Independent resource:We do not issue licenses or represent a government agency. Official actions open external regulatory websites.
Nursing License BoardsVerified licensure answers & official routes
Independent nursing licensure research

Wisconsin nursing license lookup, renewal and board contact

Wisconsin RN credentials renew by February 28/29 in even-numbered years and LPN credentials by April 30 in odd-numbered years. DSPS does not list a routine general CE total for ordinary RN/LPN renewal.

Open official license lookup ↗ Open official renewal route ↗
Reviewed July 27, 20265 official source recordsView link evidence
Current regulatory alert

Wisconsin’s APRN Modernization Act changes become effective September 1, 2026. Until then, use the currently active credential rules; after that date, confirm the new APRN application and practice requirements directly with DSPS.

License lookupRenewalCE / competenceEndorsementContactFees
Verified answer map

Which system should you use?

The route depends on the task and credential. Only links tied to a reviewed task record are presented as official actions.

GoalReviewed routeState-specific note
Verify current license statusWisconsin License SearchSearch by license number when available and document the live Wisconsin result date.
Renew or reactivate a licenseWisconsin Licensed Practical NurseFollow this published timing: RN: February 28/29 in even-numbered years. LPN: April 30 in odd-numbered years.
Check CE or continuing competenceNCSBN License Verification GuidanceReview the exact requirement before buying coursework: DSPS does not publish a routine general CE contact-hour total for standard RN or LPN renewal. Advanced-practice prescriber and specialty credentials have separate education rules.
Apply by endorsementNCSBN License Verification GuidanceNursys or direct verification as DSPS instructs.
Use the account or transaction portalWisconsin LicensEConfirm the browser domain is one of the reviewed official domains: dsps.wi.gov, licensesearch.wi.gov, license.wi.gov.
Check complaints or public disciplineofficial complaint and discipline resourceFor Wisconsin, open any public order or restriction linked by the authority; do not rely on social posts or an old screenshot.
Contact the licensing authorityWisconsin Board of Nursing / Department of Safety and Professional ServicesCall (608) 266-2112 with the credential, license or application number available; do not email sensitive documents unless given a secure route.
Use national verification or monitoringNursys QuickConfirm / e-Notify when acceptedWisconsin is recorded as an operational Nurse Licensure Compact jurisdiction in this dataset. Verify that the individual public record is actually designated multistate and that the nurse maintains Wisconsin or another qualifying compact state as the primary state of residence.

Wisconsin licensing facts

How regulation is organized

Wisconsin Board of Nursing / Department of Safety and Professional Services regulates the credentials recorded for Wisconsin: RN, LPN, APRN/APNP, Nurse Midwife. Public status checks use Wisconsin License Search; renewal uses Wisconsin LicensE. The recorded renewal schedule is Biennial by credential The compact classification shown for this review is NLC member jurisdiction.

Public verification

Wisconsin License Search is the reviewed public verification route for Wisconsin. The destination is hosted on licensesearch.wi.gov. Search the exact credential, then compare status, expiration, record date, and public restrictions before relying on the result.

Renewal timing

For Wisconsin, the recorded renewal cycle is Biennial by credential The named renewal route is Wisconsin LicensE. The current fee summary is Confirm the current renewal fee in LicensE; DSPS publishes a $25 late-renewal surcharge in relevant reinstatement situations..

CE or competence

The reviewed Wisconsin continuing-education or competence rule is: DSPS does not publish a routine general CE contact-hour total for standard RN or LPN renewal. Advanced-practice prescriber and specialty credentials have separate education rules. The record-retention or audit note is: Retain credential-specific certification and education records; ordinary RN/LPN renewal does not use a generic CE-hour attestation..

Reviewed fieldCurrent dataset value
AuthorityWisconsin Board of Nursing / Department of Safety and Professional Services
Public verificationWisconsin License Search
Renewal cycleBiennial by credential
Renewal deadlineRN: February 28/29 in even-numbered years. LPN: April 30 in odd-numbered years.
Continuing competenceDSPS does not publish a routine general CE contact-hour total for standard RN or LPN renewal. Advanced-practice prescriber and specialty credentials have separate education rules.
FeesConfirm the current renewal fee in LicensE; DSPS publishes a $25 late-renewal surcharge in relevant reinstatement situations.
Compact statusNLC member jurisdiction
CredentialsRN, LPN, APRN/APNP, Nurse Midwife
Phone(608) 266-2112
Physical locationP.O. Box 8366, Madison, WI 53708-8366
Mailing addressP.O. Box 8366, Madison, WI 53708-8366
Primary official domainsdsps.wi.gov, licensesearch.wi.gov, license.wi.gov

Authority and credential routing

Wisconsin nursing credentials are administered by DSPS under the Board of Nursing. Public License Search and LicensE account services are separate systems.

Credential in this recordRN
Credential in this recordLPN
Credential in this recordAPRN/APNP
Credential in this recordNurse Midwife

The reviewed Wisconsin credential set is RN, LPN, APRN/APNP, Nurse Midwife. Use Wisconsin License Search for the public record and Wisconsin LicensE for renewal-related work. Do not infer an advanced-practice, assistant, certificate, permit, or compact privilege from a different credential record; NLC member jurisdiction. The public record host is licensesearch.wi.gov, and the recorded renewal schedule is Biennial by credential

How to verify a Wisconsin nursing license

Wisconsin License Search is the reviewed public verification route for Wisconsin. The destination is hosted on licensesearch.wi.gov. Search the exact credential, then compare status, expiration, record date, and public restrictions before relying on the result. Renewal-related transactions use Wisconsin LicensE.

Open Wisconsin License Search ↗

Employer note: RN, LPN and advanced-practice credentials are separate records; verify every credential required for the role.

Read the detailed lookup and troubleshooting guide

How to interpret the result

FieldMeaningRisk to avoid
Wisconsin credential typeConfirm the exact credential among RN, LPN, APRN/APNP, Nurse Midwife; the same person may hold more than one license, approval, certificate or permit.For Wisconsin, treating an RN result as proof of APRN, assistant, certificate, permit or prescriptive authority.
Current statusRead the exact status wording published by Wisconsin Board of Nursing / Department of Safety and Professional Services, including active, inactive, expired, lapsed, probationary, suspended, revoked or restricted.For Wisconsin, assuming that a record appearing in search means the person may currently practice.
Expiration / renewal timingBiennial by credential. RN: February 28/29 in even-numbered years. LPN: April 30 in odd-numbered years.For Wisconsin, using a wallet card, employer roster or old screenshot instead of the live record.
Multistate designationWisconsin is recorded as an operational Nurse Licensure Compact jurisdiction in this dataset. Verify that the individual public record is actually designated multistate and that the nurse maintains Wisconsin or another qualifying compact state as the primary state of residence.For Wisconsin, assuming compact membership automatically makes every license multistate or survives a permanent residence move.
Public discipline or restrictionsReview public orders or restrictions linked by Wisconsin Board of Nursing / Department of Safety and Professional Services, Wisconsin License Search or Nursys when applicable.Checking only expiration while ignoring conditions that limit practice.
Verification dateThe result supports a decision as of the date it was checked. Record the live Wisconsin verification date.For Wisconsin, reusing an undated or stale printout for a new employment or credentialing decision.

Wisconsin nursing license renewal

CycleBiennial by credential
DeadlineRN: February 28/29 in even-numbered years. LPN: April 30 in odd-numbered years.
Published fee summaryConfirm the current renewal fee in LicensE; DSPS publishes a $25 late-renewal surcharge in relevant reinstatement situations.
CE / competenceNo routine general RN/LPN contact-hour total is listed; advanced-practice credentials have separate education and certification rules.

Named renewal system: Wisconsin LicensE.

  1. Confirm the credential-specific renewal date.
  2. Complete the workforce survey or other required renewal questions.
  3. Sign in to LicensE.
  4. Submit renewal and payment.
  5. Verify the updated record in License Search.

Renewal cautions

  • Advanced-practice licensing changes become effective September 1, 2026.
  • A license expired for an extended period can require reinstatement or refresher education.

Continuing education or continuing competence

DSPS does not publish a routine general CE contact-hour total for standard RN or LPN renewal. Advanced-practice prescriber and specialty credentials have separate education rules.

  • Complete any profession-specific workforce survey.
  • Maintain national certification or pharmacology education where an advanced-practice credential requires it.
  • Follow future APRN rules only from their effective date.

Records and audits: Retain credential-specific certification and education records; ordinary RN/LPN renewal does not use a generic CE-hour attestation.

Wisconsin license by endorsement

The reviewed Wisconsin credential set is RN, LPN, APRN/APNP, Nurse Midwife. Use Wisconsin License Search for the public record and Wisconsin LicensE for renewal-related work. Do not infer an advanced-practice, assistant, certificate, permit, or compact privilege from a different credential record; NLC member jurisdiction. The public record host is licensesearch.wi.gov, and the recorded renewal schedule is Biennial by credential

No direct endorsement URL is recorded; use the detailed checklist below.

Read the detailed Wisconsin endorsement checklist

National verification and compact status

NLC member jurisdiction

Wisconsin is classified as NLC member jurisdiction. The recorded renewal cycle is Biennial by credential and the authority model is Board within a state professional-licensing department. Confirm primary residence, the exact license designation, and restrictions in the current official record before relying on compact authority.

Nursys services · Compact eligibility

Published fee records

TransactionCredentialAmountSource note
Late-renewal surchargeRN/LPN$25May apply when renewing after expiration within the allowed reinstatement period; confirm in LicensE. Official source ↗

Wisconsin Board of Nursing / Department of Safety and Professional Services contact and location

Physical address
P.O. Box 8366, Madison, WI 53708-8366
Open map ↗
Mailing address
P.O. Box 8366, Madison, WI 53708-8366
Email / service hours

Confirm current service hours before calling or visiting.

Location note: Confirm office hours and whether walk-in service is available before visiting.

Frequently asked questions

Who regulates nursing licenses in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin Board of Nursing / Department of Safety and Professional Services. Wisconsin nursing credentials are administered by DSPS under the Board of Nursing. Public License Search and LicensE account services are separate systems.

What is the reviewed Wisconsin license lookup?

Wisconsin License Search. Wisconsin License Search is the reviewed public verification route for Wisconsin. The destination is hosted on licensesearch.wi.gov. Search the exact credential, then compare status, expiration, record date, and public restrictions before relying on the result. Renewal-related transactions use Wisconsin LicensE.

When is a Wisconsin nursing license renewed?

Biennial by credential. RN: February 28/29 in even-numbered years. LPN: April 30 in odd-numbered years.

What CE or competence applies in Wisconsin?

DSPS does not publish a routine general CE contact-hour total for standard RN or LPN renewal. Advanced-practice prescriber and specialty credentials have separate education rules.

What fee information is published for Wisconsin?

Confirm the current renewal fee in LicensE; DSPS publishes a $25 late-renewal surcharge in relevant reinstatement situations.

How can I contact the nursing authority in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin Board of Nursing / Department of Safety and Professional Services publishes (608) 266-2112 and P.O. Box 8366, Madison, WI 53708-8366.

Evidence register

Primary official sources reviewed

Review date: July 27, 2026 · Next scheduled review: September 27, 2026.