Wisconsin Legislative Council
AMENDMENT 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
Memo published: June 6, 2023 Contact: Patrick Ward, Staff Attorney
2023 Assembly Bill 204
Assembly Substitute
Amendment 1
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 for each two-year period is specified by statute. As a part of a credential holder’s
renewal, some professions specify continuing education requirements by statute, while some
professions may establish continuing education requirements by rule.
2023 ASSEMBLY BILL 204
2023 Assembly Bill 204 changes the renewal period for the health and business professions from two
years to four years. Where continuing education credit hours are specified in the statutes, the bill
doubles the corresponding credit hours. The bill also allows DSPS to take certain actions to assist in
transitioning to the four-year renewal period.
ASSEMBLY SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT 1
Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 makes the following changes to the bill.
For the professions where the statutes specify continuing education requirements, the amendment
reverts the required continuing education credit hours to the amounts under current law, and
specifies that continuing education is required to be completed on a two-year basis. DSPS or a board
is allowed to impose discipline, and to create a mechanism to makeup continuing education to
maintain or restore a credential, if a credential holder fails to satisfy continuing education
requirements. If the credential holder fails to timely complete the makeup continuing education
requirements, DSPS or a board may require the makeup continuing education be completed before
renewing the credential.
Under current law, nurses are required to complete a workforce survey and pay a survey fee as a
requirement of their renewal. The amendment makes the survey and fee optional, and requires the
Board of Nursing to provide an opportunity for nurses to complete the survey and pay the fee.
The amendment codifies in statute the continuing education credit hours required for real estate
brokers and salespersons and for real estate appraisers.
The amendment extends the delayed effective date for implementation of the bill from three months
to six months after enactment. - 2 -
BILL HISTORY
Representative Macco offered Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 on May 30, 2023. On May 31, 2023,
the Assembly Committee on Regulatory Licensing Reform recommended adoption of Assembly
Substitute Amendment 1 and passage of the bill, as amended, on votes of Ayes, 5; Noes, 3.
For a full history of the bill, visit the Legislature’s bill history page.
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