Wisconsin Public Health Emergency Management (WPHEM) Certification Program
The WPHEM certification program promotes the new and growing field of Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM). It is designed to equip seasoned and new personnel in the public health field who have emergency preparedness responsibilities with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to effectively plan, respond, and recover from disasters affecting their community, forming an all-hazards approach to do so.
Almost all emergencies and disasters impact public health. Recent events like the COVID-19 pandemic highlight the need for specialized training. To be ready for the next disaster, this certification training will cover emergency management concepts, Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP), Emergency Support Functions 6 and 8 (Mass Care, Emergency Assistance and Public Health, and Medical), and Emergency Operations and Operational Coordination.
Certification
The WPHEM program requires that candidates complete a series of professional development courses and pass a proctored multiple-choice exam on state statutes.
Specific required professional development courses were selected by the WPHEM Workgroup. While most courses can be taken in any order, it's recommended that candidates take them in order as higher-level courses can feature information that is taught in lower-level courses. Candidates must take pre-requisites before they take any courses that require them.
WPHEM candidates should allow three to five years for program completion.
The multiple-choice exam will consist of questions related to knowledge of public health emergency management and preparedness and public health emergency powers, as defined in Wis. Stat. ch. 323 and Wis. Stat. § 250.042, respectively. The exam has a 70% passing grade and can be re-taken as many times as needed, but candidates must wait at least three months between attempts.
Application process
WPHEM certification applicants must:
- Complete all listed professional development courses.
- Send email application packet to the Department of Health Services (DHS) at dhswiphem@dhs.wisconsin.gov. Application packets include a copy of the applicant's transcript or certificates for all required courses and a written request to take the exam. After the application is submitted, the WPHEM workgroup will review the application. Successful applicants will be scheduled for the exam.
- Complete the exam and receive a passing grade (70% or above). Applicants with passing grades will be notified of receiving the WPHEM certification.
The WPHEM workgroup meets in June and December to review WPHEM certification applications. Candidates must submit applications by May 15 to be reviewed during the June meeting and November 15 to be reviewed during the December meeting.
Successful candidates will be awarded a certificate signed by the secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), the Governor, or both. Certificate recipients will receive their certificate at the Governor’s Conference on Emergency Management and Homeland Security, but can have their certificate mailed if they choose to. Candidates must successfully complete the application process in its entirety by December 31 to receive their certificate at the next annual Governor’s Conference on Emergency Management and Homeland Security.
Recertification requirements and process
The WPHEM program requires that certificate holders recertify every five years. Recertification requires:
- Acquiring 12 continuing education credits (IACET or ACE-accredited training related to emergency preparedness, emergency management, and other related disciplines).
- Attending one professional conference related to emergency preparedness, emergency management, or another related discipline (minimum of eight contact hours, non-virtual).
WPHEM certification applicants must:
- Complete all listed professional development courses.
- Send their recertification packet to DHS at dhswiphem@dhs.wisconsin.gov. Application packets include proof of attendance at a conference, as well as a copy of the applicant's transcript or certificates for all 12 continued education units and a written request to be recertified. After the application is submitted, the WPHEM workgroup will review the application. Successful applicants will be notified of receiving WPHEM recertification.
Courses
| Title | Course ID | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Countermeasures Awareness for Public Health Emergencies | AWR-314-W | 3.0 hours |
| Diversity Awareness Course | IS-20.25 | 1.0 hours |
| Guide to Points of Distribution | IS-26 | 4.0 hours |
| Public Information Officer Awareness | IS-29.A | 7.0 hours |
| ICS 100: Introduction to the Incident Command System | IS-100.C | 2.0 hours |
| An Introduction to Exercises | IS-120.C | 5.0 hours |
| How to be an Exercise Evaluator | IS-130.A | 2.75 hours |
| Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response | IS-200.C | 4.0 hours |
| Fundamentals of Emergency Management | IS-230.E | 6.0 hours |
| Developing and Managing Volunteers | IS-244.B | 4.0 hours |
| Introduction to Hazard Mitigation | IS-393.B | 1.5 hours |
| Overview of Mass Care/Emergency Assistance | IS-405 | 1.0 hours |
| Operating a Shelter | IS-406 | 5.0 hours |
| Introduction to Continuity of Operations Planning for Pandemic Influenzas | IS-520 | 1.0 hours |
| An Introduction to the National Incident Management System | IS-700.B | 3.5 hours |
| National Response Framework, an Introduction | IS-800.D | 3.0 hours |
| Introduction to Continuity of Operations | IS-1300.A | 1.0 hours |
| National Preparedness Goal and System Overview | IS-2000 | 2.0 hours |
| Basic EOC Functions | IS-2200 | 4.0 hours |
| Introduction to Community Lifelines | IS-2901 | 1.0 hours |
| Coordinating Health and Social Services Recovery | IS-2905 | 4.0 hours |
| Total: | 21 classes | 65.75 hours |
| Title | Course ID | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Mass Care & Emergency Assistance | G-108 | 16.0 hours |
| Homeland Security Exercise & Evaluation Program (HSEEP) | L-146 | 16.0 hours |
| Emergency Operations Center/Incident Command System Interface | E/G 191 | 8.0 hours |
| Intermediate Incident Command System for Expanding Incidents | ICS-300 | 21.0 hours |
| Medical Countermeasures: Points of Dispensing (POD), Planning and Response | MGT-319 | 16.0 hours |
| Total: | 5 classes | 77 hours |
Events and resources
2025
Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM)
FEMA
- FEMA National Training and Education Division (NTED) National Preparedness Course Catalog
- FEMA Student Identification (SID) System
International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM)
Frequently asked questions
No. This is a professional development opportunity.
Yes. Applicants with public health certification from other states will be reviewed for reciprocity by the WPHEM workgroup.
No. Once the initial required courses are completed and certification obtained, there is no requirement to retake those courses for recertification.
The professional development opportunity is open to state, local and Tribal professionals working or living in the State of Wisconsin.
There are no fees to apply. Local and Tribal health departments will not receive more or less funding based on whether staff are PHEM certified.
The most current version of each course is what will be accepted at the time of application. For example, ICS 100 is now on version (c); ICS100.c is what will appear on your certificate/transcript.
We are aware that this course has been suspended at the federal level. The WPHEM group is looking into alternatives and for now is waived as a requirement.
These courses will be offered frequently throughout the state.
Many of these courses are instructed by the Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) instructors, providing flexibility. At a minimum, these courses will be offered once per year, but in most cases are offered multiple times per year.
Workgroup
The Office of Preparedness and Emergency Health Care's (OPEHC) works within the Division of Public Health (DPH), administering the WPHEM program while the WPHEM workgroup provides advice on the administration of the program.
OPEHC is not bound by law to honor workgroup recommendations but will take them into consideration when developing or revising guidance and creating procedures upholding WPHEM requirements.
Members
Sam Anderson (Chair)—Training and Exercise Coordinator
DHS OPEHC
Jessa Johnson—Public Health Educator
Marathon County
Brian Cockerham—Training and Exercise Officer
Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM)
Amy Gatton—Health Officer
Forest County
Amanda Hauser—Health Emergency Preparedness Planner
DHS OPEHC
Allison Krause—Public Health Nurse
Green Lake County
Roy “Scott” Schulpius—Emergency Management Coordinator
Froedtert Health
Contact Sam Anderson at Samuel.Anderson@dhs.wisconsin.gov for more information on the WPHEM program.