Wisconsin Legislative Council
ACT MEMO
One Ea st Ma in Stre e t, Suite 401 • Ma dison, W I 53703 • (608) 266-1304 • le g.council@le gis.wisconsin.gov • http://www.le gis.wisconsin.gov/lc
Prepared by: Patrick Ward, Staff Attorney August 11, 2023
2023 Wisconsin Act 33
[2023 Assembly Bill 203]
Renewals of Certain Credentials
BACKGROUND
Under current law, a two-year renewal period applies to many health and business credentials
administered by the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) or a credentialing board.
The renewal date is specified by statute.
Prior law designated the renewal date as the date on which a credential expires and before which it
must be renewed for the credential holder to maintain the rights, privileges, and authority conferred by
the credential. Prior law did not specify when a renewal was effective, particularly whether a credential
holder’s submission of a complete renewal application satisfies the renewal requirement or whether,
instead, DSPS is required to have issued a determination on a renewal application.
2023 WISCONSIN ACT 33
2023 Wisconsin Act 33 clarifies that the renewal date is the date a credential expires and before which a
credential holder must submit a complete renewal application in order to maintain the rights,
privileges, and authority conferred by the credential. The act specifies that a renewal application is
considered complete for purposes of satisfying the renewal requirement only when the credential holder
has submitted the required fee and all forms and other documentation required for the renewal of that
credential.
The act also specifies that a credential holder who has submitted a complete renewal application is also
considered to have made a timely and sufficient application for the renewal under a separate provision
in state law that delays expiration of a credential until the opportunity for review of an agency denial
expires or a later date fixed by order of the reviewing court.
Effective date: August 6, 2023
For a full history of the bill, visit the Legislature’s bill history page.
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