Order waives regulations for healthcare professionals

Gov. Tony Evers issued an order Friday making a series of changes to state regulations for healthcare professionals to respond to COVID-19. The order took effect immediately and will remain in place throughout the public health emergency.

The changes aim to simplify license renewals, encourage retired professionals to re-enter the practice and provide a way for out-of-state providers to practice in Wisconsin that aren’t credentialed here.

The order also adjusts clinical education requirements to help nursing students close to graduation, suspends restrictions for advanced practice nurses and gives more flexibility to physician assistants.

And the order also eliminates time limits for temporary licenses and some late renewal fees. The Department of Safety and Professional Services will have flexibility to eliminate other fees as needed.

Department Secretary-designee Dawn Crim said they’ve heard from retired providers eager to return to practice.

“Other providers want the flexibility to go where the need is greatest and respond as fully and efficiently as possible,” Crim said in a statement. “This order will better position Wisconsin’s healthcare workforce to deal with this public health emergency.”

Evers issued an additional order Friday barring evictions and foreclosures during the public health emergency.

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