Quantcast

Central Wisconsin News

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Sen. Testin authors Wisconsin Senate bill to establish APRN licensure system

Webp j3he7uqpdafblz2q80wo0icexrst

Patrick Testin, Wisconsin State Senator for 24th District | Official Linkedin

Patrick Testin, Wisconsin State Senator for 24th District | Official Linkedin

The new bill authored by State Sen. Patrick Testin in the Wisconsin Senate seeks to modernize licensure requirements for advanced practice registered nurses in Wisconsin, according to the Wisconsin State Senate.

According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "advanced practice registered nurses, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority. (FE)".

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill establishes a new licensure system for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) in Wisconsin, delineating specific requirements for obtaining such a license. APRN candidates must hold or apply for a registered nurse license, complete an accredited education program, maintain malpractice liability insurance, and meet additional criteria. The bill recognizes four APRN roles: certified nurse-midwife, certified registered nurse anesthetist, clinical nurse specialist, and nurse practitioner. It allows APRNs to practice collaboratively with physicians or independently after meeting certain experience requirements, except those with a nurse-midwife designation, who must file a care plan for delivering babies outside hospitals. Additionally, APRNs gain authority to issue prescription orders without needing separate certification, and former nurse-midwives or RNs with existing practice are seamlessly transitioned into the new system. The legislation also mandates continuing education in pharmacology. Effective for the 2025-26 legislature, the bill seeks to modernize and enhance the regulatory structure for nursing professionals in the state, potentially impacting healthcare delivery and scope of practice for these roles.

The bill was co-authored by Representative Tony Kurtz (Republican-41st District), Senator Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (Democrat-18th District), Senator Dora E. Drake (Democrat-4th District), Senator Jodi Habush Sinykin (Democrat-8th District), Senator Dianne H. Hesselbein (Democrat-27th District). It was co-sponsored by Representative Deb Andraca (Democrat-23rd District), Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), and Representative Brienne Brown (Democrat-43rd District), along 38 other co-sponsors.

Patrick Testin has authored or co-authored another 41 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with two of them being enacted.

Testin graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point in 2011 with a BS.

Testin, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2017 to represent the state's 24th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Howard Marklein.

In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.

Bills Introduced by Patrick Testin in Wisconsin Senate During 2025 Regular Session

Bill NumberDate IntroducedShort Description
SB25805/16/2025Advanced practice registered nurses, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority. (FE)
SB25705/16/2025The electronic vaping device directory and electronic nicotine devices. (FE)
SB24505/09/2025A pilot school-centered mental health program. (FE)
SB23104/29/2025Creating a tax credit for expenses related to film production services and for capital investments made by a film production company, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)
SB22904/29/2025Transferring adjudicatory functions for worker’s compensation from the Division of Hearings and Appeals in the Department of Administration to the Department of Workforce Development. (FE)
SB20404/16/2025Creating a video game production tax credit and making an appropriation. (FE)
SB19004/14/2025Ratification of the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact. (FE)
SB17304/03/2025Creating a rural creative economy development grant program. (FE)
SB16403/27/2025Use of certified seed potatoes in planting potatoes and providing a penalty. (FE)
SB15603/26/2025Requiring first responders to be trained to administer epinephrine delivery systems. (FE)
SB15203/21/2025Financial eligibility for the Alzheimer’s family and caregiver support program. (FE)
SB11303/07/2025A transition to grazing pilot program and making an appropriation. (FE)
SB9603/07/2025Exempting certain electric vehicle charging stations located at a residence from the electric vehicle charging tax. (FE)
SB7102/26/2025Ratification of the Dietitian Licensure Compact. (FE)
SB6802/24/2025The prescription drug monitoring program. (FE)

ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS STORY

!RECEIVE ALERTS

The next time we write about any of these orgs, we’ll email you a link to the story. You may edit your settings or unsubscribe at any time.
Sign-up

DONATE

Help support the Metric Media Foundation's mission to restore community based news.
Donate

MORE NEWS