A Guide to Nursing Licenses and Renewals in Wisconsin

Career Resources / Nursing Licensure / Wisconsin

Football lovers and cheese aficionados alike know that Wisconsin is a great place to live, work, and play. Six of Wisconsin’s towns ranked in Livability’s top 100 American cities to live, and the state has a low cost of living and high quality of life, a great educational system, and excellent health care facilities.

In this article, we will cover:

• How to get your Wisconsin nursing license by exam
• How to get your license by endorsement
• How to renew your Wisconsin nursing license
• Licensing fees
• Continuing education requirements
• How to contact the Wisconsin Board of Nursing

How to get your Wisconsin nursing license by examination

Step 1: Education

A good education is the foundation of any nursing career, and the key to becoming a licensed nurse in Wisconsin. The state publishes a list of approved in-state and out-of-state nursing schools along with the contact information for each one’s educational administrator, making it easy to reach out for transcripts and confirmation of completion of your program. The state accepts registered nursing candidates who have earned their nursing degree through both associate’s degree programs and baccalaureate programs.

• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) 
• Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing for those who have achieved a bachelor’s degree and who take the additional classes necessary to become a registered nurse.

Step 2: Apply

All candidates for a Wisconsin nursing license by examination should begin their application process by registering on the state’s licensing website. In addition to the initial registration fee of $73 ($57 if licensed between July 1 and December 31), applicants who graduated from in-state programs will need to submit their Statement of Graduation or Completion (DSPS Form #259) and those who graduated from out-of-state programs will need to submit their official transcripts. All candidates will also need to submit digital fingerprints once the Department of Safety and Professional Services has received your authorization for Release of FBI Information (Form #2687).

Temporary Permits are available for exam applicants once a completed application has been submitted and proof of graduation has been received. The temporary permit is valid for 90 days or until you receive notification of failing the NCLEX exam and allows you to work under a supervising registered nurse. To receive a temporary permit, submit Form #2434 along with the $10 fee through the LicensE portal.  

Applicants for licensure by examination also need to register to take the NCLEX exam and pay the $200 registration fee. This can be done through the PearsonVUE website. It is highly recommended that you register before your nursing program submits your statement of graduation or transcript.

Step 3: Submit Official Transcripts

The state of Wisconsin requires you to confirm that you have successfully completed your nursing education. If you graduated from a Board of Nursing-approved school located in Wisconsin, complete the top of the Statement of Graduation or Completion Form #259 and submit it to the nursing school from which you graduated. The school’s administration should complete the form and send it directly to the Department of Safety and Professional Services using the LicensE Third-Party Upload Portal at license.wi.gov.

If you graduated from a school located outside of Wisconsin, your official transcripts must be sent directly from your school to the Wisconsin Board of Nursing. Your transcript must contain your degree conferral date and should be emailed directly from the school to [email protected] or mailed to:

Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services
P.O. Box 8935
Madison, WI 53708-8935

Step 4: Criminal Background Check (CBC)

In order to be licensed as a registered nurse in Wisconsin, you must  sign and submit the Authorization for Release of FBI Information (Form #2687) along with a photograph. After receipt of the authorization, you will receive information on how to obtain digital fingerprints.

Step 5: Take the NCLEX

Once the Wisconsin Board of Nursing has received your application and all supporting documentation, they will notify Pearson VUE of your eligibility to schedule and take the NCLEX exam. This test will ensure that you fully understand and have retained the material covered during your nursing education. The topics that are covered include: 

• Safe and Effective Care Environment
• Management of Care  
• Safety and Infection Control 
• Health Promotion and Maintenance 
• Psychosocial Integrity 
• Physiological Integrity 
• Basic Care and Comfort 
• Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies 
• Physiological Adaptation 

If you pass the NCLEX exam, you will be licensed as a Wisconsin nurse. If you do not pass the NCLEX exam, you must register with NCLEX and pay the $200 fee again. You also need to complete and submit the RN/LPN Retake Application for Licensure by Examination and pay the $15 fee. The application should be faxed to 608-251-3036 or sent by mail to:

Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services
P.O. Box 8935
Madison, WI 53708-8935

You cannot take the NCLEX until 45 days have passed since your last exam date.

Licensing by endorsement (already have RN licensure)

Nurses licensed in a state other than Wisconsin seeking licensure in the state must submit an application for licensure by endorsement. This should be submitted through the LicensE portal along with the $73 fee. 

In addition to the application, candidates must submit:

1. Verification of Licensure in your original exam state and a current state if different through either the NURSYS system or, if the state does not participate with NURSYS, then by contacting the state board to request a verification of licensure be sent to Wisconsin. This must be sent directly to the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services either by email at [email protected]

Or mailed to:

Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services
P.O. Box 8935
Madison, WI 53708-8935

2. Fingerprints and Authorization for Release of FBI Information must be submitted. Sign and submit the Authorization for Release of FBI Information (Form #2687) along with a photograph. After the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services has received the authorization, you will be sent information on how to obtain digital fingerprints.

If you haven’t practiced nursing in the last 5 years you may be eligible for a limited license to allow you to complete a nursing refresher course. Upon completion of the course, you can petition the Board for full licensure.

How to renew your Wisconsin nursing license

Step 1: When to submit your renewal application

Wisconsin’s registered nurse licenses expire on February 28^th of every year ending in an even number. 

Step 2: Fulfill continuing competency requirements

Wisconsin does not require nurses renewing their licenses to complete any continuing education credits, but during the seven-to-eight week renewal cycle, Wisconsin nurses are required to complete the Nursing Workforce Survey. After the open renewal period, the survey is shortened and incorporated into the renewal questions.  

Step 3: Submit your renewal application

Wisconsin nurse license renewals are submitted via a different portal from the one used to apply for an initial license. Submit your renewal application here along with the $57 fee.

Wisconsin nursing licensing fees

Below are the fees for becoming a nurse in Wisconsin whether you are a first-time nurse or are moving to Wisconsin from another state. For more information visit the Wisconsin licensing page.

Licensing fees by examination (first-time nurses):

• NCLEX exam fee: $200
• Application fee: $72 (RN/LPN)

Licensing fees by endorsement (already have RN licensure):

• Application fee: $57 (RN/LPN)
• Temporary permit: $10

License renewal fee:

• Application fee: $57 (RN/LPN/APRN)

Additionally, Wisconsin is a nursing compact state, which allows nurses to hold multi-state licenses.

*Fees are subject to change.
**Most states require a background check, but prices are not always listed.

Continuing education requirements

RN/LPN: None

APRN: 16 contact hours every 2 years in clinical pharmacology or therapeutics relevant to the advanced practice nurse prescriber’s area of practice, including at least 2 contact hours in responsible prescribing of controlled substances.

Incredible Health offers ANCC-accredited continuing education courses for nurses in all 50 states, 100% free and online. The Wisconsin Board of Nursing accepts courses that are ANCC accredited.  

How to contact the Wisconsin Board of Nursing

Wisconsin Board of Nursing
Phone: (608) 266-2112

Email: [email protected]
Website: https://dsps.wi.gov/pages/BoardsCouncils/Nursing/Default.aspx

Mailing address:
Board of Nursing
DSPS
PO Box 8366
Madison, WI 53708-8366

Physical address:
4822 Madison Yards Way
Madison, WI 53705

More Wisconsin Resources

• Best hospitals in the state
• Best nursing schools in the state
• Average salary for RNs in the state