Chapter SPS 181

APPLICATIONS FOR LICENSURE, RENEWAL OF LICENSES
AND TEMPORARY PERMITS

SPS 181.01   Applications.

Ch. SPS 181 Note Note: Chapter RL 181 was renumbered chapter SPS 181 under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 1., Stats., Register November 2011 No. 671.

SPS 181.01 SPS 181.01 Applications.

SPS 181.01(1) (1) Licenses. An individual who applies for a license as a midwife shall apply on a form provided by the department. An applicant who fails to comply with a request for information related to the application, or fails to meet all requirements for the license within 120 calendar days from the date of filing shall file a new application and fee if licensure is sought at a later date. The application shall include all of the following:

SPS 181.01(1)(a) (a) The fee specified in s. 440.03 (9), Stats.

SPS 181.01(1)(b) (b) Evidence satisfactory to the department of one of the following:

SPS 181.01(1)(b)1. 1. That the applicant holds a valid certified professional midwife credential granted by the North American Registry of Midwives or a successor organization.

SPS 181.01(1)(b)2. 2. That the applicant holds a valid certified nurse-midwife credential granted by the American College of Nurse Midwives or a successor organization.

SPS 181.01(1)(c) (c) That the applicant, subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322 and 111.335, Stats., does not have an arrest or conviction record. An applicant who has a pending criminal charge or has been convicted of any crime or ordinance violation shall provide the department with all information requested relating to the applicant’s pending criminal charge, conviction or other offense, as applicable. The department may not grant a midwife license to a person convicted of an offense under s. 940.22, 940.225, 944.06, 944.15, 944.17, 944.30, 944.31, 944.32, 944.33, 944.34, 948.02, 948.025, 948.06, 948.07, 948.075, 948.08, 948.09, 948.095, 948.10, 948.11 or 948.12, Stats.

SPS 181.01(1)(d) (d) Evidence satisfactory to the department that the applicant has current proficiency in the use of an automated external defibrillator achieved through instruction provided by an individual, organization, or institution of higher education approved under s. 46.03 (38), Stats., to provide the instruction.

SPS 181.01 Note Note: Applications for licensure as a midwife are available from the Department of Safety and Professional Services, Division of Professional Credential Processing, 1400 East Washington Avenue, P.O. Box 8935, Madison, Wisconsin 53708-8935, or from the department’s website at: http://dsps.wi.gov.

SPS 181.01(1m) (1m) Reciprocity for service members, former service members, and spouses of service members or former service members. A reciprocal midwife license shall be granted to an applicant who is a service member, former service member, or the spouse of a service member or former service member as defined in s. 440.09 (1), Stats., if the department determines that the applicant meets all of the requirements under s. 440.09 (2), Stats. Subject to s. 440.09 (2m), Stats., the department may request verification necessary to make a determination under this subsection.

SPS 181.01 Note Note: Application forms are available on the department’s website at https://dsps.wi.gov/pages/Home.aspx, or by request from the Department of Safety and Professional Services, P.O. Box 8935, Madison, WI 53708, or call [phone].

SPS 181.01(2) (2) Renewal of licenses.

SPS 181.01(2)(a) (a) Except for temporary permits granted under sub. (4), the renewal date for licenses granted under subch. XIII of ch. 440, Stats., is July 1 of each even-numbered year.

SPS 181.01(2)(b) (b) Renewal applications shall be submitted to the department on a form provided by the department and shall include the renewal fee specified in s. 440.08 (2) (a) 46w., Stats.

SPS 181.01(2)(c) (c) At the time of renewal of a license under par. (b), a licensed midwife shall submit proof satisfactory to the department of all of the following:

SPS 181.01(2)(c)1. 1. The licensee holds a valid certified professional midwife credential from the North American Registry of Midwives or a successor organization, or a valid certified nurse-midwife credential from the American College of Nurse Midwives or a successor organization.

SPS 181.01(2)(c)2. 2. The licensee has current proficiency in the use of an automated external defibrillator achieved through instruction provided by an individual, organization, or institution of higher education approved under s. 46.03 (38), Stats., to provide the instruction.

SPS 181.01(3) (3) Late renewal of licenses. A licensed midwife who fails to renew a license by the renewal date may renew the license by submitting an application on a form provided by the department and satisfying the following requirements:

SPS 181.01(3)(a) (a) If applying less than 5 years after the renewal date, satisfy the requirements under sub. (2), and pay the late renewal fee specified in s. 440.08 (3), Stats.

SPS 181.01(3)(b) (b) If applying 5 years or more after the renewal date, satisfy the requirements under sub. (2); pay the late renewal fee specified in s. 440.08 (3), Stats., and submit proof of one or more of the following, as determined by the department to ensure protection of the public health, safety and welfare:

SPS 181.01(3)(b)1. 1. Successful completion of educational course work.

SPS 181.01(3)(b)2. 2. Successful completion of the national examination required by the North American Registry of Midwives for certification as a certified professional midwife or successful completion of the national examination required by the American College of Nurse Midwives for certification as a certified nurse-midwife.

SPS 181.01(4) (4) Temporary permits.

SPS 181.01(4)(a) (a) Application. An applicant seeking a temporary permit shall apply on a form provided by the department. An applicant who fails to comply with a request for information related to the application, or fails to meet all requirements for a permit within 120 calendar days from the date of filing shall submit a new application and fee if a permit is sought at a later date. The application shall include all of the following:

SPS 181.01(4)(a)1. 1. The fee specified in s. 440.05 (6), Stats.

SPS 181.01(4)(a)2. 2. Evidence satisfactory to the department of all of the following:

SPS 181.01(4)(a)2.a. a. The applicant is actively engaged as a candidate for certification with the North American Registry of Midwives or a successor organization; or is currently enrolled in the portfolio evaluation process program through the North American Registry of Midwives or a successor organization, or a certified professional midwife educational program accredited by the Midwifery Education Accreditation Council.

SPS 181.01(4)(a)2.b. b. The applicant has received a written commitment from a licensed midwife to directly supervise the applicant’s practice of midwifery during the duration of the temporary permit.

SPS 181.01(4)(a)2.c. c. The applicant is currently certified by the American Red Cross or American Heart Association in neonatal resuscitation.

SPS 181.01(4)(a)2.d. d. The applicant is currently certified by the American Red Cross or American Heart Association in adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

SPS 181.01(4)(a)2.e. e. The applicant has attended at least 5 births as an observer.

SPS 181.01(4)(a)2.f. f. The applicant, subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322 and 111.335, Stats., does not have an arrest or conviction record. An applicant who has a pending criminal charge or has been convicted of any crime or ordinance violation shall provide the department with all information requested relating to the applicant’s pending criminal charge, conviction or other offense, as applicable. The department may not grant a temporary permit to a person convicted of an offense under s. 940.22, 940.225, 944.06, 944.15, 944.17, 944.30, 944.31, 944.32, 944.33, 944.34, 948.02, 948.025, 948.06, 948.07, 948.075, 948.08, 948.09, 948.095, 948.10, 948.11 or 948.12, Stats.

SPS 181.01 Note Note: Applications are available from the Department of Safety and Professional Services, Division of Professional Credential Processing, 1400 East Washington Avenue, P.O. Box 8935, Madison, Wisconsin 53708-8935, or from the department’s website at: http://dsps.wi.gov.

SPS 181.01(4)(b) (b) Duration of permit.

SPS 181.01(4)(b)1. 1. The duration of a temporary permit is for a period of 3 years or until the permit holder ceases to be currently registered or actively engaged as a candidate for certification as specified in par. (a) 2., whichever is shorter.

SPS 181.01(4)(b)2. 2. A licensed midwife with a written commitment to supervise the holder of a temporary permit shall notify the department immediately of a termination of the supervisory relationship.

SPS 181.01(4)(b)3. 3. Upon termination of a supervisory relationship, the temporary permit shall be automatically suspended until the permit holder obtains another written supervisory commitment that complies with par. (a) 2. b.

SPS 181.01(4)(b)4. 4. The department may in its discretion grant renewal of a temporary permit. Renewal shall be granted only once and for a period of no more than 3 years. A permit holder seeking renewal of a temporary permit shall submit documentation that satisfies the requirements for an initial permit under par. (a).

SPS 181.01 Note Note: The North American Registry of Midwives may be contacted at 5257 Rosestone Dr., Lilburn, GA 30047, 1-888-842-4784. The American College of Nurse-Midwives may be contacted at 8403 Colesville Road, Suite 1550, Silver Spring, MD 20910, [phone].

SPS 181.01 History History: CR 06-096: cr. Register December 2006 No. 612, eff. 5-1-07; CR 08-087: cr. (1) (d), (2) (c) 1., 2., renum. (2) (c) to be (2) (c) (intro.) and am., am. (4) (b) 4. Register August 2011 No. 668, eff. 9-1-11; CR 19-066: am. (1) (a), (c), (2) (a), (4) (a) 2. b., f. Register January 2020 No. 769, eff. 2-1-20; CR 21-056: cr. (1m) Register July 2023 No. 811, eff. 8-1-23.