Wisconsin is one of the most nurse-friendly states for renewal — no continuing education hours are required for RN or LPN license renewal. The main requirement is completing a mandatory Nursing Workforce Survey. With some of the lowest fees at $57, Wisconsin makes renewal straightforward. Here's your complete guide.
Wisconsin RN License Renewal Requirements Overview
The Wisconsin Board of Nursing does not require continuing education hours for RN or LPN license renewal. However, APRNs with prescriptive authority must complete 16 contact hours per 2-year cycle, including pharmacology and controlled substance prescribing.
Wisconsin is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state, allowing nurses with a multistate license to practice across all compact states.
What Is Required for Renewal?
For RNs and LPNs:
- No CE hours required — Wisconsin does not mandate continuing education for RN or LPN renewal
- Mandatory Nursing Workforce Survey — must be completed as part of the renewal process (required by state law)
- Disclosure questions — answer questions about professional conduct and legal status
For APRNs with Prescriptive Authority (16 hours):
- 16 total CE hours per 2-year cycle
- 14 hours on clinical pharmacology/therapeutics
- 2 hours on responsible prescribing of controlled substances (included in the 16-hour total)
Important Renewal Dates
Wisconsin has different renewal dates depending on your license type:
- RN licenses: February 28 of even-numbered years
- LPN licenses: April 30 of odd-numbered years
- APRN licenses: September 30 of even-numbered years
Make sure you know which deadline applies to your specific license type.
Step-by-Step: How to Renew Your Wisconsin Nursing License
- Log in to the DSPS LicensE Portal. Visit license.wi.gov to access your renewal.
- Select Renew My License and choose the correct nursing credential.
- Verify your information. Update your address and work status.
- Complete the Nursing Workforce Survey. This mandatory survey collects data about nursing practice in Wisconsin.
- Answer disclosure questions. Respond to all legal and professional conduct questions.
- Pay the renewal fee. Current fees: $57 for RN/LPN, $73 for APRN.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping the Workforce Survey. This is mandatory — your renewal will not process without completing the survey, even though it's not a CE requirement.
- Confusing renewal dates by license type. RN, LPN, and APRN licenses each have different expiration dates. If you hold multiple Wisconsin credentials, track each deadline separately.
- APRNs not meeting pharmacology hours. While RN/LPN renewal requires no CE, APRNs with prescriptive authority must complete 14 hours of pharmacology/therapeutics and 2 hours on controlled substances.
- Assuming the late period is unlimited. While Wisconsin offers late renewal for up to 5 years, a $25 late fee applies and practicing on an expired license is prohibited.
Tips for a Smooth Renewal
- Set reminders well before your deadline. Even though no CE is required, you still need to actively complete the renewal process. RenewRN sends automatic reminders at 90, 60, 30, 7, and 1 day before expiration.
- Take advantage of NLC benefits. As a compact state, your Wisconsin multistate license lets you practice in other NLC states without extra licenses.
- Consider voluntary CE. Even without a state requirement, continuing education keeps your skills current and can benefit career advancement.
- Wisconsin has the lowest APRN fees. At $73 for APRN renewal, Wisconsin is among the most affordable states for advanced practice nurses.
Track Your Wisconsin License with RenewRN
Wisconsin's simple renewal process means the biggest risk is forgetting your deadline or skipping the mandatory workforce survey. RenewRN monitors your expiration date and sends reminders so you never lapse.