Skip to content
Bills from the 2013–14 session

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 ⁠.

  1. Introduced, passed

    Feb 7, 2014

  2. Committee, passed

    Approved

  3. Senate vote, passed

    Passed Feb 18, 2014

  4. Assembly vote, passed

    Passed Feb 18, 2014

  5. Governor, passed

    Signed

  6. Law, here now

    2013 Wisconsin Act 240

Latest entry in the official record, Apr 9, 2014: “Published 4-9-2014”

Read the bill

Following saves it on this device. New actions show on your Following page. You can also get updates in a feed reader.

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

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.

Down Down /2013/related/proposals/sb579 true proposaltext /2013/related/proposals/sb579 proposaltext/2013/REG/SB579 proposaltext/2013/REG/SB579 section true Menu » 2013 » Related Documents » Proposal Text » SB579: Bill Text × Details for PDF view Link (Permanent link) Bookmark this location View toggle Go to top of document Search in this chapter Search in this section Search in this agency Search in this chapter group Search in this chapter Search in this section Cross references for section Acts affecting this section References to this 1970 Statutes Annotations Appellate Court Citations Administrative Code Index Reference lines Clear highlighting $(document).ready(function () {

$('[data-toggle=tooltip]').tooltip({ container: 'body' });

});

Who's behind it

Leah Vukmir, a Republican, is its ⁠.

2 more lawmakers ⁠.

See all 3 names

Author (1)

Signed on in support (2)

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

  1. Apr 9, 2014

    The new law was published.

  2. Apr 9, 2014

    The governor signed it. It became 2013 Wisconsin Act 240.

  3. Apr 7, 2014

    Sent to the governor.

  4. Feb 18, 2014

    1 more representative signed on in support.

  5. Feb 18, 2014

    The Assembly passed it too.

  6. Feb 18, 2014

    “Read” (the official wording)

  7. Feb 18, 2014

    The Assembly received it.

  8. Feb 18, 2014

    The Senate passed it.

  9. Feb 18, 2014

    The Senate adopted it.

  10. Feb 17, 2014

    A state agency sent in its estimate of the cost.

  11. Feb 14, 2014

    The committee voted to recommend passing it, 5 to 0.

  12. Feb 14, 2014

    “Report adoption of Senate Amendment 1 recommended by Committee on Health and Human Services, Ayes 5, Noes 0” (the official wording)

  13. Feb 12, 2014

    The committee held a public hearing.

  14. Feb 7, 2014

    Sent to the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services.

  15. Feb 7, 2014

    Introduced in the Senate.

See the official record, word for word
  1. Feb 7, 2014 · Senate

    Introduced by Senator Vukmir; cosponsored by Representative Severson

  2. Feb 7, 2014 · Senate

    Read first time and referred to Committee on Health and Human Services

  3. Feb 10, 2014 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 1 offered by Senator Vukmir

  4. Feb 12, 2014 · Senate

    Public hearing held

  5. Feb 13, 2014 · Senate

    Executive action taken

  6. Feb 14, 2014 · Senate

    Report adoption of Senate Amendment 1 recommended by Committee on Health and Human Services, Ayes 5, Noes 0

  7. Feb 14, 2014 · Senate

    Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Health and Human Services, Ayes 5, Noes 0

  8. Feb 14, 2014 · Senate

    Available for scheduling

  9. Feb 17, 2014 · Senate

    Fiscal estimate received

  10. Feb 17, 2014 · Senate

    Placed on calendar 2-18-2014 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)

  11. Feb 18, 2014 · Senate

    Read a second time

  12. Feb 18, 2014 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 1 adopted

  13. Feb 18, 2014 · Senate

    Ordered to a third reading

  14. Feb 18, 2014 · Senate

    Rules suspended

  15. Feb 18, 2014 · Senate

    Read a third time and passed

  16. Feb 18, 2014 · Senate

    Ordered immediately messaged

  17. Feb 18, 2014 · Assembly

    Received from Senate

  18. Feb 18, 2014 · Assembly

    Read

  19. Feb 18, 2014 · Assembly

    Rules suspended and taken up

  20. Feb 18, 2014 · Assembly

    Read a second time

  21. Feb 18, 2014 · Assembly

    Ordered to a third reading

  22. Feb 18, 2014 · Assembly

    Rules suspended

  23. Feb 18, 2014 · Assembly

    Read a third time and concurred in

  24. Feb 18, 2014 · Assembly

    Representative Wright added as a cosponsor

  25. Feb 18, 2014 · Assembly

    Ordered immediately messaged

  26. Feb 19, 2014 · Senate

    Received from Assembly concurred in

  27. Feb 24, 2014 · Senate

    Report correctly enrolled

  28. Apr 7, 2014 · Senate

    Presented to the Governor on 4-7-2014

  29. Apr 9, 2014 · Senate

    Report approved by the Governor on 4-8-2014. 2013 Wisconsin Act 240

  30. 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

Author

A lawmaker who formally puts a bill forward. The text itself is drafted by the Legislative Reference Bureau.

Official term: Author, coauthor

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