On August 8, 2025, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers signed 2025 Wisconsin Act 17, a landmark law expanding independent practice rights for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs). The legislation brings Wisconsin in line with a growing number of states granting APRNs more autonomy in patient care, a move widely viewed as a way to improve access to healthcare services.
A New Pathway to Independent Practice
Under Act 17, APRNs, including nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse midwives, and certified registered nurse anesthetists, can qualify for independent practice once specific experience requirements are met.
To do so, APRNs must complete:
- 3,840 hours of professional nursing practice as an RN, performed over at least 24 months.
- Accredited nursing program clinical hours may count, whereas hours from an advanced practice program may not.
- 3,840 hours of practice as an APRN while collaborating with a readily available physician/dentist, also over a minimum of 24 months.
APRNs can count eligible hours from both Wisconsin and other states. Once these requirements are satisfied, an APRN may qualify for independent practice, no longer needing a formal collaborative or supervisory agreement with a physician or dentist. However, when patient care goes beyond their expertise, APRNs are required to involve the appropriate specialists.
Important Exceptions
While the law opens the door to greater autonomy, it includes guardrails for certain types of care. APRNs performing invasive procedures for pain management must either partner with a physician who specializes in pain or practice within a hospital or hospital clinic. Likewise, nurse midwives attending out-of-hospital births must file a care plan for approval with the state board.
Timing and Oversight
Although Act 17 is now law, the independent practice provisions won’t take effect until September 2026. In the meantime, the Wisconsin Board of Nursing is charged with drafting rules, updating forms, and overseeing the application process. APRNs who intend to apply are advised to begin organizing their records to document RN and APRN-level practice hours.
A Shift in the Provider Landscape
By easing restrictions, Wisconsin is opening the door for APRNs to work more broadly in primary care clinics, specialty practices, and community-based settings. Supporters believe this shift will help relieve pressure on an already stretched healthcare system, particularly in rural and underserved regions.
Wisconsin now joins the majority of U.S. states that provide a pathway for APRNs to work independently. This reflects a growing recognition nationwide: advanced practice nurses are essential to expanding access, maintaining care quality, and meeting patient needs in a rapidly evolving healthcare environment.
How Optimantra helps APRNs
As laws like Act 17 expand provider autonomy, OptiMantra is proud to support APRNs with an all-in-one EMR and practice management platform designed to streamline scheduling, charting, billing, and patient engagement, so clinicians can focus more on delivering care and less on administrative work.
Try OptiMantra for free here!
