Wis. Stat. § 457.04 — WI Code / Chapter 457 / Section 457.04
Prohibited practices.
Status: in_force

Except as provided in ss. 257.03 and 457.02 , no person may do any of the following:

(1) Use the title “social worker” unless the person is certified as a social worker under this subchapter or holds a bachelor’s-category multistate license granted in another state that is a party to the social work licensure compact.

(2) Use the title “advanced practice social worker” unless the person is certified as an advanced practice social worker under this subchapter or holds a master’s-category multistate license granted in another state that is a party to the social work licensure compact.

(3) Use the title “independent social worker” unless the person is certified as an independent social worker under this subchapter.

(4) Practice clinical social work or designate himself or herself as a clinical social worker or use or assume the title “clinical social worker” or any other title or designation that represents or may tend to represent the person as a clinical social worker unless the person is licensed as a clinical social worker under this subchapter or holds a clinical-category multistate license granted in another state that is a party to the social work licensure compact or unless the person is certified under this subchapter as an advanced practice social worker or independent social worker or holds a master’s-category multistate license granted in another state that is a party to the social work licensure compact, and the person practices clinical social work under the supervision of a clinical social worker.

(5) Practice marriage and family therapy or designate himself or herself as a marriage and family therapist or use or assume the title “marriage and family therapist,” “marriage and family counselor,” or any other title or designation that represents or may tend to represent the person as a marriage and family therapist unless any of the following applies:

(a) The person is licensed as a marriage and family therapist under this subchapter.

(b) The person is licensed as a clinical social worker under this subchapter and initially became certified as an independent clinical social worker under ch. 457 , 1999 stats., on or before May 31, 1995.

(6) Practice professional counseling or designate himself or herself as a professional counselor or use or assume the title “professional counselor,” “professional rehabilitation counselor,” “vocational rehabilitation counselor,” “rehabilitation counselor,” or any other title or designation that represents or may tend to represent the person as a professional counselor unless the person is licensed as a professional counselor under this subchapter or holds a valid professional counselor privilege to practice in this state.

(7) Practice psychotherapy except in accordance with the rules promulgated under ss. 457.03 and 457.035 .

(8) Practice clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, or professional counseling without notifying his or her client in writing of the procedure to follow to resolve a grievance. The notice required under this subsection shall provide one of the following options for resolving a grievance to the client:

(a) A grievance resolution procedure that contains all of the following elements:

1. The name, address, and telephone number of, and any other contact information available for, the appropriate section of the examining board that is responsible for receiving a complaint and investigating and conducting a hearing under s. 457.26 (1) .

2. The name, address, and telephone number of, and any other contact information available for, a person not involved in the services, therapy, or counseling giving rise to the complaint who would be available to receive and investigate a complaint.

3. The manner by which a client may present a complaint to a person identified in subd. 1. or 2.

4. The manner by which a client may appeal the resolution of a complaint presented in subd. 3.

5. Time limits for filing, processing, and appealing the resolution of a complaint presented under subd. 3.

6. Protections against retaliation for a client who presents a complaint under subd. 3. and for any person who assists the client to present a complaint under subd. 3.

(b) A grievance resolution procedure that complies with the rules promulgated under s. 51.61 (5) (b) .

(c) A grievance resolution procedure that is available to the credential holder through a professional association of which the credential holder is a member.

History: 1991 a. 160 ; 2001 a. 80 ; 2005 a. 96 ; 2009 a. 28 , 42 ; 2023 a. 55 ; 2025 a. 232 .