Chapter 457

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.

457.26(2)(c) (c) Advertised in a manner that is false, deceptive or misleading.

457.26(2)(d) (d) Advertised, practiced or attempted to practice under another’s name.

457.26(2)(e) (e) Subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322, and 111.34, practiced social work, advanced practice social work, independent social work, clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, or professional counseling while his or her ability to practice was impaired by alcohol or other drugs.

457.26(2)(f) (f) Engaged in unprofessional or unethical conduct in violation of the code of ethics established in the rules promulgated under s. 457.03 (2).

457.26(2)(g) (g) Performed social work, advanced practice social work, or independent social work services in violation of the rules promulgated under s. 457.03 (2) or otherwise engaged in conduct while practicing social work, advanced practice social work, independent social work, clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, or professional counseling which evidences a lack of knowledge or ability to apply professional principles or skills.

457.26(2)(gm) (gm) Violated the requirements of s. 253.10 (3) (c) 2., 3., 4., 5., 6. or 7.

457.26(2)(h) (h) Violated this subchapter or any rule promulgated under

457.26 History History: 1991 a. 160; 1995 a. 309; 2001 a. 80; 2017 a. 364 s. 49; 2023 a. 55.

457.28 457.28 Injunctive relief. If the appropriate section of the examining board has reason to believe that any person is violating s. 457.04, the appropriate section of the examining board, the examining 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.

457.28 History History: 1991 a. 160.

subch. II of ch. 457 SUBCHAPTER II

COUNSELING COMPACT

457.50 457.50 Counseling compact.

457.50(1) (1) Purpose. The purpose of this compact is to facilitate interstate practice of licensed professional counselors with the goal of improving public access to professional counseling services. The practice of professional counseling occurs in the state where the client is located at the time of the counseling services. The compact preserves the regulatory authority of states to protect public health and safety through the current system of state licensure. This compact is designed to achieve the following objectives:

457.50(1)(a) (a) Increase public access to professional counseling services by providing for the mutual recognition of other member state licenses;

457.50(1)(b) (b) Enhance the states’ ability to protect the public’s health and safety;

457.50(1)(c) (c) Encourage the cooperation of member states in regulating multistate practice for licensed professional counselors;

457.50(1)(d) (d) Support spouses of relocating active duty military personnel;

457.50(1)(e) (e) Enhance the exchange of licensure, investigative, and disciplinary information among member states;

457.50(1)(f) (f) Allow for the use of telehealth technology to facilitate increased access to professional counseling services;

457.50(1)(g) (g) Support the uniformity of professional counseling licensure requirements throughout the states to promote public safety and public health benefits;

457.50(1)(h) (h) Invest all member states with the authority to hold a licensed professional counselor accountable for meeting all state practice laws in the state in which the client is located at the time care is rendered through the mutual recognition of member state licenses;

457.50(1)(i) (i) Eliminate the necessity for licenses in multiple states; and

457.50(1)(j) (j) Provide opportunities for interstate practice by licensed professional counselors who meet uniform licensure requirements.

457.50(2) (2) Definitions. As used in this section, and except as otherwise provided, the following definitions apply:

457.50(2)(a) (a) “Active duty military” means full-time duty status in the active uniformed service of the United States, including members of the national guard and reserve on active duty orders pursuant to 10 USC chs. 1209 and 1211.

457.50(2)(b) (b) “Adverse action” means any administrative, civil, equitable or criminal action permitted by a state’s laws which is imposed by a licensing board or other authority against a licensed professional counselor, including actions against an individual’s license or privilege to practice such as revocation, suspension, probation, monitoring of the licensee, limitation on the licensee’s practice, or any other encumbrance on licensure affecting a licensed professional counselor’s authorization to practice, including issuance of a cease and desist action.

457.50(2)(c) (c) “Alternative program” means a nondisciplinary monitoring or practice remediation process approved by a professional counseling licensing board to address impaired practitioners.

457.50(2)(d) (d) “Continuing competence/education” means a requirement, as a condition of license renewal, to provide evidence of participation in, and/or completion of, educational and professional activities relevant to practice or area of work.

457.50(2)(e) (e) “Counseling compact commission” or “commission” means the national administrative body whose membership consists of all states that have enacted the compact.

457.50(2)(f) (f) “Current significant investigative information” means any of the following:

457.50(2)(f)1. 1. Investigative information that a licensing board, after a preliminary inquiry that includes notification and an opportunity for the licensed professional counselor to respond, if required by state law, has reason to believe is not groundless and, if proved true, would indicate more than a minor infraction; or

457.50(2)(f)2. 2. Investigative information that indicates that the licensed professional counselor represents an immediate threat to public health and safety regardless of whether the licensed professional counselor has been notified and had an opportunity to respond.

457.50(2)(g) (g) “Data system” means a repository of information about licensees, including, but not limited to, continuing education, examination, licensure, investigative, privilege to practice and adverse action information.

457.50(2)(h) (h) “Encumbered license” means a license in which an adverse action restricts the practice of licensed professional counseling by the licensee and said adverse action has been reported to the national practitioners data bank (NPDB).

457.50(2)(i) (i) “Encumbrance” means a revocation or suspension of, or any limitation on, the full and unrestricted practice of licensed professional counseling by a licensing board.

457.50(2)(j) (j) “Executive committee” means a group of directors elected or appointed to act on behalf of, and within the powers granted to them by, the commission.

457.50(2)(k) (k) “Home state” means the member state that is the licensee’s primary state of residence.

457.50(2)(L) (L) “Impaired practitioner” means an individual who has a condition(s) that may impair their ability to practice as a licensed professional counselor without some type of intervention and may include, but is not limited to, alcohol and drug dependence, mental health impairment, and neurological or physical impairments.

457.50(2)(m) (m) “Investigative information” means information, records, and documents received or generated by a professional counseling licensing board pursuant to an investigation.