Chapter N 2

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.

N 2.19(2)(c) (c) Evidence of graduation from one of the following:

N 2.19(2)(c)1. 1. A board-approved nurse prelicensure education program.

N 2.19(2)(c)2. 2. A foreign nurse prelicensure education program that has been approved by the authorizing 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 2.19(2)(d) (d) If the applicant graduated from a foreign prelicensure program not taught in English or if English is not the applicant’s native language, evidence of successfully passing an English proficiency examination that includes the components of reading, speaking, writing, and listening.

N 2.19(2)(e) (e) Evidence of successfully passing an NCLEX exam or recognized predecessor.

N 2.19(2)(f) (f) If the applicant has been convicted or found guilty, or has entered into an agreed disposition, of a misdemeanor offense, all related information necessary for the board to determine whether the circumstances substantially relate to the practice of nursing.

N 2.19(3) (3) The applicant shall submit, through an approved process, fingerprints or other biometric data for the purpose of obtaining criminal history record information from the federal bureau of investigation and the Wisconsin department of justice.

N 2.19 History History: CR 18-030: cr. Register June 2019 No. 762, eff. 7-1-19; corrections in (2) (c) 1., 2. made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register June 2019 No. 762.

N 2.21 N 2.21 Endorsement of an applicant for a single state license.

N 2.21(1) (1) 

N 2.21(1)(a) (a) A license from another U.S. state, a U.S. territory, or Canada is considered to have met educational and other qualifications comparable to those required in this state provided the requirements of the initial license included all of the following:

N 2.21(1)(a)1. 1. Graduation from a school approved by the board in the jurisdiction of initial licensure or had education the board in the jurisdiction of initial licensure deemed to be comparable to a school that board approves.

N 2.21(1)(a)2. 2. Passage of the NCLEX.

N 2.21(1)(b) (b) An applicant, whose initial license from another U.S. state, U.S. territory, or Canada does not meet the requirements in par. (a), shall submit all of the following to the board to assist the board in determining whether the qualifications are comparable:

N 2.21(1)(b)1. 1. Evidence of educational qualifications.

N 2.21(1)(b)2. 2. Evidence of passing the NCLEX or other nursing licensure examination.

N 2.21(2) (2) An applicant shall submit a completed application and pay the applicable fee. The application shall include the following:

N 2.21(2)(a) (a) Verification of licensure from the state, territory or province in which the original license by examination was issued and the state, territory or province in which the current, active license was issued.

N 2.21(2)(b) (b) Documentation of employment history.

N 2.21(2)(c) (c) An applicant who has a pending criminal charge or has been convicted of any crime or ordinance violation shall provide the board with 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 2.21(2)(d) (d) An applicant who has a license encumbered by adverse action shall provide the board will all related information necessary to determine whether the board deems the action taken to warrant a denial in Wisconsin.

N 2.21(2)(e) (e) An applicant who has been terminated from any employment related to nursing within the 10 years immediately preceding the date of application shall provide the board with all related information necessary to determine current competency.

N 2.21(2)(f) (f) 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 2.21(3) (3) An applicant who does not have current nursing education or been employed in a position that requires a nursing license within the last 5 years may apply to the board for a limited license to enable the applicant to complete a nursing refresher course approved by the board. Upon successful completion of an approved nursing refresher course, the license holder may petition the board for full licensure.

N 2.21 History History: CR 14-002: cr. Register July 2014 No. 703, eff. 8-1-14; correction in (1) (a) (intro.) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register December 2018 No. 756; CR 18-030: am. (title) Register June 2019 No. 762, eff. 7-1-19; CR 19-140: am. (title), (1) (a) (intro.), (b) (intro.), (2) (e) Register June 2020 No. 774, eff. 7-1-20.

N 2.23 N 2.23 Reciprocal credentials for service members, former service members, and their spouses. A reciprocal multistate or single state license shall be granted to a service member, former service member, or the spouse of a service member or former service member who the board determines meets all of the requirements under s. 440.09 (2), Stats. Subject to s. 440.09 (2m), Stats., the board may request verification necessary to make a determination as to service member or former service member status under this subsection.

N 2.23 Note Note: Forms to apply for a reciprocal credential are available from the department of safety and professional services’ website at www.dsps.wi.gov.

N 2.23 History History: CR 21-044: cr. Register March 2022 No. 795, eff. 4-1-22; title created under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 2., Stats., Register March 2022 No. 795.

subch. IV of ch. N 2 Subchapter IV — Temporary Permits

N 2.30 N 2.30 Definitions. In this subchapter:

N 2.30(1) (1) “G.N.” means graduate nurse.

N 2.30(2) (2) “G.P.N.” means graduate practical nurse.

N 2.30 History History: CR 14-002: cr. Register July 2014 No. 703, eff. 8-1-14.

N 2.31 N 2.31 Application. A nurse who has graduated from a board-approved school or comparable school or granted a certificate of completion by a board-approved school may be granted a temporary permit. An applicant shall submit a completed application and pay the applicable fee. The application shall include any of the following:

N 2.31(1) (1) Verification from a board-approved school via the electronic application process that the applicant has graduated or received a certificate of completion.

N 2.31(2) (2) A certification of graduation or completion from a board-approved school.

N 2.31(3) (3) An official transcript of nursing education submitted by the school of professional nursing or practical nursing directly to the department.

N 2.31 Note Note: A temporary permit does not grant multistate licensure privileges.

N 2.31 History History: CR 14-002: cr. Register July 2014 No. 703, eff. 8-1-14.

N 2.32 N 2.32 Title.

N 2.32(1) (1) A registered nurse applicant for licensure by exam who is granted a temporary permit may use the title “graduate nurse” or the letters “G.N.”

N 2.32(2) (2) A practical nurse applicant for licensure by exam who is granted a temporary permit may use the title “graduate practical nurse” or the letters “G.P.N.”

N 2.32(3) (3) A registered nurse or practical nurse for licensure by endorsement who is granted a temporary permit may use the title “registered nurse” or “licensed practical nurse.”

N 2.32 History History: CR 14-002: cr. Register July 2014 No. 703, eff. 8-1-14.

N 2.33 N 2.33 Supervision.

N 2.33(1) (1) Except as provided in sub. (2), the holder of a temporary permit shall practice only under the direct supervision of a registered nurse.

N 2.33(2) (2) A holder of a temporary permit who is currently licensed as a registered nurse or practical nurse in another jurisdiction may practice without the direct supervision of a registered nurse.

N 2.33 History History: CR 14-002: cr. Register July 2014 No. 703, eff. 8-1-14.

N 2.34 N 2.34 Duration. The temporary permit is valid for a period of 3 months or until the holder receives notification of failing the NCLEX, whichever occurs first. Practice under temporary permits, including renewals under s. N 2.35, may not exceed 6 months total duration.