Browsing: Licensing

Amid a sustained outcry from frustrated occupational license seekers and a statewide worker shortage, Wisconsin lawmakers are advancing a universal recognition licensure bill and nearly a dozen more narrowly targeted reforms that would finally help remedy longtime bureaucratic dysfunction and over-regulation.

Dogged by a huge backlog for occupational licenses and complaints by applicants and lawmakers, Wisconsin’s Department of Safety and Professional Services must submit to an audit of its operations.

An all-Republican majority of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee voted Tuesday to direct the Legislative Audit Bureau to examine an agency that fields between 5,000 and 10,000 calls every week. The LAB website projects the expected release of the audit in fall 2023. 

Dental therapists are mid-level providers — similar to physician assistants or nurse practitioners — who perform preventive, restorative and intermediate restorative procedures such as fluoride applications, cavity repairs and extractions of diseased teeth. These licensed professionals work under the general supervision of dentists and often practice in locations with underserved populations.

Scholars like Morris Kleiner at the University of Minnesota have found that licensing creates barriers to entry into the field, especially for low-income aspirants; reduces employment and competition; inflates prices and the wages of licensed workers; stifles innovation; and limits mobility.

Eight states, including neighboring Minnesota and Michigan, have authorized dental therapist programs statewide. Dental therapists are mid-level providers who perform preventive, restorative and intermediate restorative procedures.

Wisconsin’s politicians prohibit over 1 million citizens from working unless they have government permission.

The Albrecht Free Clinic in West Bend gets calls daily from Medicaid patients in need of dental care.

In a joint brief with the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, we lay out the problems with occupational licensing in Wisconsin and what meaningful reforms can be enacted.

Dentists see that adding the mid-level providers eases the care shortage, expands access and creates efficiencies

They’re working and should be made permanent

A growing list of states that have adopted universal licensure recognition

Measure creates universal recognition, waives fees for low-income workers, expands opportunity for ex-offenders

Accepting out-of-state credentials should continue after the crisis ends

Outdated Wisconsin law hampers electric automaker’s direct-sales business model

Arizona, Pennsylvania paved way for full licensure recognition

Lawmakers should streamline regulations so more people can work

Occupational licensing regulations can undermine public health in the name of protecting it

Senate committee passes two licensing reform bills

Public members discuss how they view their role on boards

Decisions from licensing boards are oftentimes arbitrary and unfair