Chapter 443

443.01(5m)(b)5. 5. Changes beyond the exit access component of a means of egress system.

443.01(5m)(b)6. 6. Construction that materially affects life safety systems pertaining to fire safety or the fire protection of structural elements, or alterations to smoke evacuation and compartmentalization systems or to fire-rated vertical shafts in multistory structures.

443.01(5m)(b)7. 7. Changes of use to an occupancy of greater hazard as determined by the International Building Code.

443.01(5m)(b)8. 8. Changes to the construction classification of the building or structure according to the International Building Code.

443.01(6) (6) “Practice of professional engineering” includes any professional service requiring the application of engineering principles and data, in which the public welfare or the safeguarding of life, health or property is concerned and involved, such as consultation, investigation, evaluation, planning, design, or responsible supervision of construction, alteration, or operation, in connection with any public or private utilities, structures, projects, bridges, plants and buildings, machines, equipment, processes and works. A person offers to practice professional engineering if the person by verbal claim, sign, advertisement, letterhead, card or in any other way represents himself or herself to be a professional engineer; or who through the use of some other title implies that he or she is a professional engineer; or who holds himself or herself out as able to practice professional engineering.

443.01(6s) (6s) “Practice of professional land surveying” means any of the following:

443.01(6s)(a) (a) Any service comprising the establishment or reestablishment of the boundaries of one or more tracts of land or the boundaries of any of the following interests in real property:

443.01(6s)(a)1. 1. The rights-of-way of roads or streets.

443.01(6s)(a)2. 2. Air or subsurface property rights.

443.01(6s)(a)3. 3. Public or private easements.

443.01(6s)(b) (b) Designing or coordinating designs for the purpose of platting or subdividing land into smaller tracts.

443.01(6s)(c) (c) Placing, replacing, restoring, or perpetuating monuments in or on the ground to evidence the location of a point that is necessary to establish boundaries of one or more tracts of land or the subdivision or consolidation of one or more tracts of land or to describe the boundaries of any interest in real property identified in par. (a).

443.01(6s)(d) (d) Preparing maps that depict any interest in real property identified in par. (a) for the purpose of establishing the boundaries of any such interest in real property.

443.01(6s)(e) (e) Preparing any of the following:

443.01(6s)(e)1. 1. An official map established or amended under s. 62.23 (6), established or amended under the authority of s. 61.35, or adopted under s. 60.61.

443.01(6s)(e)2. 2. An assessor’s plat under s. 70.27.

443.01(6s)(e)3. 3. A map or plat of cemetery lands under s. 157.07.

443.01(6s)(e)4. 4. A subdivision plat, certified survey map, or correction instrument under ch. 236.

443.01(6s)(e)5. 5. A condominium plat or correction instrument under ch. 703.

443.01(6s)(e)6. 6. A project and time-share property plat under s. 707.215.

443.01(6s)(f) (f) Performing construction surveying or geodetic surveying in connection with any of the practices specified in pars. (a) to (e).

443.01(7) (7) “Professional engineer” means a person who by reason of his or her knowledge of mathematics, the physical sciences and the principles of engineering, acquired by professional education and practical experience, is qualified to engage in engineering practice as defined in sub. (6).

443.01(7m) (7m) “Professional land surveyor” means a person who, by reason of his or her knowledge of law, mathematics, physical sciences, and measurement techniques, acquired by education and practical experience, is granted a license under this chapter to engage in the practice of professional land surveying.

443.01(8) (8) “Responsible supervision of construction” means a professional service, as distinguished from superintending of construction, and means the performance, or the supervision thereof, of reasonable and ordinary on-site observations to determine that the construction is in substantial compliance with the approved drawings, plans and specifications.

443.01(9) (9) “Wisconsin registered interior designer” means a person registered as a Wisconsin registered interior designer under this chapter.

443.01 History History: 1971 c. 42, 215, 307; 1975 c. 9, 39, 199, 200, 334, 421; 1977 c. 29, 125, 418; 1979 c. 34, 98; 1979 c. 162 s. 38 (7); 1979 c. 167; 1979 c. 221 s. 780; 1979 c. 355; 1983 a. 189 ss. 274, 329 (18); 1993 a. 463, 465, 491; 1997 a. 300; 2009 a. 123; 2011 a. 146; 2013 a. 358; 2021 a. 195.

443.01 Annotation Discussing the duties of county surveyors and other land surveyors and minimum standards for property surveys. 69 Atty. Gen. 160.

443.015 443.015 Examining board to establish continuing education requirements; promulgate rules.

443.015(1) (1) Each section of the examining board may establish continuing education requirements for renewal of a credential issued by that section under this chapter.

443.015(1e) (1e) The rules promulgated under sub. (1) by the registered interior designer section of the examining board shall require a Wisconsin registered interior designer to complete at least 15 hours of continuing education during the 2-year period immediately preceding the renewal date specified under s. 440.08 (2) (a). At least 10 of the 15 hours shall be in subjects related to the practice of interior design that safeguard the public’s health, safety, and welfare.

443.015(1m) (1m) 

443.015(1m)(a) (a)

443.015(1m)(a)1. 1. Each section of the examining board shall promulgate rules to do all of the following:

443.015(1m)(a)1.a. a. Allow the holder of a credential under this chapter who is at least 65 years of age or has actively maintained that credential for at least 20 years, which need not be consecutive, and who certifies that he or she has retired from and no longer engages in the practice for which he or she holds the credential to apply to the board to classify that credential as retired status.

443.015(1m)(a)1.b. b. Allow an individual who previously held a credential under this chapter, and failed to renew that credential prior to the renewal date, to apply to the board to renew the credential with retired status if the individual is at least 65 years of age or had actively maintained that credential for at least 20 years, which need not be consecutive, certifies that he or she has retired from and no longer engages in the practice for which he or she previously held the credential, and pays the fee under par. (d). Section 440.08 (3) (a) and (b) does not apply to the renewal of such a credential.

443.015(1m)(a)1.c. c. Allow the holder of a credential classified as retired status as described under subd. 1. a. or b. to apply to the appropriate section of the examining board to remove the retired status classification if he or she satisfies reinstatement requirements established by the appropriate section of the examining board by rule.

443.015(1m)(a)2. 2. Rules promulgated under subd. 1. may not require a certification to be notarized.

443.015(1m)(b) (b) Any rules a section of the examining board promulgates under sub. (1) shall exempt a credential holder whose credential is classified as retired status under par. (a) from continuing education requirements.

443.015(1m)(c) (c)

443.015(1m)(c)1. 1. A credential holder whose credential is classified as retired status under par. (a) may not engage in the practice for which he or she holds that credential.

443.015(1m)(c)2. 2. A credential holder whose credential is classified as retired status under par. (a) may continue to use a title in connection with that credential if he or she clearly indicates to the public that he or she is retired, including by placing the abbreviation “Ret.” or similar appellation after his or her title.

443.015(1m)(d) (d) The renewal fee for a credential holder whose credential is classified as retired status under par. (a) shall be one-half of the usual renewal fee that otherwise applies.

443.015(2) (2) Each section of the examining board may promulgate rules governing the professional conduct of individuals, firms, partnerships, and corporations registered, permitted, certified, or granted a certificate of authorization by that section.

443.015 History History: 2007 a. 47; 2011 a. 146; 2019 a. 94; 2021 a. 195; s. 35.17 correction in (1e).

443.015 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also chs. A-E 10, 13, Wis. adm. code.

443.02 443.02 Practice requirements and registration: general provisions.

443.02(1) (1) Any person practicing or offering to practice architecture or professional engineering in this state shall comply with this chapter.

443.02(2) (2) No person may practice architecture, landscape architecture, or professional engineering in this state unless the person has been duly registered, is exempt under s. 443.14 or has in effect a permit under s. 443.10 (1) (d).

443.02(3) (3) Except as provided under s. 443.015 (1m) (c), no person may offer to practice architecture, landscape architecture, or professional engineering or use in connection with the person’s name or otherwise assume, use or advertise any title or description tending to convey the impression that he or she is an architect, landscape architect, or professional engineer or advertise to furnish architectural, landscape architectural, or professional engineering services unless the person has been duly registered or has in effect a permit under s. 443.10 (1) (d).

443.02(4) (4) Except as provided under s. 443.015 (1m) (c), no person may engage in or offer to engage in the practice of professional land surveying in this state or use or advertise any title or description tending to convey the impression that the person is a professional land surveyor unless the person has been granted a license under this chapter to engage in the practice of professional land surveying.

443.02(5) (5) No person may use the title “Wisconsin registered interior designer,” use any title or description that implies that he or she is a Wisconsin registered interior designer, or represent himself or herself to be a Wisconsin registered interior designer unless the person is registered as a Wisconsin registered interior designer under this chapter.

443.02 History History: 1971 c. 164 s. 88; 1971 c. 215; 1975 c. 39; 1977 c. 29, 418; 1979 c. 34, 167, 355; 1993 a. 463, 465; 1997 a. 300; 1999 a. 85; 2009 a. 123; 2013 a. 358; 2019 a. 94; 2021 a. 195.

443.02 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also A-E, Wis. adm. code.

443.03 443.03 Registration requirements for architects.

443.03(1) (1) An applicant for registration as an architect shall submit as satisfactory evidence to the architect section of the examining board all of the following:

443.03(1)(a) (a) That he or she has acquired a thorough knowledge of sound construction, building hygiene, architectural design and mathematics.

443.03(1)(b) (b) One of the following:

443.03(1)(b)1m. 1m. A diploma of graduation, or a certificate, from an architectural school or college approved by the architect section as of satisfactory standing, together with at least 2 years’ practical experience of a character satisfactory to the architect section in the design and construction of buildings.

443.03(1)(b)2. 2. A specific record of 7 or more years of experience in architectural work of a character satisfactory to the architect section in the design and construction of buildings.

443.03(2) (2) Graduation in architecture from a school or college approved by the architect section as of satisfactory standing shall be considered as equivalent to 5 years of experience, and the completion satisfactory to the architect section of each year of work in architecture in such school or college without graduation shall be considered equivalent to one year of experience. Graduation in a course other than architecture from a school or college approved by the architect section as of satisfactory standing shall be considered as equivalent to not more than 4 years of experience.

443.03 History History: 1979 c. 167; 2011 a. 146.

443.03 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. A-E 3, Wis. adm. code.

443.035 443.035 Registration requirements for landscape architects. The landscape architect section of the examining board shall register as a landscape architect an individual who does all of the following:

443.035(1) (1) Submits to the department evidence satisfactory to the landscape architect section of any of the following:

443.035(1)(a) (a) That he or she has a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture, or a master’s degree in landscape architecture, from a curriculum approved by the landscape architect section and has at least 2 years of practical experience in landscape architecture of a character satisfactory to the landscape architect section.

443.035(1)(b) (b) That he or she has a specific record of at least 7 years of training and experience in the practice of landscape architecture including at least 2 years of courses in landscape architecture approved by the landscape architect section, and 4 years of practical experience in landscape architecture of a character satisfactory to the landscape architect section.

443.035(2) (2) Satisfies the applicable requirements under s. 443.09.

443.035 History History: 1993 a. 465; 2011 a. 146.

443.035 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. A-E 9, Wis. adm. code.

443.04 443.04 Registration requirements for professional engineers. An applicant for registration as a professional engineer shall submit satisfactory evidence to the professional engineer section of the examining board of all of the following:

443.04(1m) (1m) A diploma of graduation, or a certificate, from an engineering school or college approved by the professional engineer section as of satisfactory standing in an engineering course of not less than 4 years or a diploma of graduation or degree from a technical college approved by the professional engineer section as of satisfactory standing in an engineering-related course of study of not less than 2 years.

443.04(2m) (2m) 

443.04(2m)(a) (a) For an applicant possessing a diploma or certificate from a course of study of not less than 4 years as specified in sub. (1m), a specific record of 4 or more years of experience in engineering work of a character satisfactory to the professional engineer section and indicating that the applicant is competent to be placed in responsible charge of engineering work.

443.04(2m)(b) (b) For an applicant possessing a diploma or degree from a course of study of not less than 2 years as specified in sub. (1m), a specific record of 6 or more years of experience in engineering work of a character satisfactory to the professional engineer section and indicating that the applicant is competent to be placed in responsible charge of engineering work.

443.04 History History: 1979 c. 167; 1983 a. 328; 1999 a. 85; 2009 a. 350; 2011 a. 146.

443.04 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. A-E 4, Wis. adm. code.

443.04 Annotation Discussing the authority of the examining board. 70 Atty. Gen. 156.

443.05 443.05 Certification of engineers-in-training.

443.05(1) (1) An applicant for certification as an engineer-in-training shall submit as satisfactory evidence to the professional engineer section of the examining board one of the following:

443.05(1)(a) (a) A diploma of graduation in engineering or a certificate in engineering from a school or college approved by the professional engineer section as of satisfactory standing.

443.05(1)(b) (b) A specific record of 4 years or more of experience in engineering work of a character satisfactory to the professional engineer section.

443.05(2) (2) Graduation in engineering from a school or college approved by the professional engineer section as of satisfactory standing shall be considered as equivalent to 4 years of experience and the completion satisfactory to the professional engineer section of each year of work in engineering in such school or college without graduation shall be considered as equivalent to one year of experience. Graduation in a course other than engineering from a school or college approved by the professional engineer section as of satisfactory standing shall be considered as equivalent to 2 years of experience. No applicant may receive credit for more than 4 years of experience under this subsection.

443.05 History History: 1979 c. 167; 2011 a. 146.

443.05 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. A-E 4, Wis. adm. code.

443.06 443.06 Licensure requirements for professional land surveyors.

443.06(1) (1) Licensure, application, qualifying experience.

443.06(1)(a) (a) Application for a license to engage in the practice of professional land surveying shall be made to the professional land surveyor section of the examining board under oath, on forms provided by the department, which shall require the applicant to submit such information as the professional land surveyor section deems necessary. The professional land surveyor section may require applicants to pass written or oral examinations or both. Applicants who do not have an arrest or conviction record, subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322, and 111.335, shall be entitled to be granted a license to engage in the practice of professional land surveying when satisfactory evidence is submitted that the applicant has met one or more of the requirements of sub. (2).

443.06(1)(b) (b) Each year, but not more than 4 years, of work or training completed in a curriculum in the practice of professional land surveying approved by the professional land surveyor section, or of responsible charge of teaching the practice of professional land surveying may be considered as equivalent to one year of qualifying experience in the practice of professional land surveying, and each year, but not more than 4 years, completed in a curriculum other than the practice of professional land surveying approved by the professional land surveyor section, may be considered as equivalent to one-half year of qualifying experience.

443.06(2) (2) Requirements; license. The professional land surveyor section may grant a license to engage in the practice of professional land surveying to any person who has submitted to it an application, the required fees, and one or more of the following: