Madison – Wisconsin will issue its first Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) credentials in September. 

Each APRN license will also be designated with the recognized role (or roles) for which the applicant has been certified. The four recognized roles in Wisconsin are: Nurse Practitioner (NP), Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). 

Governor Tony Evers signed 2025 Wisconsin Act 17, which creates a dedicated license for APRNs in Wisconsin and replaces the current APNP credential. 

“The goal is to modernize Wisconsin’s nursing laws, bringing them in line with national standards and expanding access to healthcare across Wisconsin,” said Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) Secretary Dan Hereth.  

DSPS administers the state’s Board of Nursing and has been working with the Board to draft rules and implement the processes necessary to issue the new licenses. The Board recently completed work on the emergency rules necessary for licensing to move forward. Those rules can be found here: dsps.wi.gov/Documents/RulesStatutes/N1to8EmR.pdf 

The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) has received questions about what the changes mean for current RNs and APNPs. To help navigate the transition, DSPS has created an FAQ document, which will be updated as more information becomes available. You can find that FAQ document by going here on the DSPS website: APRN FAQ

Applications for the new APRN license open on August 3, and the first licenses will be issued on September 1. Current Advanced Practice Nurse Prescriber (APNP) licenses will convert to an APRN license on September 1. However, those license holders must take steps to ensure their correct recognized role will be displayed on their new APRN license. Information on how to view, verify, or provide evidence of recognized role certification can be found in that FAQ document: APRN FAQ