WC Wisconsin News

A new bill authored by State Sen. Jesse L. James in the Wisconsin Senate seeks to establish an alternative pathway for social work credentials through provisional certification, according to the Wisconsin State Senate.

According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "provisional social worker certificates and licenses".

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

In essence, this bill introduces an alternative route for obtaining social work credentials in Wisconsin by allowing individuals who have not passed the required national examination to receive a provisional certificate or license. Eligible individuals must meet all other requirements for the credential and submit an application and fee. The provisional status permits them to practice at the appropriate level, provided they complete at least 37.5 hours of supervision within their first 2,000 hours of practice. The supervision must include 25 hours of one-on-one in-person sessions. Provisional credentials are valid for 36 months and are non-renewable. If individuals fulfill the supervised practice and receive a final evaluation attesting to their competency, they may obtain a nonprovisional credential without passing the examination. The bill mandates periodic evaluations and requires the examining board to define supervision requirements and supervisor qualifications.

The bill was co-authored by Representative Barbara Dittrich (Republican-99th District), Senator Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (Democrat-18th District), Senator Jamie Wall (Democrat-30th District), Senator Melissa Ratcliff (Democrat-16th District). It was co-sponsored by Representative Tara Johnson (Democrat-96th District), Representative Daniel Knodl (Republican-24th District), and Representative Vincent Miresse (Democrat-71st District), along nine other co-sponsors.

Jesse L. James has authored or co-authored another 35 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.

James graduated from Chippewa Valley Technical College in 2001.

James, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2023 to represent the state's 23rd Senate district, replacing previous state senator Kathy Bernier.

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.

Bill Number	Date Introduced	Short Description
SB140	03/21/2025	Provisional social worker certificates and licenses
SB132	03/14/2025	Classification of the crime of impersonating law enforcement officers, fire fighters, and certain other emergency personnel and providing a penalty
SB119	03/07/2025	Positions for the Office of School Safety. (FE)
SB113	03/07/2025	A transition to grazing pilot program and making an appropriation. (FE)
SB83	02/26/2025	Utilization management controls for antipsychotic prescription drugs under the Medical Assistance program. (FE)
SB75	02/26/2025	Venue for actions in which there is a governmental party
SB73	02/26/2025	Prosecuting or adjudicating delinquent a person under the age of 18 for committing an act of prostitution
SB72	02/26/2025	Creating an individual income tax deduction for certain income earned by an individual from the practice of psychiatry or from providing psychiatric or mental health services. (FE)
SB62	02/21/2025	Financing the operating costs and certain out-of-state projects of nonprofit institutions and compensation of employees of the Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority. (FE)
SB42	02/12/2025	Permitting pharmacists to prescribe certain contraceptives, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty. (FE)
SB41	02/12/2025	School safety grants and making an appropriation. (FE)
SB39	02/12/2025	Establishment of a Palliative Care Council. (FE)
SB23	02/05/2025	Extension of eligibility under the Medical Assistance program for postpartum women. (FE)
SB21	02/05/2025	Creating an employee ownership conversion costs tax credit, a deduction for capital gains from the transfer of a business to employee ownership, and an employee ownership education and outreach program. (FE)
SB17	02/05/2025	Special circumstances battery to a community service officer and providing a penalty