Chapter 448

448.03(3)(a) (a) Except as provided in s. 257.03, no person may use or assume the title “doctor of medicine” or append to the person’s name the letters “M.D.” unless one of the following applies:

448.03(3)(a)1. 1. The person possesses the degree of doctor of medicine.

448.03(3)(a)2. 2. The person is licensed as a physician under this subchapter because the person satisfied the degree requirement of s. 448.05 (2) by possessing a medical degree that was conferred by a medical school recognized and listed as such by the World Health Organization of the United Nations.

448.03(3)(b) (b) Except as provided in s. 257.03, no person not possessing the degree of doctor of osteopathy may use or assume the title “doctor of osteopathy” or append to the person’s name the letters “D.O.”.

448.03(3)(f) (f) A person who is not licensed to practice perfusion by the board may not designate himself or herself as a perfusionist, use or assume the title “licensed perfusionist” or the abbreviation “L.P.,” or use any other title, letters, or designation that represents or may tend to represent the person as a perfusionist. This paragraph does not apply to any of the following:

448.03(3)(f)1. 1. Any person employed as a perfusionist by a federal agency, as defined in s. 59.57 (2) (c) 1., if the person provides perfusion services solely under the direction or control of the federal agency by which he or she is employed.

448.03(3)(f)2. 2. Any person pursuing a supervised course of study leading to a degree or certificate in perfusion under an accredited or approved educational program, if the person is designated by a title that clearly indicates his or her status as a student or trainee.

448.03(3)(f)3. 3. Any person practicing perfusion under a temporary license issued under s. 448.04 (1) (e), if the person is designated by a title that clearly indicates that he or she is practicing under a temporary license.

448.03(3)(g) (g) No person may designate himself or herself as an “anesthesiologist assistant” or use or assume the title “anesthesiologist assistant” or append to the person’s name the words or letters “anesthesiologist assistant” or “A.A.” or any other titles, letters, or designation that represents or may tend to represent the person as an anesthesiologist assistant unless he or she is licensed as an anesthesiologist assistant by the board. An anesthesiologist assistant shall be clearly identified as an anesthesiologist assistant.

448.03(5) (5) Civil liability; certain medical procedures and reports.

448.03(5)(a) (a) No person licensed or certified under this subchapter shall be liable for any civil damages resulting from such person’s refusal to perform sterilization procedures or to remove or aid in the removal of a human embryo or fetus from a person if such refusal is based on religious or moral precepts.

448.03(5)(b) (b) No physician shall be liable for any civil damages for either of the following:

448.03(5)(b)1. 1. Reporting in good faith to the department of transportation under s. 146.82 (3) a patient’s name and other information relevant to a physical or mental condition of the patient which in the physician’s judgment impairs the patient’s ability to exercise reasonable and ordinary control over a motor vehicle.

448.03(5)(b)2. 2. In good faith, not reporting to the department of transportation under s. 146.82 (3) a patient’s name and other information relevant to a physical or mental condition of the patient which in the physician’s judgment does not impair the patient’s ability to exercise reasonable and ordinary control over a motor vehicle.

448.03(5)(c) (c) A physician who in good faith provides the board with information concerning an allegation that another physician has engaged in unprofessional conduct or acted negligently in treating a patient is immune from liability for any damage that results from any act or omission in providing the information and may not be disciplined by the board for providing the information. In any administrative or court proceeding, the good faith of a physician who provides such information shall be presumed.

448.03(6) (6) Practice of Christian Science. No law of this state regulating the practice of medicine and surgery may be construed to interfere with the practice of Christian Science. A person who elects Christian Science treatment in lieu of medical or surgical treatment for the cure of disease may not be compelled to submit to medical or surgical treatment.

448.03(7) (7) Supervision of anesthesiologist assistants. An anesthesiologist may not supervise more than the number of anesthesiologist assistants permitted by reimbursement standards for Part A or Part B of the federal Medicare program under Title XVIII of the federal Social Security Act, 42 USC 1395 to 1395hhh.

448.03 History History: 1975 c. 383, 421; 1977 c. 164; 1979 c. 317; 1985 a. 29; 1987 a. 40, 399; 1989 a. 31, 229; 1991 a. 23; 1993 a. 105, 107, 490; 1995 a. 27, 201; 1997 a. 67, 175, 311; 1999 a. 32, 180; 2001 a. 89; 2005 a. 96, 292; 2007 a. 97; 2009 a. 42, 282; 2011 a. 160, 161; 2013 a. 239; 2015 a. 35; 2017 a. 341; 2019 a. 148; 2021 a. 23, 130, 158, 218, 254; 2023 a. 27, 87, 193, 195; s. 13.92 (1) (bm) 2.

448.03 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also Med, Wis. adm. code.

448.03 Annotation Discussing restrictions on business corporations providing medical, legal, and dental services. 75 Atty. Gen. 200.

448.033 448.033 Temporary practice at camps.

448.033(1) (1) Notwithstanding s. 448.03 (1) (a), a person may at a recreational and educational camp licensed under s. 97.67 (1) practice medicine and surgery to provide treatment to campers and staff for not more than 90 days in any year without holding a license granted under this subchapter if all of the following apply:

448.033(1)(a) (a) The person is licensed in good standing to practice medicine and surgery by another state or territory of the United States or a Canadian province or territory and the licensure standards in the jurisdiction where the person is licensed are substantially equivalent to the requirements for licensure as a physician under s. 448.04 (1) (a).

448.033(1)(b) (b) The person is not under active investigation by a licensing authority or law enforcement authority in any state, federal, or foreign jurisdiction.

448.033(2) (2) A person shall submit to the board a form provided by the board before practicing under sub. (1). The board may promulgate rules establishing the form to be submitted under this subsection.

448.033 History History: 2021 a. 44.

448.035 448.035 Expedited partner therapy.

448.035(1) (1) In this section:

448.035(1)(a) (a) “Certified advanced practice nurse prescriber” means a nurse who is certified under s. 441.16 (2).

448.035(1)(b) (b) “Antimicrobial drug” means a drug identified for the treatment of a chlamydial infection, gonorrhea, or trichomoniasis in the most current guidelines for the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases of the federal centers for disease control and prevention. “Antimicrobial drug” does not include a substance listed in the schedules in ss. 961.14, 961.16, 961.18, 961.20, and 961.22 or substances added to these schedules by the controlled substances board acting under s. 961.11 (1).

448.035(1)(c) (c) “Expedited partner therapy” means to prescribe, dispense, or furnish to a patient an antimicrobial drug to be used by a sexual partner of the patient to treat a chlamydial infection, gonorrhea, or trichomoniasis without physical examination of the sexual partner.

448.035(2) (2) Notwithstanding the requirements of s. 448.30, a physician or certified advanced practice nurse prescriber may provide expedited partner therapy if the patient is diagnosed as infected with a chlamydial infection, gonorrhea, or trichomoniasis and the patient has had sexual contact with a sexual partner during which the chlamydial infection, gonorrhea, or trichomoniasis may have been transmitted to or from the sexual partner. The physician or certified advanced practice nurse prescriber shall attempt to obtain the name of the patient’s sexual partner. A prescription order for an antimicrobial drug prepared under this subsection shall include the name and address of the patient’s sexual partner, if known. If the physician or certified advanced practice nurse prescriber is unable to obtain the name of the patient’s sexual partner, the prescription order shall include, in ordinary bold-faced capital letters, the words, “expedited partner therapy” or the letters “EPT.”

448.035(3) (3) The physician or certified advanced practice nurse prescriber shall provide the patient with a copy of the information sheet prepared by the department of health services under s. 46.03 (44) and shall request that the patient give the information sheet to the person with whom the patient had sexual contact.

448.035(4) (4) 

448.035(4)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), a physician or certified advanced practice nurse prescriber is immune from civil liability for injury to or the death of a person who takes any antimicrobial drug if the antimicrobial drug is prescribed, dispensed, or furnished under this section and if expedited partner therapy is provided as specified under this section.

448.035(4)(b) (b) The immunity under par. (a) does not extend to the donation, distribution, furnishing, or dispensing of an antimicrobial drug by a physician or certified advanced practice nurse prescriber whose act or omission involves reckless, wanton, or intentional misconduct.

448.035 History History: 2009 a. 280; 2021 a. 23.

448.037 448.037 Prescriptions for and delivery of opioid antagonists.

448.037(1) (1) In this section:

448.037(1)(a) (a) “Administer” has the meaning given in s. 450.01 (1).

448.037(1)(b) (b) “Deliver” has the meaning given in s. 450.01 (5).

448.037(1)(c) (c) “Dispense” has the meaning given in s. 450.01 (7).

448.037(1)(d) (d) “Opioid antagonist” has the meaning given in s. 450.01 (13v).

448.037(1)(e) (e) “Opioid-related drug overdose” has the meaning given in s. 256.40 (1) (d).

448.037(1)(f) (f) “Standing order” has the meaning given in s. 450.01 (21p).

448.037(2) (2) 

448.037(2)(a) (a) A physician may do any of the following:

448.037(2)(a)1. 1. Prescribe an opioid antagonist to a person in a position to assist an individual at risk of undergoing an opioid-related drug overdose and may deliver the opioid antagonist to that person. A prescription order under this subdivision need not specify the name and address of the individual to whom the opioid antagonist will be administered, but shall instead specify the name of the person to whom the opioid antagonist is prescribed.

448.037(2)(a)2. 2. Issue a standing order to one or more persons authorizing the dispensing of an opioid antagonist.

448.037(2)(b) (b) A physician who prescribes or delivers an opioid antagonist under par. (a) 1. shall ensure that the person to whom the opioid antagonist is prescribed has or has the capacity to provide the knowledge and training necessary to safely administer the opioid antagonist to an individual undergoing an opioid-related overdose and that the person demonstrates the capacity to ensure that any individual to whom the person further delivers the opioid antagonist has or receives that knowledge and training.

448.037(3) (3) A physician who, acting in good faith, prescribes or delivers an opioid antagonist in accordance with sub. (2), or who, acting in good faith, otherwise lawfully prescribes or dispenses an opioid antagonist, shall be immune from criminal or civil liability and may not be subject to professional discipline under s. 448.02 for any outcomes resulting from prescribing, delivering, or dispensing the opioid antagonist.

448.037 History History: 2013 a. 200; 2015 a. 115; 2021 a. 23.

448.038 448.038 Maintenance and detoxification treatment under federal waiver.

448.038(1) (1) In this section, “waiver” means a waiver issued by the federal department of health and human services under 21 USC 823 (g) (2) (A).

448.038(2) (2) With respect to the ability of a physician assistant to obtain and practice under a waiver, a physician who meets any of the conditions specified in 21 USC 823 (g) (2) (G) (ii) shall be considered eligible to serve as a qualifying physician for purposes of the requirement under 21 USC 823 (g) (2) (G) (iv) (III), regardless of whether the physician himself or herself holds a waiver.

448.038 History History: 2017 a. 262.

448.04 448.04 Classes of license; certificate of licensure.

448.04(1) (1) Classes of license.

448.04(1)(a) (a) License to practice medicine and surgery. A person holding a license to practice medicine and surgery may practice as defined in s. 448.01 (9) and as provided in s. 448.035.

448.04(1)(ab) (ab) Compact license. The board may grant a compact license pursuant to the interstate medical licensure compact under s. 448.980.

448.04(1)(ac) (ac) Administrative physician license. The board may grant an administrative physician license to an applicant who satisfies the requirements under s. 448.05 (2c). The board shall issue a license under this paragraph subject to the same terms as a license issued under par. (a), except that, notwithstanding any other provision of law that permits a physician to engage in any act that constitutes the practice of medicine and surgery, the holder of a license issued under this paragraph may not engage in the practice of medicine and surgery except as otherwise authorized under s. 448.03 (2) and may not practice as provided in s. 448.035.

448.04 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Med 23, Wis. adm. code.

448.04(1)(b) (b) Temporary license to practice medicine and surgery.

448.04(1)(b)1. 1. An applicant for license to practice medicine and surgery who has passed an examination satisfactory to the board, or who is a graduate of a medical school in this state, and who more than 30 days prior to the date set by the board for the holding of its next examination has complied with all the requirements of s. 448.05 (2) and (7) may, at the discretion of the board, be granted a temporary license to practice medicine and surgery. Such temporary license shall expire 60 days after the next examination for license is given or on the date following the examination on which the board grants or denies such applicant a license, whichever occurs first; but the temporary license shall automatically expire on the first day the board begins its examination of applicants after granting such license, unless its holder submits to examination on such date. The board may require an applicant for temporary licensure under this subdivision to appear before a member of the board for an interview and oral examination. A temporary license shall be granted under this subsection only once to the same person.

448.04 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Med 2, Wis. adm. code.

448.04(1)(b)3. 3. The board may grant a temporary license to practice medicine and surgery for a period not to exceed 90 days to a nonresident physician who is serving on a full-time or temporary basis in a camp or other recreational facility, or to a physician temporarily maintaining the practice of another physician. In either case, the applicant for such temporary license must satisfy the board that the applicant is needed in the area in which the applicant wishes to serve and that the applicant holds a license granted upon written examination in another licensing jurisdiction of the United States or Canada. The board may renew such temporary license for additional periods of 90 days each but may not renew such license more than 3 consecutive times. The board may require an applicant for such temporary license to appear before a member of the board for interview.

448.04 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Med 4, Wis. adm. code.

448.04(1)(bg) (bg) Restricted license to practice medicine and surgery as a visiting physician.

448.04(1)(bg)1. 1. The board may grant a restricted license to practice medicine and surgery as a visiting physician to an applicant who satisfies the requirements under s. 448.05 (2) (e).

448.04(1)(bg)2. 2. The holder of a license issued under this paragraph may engage in the practice of medicine and surgery only at the medical education facility, medical research facility, or medical college where the license holder is teaching, researching, or practicing, and only in accordance with the terms and restrictions established by the board.

448.04(1)(bg)3. 3. Subject to subd. 4., a license issued under this paragraph is valid for one year and may be renewed at the discretion of the board.

448.04(1)(bg)4. 4. A license issued under this paragraph remains valid only while the license holder is actively engaged in teaching, researching, or practicing medicine and surgery and is lawfully entitled to work in the United States.

448.04(1)(bm) (bm) Resident educational license to practice medicine and surgery.

448.04(1)(bm)1. 1. The board may grant a resident educational license to practice medicine and surgery to an applicant who satisfies the requirements under s. 448.05 (2) (d).

448.04(1)(bm)2. 2. Subject to subd. 3., a license issued under this paragraph is valid for one year and may be renewed for additional one-year terms while the license holder is enrolled in the postgraduate training program under s. 448.05 (2) (d) 1.

448.04(1)(bm)3. 3. A license issued under this paragraph remains valid only while the license holder is actively engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in the postgraduate training program under s. 448.05 (2) (d) 1. and is lawfully entitled to work in the United States.

448.04(1)(bm)4. 4. The holder of a license issued under this paragraph may engage in the practice of medicine and surgery only in connection with his or her duties under the postgraduate training program under s. 448.05 (2) (d) 1.

448.04(1)(br) (br) Provisional license to practice medicine and surgery for international physicians. The board may grant a provisional license to practice medicine and surgery for international physicians to an applicant who satisfies the requirements under s. 448.05 (2m). The holder of a provisional license granted under this paragraph may practice medicine and surgery only under the supervision of a physician who is licensed to practice medicine and surgery under par. (a). A provisional license to practice medicine and surgery under this paragraph shall be converted into a license to practice medicine and surgery under par. (a) after the provisional license holder practices medicine and surgery full-time in this state and maintains good standing for 3 consecutive years.

Effective date note NOTE: Par. (br) is created eff. 1-1-25 by 2023 Wis. Act 214.

448.04(1)(d) (d) License to practice perfusion. A person holding a license to practice perfusion may practice perfusion under the orders and supervision of a physician.

448.04 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Med 22, Wis. adm. code.

448.04(1)(e) (e) Temporary license to practice perfusion. The board may, by rule, provide for a temporary license to practice perfusion for a person who satisfies the requirements of s. 448.05 (3) but who has not passed an examination under s. 448.05 (6). The board may issue a temporary license for a period not to exceed one year and may renew a temporary license annually for not more than 5 years. A person who holds a temporary license may not practice perfusion unless the person is under the supervision and direction of a licensed perfusionist at all times while the person is performing perfusion. The board may promulgate rules governing supervision by licensed perfusionists, except that those rules may not require the immediate physical presence of the supervising, licensed perfusionist.

448.04 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Med 22, Wis. adm. code.

448.04(1)(g) (g) Anesthesiologist assistant license. The board shall license as an anesthesiologist assistant an individual who meets the requirements for licensure under s. 448.05 (5w). The board may, by rule, provide for a temporary license to practice as an anesthesiologist assistant. The board may issue a temporary license to a person who meets the requirements under s. 448.05 (5w) and who is eligible to take, but has not passed, the examination under s. 448.05 (6). A temporary license expires on the date on which the board grants or denies an applicant permanent licensure or on the date of the next regularly scheduled examination required under s. 448.05 (6) if the applicant is required to take, but has failed to apply for, the examination. An applicant who continues to meet the requirements for a temporary license may request that the board renew the temporary license, but an anesthesiologist assistant may not practice under a temporary license for a period of more than 18 months.

448.04(1)(i) (i) Certificate as respiratory care practitioner.

448.04(1)(i)1. 1. The board may certify as a respiratory care practitioner any individual who completes an application, meets the qualifications for certification under s. 448.05 (5r), and passes the examination required under s. 448.05 (6).

448.04(1)(i)3. 3. The board may issue a temporary certificate to practice respiratory care to an individual who submits to the board an application, the fee specified in s. 440.05 (1) (a), evidence the applicant has passed the Therapist Multiple-Choice Examination by the National Board for Respiratory Care, evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant meets the requirements of s. 448.05 (5r), and evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant is certified to practice respiratory care in another state. The board may not issue a temporary certificate under this subdivision to an individual who has previously been issued a temporary certificate under this subdivision. If an applicant for a temporary certificate under this subdivision has been subjected to professional discipline as a result of the applicant’s practice of respiratory care, the applicant shall submit to the board a description of the circumstances of the discipline. A temporary certificate under this subdivision may be issued for a period not to exceed 3 months and may not be renewed.

448.04 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Med 20, Wis. adm. code.

448.04(2) (2) Certificate of licensure. Each license granted by the board shall be attested by a certificate of licensure.