Get Your Real Estate License
Wisconsin real estate salesperson licenses are issued by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS). The steps below are a guide to obtaining your license including applicable costs and fees. Klapperich Real Estate offers reimbursements for pre-licensing costs and will assist new agents in the steps required to get their real estate license.
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:
- Complete 72 hours of required real estate pre-license education.
- Pass the state exam.
- 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.
Sales license renewal (CE)
The DSPS requires all real estate licensees 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
Licensees can stay inactive for five years without taking pre-license education and passing the license examination. Licensees can activate their license by completing the CE from the previous biennium and paying the license renewal fees and late fee. Evidence of previous biennium CE completion along with the appropriate renewal fee must be provided to the DSPS.
Click here to learn more about obtaining a Wisconsin real estate license.