Press Release: Gov. Evers to Sign Bipartisan Bill Expanding Healthcare Service Access with New Licensure Opportunities for Nurses

State of Wisconsin sent this bulletin at 08/08/2025 11:00 AM CDT
Office of Governor Tony Evers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 8, 2025
Contact: GovPress@wisconsin.gov 
 
Gov. Evers to Sign Bipartisan Bill Expanding Healthcare Service Access with New Licensure Opportunities for Nurses 
 
MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers will today sign Assembly Bill 257, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 17, a bipartisan bill relating to the independent practice of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). The bill signed by the governor today creates a new licensure opportunity for registered nurses (RNs) to become APRNs, ultimately increasing career opportunities for RNs and APRNs and expanding healthcare service access for Wisconsinites.

“Nurses play a critical role in our healthcare workforce, and I’m proud of our work to expand opportunities for nurses to not only grow their career but create a system that allows for more advanced practitioners here in Wisconsin,” said Gov. Evers. “I’d like to thank Sen. Testin, Sen. Cabral-Guevara, Rep. Kurtz, and Rep. Subeck, as well as the many nursing and physician groups that we worked with to get this bipartisan bill across the finish line to help bring more folks into the healthcare profession and ensure that Wisconsinites get the high-quality care they need when they need it while setting our nurses up for success.”

2025 Wisconsin Act 17 represents a bipartisan compromise from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers as well as several nursing and physician groups.

Some estimates have previously indicated that approximately 8,000 RNs in Wisconsin would qualify as APRNs, about 80 percent of whom are nurse practitioners. Additionally, already-licensed APRNs could practice independently under this legislation so long as they meet the specified requirements, including a minimum of 3,840 hours of work experience under the supervision of a physician or dentist.

Assembly Bill 257, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 17:  
  • Makes several changes related to the practicing, licensing and certifying requirements for nurses as administered by the Board of Nursing.
    • Creates a new licensure opportunity for RNs to become APRNs and establishes various oversight and safety provisions (including mandating the completion of education and continuing education requirements and collaboration with physicians); and 
    • Increases access to healthcare services for state residents. 
 
An online version of this release is available here.
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