440.03 General duties and powers of the department. (1) The department may promulgate rules defining uniform pro-
May 22, 2026, are designated by NOTES. (Published 5-22-26)
3
Updated 23-24 Wis. Stats.
SAFETY AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
cedures to be used by the department, the real estate appraisers board, and all examining boards and affiliated credentialing boards attached to the department or an examining board, for receiving, filing and investigating complaints, for commencing disciplinary proceedings and for conducting hearings. (1c) The department shall promulgate rules specifying a procedure for addressing allegations that a credential holder has practiced while impaired by alcohol or other drugs or that his or her ability to practice is impaired by alcohol or other drugs, and for assisting a credential holder who requests to participate in the procedure. In promulgating rules under this subsection, the department shall seek to facilitate early identification of chemically dependent credential holders and encourage their rehabilitation. The rules promulgated under this subsection may be used by the department, the real estate appraisers board, and all examining boards and affiliated credentialing boards attached to the department or an examining board in conjunction with the procedures established under sub. (1). The department may contract with another entity to administer the procedure specified under the rules promulgated under this subsection. (1m) The department may promulgate rules specifying the number of business days within which the department or any examining board or affiliated credentialing board in the department must review and make a determination on an application for a permit, as defined in s. 227.116 (1g), that is issued under chs. 440 to 480. (2) The department may provide examination development services, consultation and technical assistance to other state agencies, federal agencies, counties, cities, villages, towns, national or regional organizations of state credentialing agencies, similar credentialing agencies in other states, national or regional accrediting associations, and nonprofit organizations. The department may charge a fee sufficient to reimburse the department for the costs of providing such services. In this subsection, “nonprofit organization” means a nonprofit corporation as defined in s. 181.0103 (17), and an organization exempt from tax under 26 USC 501. (3) If the secretary reorganizes the department, no modification may be made in the powers and responsibilities of the examining boards or affiliated credentialing boards attached to the department or an examining board under s. 15.405 or 15.406. (3m) The department may investigate complaints made against a person who has been issued a credential. (3q) Notwithstanding sub. (3m), the department of safety and professional services shall investigate any report that it receives under s. 146.40 (4r) (em). (4) The department may issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents or other materials prior to the commencement of disciplinary proceedings. (4m) Except as otherwise permitted in chs. 440 to 480, the department may require a credential holder to submit proof of the continuing education programs or courses that he or she has completed only if a complaint is made against the credential holder. (5) The department may investigate allegations of negligence by physicians licensed to practice medicine and surgery under ch. 448. (5m) The department shall maintain a toll-free telephone number to receive reports of allegations of unprofessional conduct, negligence or misconduct involving a physician licensed under subch. II of ch. 448. The department shall publicize the tollfree telephone number and the investigative powers and duties of the department and the medical examining board as widely as possible in the state, including in hospitals, clinics, medical offices and other health care facilities.
440.03
(6) The department shall have access to any information contained in the reports filed with the medical examining board, an affiliated credentialing board attached to the medical examining board and the board of nursing under s. 655.045, as created by 1985 Wisconsin Act 29, and s. 655.26. (7) The department shall establish the style, content, and format of all credentials and of all forms for applying for any initial credential or credential renewal. All forms shall include a place for the information required under sub. (11m) (a). Upon request of any person who holds a credential and payment of a $10 fee, the department may issue a wall certificate signed by the governor. (7m) The department may promulgate rules that establish procedures for submitting an application for a credential or credential renewal by electronic transmission. Any rules promulgated under this subsection shall specify procedures for complying with any requirement that a fee be submitted with the application. The rules may also waive any requirement in chs. 440 to 480 that an application submitted to the department, an examining board, or an affiliated credentialing board be executed, verified, signed, sworn, or made under oath, notwithstanding ss.