By: Laura Otto
UWM Report
November 14, 2023
A new tool will speed the licensing process for Wisconsin workers in health care fields by better connecting the state’s licensing agency – the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) – with the Universities of Wisconsin.
DSPS Secretary Dan Hereth and Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman joined UWM College of Health Professions and Sciences Dean Kim Litwack on Nov. 14 to announce LicensE Educator Access Portal, or LEAP.
The portal was used in a pilot program last year involving five nursing schools, including UWM’s, and is now ready to expand to other health care fields. Results from the pilot use showed LEAP greatly improved the timeframe for licensing, Hereth said.
“Since I was appointed 15 months ago, DSPS has improved licensing in fields from dentistry, pharmacy and even plumbing,” Hereth said. “LEAP is the latest step in this process, and it will allow us to further streamline all licensing of health care professions.” Hereth noted that professional licensing goes beyond just protecting the public by also contributing to talent attraction and retention.