Consumer Law at Your Fingertips

Health & Personal Care

Medical & Related Care

Medical and Related Professions

The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) and its affiliated examining boards regulate the following professions:

• Chiropractors. The department and the Chiropractic Examining Board license chiropractors under Wisconsin Statutes chapter 446 and Wisconsin Administrative Code chapters 1 to 6 and 9 to 11.

• Nurses. The department and the Board of Nursing license nurses under Wisconsin Statutes chapter 441 and Wisconsin Administrative Code chapters N 1 to 8. This includes Advanced Practice Nurse Prescribers, Licensed Practical Nurses, Nurse-Midwives and Registered Nurses.

• Physicians. The department and the Medical Examining Board license physicians to practice medicine and surgery under Wisconsin Statutes chapter 448 and Wisconsin Administrative Code chapters Med 1 to 21.

• Physician Assistants. The department and the Medical Examining Board license physician assistants under Wisconsin Statutes chapter 448 and Wisconsin Administrative Code chapter Med 8. Physician assistants provide patient services under the supervision and direction of a licensed physician. A physician assistant's practice may not exceed his or her educational training or experience and may not exceed the scope of practice of the supervising physician.

• Podiatrists. The department and the Podiatrists Affiliated Credentialing Board license podiatrists under Wisconsin Statutes chapter 448 and Wisconsin Administrative Code chapters Pod 1 to 6. Podiatry includes the diagnosis and treatment of foot conditions, including mechanical, medical or surgical treatment. It does not include amputations (other than toes) or the use of general anesthetics.

• Optometrists. The department and the Wisconsin Optometry Examining Board license optometrists under Wisconsin Statutes chapter 449 and Wisconsin Administrative Code chapters Opt 1 to 7.

Allied Health Professions

• Acupuncturists. The department regulates acupuncturists under Wisconsin Statutes chapter 451 and Wisconsin Administrative Code chapters RL 70 to 73.

• Art Therapists. The department regulates art therapists under Wisconsin Statutes section 440.03 and Wisconsin Administrative Code chapter RL 140 to 142.

• Athletic Trainers. The department and the Athletic Trainers Affiliated Credentialing Board regulate athletic trainers under Wisconsin Statutes chapter 448 (subch. VI) and Wisconsin Administrative Code chapters AT 1 to 5. Athletic trainers evaluate athletic injuries, manage and administer the initial treatment of athletic injuries, give emergency care or first aid for athletic injuries, and rehabilitate and physically recondition athletic injuries.

• Audiologists. The department and the Hearing and Speech Examining Board regulate audiologists under Wisconsin Statutes chapter 459 (subch. II) and Wisconsin Administrative Code chapters HAS 6 to 8.

• Dance Therapists. The department regulates dance therapists under Wisconsin Statutes section 440.03 and Wisconsin Administrative Code chapters RL 140 to 142.

• Dietitians. The department and the Dietitians Affiliated Credentialing Board regulate dietitians under Wisconsin Statutes chapter 448 (subch. V) and Wisconsin Administrative Code chapters DI 1 to 5.

• Hearing Instrument Specialists. The department and the Hearing and Speech Examining Board regulate hearing instrument specialists under Wisconsin Statutes chapter 459 (subch. I) and Wisconsin Administrative Code chapters HAS 1 to 5.

• Massage Therapists or Bodyworkers. The department regulates massage therapists and bodyworkers under Wisconsin Statutes chapter 440 (subch. XI) and Wisconsin Administrative Code chapters RL 90 to 94.

• Music Therapists. The department regulates music therapists under Wisconsin Statutes section 440.03 and Wisconsin Administrative Code chapters RL 140 to 142.

• Occupational Therapists & Assistants. The department and the Occupational Therapists Affiliated Credentialing Board regulate occupational therapists and assistants under Wisconsin Statutes chapter 448 (subch. VI) and Wisconsin Administrative Code chapter Med 19.

• Pharmacists. The department and the Pharmacy Examining Board regulate pharmacists under Wisconsin Statutes chapter 450 and Wisconsin Administrative Code chapters Phar 1 to 16.

• Physical Therapists. The department and the Physical Therapists Affiliated Credentialing Board regulate physical therapists under Wisconsin Statutes chapter 448 (subch. III) and Wisconsin Administrative Code chapters PT 1 to 8.

• Respiratory Care Practitioners. The department and the Medical Examining Board regulate respiratory care practitioners under Wisconsin Statutes chapter 448 (subch. II) and Wisconsin Administrative Code chapter Med 20.

• Speech-Language Pathologists. The department and the Speech Examining Board regulate speech-language pathologists under Wisconsin Statutes chapter 459 (subch. II) and Wisconsin Administrative Code chapters HAS 6 to 8.

Dental Professions

• Dentists. The department and the Dentistry Examining Board regulates dentists under Wisconsin Statutes chapter 447 and Wisconsin Administrative Code chapters DE 1 to 12, Wis. Adm. Code.

• Dental Hygienists. The department and the Dentistry Examining Board regulate dental hygienists under Wisconsin Statutes chapter 447 and Wisconsin Administrative Code chapters DE 1 to 12.

Emergency Services

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) regulates the following emergency service providers:

• Ambulance Service Providers. The department regulates ambulance service providers under Wisconsin Statutes section 146.50 and Wisconsin Administrative Code chapter HFS 110.

• First Responders. The department regulates first responders who, as a paid service or as a condition of employment, provide emergency medical care prior to the arrival of an ambulance. The department regulates first responders under Wisconsin Statutes section 146.50 and Wisconsin Administrative Code chapter HFS 113.

• Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT’s) and Paramedics. The department regulates emergency medical technicians and paramedics under Wisconsin Statutes section 146.50 and Wisconsin Administrative Code chapters HFS 110 to 112.

Psychologists and Counselors

The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) and its affiliated examining boards regulate the following professions:

• Marriage and Family Therapists. Marriage and family therapists are regulated by the department and the Examining Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors. The department and examining board regulate these therapists under Wisconsin Statutes chapter 457 and Wisconsin Administrative Code chapters SFC 1, 14 to 18 and 20.

• Professional Counselors. Professional counselors are regulated by the department and the Examining Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors. The department and examining board regulate professional counselors under Wisconsin Statutes chapter 457 and Wisconsin Administrative Code chapters 1, 10 to 13 and 20.

• Psychologists. The department and the Psychology Examining Board regulate psychologists under Wisconsin Statutes chapter 455 and Wisconsin Administrative Code chapters Psy 1 to 5.

• Social Workers. Social workers are regulated by the department and the Examining Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors. The department and the board regulate social workers under Wisconsin Statutes chapter 457 and Wisconsin Administrative Code chapters SFC 1 to 8 and 20.