Chapter 448

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.

448.675(1)(d)2. 2. Appear before the affiliated credentialing board or its officers or agents at such times and places designated by the affiliated credentialing board.

448.675(1)(d)3. 3. Fully disclose to the affiliated credentialing board or its officers or agents the nature of the person’s practice and conduct.

448.675(1)(d)4. 4. Fully comply with the limits placed on his or her practice and conduct by the affiliated credentialing board.

448.675(1)(d)5. 5. Obtain additional training, education or supervision required by the affiliated credentialing board.

448.675(1)(d)6. 6. Cooperate with the affiliated credentialing board.

448.675(1)(e) (e) Unless a suspended license is revoked during the period of suspension, upon expiration of the period of suspension the affiliated credentialing board shall reinstate the person’s license, except that the affiliated credentialing board may, as a condition precedent to the reinstatement of the license, require the person to pass the examinations required for the original grant of the license.

448.675(1)(f) (f) The affiliated credentialing board shall comply with rules of procedure for the investigation, hearing and action promulgated by the department under s. 440.03 (1).

448.675(1)(g) (g) Nothing in this subsection prohibits the affiliated credentialing board, in its discretion, from investigating and conducting disciplinary proceedings on allegations of unprofessional conduct by a licensee when the allegations of unprofessional conduct may also constitute allegations of negligence in treatment.

448.675(2) (2) Suspension or limitation pending hearing. The affiliated credentialing board may summarily suspend or limit a license granted by the affiliated credentialing board for a period not to exceed 30 days pending hearing if the affiliated credentialing board has in its possession evidence establishing probable cause to believe that the licensee has violated the provisions of this subchapter and that it is necessary to suspend or limit the license immediately to protect the public health, safety or welfare. The licensee shall be granted an opportunity to be heard during the determination of whether or not probable cause exists. The affiliated credentialing board may designate any of its officers to exercise the authority granted by this subsection to summarily suspend or limit a license, for a period not exceeding 72 hours. If a license has been summarily suspended or limited by the affiliated credentialing board or any of its officers, the affiliated credentialing board may, while the hearing is in progress, extend the initial period of suspension or limitation for not more than an additional 30 days. If the licensee has caused a delay in the hearing process, the affiliated credentialing board may subsequently suspend or limit the license from the time the hearing is commenced until a final decision is issued or may delegate such authority to the hearing examiner.

448.675(3) (3) Voluntary surrender. A licensee may voluntarily surrender his or her license to the secretary of the affiliated credentialing board, but the secretary may refuse to accept the surrender if the affiliated credentialing board has received an allegation of unprofessional conduct against the licensee. The affiliated credentialing board may negotiate stipulations in consideration for accepting the surrender of a license.

448.675(4) (4) Restoration of license, certificate or limited permit. The affiliated credentialing board may restore a license which has been voluntarily surrendered or revoked under this subchapter on such terms and conditions as it considers appropriate.

448.675 History History: 1997 a. 175; 2017 a. 328.

448.675 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Pod 2, Wis. adm. code.

448.68 448.68 Hospital reports.

448.68(1) (1) Within 30 days after receipt of a report under s. 50.36 (3) (c), the affiliated credentialing board shall notify the licensee, in writing, of the substance of the report. The licensee and the licensee’s authorized representative may examine the report and may place into the record a statement, of reasonable length, of the licensee’s view of the correctness or relevance of any information in the report. The licensee may institute an action in circuit court to amend or expunge any part of the licensee’s record related to the report.

448.68(2) (2) If the affiliated credentialing board determines that a report submitted under s. 50.36 (3) (c) is without merit or that the licensee has sufficiently improved his or her conduct, the affiliated credentialing board shall remove the report from the licensee’s record. If no report about a licensee is filed under s. 50.36 (3) (c) for 2 consecutive years, the licensee may petition the affiliated credentialing board to remove any prior reports, which did not result in disciplinary action, from his or her record.

448.68(3) (3) Upon the request of a hospital, the affiliated credentialing board shall provide the hospital with all information relating to a licensee’s loss, reduction or suspension of staff privileges from other hospitals and all information relating to the licensee’s being found guilty of unprofessional conduct. In this subsection, “hospital” has the meaning specified under s. 50.33 (2).

448.68 History History: 1997 a. 175.

448.685 448.685 Injunctive relief. If the affiliated credentialing board has reason to believe that a person is violating this subchapter or a rule promulgated under this subchapter, the affiliated credentialing board, the department, the attorney general or the district attorney of the proper county may investigate and may, in addition to any other remedies, bring an action in the name and on behalf of this state to enjoin the person from the violation.

448.685 History History: 1997 a. 175.

448.69 448.69 Penalties; appeal.

448.69(1) (1) Penalties.

448.69(1)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), a person who violates any provision of this subchapter or a rule promulgated under this subchapter may be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than 9 months or both.

448.69(1)(b) (b) A person who violates s. 448.67 (3) may be fined not more than $250.

448.69(2) (2) Appeal. A person aggrieved by an action taken under this subchapter by the affiliated credentialing board, its officers or its agents may apply for judicial review as provided in ch. 227, and shall file notice of such appeal with the secretary of the affiliated credentialing board within 30 days. No court of this state may enter an ex parte stay of an action taken by the affiliated credentialing board under this subchapter.

448.69 History History: 1997 a. 175.

448.695 448.695 Rules.

448.695(1) (1) The affiliated credentialing board shall promulgate all of the following rules:

448.695(1)(a) (a) Rules defining the acts or attempted acts of commission or omission that constitute unprofessional conduct under s. 448.60 (5).

448.695(1)(b) (b) Rules implementing s. 448.697.

448.695 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Pod 8, Wis. adm. code.

448.695(2) (2) The affiliated credentialing board may promulgate rules to carry out the purposes of this subchapter.

448.695(3) (3) The affiliated credentialing board shall promulgate rules specifying the requirements for a course of instruction related to X-ray examinations by persons under the direct supervision of a podiatrist under s. 462.02 (2) (f). In promulgating the rules, the affiliated credentialing board shall consult with the radiography examining board and shall examine laws and rules in other states. The affiliated credentialing board shall approve courses that meet the requirements set forth in the rules.

448.695(4) (4) The affiliated credentialing board shall promulgate rules establishing all of the following:

448.695(4)(a) (a) Practice standards for a physician assistant practicing podiatry as provided in s. 448.975 (2) (a) 2m.

448.695(4)(b) (b) Requirements for a podiatrist who is supervising a physician assistant as provided in s. 448.975 (2) (a) 2m.

448.695 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Pod 7, Wis. adm. code.

448.695 History History: 1997 a. 175; 2009 a. 106; 2013 a. 345; 2017 a. 227; 2021 a. 23.

448.695 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also Pod, Wis. adm. code.

448.697 448.697 Informed consent. Any podiatrist who treats a patient shall inform the patient about the availability of reasonable alternate modes of treatment and about the benefits and risks of these treatments. The reasonable podiatrist standard is the standard for informing a patient under this section. The reasonable podiatrist standard requires disclosure only of information that a reasonable podiatrist would know and disclose under the circumstances. The podiatrist’s duty to inform the patient under this section does not require disclosure of any of the following: