Chapter 448

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:

448.697(1) (1) Detailed technical information that in all probability a patient would not understand.

448.697(2) (2) Risks apparent or known to the patient.

448.697(3) (3) Extremely remote possibilities that might falsely or detrimentally alarm the patient.

448.697(4) (4) Information in emergencies where failure to provide treatment would be more harmful to the patient than treatment.

448.697(5) (5) Information in cases where the patient is incapable of consenting.

448.697(6) (6) Information about alternate modes of treatment for any condition the podiatrist has not included in his or her diagnosis at the time the podiatrist informs the patient.

448.697 History History: 2013 a. 345.

subch. V of ch. 448 SUBCHAPTER V

DIETITIANS AFFILIATED CREDENTIALING BOARD

448.70 448.70 Definitions. In this subchapter:

448.70(1) (1) “Affiliated credentialing board” means the dietitians affiliated credentialing board.

448.70(1m) (1m) “Certified dietitian” means an individual who is certified as a dietitian under this subchapter.

448.70(2) (2) “Dietetics” means the integration and application of principles of nutritional science, biochemistry, food science, physiology, food systems management, behavioral science and social science in order to achieve or maintain the health of an individual or group of individuals. “Dietetics” includes assessing the nutritional needs of an individual or group of individuals and determining available resources and constraints in meeting those nutritional needs; establishing priorities, goals and objectives that meet those nutritional needs and are consistent with available resources and constraints; providing nutrition counseling; or developing, implementing and managing nutritional care systems.

448.70(3) (3) “Dietitian” means an individual who practices dietetics.

448.70 History History: 1993 a. 443.

448.72 448.72 Applicability. This subchapter does not do any of the following:

448.72(1) (1) Require a certificate under this subchapter for any of the following:

448.72(1)(a) (a) A person who is lawfully practicing within the scope of a license, permit or certificate of certification or registration granted under chs. 441, 446 to 451 or 456, or who is lawfully practicing in any other health care profession that is regulated by state law.

448.72(1)(b) (b) A person to whom a practice or procedure is delegated by a person under par. (a).

448.72(1)(c) (c) A person pursuing a supervised course of study, including internships, leading to a degree or certificate in dietetics from an accredited educational program or an educational program approved by the affiliated credentialing board.

448.72(1)(d) (d) A dietetic technician or assistant who is working under the supervision of a certified dietitian.

448.72(1)(e) (e) A dietitian who is serving in the U.S. armed forces, as defined in s. 40.02 (57m), or in the commissioned corps of the federal public health service or is employed by the U.S. veterans administration, and who is engaged in the practice of dietetics as part of that service or employment.

448.72(1)(f) (f) A person who markets or distributes food, food materials or dietary or food supplements, who explains the use, benefits or preparation of food, food materials or dietary or food supplements, who furnishes nutritional information on food, food materials or dietary or food supplements, or who disseminates nutritional information or literature, if the person does not use the title “dietitian” or “certified dietitian” and the person complies with applicable federal, state and local laws.

448.72(2) (2) Prohibit a dietetic student described in sub. (1) (c) from using the title “dietitian student” or any other title, letters or designation that clearly indicates his or her status as a student or trainee.

448.72(3) (3) Prohibit an individual described in sub. (1) (e) from using the title “dietitian” or any letters or designation that represents or may tend to represent the individual as a dietitian, if the title, letters or designation is used only in the course of the individual’s service or employment.

448.72(4) (4) Prohibit an individual who is registered as a dietitian with the commission on dietetic registration of the American Dietetic Association from using the title “dietitian” or “registered dietitian”.

448.72(5) (5) Prohibit an individual who is registered as a dietetic technician with the commission on dietetic registration of the American Dietetic Association from using the title “dietetic technician” or “dietetic technician registered”.

448.72(6) (6) Prohibit an individual from using the title “dietitian”, “licensed dietitian” or “certified dietitian” if the person is licensed or certified as a dietitian under the laws of another state which has licensure or certification requirements that the affiliated credentialing board determines to be substantially equivalent to the requirements under s. 448.78.

448.72 History History: 1993 a. 443; 1997 a. 75.

448.74 448.74 Duties of affiliated credentialing board. The affiliated credentialing board shall promulgate rules that do all of the following:

448.74(1) (1) Establish criteria for the approval of educational programs and training under s. 448.78 (3) and (4).

448.74(2) (2) Establish a code of ethics to govern the professional conduct of certified dietitians.

448.74 History History: 1993 a. 443.