m), (2m) Register June 2019 No. 762, eff. 7-1-19; corrections in (1m) (a) 1., 2., (2m) (a) 1., 2. made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register June 2019 No. 762.

N 2.105 N 2.105 Application procedure for a multistate license.

N 2.105(1) (1) Each applicant for a multistate license shall complete and submit an application by the electronic application process or on forms provided by the department, declare Wisconsin as the primary state of residence, and pay the fee.

N 2.105(2) (2) The educational administrator or designee for a board-approved prelicensure education program shall submit one of the following:

N 2.105(2)(a) (a) Via the electronic application process a verification that the applicant has graduated.

N 2.105(2)(b) (b) A certification of graduation.

N 2.105(2)(c) (c) An official transcript indicating graduation.

N 2.105(3) (3) If the applicant graduated from a foreign prelicensure education program, the applicant shall submit a certificate or report demonstrating verification from an independent credentials review agency that the prelicensure education program is comparable to a board-approved prelicensure education program.

N 2.105(4) (4) If the applicant graduated from a foreign prelicensure program that was not taught in English or if English is not the applicant’s native language, the applicant shall submit proof of successfully passing an English proficiency examination that includes the components of reading, speaking, writing, and listening.

N 2.105(5) (5) 

N 2.105(5)(a) (a) The board shall make the applicant eligible for admission to the NCLEX as of the date of the applicant’s graduation or upon the board receiving a certificate of approval from the school of nursing that allows the applicant to take the NCLEX before graduation. As part of the application process, the applicant shall report the name of the nursing school they are attending along with the anticipated date of graduation or, if applicant is seeking to take the NCLEX before graduation, the school of nursing shall provide a certificate of approval. The applicant shall notify the board if their anticipated date of graduation changes.

N 2.105(5)(am) (am) The applicant may not take or attempt to take the NCLEX before graduation or prior to a school of nursing providing a certificate of approval to the board.

N 2.105(5)(b) (b) The applicant shall contact the examination provider to schedule the NCLEX date and time within one year from the time the applicant is eligible to take the examination.

N 2.105(5)(c) (c) The board shall send notification of results to applicants who fail to earn a passing score on the NCLEX. An applicant may apply to the board for authorization to schedule reexamination. The reexamination may not occur earlier than 45 days after the most recent sitting for the NCLEX.

N 2.105(5)(d) (d) Failure to comply with the terms of this subsection may result in a denial of application for licensure.

N 2.105(6) (6) The applicant shall submit, through an approved process, fingerprints or other biometric-based information for the purpose of obtaining an applicant’s criminal history information from the federal bureau of investigation and the Wisconsin department of justice.

N 2.105(7) (7) If the applicant has been convicted or found guilty, or has entered into an agreed disposition, of a misdemeanor offense, the applicant shall provide the board all related information necessary for the board to determine whether the circumstances substantially relate to the practice of nursing.

N 2.105(8) (8) If a license is issued based on fraud, deceit, or material omission of fact, the board shall take any action it deems necessary pursuant to s. 441.07 (1g), Stats.

N 2.105 History History: CR 18-030: cr. Register June 2019 No. 762, eff. 7-1-19; corrections in (1), (2) (intro.), (3) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register June 2019 No. 762; EmR2215: emerg. r. and recr. (5) (a), cr. (5) (am), am. (5) (b), cr. (5) (d), eff. 12-1-22; CR 23-022: r. and recr. (5) (a), cr. (5) (am), am. (5) (b), cr. (5) (d), (8) Register November 2023 No. 815, eff. 12-1-23.

N 2.11 N 2.11 Application procedure for a single state license for applicants from board-approved schools.

N 2.11(1) (1) Each applicant from a board-approved school shall complete and submit an application by the electronic application process or on forms provided by the department and shall pay the fee.

N 2.11(2) (2) The educational administrator or designee for a school of professional nursing or practical nursing shall submit any of the following:

N 2.11(2)(a) (a) Via the electronic application process a verification that the applicant has graduated or received a certificate of completion.

N 2.11(2)(b) (b) A certification of graduation or completion to the department.

N 2.11(3) (3) 

N 2.11(3)(a) (a) The examination accepted by the board is the NCLEX.

N 2.11(3)(b) (b) The board shall make the applicant eligible for admission to the NCLEX as of the date of the applicant’s graduation or upon the board receiving a certificate of approval from the school of nursing that allows the applicant to take the NCLEX before graduation. As part of the application process, the applicant shall report the name of the nursing school they are attending along with the anticipated date of graduation or, if applicant is seeking to take the NCLEX before graduation, the school of nursing shall provide a certificate of approval. The applicant shall notify the board if their anticipated date of graduation changes.

N 2.11(3)(bm) (bm) The applicant may not take or attempt to take the NCLEX before graduation or prior to a school of nursing providing a certificate of approval to the board.

N 2.11(3)(c) (c) The applicant shall contact the examination provider to schedule the NCLEX date and time within one year from the time the applicant is eligible to take the examination.

N 2.11(3)(d) (d) The board shall send notification of results to applicants who fail to earn a passing score on the NCLEX. An applicant may apply to the board for authorization to schedule reexamination. The reexamination may not occur earlier than 45 days after the most recent sitting for the NCLEX.

N 2.11(3)(e) (e) Failure to comply with the terms of this subsection may result in a denial of application for licensure.

N 2.11(4) (4) An applicant who has a pending criminal charge or has been convicted of any crime or ordinance violation shall provide the board all related information necessary for the board to determine whether the circumstances of the arrest or conviction or other offense substantially relate to the practice of nursing.

N 2.11(5) (5) An applicant who has committed any act, which would be subject to discipline under ch. N 7, shall provide the board with all related information regarding the act necessary for the board to make a determination on the application for licensure.

N 2.11(6) (6) If a license is issued based on fraud, deceit, or material omission of fact, the board shall take any action it deems necessary pursuant to s. 441.07 (1g), Stats.

N 2.11 History History: CR 14-002: cr. Register July 2014 No. 703, eff. 8-1-14; correction to (3) (title) and renumbering (3) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 1. and 2., Stats., Register July 2014 No. 703; CR 18-030: am. (title) Register June 2019 No. 762, eff. 7-1-19; EmR2215: emerg. r. and recr. (3) (b), cr. (3) (bm), am. (3) (c), cr. (3) (e), eff. 12-1-22; CR 23-022: r. and recr. (3) (b), cr. (3) (bm), am. (3) (c), cr. (3) (e), (6) Register November 2023 No. 815, eff. 12-1-23.

N 2.12 N 2.12 Application procedure for a single state license for applicants from comparable schools.

N 2.12(1) (1) Each applicant from a comparable school shall complete and submit an application on forms provided by the department.

N 2.12(2) (2) The school of professional nursing or practical nursing shall forward directly to the department, official transcripts of nursing education for applicants who graduated from the school. If the applicant graduated from a school of professional nursing or practical nursing not located in the United States or a U.S. territory, the applicant shall submit any of the following:

N 2.12(2)(a) (a) For a professional nursing applicant, one of the following:

N 2.12(2)(a)1. 1. A valid certificate issued by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools or another board-approved entity that evaluates education.

N 2.12(2)(a)2. 2. A credential evaluation service academic report and demonstration of passing a board-accepted language proficiency exam.

N 2.12(2)(b) (b) For a practical nursing applicant, a credential evaluation service academic report and demonstration of passing a board accepted language proficiency exam.

N 2.12(3) (3) 

N 2.12(3)(a) (a) The examination accepted by the board is the NCLEX.

N 2.12(3)(b) (b) The board shall make the applicant eligible for admission to the NCLEX as of the date of the applicant’s graduation or upon the board receiving a certificate of approval from the school of nursing that allows the applicant to take the NCLEX before graduation. As part of the application process, the applicant shall report the name of the nursing school they are attending along with the anticipated date of graduation or, if applicant is seeking to take the NCLEX before graduation, the school of nursing shall provide a certificate of approval. The applicant shall notify the board if their anticipated date of graduation changes.

N 2.12(3)(bm) (bm) The applicant may not take or attempt to take the NCLEX before graduation or prior to a school of nursing providing a certificate of approval to the board.

N 2.12(3)(c) (c) The applicant shall contact the examination provider to schedule the NCLEX date and time within one year from the time the applicant is eligible to take the examination.

N 2.12(3)(d) (d) The board shall send notification of results to applicants who fail to earn a passing score on the NCLEX. An applicant may apply to the board for authorization to schedule reexamination. The reexamination may not occur earlier than 45 days after the most recent sitting for the NCLEX.

N 2.12(3)(e) (e) Failure to comply with the terms of this subsection may result in a denial of application or licensure.

N 2.12(4) (4) An applicant who has a pending criminal charge or has been convicted of any crime or ordinance violation shall provide the board all related information necessary for the board to determine whether the circumstances of the arrest or conviction or other offense substantially relate to the practice of nursing.

N 2.12(5) (5) An applicant who has committed any act, which would be subject to discipline under ch. N 7, shall provide the board with all related information regarding the act necessary for the board to make a determination on the application for licensure.

N 2.12(6) (6) If a license is issued based on fraud, deceit, or material omission of fact, the board shall take any action it deems necessary pursuant to s. 441.07 (1g), Stats.

N 2.12 History History: CR 14-002: cr. Register July 2014 No. 703, eff. 8-1-14; correction to (3) (title) and renumbering (3) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 1. and 2., Stats., Register July 2014 No. 703; CR 18-030: am. (title) Register June 2019 No. 762, eff. 7-1-19; CR 19-140: am. (2) (intro.), renum. (2) (a) to (2) (a) (intro.) and am., cr. (2) (a) 1., 2. Register June 2020 No. 774, eff. 7-1-20; EmR2215: emerg. r. and recr. (3) (b), cr. (3) (bm), am. (3) (c), cr. (3) (e), eff. 12-1-22; CR 23-022: r. and recr. (3) (b), cr. (3) (bm), am. (3) (c), cr. (3) (e), (6) Register November 2023 No. 815, eff. 12-1-23.

subch. III of ch. N 2 Subchapter III — Licensure by Endorsement

N 2.19 N 2.19 Endorsement of an applicant for a multistate license.

N 2.19(1) (1) Each applicant for a multistate license by endorsement shall complete and submit an application on forms provided by the department and shall pay the fee.

N 2.19(2) (2) The applicant shall provide all of the following:

N 2.19(2)(a) (a) Evidence of holding an active, unencumbered license.

N 2.19(2)(b) (b) Declaration or evidence that Wisconsin is the primary state of residence.