Starting residency · WI
Starting residency in Wisconsin
Wisconsin requires residents to hold a training license from the Wisconsin Medical Examining Board (Department of Safety and Professional Services): the Resident Educational License. Wisconsin has a graduated income tax (top rate 7.65% above $332,720 for 2026).
Training license
- Status
- Training license required
- Called
- Resident Educational License (REL)
- Apply
- No apply-by date; DSPS says it reviews materials within about 10 days and asks applicants to plan ahead.
- Renewal
- Annual, while enrolled in the program
Who applies: Resident, online; the medical school and the Wisconsin training program send their forms directly to DSPS.
DSPS says the REL is required for the entire duration of training or until a full license is granted. The statute and board rule word it as optional, but the board's current page treats it as required. Practice is confined to the training program, so moonlighting is not covered. DSPS does not publish the REL fee.
Full license: After 24 months of ACGME or AOA training, or after 12 consecutive months in the current program with the program director's endorsement that the resident will complete at least 24 months. The same applies to IMGs (plus ECFMG certification) and DOs. A full license matters if you plan to moonlight.
Source: Wisconsin Medical Examining Board (Department of Safety and Professional Services)
State income tax
Graduated income tax: top rate 7.65% above $332,720 for 2026.
Source: taxfoundation.org
Match Day to your first loan payment
Assumes you enroll in RAP or IBR when the grace period ends, recertify once a year, and file each tax return by April. Your servicer's dates govern.
Mid-March
Match Day
You learn where you'll train. Your program sends its residency (GME) agreement and onboarding steps.
March–April
Wisconsin training license
Apply for your Wisconsin training license as soon as your program sends instructions. Applications often need school records and background checks that take weeks.
April–June
Credentialing and onboarding
Hospital credentialing, health screening, payroll and benefits forms, and a DEA registration if your program requires one.
Late June–July 1
Move and start
Intern orientation usually starts in the last week of June. When the first paycheck arrives depends on the hospital's payroll schedule, so budget for a few weeks of moving costs without one.
About 6 months after graduation
Federal loan grace period ends
Payments start 6 months after you leave school. Choose a plan before then, or request residency forbearance, during which interest accrues and months don't count toward PSLF.
First year of payments
Payments use last year's income
RAP and IBR use the adjusted gross income on your most recent tax return, which for most new residents is a student year. Payments rise after you recertify with a resident's income.
One board licenses MDs and DOs.
Related
- Compare RAP, IBR and Tiered Standard on a resident's income
- Wisconsin physician non-compete law, for when you sign your first attending contract
- All states
General information, checked on the date above. Board requirements and fees change; confirm with the Wisconsin Medical Examining Board (Department of Safety and Professional Services)and your program before you apply.