Reciprocal credentials for service members, former service members, and their spouses
Wis. Stat. § 440.09
in effect(1) In this section:
(a) “Former service member” means a person who was discharged from the U.S. armed forces under conditions other than dishonorable within 4 years of the date on which the service member or the spouse of the service member applies for a reciprocal credential under this section.
(b) “Service member” means a member of the U.S. armed forces, a reserve unit of the U.S. armed forces, or the national guard of any state.
(c) “Spouse” includes the spouse of a person who died while in service in the U.S. armed forces or in forces incorporated as part of the U.S. armed forces.
(2) The department and each credentialing board shall grant a reciprocal credential to an individual who the department or credentialing board determines meets all of the following requirements:
(a) The individual applies for a reciprocal credential under this section on a form prescribed by the department or credentialing board.
(b) The individual is a service member, a former service member, or the spouse of a service member or former service member and resides in this state.
(c) The individual holds a license, certification, registration, or permit that was granted by a governmental authority in a jurisdiction outside this state that qualifies the individual to perform the acts authorized under the appropriate credential granted by the department or credentialing board.
(d) The individual pays the fee specified under s. 440.05 (2).
(f) The individual is in good standing with the governmental authorities in every jurisdiction outside this state that have granted the individual a license, certification, registration, or permit that qualifies the individual to perform acts authorized under the appropriate credential granted by the department or credentialing board.
(2m) If an individual is unable to provide documentation that the individual is a service member, former service member, or the spouse of a service member or former service member, the individual may submit an affidavit to the department or credentialing board, as appropriate, stating that the individual is a service member, former service member, or the spouse of a service member or former service member.
(3)
(a) A reciprocal credential granted under this section expires on the applicable renewal date specified in s. 440.08 (2) (a), except that if the first renewal date specified in s. 440.08 (2) (a) after the date on which the credential is granted is within 180 days of the date on which the credential is granted, the credential expires on the 2nd renewal date specified in s. 440.08 (2) (a) after the date on which the credential is granted.
(b) The department or credentialing board, as appropriate, shall grant a renewed reciprocal credential to an applicant who pays the renewal fee specified under s. 440.05 (2) and satisfies the requirements that apply for renewing that credential.
(4) The department or credentialing board, as appropriate, shall expedite the issuance of a reciprocal credential granted under this section.
(5) The department or credentialing board, as appropriate, may promulgate rules necessary to implement this section.
Source: WI Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/440.09Fetched: 10/7/2026