AB332,,22An Act to repeal 89.072, 89.073 (1), 89.073 (2) (b), 89.073 (2m), 89.073 (4), 440.09 (1), 440.09 (2) (b), 440.09 (2m), 440.09 (4), 440.88 (7), 440.972 (1m), 440.98 (7), 441.06 (1m), 441.10 (8), 442.05, 443.06 (2) (d), 443.10 (1) (a), (b), (c) and (e), 445.08, 446.02 (3g), 447.02 (3) (a) 2., 447.04 (1) (b), 447.04 (2) (b), 448.53 (3), 448.535 (2), 448.63 (2), 448.82, 448.953 (2), 448.966, 448.9704 (2) (a), 448.974 (1) (b), 449.055, 450.05, 450.071 (3m), 451.08, 454.13 (1), 454.27 (1), 455.04 (3), 456.08, 457.15, 458.06 (4m), 458.08 (4), 459.05 (1m), 459.28 (1), 460.09, 470.06 and 480.12 (1); to renumber 89.073 (3) (a), 440.09 (3) (a), 443.10 (1) (d), 448.535 (1), 448.9704 (2) (b), 454.13 (2), 454.27 (2), 459.28 (2) and 480.12 (2); to renumber and amend 448.974 (1) (a), 458.06 (2) (intro.), 458.08 (2) (intro.) and 459.05 (1); to consolidate, renumber and amend 447.02 (3) (a) (intro.) and 1.; to amend 45.44 (1) (a) 5., 54.25 (2) (c) 1. d., 55.043 (4) (b) 5., 89.06 (1), 89.063, 89.071 (1), 89.0715 (2), 89.073 (title), 89.073 (2) (f), 89.078 (1), 89.078 (2), 89.078 (3), 93.135 (5), 251.06 (3) (e) 3., 321.60 (1) (a) 6m., 440.09 (title), 440.09 (2) (f), 442.04 (1), 442.04 (5) (b) 4., 443.01 (3r) (a), 443.01 (3r) (b), 443.02 (2), 443.02 (3), 443.18 (1) (a), 443.18 (2) (a), 445.07 (2) (b), 447.04 (2) (c) 1., 447.04 (2) (c) 2., 447.04 (2) (d) 1., 447.04 (2) (d) 2., 448.53 (1) (d), 448.54 (3), 448.63 (1) (d) 1., 448.64 (3), 448.9545 (1) (a), 450.01 (15), 450.02 (2) (a), 450.03 (1) (g), 451.04 (2) (d), 451.04 (2) (e), 451.04 (3), 452.05 (3), 452.09 (2) (a), 452.09 (2) (c) (intro.), 452.09 (4) (d), 454.06 (1) (a), 454.23 (2) (a), 458.06 (2) (b), 458.08 (2) (b), 462.03 (1) (intro.), 462.03 (2), 462.03 (3), 462.06 (1) (b) and 961.385 (1) (aL); to repeal and recreate 443.10 (1) (title), 454.13 (title), 454.27 (title), 459.28 (title) and 480.12 (title); and to create 89.073 (3) (ac), 89.073 (3) (am), 89.073 (6), 440.09 (3) (ac), 440.09 (3) (am) and 440.09 (6) of the statutes; relating to: reciprocal credentials.

Under current law, an individual may not engage in certain professions or assume certain titles in this state unless the individual holds a credential issued by the Department of Safety and Professional Services or a credentialing board with authority to oversee the profession or practice. In certain circumstances, an individual who holds a license, certification, or registration from another jurisdiction that authorizes or qualifies the applicant to perform acts that are substantially the same as those acts authorized by a Wisconsin credential may obtain a “reciprocal credential.” Current law generally provides two methods for obtaining a reciprocal credential:

1. Under one of numerous provisions allowing DSPS or a credentialing board to grant a reciprocal credential if certain conditions are met. These provisions do not exist for every profession, and generally require that the requirements in the other jurisdiction in which the individual is licensed, certified, or registered have requirements that are similar to or substantially equivalent to those under Wisconsin law.

2. Under a “universal” provision that requires DSPS or a credentialing board to issue a reciprocal credential if certain conditions are met. This provision does not require that the other jurisdiction’s requirements for granting the license, credential, or registration be similar to or substantially equivalent to those under Wisconsin law and is not limited to specific professions or occupations. However, it is available only to service members, former service members, or the spouses of a service member or former service members who reside in this state. In addition, it requires that the individual be in good standing with the governmental authorities in every jurisdiction outside this state that have granted the license, credential, or registration.

The bill repeals the various profession-specific reciprocal credential provisions described above and expands who may apply for reciprocal credentials under the universal provision to include all individuals, and not only service members and spouses. However, the bill also eliminates the requirement that the applicant reside in this state. Additionally, the bill clarifies that the provision 1) requires that the individual not have any limitation, restriction, or other encumbrance on a credential issued in another state and not be under investigation by a credentialing authority in another state; 2) only provides for the granting of reciprocal credentials to natural persons; and 3) does not apply to temporary credentials or to certain other specified nonstandard credentials, including unarmed combat sports credentials, peddler’s licenses for ex-soldiers, and credentials issued under the Uniform Athlete Agents Act. The bill provides that once an individual applies for a reciprocal credential, the credential is considered to be provisionally granted on that date, and the individual may immediately practice the occupation or profession, subject to the ultimate decision on whether to grant or deny the reciprocal credential. Finally, the bill provides that a person who receives a reciprocal credential must limit his or her practice to the scope of his or her experience, education, and training.