Wisconsin nursing license renewal

Where and when to renew

The reviewed route is Wisconsin LicensE. RN: February 28/29 in even-numbered years. LPN: April 30 in odd-numbered years.

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.

Portal and account safety

• For Wisconsin, open public status checks through Wisconsin License Search; use Wisconsin LicensE only for account or transaction work.
• The reviewed Wisconsin renewal timing is Biennial by credential. RN: February 28/29 in even-numbered years. LPN: April 30 in odd-numbered years.
• Before payment, match the exact credential (RN, LPN, APRN/APNP, Nurse Midwife) and compare the displayed charge with this source-reviewed summary: Confirm the current renewal fee in LicensE; DSPS publishes a $25 late-renewal surcharge in relevant reinstatement situations.
• Use only reviewed authority domains (dsps.wi.gov, licensesearch.wi.gov, license.wi.gov); avoid search advertisements and look-alike renewal or verification pages.
• If the Wisconsin portal does not show the expected option, check credential type, current status and renewal window before creating a second account or paying again.
• For unresolved account or routing issues, contact Wisconsin Board of Nursing / Department of Safety and Professional Services at (608) 266-2112 and keep the confirmation number, date and staff response.
• After any transaction, return to Wisconsin License Search and verify the public record; a receipt by itself is not practice authority.

Renewal requirements and cautions

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

CE or competence connection

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.

Published fee records

Common renewal problems

Fraud and privacy safety

• Begin every Wisconsin transaction from a reviewed authority domain (dsps.wi.gov, licensesearch.wi.gov, license.wi.gov) or a source-reviewed link on this guide.
• Do not give a caller payment-card details, a password or a one-time code merely because the caller claims to represent Wisconsin Board of Nursing / Department of Safety and Professional Services.
• If threatened with immediate suspension or arrest, end the call and verify the issue through (608) 266-2112 or the secure Wisconsin account.
• Use Wisconsin License Search to confirm current status rather than a private lookup page or emailed screenshot.
• Upload identity, background, education or legal documents only through a secure method explicitly named by Wisconsin Board of Nursing / Department of Safety and Professional Services.
• Before paying, verify the credential, transaction and amount against the current Wisconsin instructions; save the receipt and then verify the public record.
• For Wisconsin, report a suspected licensing impersonation or phishing attempt to the authority and the relevant consumer-protection or law-enforcement channel.

Frequently asked questions

Official sources reviewed