Chapter 457

457.12(2m)(b) (b) The individual holds a home state license in another state that is a party to the counseling compact, has changed his or her primary state of residence to this state, and satisfies all other requirements under s. 457.50 (5).

457.12(2m)(bm) (bm) The individual does not, subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322, and 111.335, have a conviction record.

457.12(2m)(d) (d) The individual passes an examination described under s. 457.16 (1) (b), if required.

457.12(3m) (3m) Privilege to practice. The professional counselor section shall grant a professional counselor privilege to practice to any individual to whom all of the following apply:

457.12(3m)(a) (a) The individual holds an unencumbered home state license in another state that is a party to the counseling compact and satisfies all other requirements under s. 457.50 (4).

457.12(3m)(b) (b) The individual applies for the privilege to practice in the manner prescribed by the department.

457.12(3m)(c) (c) The individual pays any fee established by the department under s. 457.51 (2).

457.12(3m)(d) (d) The individual passes an examination described under s. 457.16 (1) (b), if required.

457.12(4m) (4m) Types of license.

457.12(4m)(a) (a) A professional counselor license granted under sub. (1m) may be either of the following:

457.12(4m)(a)1. 1. A license that, subject to s. 457.50 (4), entitles the holder to obtain and exercise a privilege to practice in other states that are parties to the counseling compact.

457.12(4m)(a)2. 2. A single-state license, which only entitles the holder to practice in this state. Nothing in the counseling compact applies to the holder of a single-state license unless otherwise applicable under this subchapter.

457.12(4m)(b) (b) When applying for a license under sub. (1m), an individual shall specify whether he or she is applying for a license under par. (a) 1. or 2.

457.12 History History: 1991 a. 160; 1993 a. 366; 2001 a. 80; 2017 a. 357; 2023 a. 55.

457.12 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also chs. MPSW 12 and 14 and s. MPSW 11.01, Wis. adm. code.

457.13 457.13 Professional counselor training license.

457.13(1) (1) The professional counselor section shall grant a professional counselor training license to any individual who does all of the following:

457.13(1)(a) (a) Submits an application for the license to the department on a form provided by the department.

457.13(1)(b) (b) Pays the fee specified in s. 440.05 (6).

457.13(1)(c) (c) Satisfies the requirements in s. 457.12 (1m) (b).

457.13(1)(d) (d) Submits evidence satisfactory to the professional counselor section that he or she is in a position, or has an offer for a position, as a professional counselor in a supervised clinical professional counseling practice or is in a position, or has an offer for a position, in which the applicant will, in the opinion of the professional counselor section, receive training and supervision equivalent to the training and supervision received in a supervised clinical professional counseling practice.

457.13(2) (2) A professional counselor training license is valid for 48 months and may be renewed at the discretion of the professional counselor section. Notwithstanding s. 457.04 (6), a professional counselor training license authorizes the holder to use any title specified in s. 457.04 (6) and to practice professional counseling within the scope of his or her training or supervision during the period in which the license is valid.

457.13 History History: 1993 a. 366; 2001 a. 80; 2005 a. 422; 2023 a. 55.

457.13 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. MPSW 11.015, Wis. adm. code.

457.14 457.14 Temporary certificates and licenses.

457.14(1) (1) Upon application and payment of the fee specified in s. 440.05 (6), the appropriate section of the examining board may grant a temporary social worker, advanced practice social worker, independent social worker, clinical social worker, marriage and family therapist, or professional counselor certificate or license to any individual who does one of the following:

457.14(1)(a) (a) Satisfies the requirements under s. 457.08 (1) (a) and (b) and has submitted an application to take the next available examination for certification under s. 457.08 (1) (c).

457.14(1)(b) (b) Satisfies the requirements under s. 457.08 (2) (a) and (b) and has submitted an application to take the next available examination for certification under s. 457.08 (2) (c).

457.14(1)(c) (c) Satisfies the requirements under s. 457.08 (3) (a) to (c) and has submitted an application to take the next available examination for certification under s. 457.08 (3) (d).

457.14(1)(d) (d) Satisfies the requirements under s. 457.08 (4) (a) to (c) and has submitted an application to take the next available examination for licensure under s. 457.08 (4) (d).

457.14(1)(e) (e) Satisfies the requirements under s. 457.10 (1) to (3) and has submitted an application to take the next available examination for licensure under s. 457.10 (4).

457.14(1)(f) (f) Satisfies the requirements under s. 457.12 (1m) (a) to (c) and has submitted an application to take the next available examination for licensure under s. 457.12 (1m) (d).

457.14(2) (2) A temporary certificate or license granted under sub. (1) is valid for a period designated by the appropriate section of the examining board, not to exceed 9 months, and may be renewed once by that section of the examining board.

457.14 History History: 1991 a. 160; 2001 a. 80; 2005 a. 422; 2023 a. 55.

457.14 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ss. MPSW 3.11, 11.035, and 17.01, Wis. adm. code.

457.15 457.15 Reciprocal certificates and licenses.

457.15(1) (1) Upon application and payment of the fee specified in s. 440.05 (2), the social worker section may do all of the following:

457.15(1)(a) (a) Grant a social worker certificate to any individual who holds a similar certificate in another state or territory of the United States and who passes an examination approved by the social worker section that tests knowledge of state law relating to social work, if the social worker section determines that the requirements for obtaining the certificate in the other state or territory are substantially equivalent to the requirements under s. 457.08 (1).

457.15(1)(b) (b) Grant an advanced practice social worker certificate to any individual who holds a similar certificate in another state or territory of the United States and who passes an examination approved by the social worker section that tests knowledge of state law relating to advanced practice social work, if the social worker section determines that the requirements for obtaining the certificate in the other state or territory are substantially equivalent to the requirements under s. 457.08 (2).

457.15(1)(c) (c) Grant an independent social worker certificate to any individual who holds a similar certificate in another state or territory of the United States and who passes an examination approved by the social worker section that tests knowledge of state law relating to independent social work, if the social worker section determines that the requirements for obtaining the certificate in the other state or territory are substantially equivalent to the requirements under s. 457.08 (3).

457.15(1)(d) (d) Grant a clinical social worker license to any individual who holds a similar certificate or license in another state or territory of the United States and who passes an examination approved by the social worker section that tests knowledge of state law relating to clinical social work, if the social worker section determines that the requirements for obtaining the certificate or license in the other state or territory are substantially equivalent to the requirements under s. 457.08 (4).

457.15(2) (2) Upon application and payment of the fee specified in s. 440.05 (2), the marriage and family therapist section may grant a marriage and family therapist license to any individual who holds a similar certificate or license in another state or territory of the United States and who passes an examination approved by the marriage and family therapist section that tests knowledge of state law relating to marriage and family therapy, if the marriage and family therapist section determines that the requirements for obtaining the certificate or license in the other state or territory are substantially equivalent to the requirements under s. 457.10.

457.15(3) (3) Upon application and payment of the fee specified in s. 440.05 (2), the professional counselor section may grant a professional counselor license to any individual who holds a similar certificate or license in another state or territory of the United States and who passes an examination approved by the professional counselor section that tests knowledge of state law relating to professional counseling, if the professional counselor section determines that the requirements for obtaining the certificate or license in the other state or territory are substantially equivalent to the requirements under s. 457.12 (1m).

457.15 History History: 1991 a. 160; 2001 a. 80; 2023 a. 55.

457.15 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ss. MPSW 3.12, 11.04, and 17.02, Wis. adm. code.

457.15 Annotation The Examining Board may not require applicants for reciprocal certificates to pass an examination covering state law in the absence of a statutory requirement. Applicants for certificates under reciprocal certification must demonstrate that they obtained their certificates under a state law that was substantially equivalent to Wisconsin’s educational, experience, and examination requirements. OAG 4-99.

457.16 457.16 Examinations.

457.16(1) (1) 

457.16(1)(a) (a) The appropriate section of the examining board shall arrange for examinations for social worker, advanced practice social worker, independent social worker, clinical social worker, marriage and family therapist, and professional counselor certification and licensure to be conducted at least semiannually and at times and places determined by that section of the examining board, and shall provide public notice of each examination at least 90 days before the date of the examination.

457.16(1)(b) (b) The professional counselor section may, in accordance with par. (a), arrange for an examination that tests an applicant’s knowledge of state law relating to the practice of professional counseling in accordance with s. 457.51 (3), if such an examination is required for applicants for licensure under s. 457.12 (1m).

457.16(2) (2) Examinations shall consist of written or oral tests, or both, requiring applicants to demonstrate minimum competency in subjects substantially related to the practice of social work, advanced practice social work, independent social work, clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, or professional counseling, as appropriate, and may include an examination that tests an applicant’s knowledge of state law relating to the relevant practice.

457.16 History History: 1991 a. 160; 2001 a. 80; 2017 a. 330, 357; 2023 a. 55.

457.16 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. MPSW 5, Wis. adm. code.

457.18 457.18 Practice under counseling compact. An individual who holds a valid privilege to practice in this state may, subject to s. 457.51 (4), do any of the following:

457.18(1) (1) Practice professional counseling in this state, subject to s. 457.50 (4).

457.18(2) (2) Practice professional counseling in this state via telehealth, as defined in s. 457.50 (2) (y), subject to s. 457.50 (7).

457.18 History History: 2023 a. 55.

457.20 457.20 Issuance of certificate; expiration and renewal.

457.20(1) (1) The department shall issue a certificate of certification or licensure to each individual who is certified or licensed under this subchapter.

457.20(2) (2) The renewal dates for certificates and licenses granted under this subchapter, other than training certificates and licenses or temporary certificates or licenses, are specified under s. 440.08 (2) (a).

457.20(3) (3) Renewal applications shall be submitted to the department on a form provided by the department and shall be accompanied by all of the following:

457.20(3)(a) (a) The renewal fee determined by the department under s. 440.03 (9) (a).

457.20(3)(b) (b) Proof of completion of continuing education requirements in s. 457.22.

457.20(3)(c) (c) If the application is for renewal of a professional counselor license that was originally granted as a professional counselor certificate under 1991 Wisconsin Act 160, section 21 (2) (g), evidence satisfactory to the professional counselor section that the applicant continues to be employed by a federal, state, or local governmental agency as a professional counselor, professional rehabilitation counselor, vocational rehabilitation counselor, or rehabilitation counselor.

457.20(4) (4) Renewal of an advanced practice social worker, independent social worker, or clinical social worker certificate or license automatically renews the individual’s social worker certificate without payment of the renewal fee for the social worker certificate or completion of the continuing education requirements that would otherwise be required for renewal of a social worker certificate.

457.20 History History: 1991 a. 160; 1993 a. 366; 2001 a. 80; 2005 a. 422; 2007 a. 20; 2023 a. 55.

457.22 457.22 Continuing education.

457.22(1) (1) The examining board may do any of the following:

457.22(1)(a) (a) Upon the advice of the social worker section, promulgate rules establishing requirements and procedures for social workers, advanced practice social workers, independent social workers, and clinical social workers to complete continuing education programs or courses of study in order to qualify for renewal.

457.22(1)(b) (b) Upon the advice of the marriage and family therapist section, promulgate rules establishing requirements and procedures for marriage and family therapists to complete continuing education programs or courses of study in order to qualify for renewal.

457.22(1)(c) (c) Upon the advice of the professional counselor section, promulgate rules establishing requirements and procedures for professional counselors to complete continuing education programs or courses of study in order to qualify for renewal.

457.22(2) (2) The rules promulgated under sub. (1) may not require an individual to complete more than 30 hours of continuing education programs or courses of study in order to qualify for renewal. The appropriate section of the examining board may waive all or part of the requirements established in rules promulgated under this section if it determines that prolonged illness, disability, or other exceptional circumstances have prevented the individual from completing the requirements.

457.22 History History: 1991 a. 160; 2001 a. 80.

457.22 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. MPSW 19, Wis. adm. code.

457.24 457.24 Professional liability insurance.

457.24(1) (1) Except as provided in sub. (2), a person licensed as a clinical social worker, marriage and family therapist, or professional counselor under this subchapter or who is exercising the professional counselor privilege to practice in this state may not practice clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, or professional counseling unless he or she has in effect professional liability insurance. The examining board shall promulgate rules establishing the minimum amount of insurance required under this subsection.

457.24(2) (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person practicing clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, or professional counseling as an employee of a federal, state, or local governmental agency, if the practice is part of the duties for which he or she is employed and is solely within the confines of or under the jurisdiction of the agency by which he or she is employed.

457.24 History History: 2001 a. 80; 2023 a. 55.

457.25 457.25 Reporting requirements.

457.25(1) (1) Any public or private mental health or health care agency, institution or facility, or any other person or entity that employs or contracts for services with a credential holder, that terminates, suspends, or restricts the employment or contract of the credential holder as a result of adverse or disciplinary action against the credential holder relating to his or her practice of social work, advanced practice social work, independent social work, clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, or professional counseling shall submit a written report of the action to the appropriate section of the examining board within 30 days after the date on which the action is taken or, if grounds for such an action exist and the credential holder terminates his or her employment before the action is taken, within 30 days after the date on which the credential holder terminates his or her employment.

457.25(2) (2) Any state or local professional society or organization of social workers, marriage and family therapists, or professional counselors that terminates, revokes, or suspends the membership of a credential holder, or takes any other adverse or disciplinary action against a credential holder relating to his or her practice of social work, advanced practice social work, independent social work, clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, or professional counseling, shall submit a written report of the action to the appropriate section of the examining board within 30 days after the date on which the action is taken or, if grounds for such an action exist and the credential holder terminates his or her membership before the action is taken, within 30 days after the date on which the credential holder terminates his or her membership.

457.25(3) (3) Any insurer, as defined in s. 600.03 (27), who provides professional liability insurance coverage for a credential holder and who pays a claim for damages arising out of the rendering of services by the credential holder or obtains any information that tends to substantiate a charge that the credential holder has engaged in conduct that constitutes grounds for discipline under s. 457.26 shall submit a written report of the payment or information to the appropriate section of the examining board within 30 days after the date on which the payment is made or information is obtained.

457.25(4) (4) Any circuit court that appoints a guardian of the person or estate of a credential holder or makes a judgment or other determination that a credential holder is mentally ill or mentally incompetent or that a credential holder has done any of the acts enumerated in s. 457.26 (2) shall submit a written report of the appointment, judgment, or determination to the appropriate section of the examining board within 30 days after the date on which the appointment, judgment, or determination is made.

457.25 History History: 1991 a. 160; 2001 a. 80; 2011 a. 146.

457.26 457.26 Disciplinary proceedings and actions.

457.26(1) (1) Subject to the rules promulgated under s. 440.03 (1), the appropriate section of the examining board may make investigations and conduct hearings to determine whether a violation of this subchapter or any rule promulgated under this subchapter has occurred.

457.26(2) (2) Subject to the rules promulgated under s. 440.03 (1), the appropriate section of the examining board may reprimand a credential holder or deny, limit, suspend, or revoke a credential under this subchapter if it finds that the applicant or credential holder has done any of the following:

457.26(2)(a) (a) Made a material misstatement in an application for a credential or for renewal of a credential.

457.26(2)(b) (b) Subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322, and 111.335, been convicted of an offense the circumstances of which substantially relate to the practice of social work, advanced practice social work, independent social work, clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, or professional counseling.