Wisconsin Real Estate License Requirements

Sales license (pre-license)

Wisconsin real estate licenses for salespersons are issued by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS). Steps for receiving your license are:

  1. Complete 72 hours of required real estate pre-license education.
  2. Pass the state exam.
  3. Submit application to the DSPS. New applicants can apply by going online through the DSPS Online Licensure Application System (OLAS), which reduces the processing time, or by mailing a printed copy of the application, including proof of completed education or credentials. Such proof is available in myEducation history after successfully completing the WRA’s sales pre-license course.

 Learn more about obtaining your Wisconsin real estate sales license.

Broker license (pre-license)

The DSPS requires that you complete broker education training, provide evidence that you hold a real estate salesperson license for at least two years within the last four years preceding application under the direct supervision of a licensed broker ,and fulfill the salesperson experience requirements. To obtain a broker's license, you must: 

  1. Complete the DSPS education requirements
  2. Pass the broker licensing exam. 
  3. Submit application to the DSPS. New applicants can apply online via the Online Licensure Application System (OLAS) or by mailing a printed copy of the  application, including proof of completed education and fulfilling the salesperson experience requirements

Learn more about obtaining your Wisconsin real estate broker license. 

Sales and broker license renewal (CE) 

The DSPS requires all real estate licensees — sales or broker — to complete 18 hours of CE during each two-year licensing period in order to renew their license. However, a salesperson who receives a license after October 1 of the even year of the biennium is not required to complete CE for that biennium. Brokers do not receive any exemption. To renew, you must complete four courses and two electives included in the current biennium curriculum as well as pass the exams for each course. All WRA CE courses are approved and satisfy the DSPS requirements. 

To renew, the DSPS requires that you provide the following as proof that you have completed CE:

  • Course title
  • Name of school or provider
  • Course date
  • Number of credit hours received for each course

The DSPS does not require the completion certificate you receive when you complete the course exam. The DSPS performs random audits to verify completion of CE courses as submitted to the DSPS. If the DSPS discovers that a licensee falsified a renewal application, the licensee is subject to discipline and possible license revocation.

If you do not successfully complete the 18 hours of CE, you may not renew your license or engage in real estate practice until the CE requirements are met. If you do not renew your license, your license will be inactive, and you cannot practice.

Inactive license renewal

Click here to learn more about renewing an expired license. 

Learn more about WRA CE

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