RN work list: Wisconsin

Moved here from another compact state? NCSBN says “when your PSOR changes by permanently relocating to another compact state, apply for licensure by endorsement” and “You have 60 days from the time you move to apply for your license.” The endorsement steps are below.

NCSBN · nursecompact.com · checked 10 Nov 2026

1. Confirm your licence is multistate

   Look yourself up on Nursys QuickConfirm. NCSBN: “If you already have a license and you are unsure if your license is single-state or multistate, use Quick Confirm at nursys.com at no cost.”

   NCSBN · nursecompact.com · checked 10 Nov 2026

   Source quotation

   If you already have a license and you are unsure if your license is single-state or multistate, use Quick Confirm at nursys.com at no cost.

   nursecompact.com · NCSBN

2. Your home state is where you legally live

   Only the compact state you actually live in can issue your multistate licence. NCSBN: “If a nurse's PSOR is a compact state, that nurse may be eligible for a multistate license.”

   NCSBN · nursecompact.com · checked 10 Nov 2026

   Source quotation

   If a nurse's PSOR is a compact state, that nurse may be eligible for a multistate license.

   nursecompact.com · NCSBN

3. Practise as an RN on the privilege

   NCSBN defines the privilege to practise as the authority “permitting the practice of nursing as either an RN or LPN/VN in a remote state”.

   NCSBN · nursecompact.com · checked 10 Nov 2026

   Source quotation

   permitting the practice of nursing as either an RN or LPN/VN in a remote state

   nursecompact.com · NCSBN

4. What Wisconsin’s record says about working here on a multistate licence

   Yes — a qualifying multistate license permits RN/LPN practice here

   Conditions & source context

   Eligible RN/LPN holders of another party state’s multistate license may use Wisconsin practice privilege while maintaining lawful home-state residence. Employer onboarding and competence requirements remain separate.

   State statute · docs.legis.wisconsin.gov · checked 9 Oct 2026

   Source quotation

   A multistate license to practice registered or licensed practical/vocational nursing issued by a home state to a resident in that state will be recognized by each party state as authorizing a nurse to practice as a registered nurse or as a licensed practical/vocational nurse, under a multistate licensure privilege, in each party state.

   docs.legis.wisconsin.gov · State statute

If you move for good, not just for a contract: NCSBN says “when your PSOR changes by permanently relocating to another compact state, apply for licensure by endorsement” and “You have 60 days from the time you move to apply for your license.”

NCSBN · nursecompact.com · checked 10 Nov 2026

1. Check you qualify for endorsement

   • Education and prior examination

     Detail

     Original license must have required Board-approved/comparable nursing education and NCLEX, or provide education and examination evidence for Board equivalency review.

   • Application and fee

     Detail

     Submit completed application and applicable fee.

   • License verification

     Detail

     Verify original license by examination and current active license; current Board RN/LPN pages direct applicants to Nursys.

   • Practice history and disclosures

     Detail

     Document employment history; supply required criminal-charge/conviction, discipline, nursing-employment termination and professional-conduct information.

   • No current education/practice within five years

     Detail

     Apply for a limited license to complete an approved refresher; petition for full licensure after completion.

   Conditions & source context

   Single-state route N 2.21. Multistate endorsement also requires Wisconsin PSOR, ULR and fingerprint checks under N 2.19. RN and LPN Board pages add operational Nursys instructions. Posted LPN page uses the phrase registered nursing program; use the controlling rule’s Board-approved/comparable education wording rather than inventing an RN degree requirement.

   State administrative code · docs.legis.wisconsin.gov · checked 9 Oct 2026

   Source quotation

   N 2.21 N 2.21 Endorsement of an applicant for a single state license. N 2.21(1) (1) N 2.21(1)(a) (a) A license from another U.S. state, a U.S. territory, or Canada is considered to have met educational and other qualifications comparable to those required in this state provided the requirements of the initial license included all of the following: N 2.21(1)(a)1. 1. Graduation from a school approved by the board in the jurisdiction of initial licensure or had education the board in the jurisdiction of initial licensure deemed to be comparable to a school that board approves. N 2.21(1)(a)2. 2. Passage of the NCLEX. N 2.21(1)(b) (b) An applicant, whose initial license from another U.S. state, U.S. territory, or Canada does not meet the requirements in par. (a) , shall submit all of the following to the board to assist the board in determining whether the qualifications are comparable: N 2.21(1)(b)1. 1. Evidence of educational qualifications. N 2.21(1)(b)2. 2. Evidence of passing the NCLEX or other nursing licensure examination. N 2.21(2) (2) An applicant shall submit a completed application and pay the applicable fee. The application shall include the following: N 2.21(2)(a) (a) Verification of licensure from the state, territory or province in which the original license by examination was issued and the state, territory or province in which the current, active license was issued. N 2.21(2)(b) (b) Documentation of employment history. N 2.21(2)(c) (c) An applicant who has a pending criminal charge or has been convicted of any crime or ordinance violation shall provide the board with all related information necessary for the board to determine whether the circumstances of the arrest or conviction or other offense substantially relate to the practice of nursing. N 2.21(2)(d) (d) An applicant who has a license encumbered by adverse action shall provide the board will all related information necessary to determine whether the board deems the action taken to warrant a denial in Wisconsin. N 2.21(2)(e) (e) An applicant who has been terminated from any employment related to nursing within the 10 years immediately preceding the date of application shall provide the board with all related information necessary to determine current competency. N 2.21(2)(f) (f) An applicant who has committed any act, which would be subject to discipline under ch. N 7 , shall provide the board with all related information regarding the act necessary for the board to make a determination on the application for licensure. N 2.21(3) (3) An applicant who does not have current nursing education or been employed in a position that requires a nursing license within the last 5 years may apply to the board for a limited license to enable the applicant to complete a nursing refresher course approved by the board. Upon successful completion of an approved nursing refresher course, the license holder may petition the board for full licensure.

   docs.legis.wisconsin.gov · State administrative code

2. Open the application

   dsps.wi.gov

   Conditions & source context

   This is the official RN endorsement instructions page; applications use LicensE. LPN instructions are at the separately captured licensed-practical-nurse-lpn/licensure-by-endorsement/ page.

   State Board of Nursing · dsps.wi.gov · checked 9 Oct 2026

   Source quotation

   Registered Nurse - Endorsement Understand the requirements of this profession to be a credential holder in WI.

   dsps.wi.gov · State Board of Nursing

3. Pay the application fee

   Amount

   73

   Per

   application

   Also payable

   • Nursys endorsement verification

   • Fingerprint processing when seeking multistate authority

   License types

   • RN
   • LPN

   Conditions & source context

   Current posted initial credential amount, not a statutory ceiling or observed checkout collection. Fee table warns that total is calculated in LicensE and additional fees may apply; discounts/waivers may depend on eligibility.

   State Board of Nursing · dsps.wi.gov · checked 9 Oct 2026

   Source quotation

   30 | Registered Nurse | Individual | $73 | $73 | 02/29/Even

   dsps.wi.gov · State Board of Nursing

4. Fingerprints and background check

   Required

   Yes

   State check

   Yes

   FBI check

   Yes

   Scope

   RN/LPN multistate endorsement applicants under N 2.19 only

   Conditions & source context

   The multistate endorsement rule requires state/FBI record checks using fingerprints or other biometric data through an approved process.

   State administrative code · docs.legis.wisconsin.gov · checked 9 Oct 2026

   Source quotation

   The applicant shall submit, through an approved process, fingerprints or other biometric data for the purpose of obtaining criminal history record information from the federal bureau of investigation and the Wisconsin department of justice.

   docs.legis.wisconsin.gov · State administrative code

5. Verify your current licence

   Required

   Yes

   Verification for endorsement

   Yes

   Conditions & source context

   Current RN operational instructions require the Nursys step; LPN source independently contains the same instruction.

   State Board of Nursing · dsps.wi.gov · checked 9 Oct 2026

   Source quotation

   Log into Nursys , Selected Wisconsin to receive an Endorsement Verification, and paid the fee.

   dsps.wi.gov · State Board of Nursing

6. Temporary permit to start sooner

   Available

   Yes

   Type

   Bridge Temporary Credential (Act 10)

   Eligibility

   Valid unrestricted license in another state, a Wisconsin health-care-employer position, and a pending permanent Wisconsin application in the same profession.

   Duration (days)

   90

   Fee

   0

   Extension

   Discretionary 30-day extensions may be considered when permanent application materials are complete and DSPS review is pending.

   Applies to

   • RN
   • LPN

   Application deadline days after starting services

   30

   Conditions & source context

   Bridge is distinct from the ordinary N2 temporary permit. These published conditions are not an unconditional permission to start any job. For onsite work employer notification is required within 10 days; telehealth-only applications do not require that form.

   State Board of Nursing · dsps.wi.gov · checked 9 Oct 2026

   Source quotation

   A Bridge Temporary Credential is designed to enable health care professionals with a valid, unrestricted license in another state and a position secured through an employer in the state of Wisconsin to practice in person or via telehealth while they await a decision on their permanent license application. Before applying for a Bridge Temporary Credential, applicants must also submit an application for their full, permanent credential in Wisconsin in the same profession. Be prepared to submit your permanent credential application's PAR-# while applying for the Bridge Temporary Credential. Health care providers may provide services within the scope of the other state credential that the health care provider holds. They must apply for a Bridge Temporary Credential within 30 days of beginning to provide health care services for a health care employer in Wisconsin. For onsite work, employers must submit Form 2021-A102 to the health care provider's Bridge application within 10 days of beginning work in Wisconsin. The form is not required for telehealth-only applications. Applicants who are self-employed should have Form 2021-A102 filled out by someone else in their organization if possible. If there is no one else to complete the form, fill it out yourself and include an explanation. The Bridge Temporary Credential is only valid for 9 0 days from the date issued. Applicants should work proactively to complete their application for permanent licensure in advance of this 90-day timeline. How to Extend Bridge Extensions Extensions to Bridge Temporary Credentials are not guaranteed but may be issued based on individual circumstances. Applicants may receive a 30-day extension of their Bridge Temporary Credential if all their permanent application materials are submitted, and they are still awaiting DSPS Legal, Board, or Credentialing Team review and approval of their permanent license application. An applicant can receive more than one extension. Requests for an extension can be made by clicking on the "Request Support" tab on the home page of LicensE.

   dsps.wi.gov · State Board of Nursing

7. Continuing education you will owe at renewal

   • RN

     Hours

     0

     Mandated topics

     None

   • LPN

     Hours

     0

     Mandated topics

     None

   Conditions & source context

   Current RN and LPN profession pages expressly state no CE requirement. This does not waive renewal, workforce survey, professional competence, discipline or refresher conditions.

   State Board of Nursing · dsps.wi.gov · checked 9 Oct 2026

   Source quotation

   Continuing Education Information There is no continuing education required for this license type.

   dsps.wi.gov · State Board of Nursing

8. Other state-specific requirements

   • Workforce survey

     Applies to

     RN/LPN renewal

     Detail

     Complete Department of Workforce Development survey.

   • Primary state of residence

     Applies to

     RN/LPN renewal

     Detail

     Report PSOR.

   Conditions & source context

   These are renewal steps, not CE topics.

   State Board of Nursing · dsps.wi.gov · checked 9 Oct 2026

   Source quotation

   To complete the renewal process, you will be asked to complete a survey that is given by the Department of Workforce Development (DWD). Report Primary State of Residence.

   dsps.wi.gov · State Board of Nursing

9. Processing time

   Initial material review approximately days

   10

   Basis

   published_by_state

   Conditions & source context

   Initial materials review only; not issuance or approval turnaround. Calendar versus business days is not given.

   State Board of Nursing · dsps.wi.gov · checked 9 Oct 2026

   Source quotation

   Your materials will be reviewed within approximately 10 days by a member of the credentialing team. Note: Some licenses do take longer to process due to complexity.

   dsps.wi.gov · State Board of Nursing

10. Confirm the rest on the Wisconsin Board of Nursing site

    Our Wisconsin record has nothing sourced for RNs on: any jurisprudence exam. Get those from the board directly: dsps.wi.gov.

    State Board of Nursing · dsps.wi.gov · checked 9 Oct 2026