If you are trying to get your license in a healthcare field, and you live in Wisconsin, you're probably breathing a sigh of relief—or you will be soon. That's thanks to a new platform developed by the state's Department of Safety and Professional Services, designed to move applications for licenses through the pipeline more quickly.  

Nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and other healthcare professionals must be licensed, of course, but what happens when the validity of that license is questioned by the very entity that granted it—the state? At the Lento Law Firm, we take license defense issues seriously because we understand just how integral they are to you and your family's welfare. If you need help with a professional license problem, call us at 888.535.3686 or message us by clicking here. 

What's Been Happening with Wisconsin Licenses? 

According to NPR, half of all healthcare workers are licensed—or should be, at any rate. For these skilled professionals in Wisconsin, however, the past few years have been a nightmare of waiting, calling, checking, waiting, checking it twice… all to no avail.  

Over the past several years, some recent graduates in health care fields have had to wait up to six or even twelve months after receiving their diploma. The average length of wait time for licensees was three months—definitely preferable to an entire year, but still not a great track record.  

What Was the Holdup? 

In a word? COVID. Just as so many other businesses and entire industries were hamstrung by the pandemic, the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) struggled to function with reduced staff, staff working remotely, outdated technology and systems such as fax machines, and an increase in licensing applications for temporary healthcare workers.  

A backlog developed, and the frustration of wanting to help and yet being legally unable to do so—because of paperwork—began to take its toll on an already stressed community.  

Hope on the Horizon 

Enter the LicensE Educator Access Portal, or LEAP, a new portal that is poised to speed up the process of getting healthcare workers licensed so that they can get out there and do what they love—helping others in times of need and pain. 

This platform began as part of a pilot program involving five nursing schools, and initial results were promising. LicensE allows users to see and sort information at a glance, enabling them to get a snapshot of where the particular student stands in relation to their license. Its transparency makes it much more user-friendly and will undoubtedly eliminate the frustration felt by so many folks prior to its development.   

Industry members are also applauding the DSPS for its approach in rolling out the portal, as well as simply implementing it. The department held round tables and other community events, seeking feedback and constructive criticism to produce the most efficient, user-friendly, and successful platform possible.  

Other Licensing Woes? 

It's a wonderful feeling when you achieve your goals of graduating from nursing school or any other healthcare program and when the state makes it official by issuing your license. 

On the flip side, a license that is threatened because of a misunderstanding or a mistake can be terrifying. If you are in that dilemma, contact the Lento Law Firm's Professional License Defense Team today. We can help. Call 888.535.3686 or click here.