Chapter 448

Subch. IV of ch. 448 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also Pod, Wis. adm. code.

448.60 448.60 Definitions. In this subchapter:

448.60(1) (1) “Affiliated credentialing board” means the podiatry affiliated credentialing board.

448.60(2) (2) “Licensee” means a person who is licensed under this subchapter.

448.60(3) (3) “Podiatrist” means an individual possessing the degree of doctor of podiatric medicine or doctor of surgical chiropody or equivalent degree as determined by the affiliated credentialing board, and holding a license to practice podiatry or podiatric medicine and surgery granted by the affiliated credentialing board.

448.60(4) (4) “Podiatry” or “podiatric medicine and surgery” means that branch or system of the practice of medicine and surgery that involves treating the sick which is limited to conditions affecting the foot and ankle, but does not include the use of a general anesthetic unless administered by or under the direction of a person licensed to practice medicine and surgery under subch. II.

448.60(5) (5) “Unprofessional conduct” means an act or attempted act of commission or omission, as defined by the affiliated credentialing board by rule under s. 448.695 (1), or an act by a podiatrist in violation of ch. 450 or 961.

448.60 History History: 1997 a. 175 ss. 21, 22, 69; 2005 a. 334; 2009 a. 113; 2013 a. 151 s. 28.

448.61 448.61 License required. Except as provided in ss. 257.03, 440.077, and 448.62, no person may practice podiatry, designate himself or herself as a podiatrist, use or assume the title “doctor of surgical chiropody”, “doctor of podiatry”or “doctor of podiatric medicine”, or append to the person’s name the words or letters “doctor”, “Dr.”, “D.S.C.”, “D.P.M.”, “foot doctor”, “foot specialist” or any other title, letters or designation which represents or may tend to represent the person as a podiatrist unless the person is licensed under this subchapter.

448.61 History History: 1997 a. 175; 2005 a. 96; 2009 a. 42; 2021 a. 158.

448.61 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Pod 1, Wis. adm. code.

448.62 448.62 Applicability. This subchapter does not require a license for any of the following:

448.62(1) (1) A person lawfully practicing within the scope of a license, permit, registration or certification granted by this state or the federal government.

448.62(1m) (1m) An individual who is exempt from licensure as a physician under s. 448.03 (2m).

448.62(2) (2) A person assisting a podiatrist in practice under the direct, on-premises supervision of the podiatrist.

448.62(2m) (2m) An advanced practice nurse who is certified to issue prescription orders under s. 441.16 and who is providing nonsurgical patient services as directed, supervised, and inspected by a podiatrist who has the power to direct, decide, and oversee the implementation of the patient services rendered.

448.62(3) (3) A podiatry student engaged in activities required for his or her education or training.

448.62(4) (4) A podiatrist who is licensed to practice podiatry in another state or country and is providing a consultation or demonstration with a podiatrist who is licensed under this subchapter.

448.62(5) (5) A person performing the gratuitous domestic administration of family remedies.

448.62(6) (6) A person furnishing medical assistance or first aid at the scene of an emergency.

448.62(7) (7) A physician assistant who is acting under the supervision and direction of a podiatrist, subject to s. 448.975 (2) (a) 2m., or an individual to whom the physician assistant delegates a task or order under s. 448.975 (4).

448.62 History History: 1997 a. 175; 2017 a. 227, 341; 2021 a. 23; 2021 a. 238 s. 45.

448.63 448.63 Licensure of podiatrists.

448.63(1) (1) Subject to sub. (4), the affiliated credentialing board shall grant a license as a podiatrist to a person who does all of the following:

448.63(1)(a) (a) Submits an application for the license to the department on a form provided by the department.

448.63(1)(b) (b) Pays the fee specified in s. 440.05 (1).

448.63(1)(c) (c) Subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322 and 111.335, submits evidence satisfactory to the affiliated credentialing board that the applicant does not have an arrest or conviction record.

448.63(1)(d) (d) Submits evidence satisfactory to the affiliated credentialing board of all of the following:

448.63(1)(d)1. 1. That the applicant is a graduate of a school of podiatric medicine and surgery approved by the affiliated credentialing board and possesses a diploma from such school conferring the degree of doctor of podiatric medicine, or equivalent degree as determined by the affiliated credentialing board, unless the affiliated credentialing board waives these requirements under sub. (2).

448.63(1)(d)2. 2. That the applicant has completed 2 years of postgraduate training in a program approved by the affiliated credentialing board or one year of postgraduate training in a program approved by the affiliated credentialing board if the one-year postgraduate training was completed by June 1, 2010.

448.63(1)(e) (e) Passes an examination under s. 448.64.

448.63(2) (2) The affiliated credentialing board may waive the requirement under sub. (1) (d) 1. for an applicant who establishes, to the satisfaction of the affiliated credentialing board, all of the following:

448.63(2)(a) (a) That he or she is a graduate of a podiatry school.

448.63(2)(b) (b) That he or she is licensed as a podiatrist by another licensing jurisdiction in the United States.

448.63(2)(c) (c) That the jurisdiction in which he or she is licensed required the licensee to be a graduate of a school approved by the licensing jurisdiction or of a school that the licensing jurisdiction evaluated for education equivalency.

448.63(2)(d) (d) That he or she has actively practiced podiatry, under the license issued by the other licensing jurisdiction in the United States, for at least 3 years immediately preceding the date of his or her application.

448.63(3) (3) The affiliated credentialing board may promulgate rules providing for various classes of temporary licenses to practice podiatry.

448.63(4) (4) The affiliated credentialing board may grant a limited license to an applicant for a license under sub. (1) if the affiliated credentialing board finds that the applicant has not demonstrated adequate education, training or performance on any past examination or in any past practice, and that, based upon considerations of public health and safety, the applicant does not qualify for full licensure under sub. (1).

448.63 History History: 1997 a. 175; 2005 a. 334; 2011 a. 146.

448.63 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Pod 1, Wis. adm. code.

448.64 448.64 Examination.

448.64(1) (1) The affiliated credentialing board shall conduct or arrange for examinations for podiatrist licensure at least semiannually and at times and places determined by the affiliated credentialing board.

448.64(2) (2) Except as provided in sub. (3), examinations shall consist of written or oral tests, or both, requiring an applicant to demonstrate minimum competency in subjects substantially related to the practice of podiatry.

448.64(3) (3) The affiliated credentialing board may not require an applicant to take an oral examination or an examination to test proficiency in the English language for the sole reason that the applicant was educated at a podiatry school that is not in the United States if the applicant establishes, to the satisfaction of the affiliated credentialing board, that he or she satisfies the requirements under s. 448.63 (2).

448.64(4) (4) The affiliated credentialing board may require an applicant who fails to appear for or to complete an examination under this section to reapply for licensure before being admitted to a subsequent examination.

448.64(5) (5) An applicant who fails to pass an examination under this section may request reexamination, and may be reexamined not more than twice at not less than 4-month intervals, and shall pay a reexamination fee for each reexamination. An applicant who fails to pass an examination on the 2nd such reexamination may not be admitted to further examination until the applicant reapplies for licensure and submits evidence that shows, to the satisfaction of the affiliated credentialing board, that he or she has completed additional education or received additional professional training.

448.64 History History: 1997 a. 175.

448.64 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ss. Pod 1.06, 1.07, and 1.11, Wis. adm. code.

448.65 448.65 Issuance of license; expiration and renewal; duplicate license.

448.65(1) (1) The department shall issue a certificate of licensure to each person who is licensed under this subchapter.

448.65(2) (2) The renewal date for a license granted under this subchapter, other than a temporary license granted under rules promulgated under s. 448.63 (3), is specified under s. 440.08 (2) (a). Renewal applications shall be submitted to the department on a form provided by the department and shall be accompanied by all of the following:

448.65(2)(a) (a) The renewal fee determined by the department under s. 440.03 (9) (a).

448.65(2)(b) (b) Proof of completion of continuing education requirements in s. 448.665.

448.65(3) (3) A licensee whose license is lost, stolen or destroyed may apply to the department for a duplicate license. Duplicate license applications shall be submitted to the department on a form provided by the department and shall be accompanied by the fee specified under s. 440.05 (7) and an affidavit setting out the circumstances of the loss, theft or destruction of the license. Upon receipt of an application under this subsection, the department shall issue a duplicate license bearing on its face the word “duplicate”.

448.65 History History: 1997 a. 175; 2007 a. 20; 2009 a. 276.

448.65 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Pod 4, Wis. adm. code.

448.655 448.655 Malpractice liability insurance.

448.655(1) (1) A licensed podiatrist shall annually submit to the affiliated credentialing board evidence satisfactory to the affiliated credentialing board that the podiatrist satisfies one of the following:

448.655(1)(a) (a) The podiatrist has in effect malpractice liability insurance coverage in the amount of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $1,000,000 for all occurrences in one year.

448.655(1)(b) (b) The podiatrist meets all of the following conditions:

448.655(1)(b)1. 1. The podiatrist’s principal place of practice is not in this state.

448.655(1)(b)2. 2. The podiatrist will not be engaged in the practice of podiatry in this state for more than 240 hours during the following 12 months.

448.655(1)(b)3. 3. The podiatrist has in effect malpractice liability insurance coverage that covers services provided by the podiatrist to patients in this state and which is in one of the following amounts:

448.655(1)(b)3.a. a. At least the minimum amount of malpractice liability insurance coverage that is required under the laws of the state in which the affiliated credentialing board determines that his or her principal place of practice is located.

448.655(1)(b)3.b. b. If the podiatrist is not required under the laws of the state in which the affiliated credentialing board determines that his or her principal place of practice is located to have in effect a minimum amount of malpractice liability insurance coverage, at least the minimum amount of malpractice liability insurance coverage that the affiliated credentialing board determines is necessary to protect the public.

448.655(2) (2) For purposes of sub. (1), a podiatrist’s principal place of practice is not in this state if the affiliated credentialing board determines that, during the following 12 months, any of the following applies:

448.655(2)(a) (a) More than 50 percent of the podiatrist’s practice will be performed outside this state.

448.655(2)(b) (b) More than 50 percent of the income from the podiatrist’s practice will be derived from outside this state.

448.655(2)(c) (c) More than 50 percent of the podiatrist’s patients will be treated by the podiatrist outside this state.

448.655(3) (3) The affiliated credentialing board may suspend, revoke or refuse to issue or renew the license of a podiatrist who fails to procure or to submit proof of the malpractice liability insurance coverage required under sub. (1).

448.655 History History: 1985 a. 340; 1989 a. 152; 1997 a. 175 ss. 51 to 56; Stats. 1997 s. 448.655.

448.66 448.66 Malpractice. Except as provided in s. 257.03, a person who practices podiatry without having a license under this subchapter may be liable for malpractice, and his or her ignorance of a duty ordinarily performed by a licensed podiatrist shall not limit his or her liability for an injury arising from his or her practice of podiatry.

448.66 History History: 1997 a. 175; 2005 a. 96; 2009 a. 42.

448.665 448.665 Continuing education. The affiliated credentialing board shall promulgate rules establishing requirements and procedures for licensees to complete continuing education programs or courses of study in order to qualify for renewal of a license granted under this subchapter. The rules shall require a licensee to complete at least 30 hours of continuing education programs or courses of study within each 2-year period immediately preceding the renewal date specified under s. 440.08 (2) (a). The affiliated credentialing board may waive all or part of these requirements for the completion of continuing education programs or courses of study if the affiliated credentialing board determines that prolonged illness, disability or other exceptional circumstances have prevented a licensee from completing the requirements.

448.665 History History: 1997 a. 175.

448.665 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Pod 3, Wis. adm. code.

448.67 448.67 Practice requirements.

448.67(1) (1) Fee splitting. No licensee may give or receive, directly or indirectly, to or from any other person any fee, commission, rebate or other form of compensation or anything of value for sending, referring or otherwise inducing a person to communicate with a licensee in a professional capacity, or for any professional services not actually rendered personally by the licensee or at the licensee’s direction.

448.67(2) (2) Separate billing required. Except as provided in sub. (4), a licensee who renders any podiatric service or assistance, or gives any podiatric advice or any similar advice or assistance, to any patient, podiatrist, physician, physician assistant, advanced practice nurse prescriber certified under s. 441.16 (2), partnership, or corporation, or to any other institution or organization, including a hospital, for which a charge is made to a patient, shall, except as authorized by Title 18 or Title 19 of the federal Social Security Act, render an individual statement or account of the charge directly to the patient, distinct and separate from any statement or account by any other podiatrist, physician, physician assistant, advanced practice nurse prescriber, or other person.

448.67(3) (3) Billing for tests performed by the state laboratory of hygiene. A licensee who charges a patient, other person or 3rd-party payer for services performed by the state laboratory of hygiene shall identify the actual amount charged by the state laboratory of hygiene and shall restrict charges for those services to that amount.

448.67(4) (4) Billing by professional partnerships and corporations. If 2 or more podiatrists have entered into a bona fide partnership or formed a service corporation for the practice of podiatry, the partnership or corporation may not render a single bill for podiatry services provided in the name of the partnership or corporation unless each individual licensed, registered or certified under this chapter, subch. I of ch. 457, or ch. 446, 449, 450, 455, or 459, who provided services is individually identified on the bill as having rendered those services.

448.67 History History: 1997 a. 175; 2005 a. 187; 2011 a. 161; 2023 a. 55.

448.675 448.675 Disciplinary proceedings and actions.

448.675(1) (1) Investigation; hearing; action.

448.675(1)(a) (a) The affiliated credentialing board shall investigate allegations of unprofessional conduct and negligence in treatment by a licensee. Information contained in reports filed with the affiliated credentialing board under s. 49.45 (2) (a) 12r., 50.36 (3) (b), 609.17 or 632.715, or under 42 CFR 1001.2005, shall be investigated by the affiliated credentialing board. Information contained in a report filed with the affiliated credentialing board under s. 50.36 (3) (c) may, within the discretion of the affiliated credentialing board, be used as the basis of an investigation of a person named in the report. The affiliated credentialing board may require a licensee to undergo and may consider the results of a physical, mental or professional competency examination if the affiliated credentialing board believes that the results of the examination may be useful to the affiliated credentialing board in conducting its investigation.

448.675(1)(b) (b) After an investigation, if the affiliated credentialing board finds that there is probable cause to believe that the person is guilty of unprofessional conduct or negligence in treatment, the affiliated credentialing board shall hold a hearing on such conduct. The affiliated credentialing board may require a licensee to undergo and may consider the results of a physical, mental or professional competency examination if the affiliated credentialing board believes that the results of the examination may be useful to the affiliated credentialing board in conducting its hearing. A finding by a court that a podiatrist has acted negligently in treating a patient is conclusive evidence that the podiatrist is guilty of negligence in treatment. A certified copy of the order of a court is presumptive evidence that the finding of negligence in treatment was made. The affiliated credentialing board shall render a decision within 90 days after the date on which the hearing is held or, if subsequent proceedings are conducted under s. 227.46 (2), within 90 days after the date on which those proceedings are completed.

448.675(1)(c) (c) After a disciplinary hearing, the affiliated credentialing board may, when it determines that a court has found that a person has been negligent in treating a patient or when it finds a person guilty of unprofessional conduct or negligence in treatment, do one or more of the following: warn or reprimand that person, or limit, suspend or revoke a license granted by the affiliated credentialing board to that person. The affiliated credentialing board may condition the removal of limitations on a license, or the restoration of a suspended or revoked license, upon obtaining minimum results specified by the affiliated credentialing board on a physical, mental or professional competency examination if the affiliated credentialing board believes that obtaining the minimum results is related to correcting one or more of the bases upon which the limitation, suspension or revocation was imposed.

448.675(1)(d) (d) A person whose license is limited shall be permitted to continue practice if the person agrees to do all of the following:

448.675(1)(d)1. 1. Refrain from engaging in unprofessional conduct.