Senate Bill 579
Licensure of physicians; providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures; and granting rule-making authority. (FE)
Became law
The governor signed it on Apr 9, 2014. It's .
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Introduced, passed
Feb 7, 2014
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Committee, passed
Approved
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Senate vote, passed
Passed Feb 18, 2014
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Assembly vote, passed
Passed Feb 18, 2014
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Governor, passed
Signed
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Law, here now
2013 Wisconsin Act 240
Latest entry in the official record, Apr 9, 2014: “Published 4-9-2014”
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Terms on this page
Wisconsin Act
The number a bill gets when it becomes law, like 2025 Wisconsin Act 12.
Official term: Act. More in the glossary
Legislative Reference Bureau
The Legislature's nonpartisan office that drafts bills and writes the summary at the top of each one.
Official term: LRB analysis. More in the glossary
Author
A lawmaker who formally puts a bill forward. The text itself is drafted by the Legislative Reference Bureau.
Official term: Author, coauthor. More in the glossary
Signed on in support
Lawmakers who back a bill without being one of its authors, often from the other chamber.
Official term: Cosponsor. More in the glossary
Cost estimate
A state agency's estimate of what a bill would cost or save.
Official term: Fiscal estimate. More in the glossary
Roll call
A vote where each lawmaker's yes or no is recorded by name.
Official term: Roll call vote. More in the glossary
What it does
Summary by the , the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.
Under current law, physicians are licensed under the authority of the Medical Examining Board (MEB), a credentialing board attached to the Department of Safety and Professional Services. A physician's credential to practice is known as a license to practice medicine and surgery. This bill makes various changes regarding the licenses to practice medicine and surgery and related credentials issued by the MEB. Significant changes in the bill are described as follows:
Regular licenses to practice medicine and surgery Current law Current law provides that an applicant for any class of license to practice medicine and surgery must supply evidence satisfactory to the MEB that the applicant is a graduate of and possesses a diploma from a medical or osteopathic college approved by the MEB and has completed postgraduate training of 12 months in a facility approved by the MEB. Current law also contains provisions for issuing licenses to practice medicine and surgery to graduates of foreign medical schools that are not approved by the MEB. Such a graduate of a foreign medical school may be admitted to examination for a license to practice medicine and surgery if he or she satisfies certain requirements.
Read the full summary Show less
The bill — licensure of accredited medical and osteopathic college graduates The bill repeals the provisions described above and replaces them with the following requirements that an applicant other than a graduate of a foreign medical college must satisfy in order to be eligible for a regular license to practice medicine and surgery:
1. That the applicant is a graduate of and possesses a diploma from a medical or osteopathic college that is accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, the American Osteopathic Association, or a successor organization and that is approved by the MEB.
2. That the applicant either: a) has successfully completed and received credit for 24 months of postgraduate training in one or more programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, the American Osteopathic Association, or a successor organization; or b) be currently enrolled in a postgraduate training program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, the American Osteopathic Association, or a successor organization; has successfully completed and received credit for 12 consecutive months of postgraduate training in that program; and has received an unrestricted endorsement from the postgraduate training program director that includes confirmation that the applicant is expected to continue in the program and complete at least 24 months of postgraduate training.
3. That the applicant satisfies any other requirement established by the MEB by rule.
The bill — licensure of graduates of foreign medical colleges The bill repeals the provisions described above and replaces them with the following requirements that an applicant who is a graduate of a foreign medical college must satisfy in order to be eligible for a regular license to practice medicine and surgery:
1. That the applicant be a graduate of and possess a diploma from a foreign medical college credentialed by an agency approved by the MEB.
2. That the applicant has obtained certification by the Educational Council for Foreign Medical Graduates or a successor organization.
3. That the applicant has passed all steps of the United States Medical Licensing Examination administered by the National Board of Medical Examiners and the Federation of State Medical Boards, or their successor organizations.
4. That the applicant has successfully completed and received credit for 24 months of postgraduate training in one or more programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education or the American Osteopathic Association or a successor organization, the last 12 months of which were completed in a single program.
5. That the applicant satisfies any other requirement established by the MEB by rule for issuing the license.
The bill — exceptions The bill allows the MEB to promulgate rules specifying circumstances in which the MEB, in cases of hardship or in cases in which the applicant possesses a medical license issued by another jurisdiction, may grant a waiver from any requirement described above for a regular license to practice medicine and surgery. The MEB may grant such a waiver only in accordance with those rules.
The bill also grandfathers existing holders of a regular license to practice medicine and surgery so that they may retain and continue to renew their licenses notwithstanding the requirements in the bill described above.
Credentials for medical residents Current law — temporary educational permits Under current law, the MEB may grant a temporary educational permit to practice medicine and surgery (TEP) to a person who meets the requirements for a license to practice medicine and surgery, other than required examinations. A TEP may be issued for a period not to exceed one year and may be renewed annually for not more than four years. A TEP permits the holder to take postgraduate educational training in a facility approved by the MEB, and the holder of a TEP may, under the direction of a licensed physician, perform services requisite to that training, but must confine training and practice to the facility in which the holder is taking the training.
The bill — resident educational licenses The bill repeals the provisions for granting a TEP and replaces them with provisions allowing the MEB to grant a resident educational license (REL). An applicant must, under the bill, satisfy the following requirements in order to be granted an REL:
1. Provide proof that he or she has been accepted into a postgraduate training program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, the American Osteopathic Association, or a successor organization.
2. Provide written confirmation from the institution sponsoring the postgraduate training program into which he or she has been accepted confirming the appointment to that program.
3. Provide proof that he or she is a graduate of and possesses a diploma from a medical or osteopathic college that is approved by the MEB.
The bill provides that an REL is valid for one year and may be renewed for additional one-year terms while the REL holder is enrolled in his or her postgraduate training program. The bill also provides that an REL remains valid only while the REL holder is actively engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in his or her postgraduate training program and is lawfully entitled to work in the United States. Finally, the bill provides that the holder of an REL may engage in the practice of medicine and surgery only in connection with his or her duties under his or her postgraduate training program.
The bill grandfathers existing TEP holders so that they may retain and renew their TEPs for up to three years following enactment of the bill.
Licenses for visiting physicians Current law — temporary licenses for visiting professors Under current law, an applicant who is a graduate of a foreign medical school and who, because of noteworthy professional attainment, is invited to serve on the academic staff of a medical college in this state as a visiting professor, may be granted a temporary license to practice medicine and surgery (visiting professor license). A visiting professor license remains in force only while the holder is serving full time on the academic staff of a medical college and the license holder's practice is limited to the duties of the academic position.
The bill — restricted licenses to practice as a visiting physician The bill repeals the provisions for granting a visiting professor license and replaces them with provisions allowing the MEB to grant a restricted license to practice medicine and surgery as a visiting physician (visiting physician license). An applicant must, under the bill, satisfy the following requirements in order to be granted a visiting physician license:
1. Provide proof that he or she is a graduate of and possesses a diploma from a medical or osteopathic college that is approved by the board.
2. Provide proof that he or she teaches medicine, engages in medical research, or practices medicine and surgery outside this state.
3. Provide proof that the applicant is licensed to practice medicine and surgery outside this state.
4. Provide documentation that he or she intends to teach, research, or practice medicine and surgery at a medical education facility, medical research facility, or medical college in this state, which must include a signed letter from the dean or president of the facility or college.
5. Provide proof that he or she satisfies any other requirement established by the MEB by rule for issuing the license.
The bill provides that the holder of a visiting physician license may engage in the practice of medicine and surgery only at the medical education facility, medical research facility, or medical college where he or she is teaching, researching, or practicing, and only in accordance with the terms and restrictions established by the MEB. The bill provides that a visiting physician license is valid for one year and may be renewed at the discretion of the MEB. Finally, the bill provides that a visiting physician license remains valid only while the license holder is actively engaged in teaching, researching, or practicing medicine and surgery and is lawfully entitled to work in the United States.
The bill grandfathers existing visiting professor license holders so that they may retain and renew their visiting professor licenses for up to three years following enactment of the bill.
Administrative physician license The bill allows the MEB to grant a new type of license known under the bill as an administrative physician license (APL). The MEB may grant an APL to an applicant who satisfies the requirements for a regular license to practice medicine and surgery, other than any requirement established by the MEB relating to the active practice of medicine and surgery.
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Who's behind it
Leah Vukmir, a Republican, is its .
2 more lawmakers .
See all 3 names Hide the names
Author (1)
- Leah Vukmir · Republican, Senate
Signed on in support (2)
- Erik Severson · Republican, Assembly
- Mandy Wright · Democrat, Assembly
What it would cost
State agencies filed a . Each opens as a PDF from the Legislature.
Versions and amendments
Every text the Legislature printed for this bill, including proposed changes. Each opens on the Legislature's site.
How lawmakers voted
There were 2 votes on this bill.
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services vote on an amendment
Passed, 5 to 0 · Feb 14, 2014
No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.
Official motion: “Report adoption of Senate Amendment 1 recommended by Committee on Health and Human Services, Ayes 5, Noes 0”. Official record · This vote on its own page
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services vote to recommend it
Passed, 5 to 0 · Feb 14, 2014
No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.
Official motion: “Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Health and Human Services, Ayes 5, Noes 0”. Official record · This vote on its own page
What happened
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Apr 9, 2014
The new law was published.
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Apr 9, 2014
The governor signed it. It became 2013 Wisconsin Act 240.
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Apr 7, 2014
Sent to the governor.
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Feb 18, 2014
1 more representative signed on in support.
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Feb 18, 2014
The Assembly passed it too.
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Feb 18, 2014
“Read” (the official wording)
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Feb 18, 2014
The Assembly received it.
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Feb 18, 2014
The Senate passed it.
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Feb 18, 2014
The Senate adopted it.
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Feb 17, 2014
A state agency sent in its estimate of the cost.
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Feb 14, 2014
The committee voted to recommend passing it, 5 to 0.
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Feb 14, 2014
“Report adoption of Senate Amendment 1 recommended by Committee on Health and Human Services, Ayes 5, Noes 0” (the official wording)
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Feb 12, 2014
The committee held a public hearing.
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Feb 7, 2014
Sent to the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services.
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Feb 7, 2014
Introduced in the Senate.
See the official record, word for word Hide the official record
- Feb 7, 2014 · Senate
Introduced by Senator Vukmir; cosponsored by Representative Severson
- Feb 7, 2014 · Senate
Read first time and referred to Committee on Health and Human Services
- Feb 10, 2014 · Senate
Senate Amendment 1 offered by Senator Vukmir
- Feb 12, 2014 · Senate
Public hearing held
- Feb 13, 2014 · Senate
Executive action taken
- Feb 14, 2014 · Senate
Report adoption of Senate Amendment 1 recommended by Committee on Health and Human Services, Ayes 5, Noes 0
- Feb 14, 2014 · Senate
Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Health and Human Services, Ayes 5, Noes 0
- Feb 14, 2014 · Senate
Available for scheduling
- Feb 17, 2014 · Senate
Fiscal estimate received
- Feb 17, 2014 · Senate
Placed on calendar 2-18-2014 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)
- Feb 18, 2014 · Senate
Read a second time
- Feb 18, 2014 · Senate
Senate Amendment 1 adopted
- Feb 18, 2014 · Senate
Ordered to a third reading
- Feb 18, 2014 · Senate
Rules suspended
- Feb 18, 2014 · Senate
Read a third time and passed
- Feb 18, 2014 · Senate
Ordered immediately messaged
- Feb 18, 2014 · Assembly
Received from Senate
- Feb 18, 2014 · Assembly
Read
- Feb 18, 2014 · Assembly
Rules suspended and taken up
- Feb 18, 2014 · Assembly
Read a second time
- Feb 18, 2014 · Assembly
Ordered to a third reading
- Feb 18, 2014 · Assembly
Rules suspended
- Feb 18, 2014 · Assembly
Read a third time and concurred in
- Feb 18, 2014 · Assembly
Representative Wright added as a cosponsor
- Feb 18, 2014 · Assembly
Ordered immediately messaged
- Feb 19, 2014 · Senate
Received from Assembly concurred in
- Feb 24, 2014 · Senate
Report correctly enrolled
- Apr 7, 2014 · Senate
Presented to the Governor on 4-7-2014
- Apr 9, 2014 · Senate
Report approved by the Governor on 4-8-2014. 2013 Wisconsin Act 240
- Apr 9, 2014 · Senate
Published 4-9-2014
Terms on this page
Wisconsin Act
The number a bill gets when it becomes law, like 2025 Wisconsin Act 12.
Official term: Act. More in the glossary
Legislative Reference Bureau
The Legislature's nonpartisan office that drafts bills and writes the summary at the top of each one.
Official term: LRB analysis. More in the glossary
Author
A lawmaker who formally puts a bill forward. The text itself is drafted by the Legislative Reference Bureau.
Official term: Author, coauthor. More in the glossary
Signed on in support
Lawmakers who back a bill without being one of its authors, often from the other chamber.
Official term: Cosponsor. More in the glossary
Cost estimate
A state agency's estimate of what a bill would cost or save.
Official term: Fiscal estimate. More in the glossary
Roll call
A vote where each lawmaker's yes or no is recorded by name.
Official term: Roll call vote. More in the glossary
From the Wisconsin Legislature's official record, checked Sep 15, 2026. See the source
Wisconsin Act
The number a bill gets when it becomes law, like 2025 Wisconsin Act 12.
Official term: Act
Legislative Reference Bureau
The Legislature's nonpartisan office that drafts bills and writes the summary at the top of each one.
Official term: LRB analysis
Signed on in support
Lawmakers who back a bill without being one of its authors, often from the other chamber.
Official term: Cosponsor
Cost estimate
A state agency's estimate of what a bill would cost or save.
Official term: Fiscal estimate
Roll call
A vote where each lawmaker's yes or no is recorded by name.
Official term: Roll call vote