How to Get a Real Estate License in Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s real estate market is as varied as the state itself–lakefront homes in Door County, rental properties in Milwaukee, historic houses in Madison, and family-friendly neighborhoods across smaller towns. If you’re planning to start a real estate career here, the state makes the path clear. Licensing is managed by Wisconsin’s Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), which sets the requirements for new salespersons before they can begin working with clients. 

Each requirement is there for a reason: to ensure new salespersons know the rules of the industry, understand the responsibilities that come with the role, and are prepared to work with buyers and sellers across Wisconsin communities.

Here’s what the real estate license process looks like at a glance:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Complete 72 hours of DSPS-approved prelicensing education
• Pass the Wisconsin real estate exam
• Submit your application to the DSPS
• Affiliate with a licensed Wisconsin brokerage

Table of Contents

• Steps to Getting Your Wisconsin Real Estate License
• Continuing Education and License Renewal in Wisconsin
• Wisconsin Real Estate License Reciprocity for Salespersons

Steps to Getting Your Wisconsin Real Estate License

Let’s walk through each stage of the process of becoming a licensed salesperson in Wisconsin so you know exactly what to expect:

Step 1: Meet the Basic Eligibility Requirements

Before anything else, make sure you qualify to apply for a real estate license in Wisconsin. You must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Hold a high school diploma or equivalent
• Have legal authorization to work in the U.S.

Step 2: Complete 72 Hours of Prelicensing Education

Before you can register for the licensing exam, Wisconsin requires you to finish 72 hours of approved real estate education. These courses are set by the DSPS and are designed to cover the areas every new agent must know, including:

• Key principles of property ownership and land use
• The basics of real estate contracts and agency relationships
• Financing and transaction procedures
• State-specific laws and regulations

Completing this requirement isn’t optional–it’s the state’s way of ensuring all applicants enter the exam process with the same baseline knowledge.

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Step 3: Pass the Wisconsin Real Estate Exam 

Once your education is complete, the next step is taking the licensing exam through Pearson VUE. The exam is divided into two parts:

• National Section: Covers general real estate principles and practices.
• State Section: Focuses on Wisconsin-specific laws and regulations.

You’ll need to earn a passing score on both portions of the exam to move forward. This exam confirms that you can apply what you’ve learned in real-world scenarios and that you meet the state’s standards for new salespersons.

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Step 4: Apply for Your Real Estate License

After passing the exam, you’ll submit your application to the DSPS. The application typically requires:

• Proof of your completed education
• Exam results
• Applicable fees

Once approved, your license will be issued, and you’ll be legally recognized as a real estate salesperson in Wisconsin. 

Step 5: Affiliate with a Brokerage

A new salesperson license must be activated under a Wisconsin-licensed brokerage. This step is more than a formality–it’s how you gain the supervision and legal structure required to work with clients. Affiliating with the right brokerage gives you the ability to put your new license into practice and start your career serving buyers and sellers. When choosing a brokerage, consider factors such as:

• Training and mentorship opportunities
• Commission structures
• Company culture and support systems

Continuing Education and License Renewal in Wisconsin

Every Wisconsin salesperson must renew their license every two years. To keep your license active, the state requires continuing education (CE) so you stay up to date on current laws and practices. The DSPS manages both the education requirements and the renewal process.

Continuing Education Requirements

• 18 hours of CE every two years
• The courses include 12 hours of mandatory topics chosen by the state and 6 hours of electives that you can select from approved options
• Courses must be completed through a provider approved by the DSPS

Renewal Requirements

Wisconsin real estate licenses renew every two years, with all licenses expiring on December 14 of even-numbered years. To renew on time, salespersons need to complete the state’s required CE and submit their renewal application with the DSPS. 

There is one exception for new licensees: if you earn your salesperson license after October 1 of an even-numbered year, you are exempt from CE for that first renewal. After that point, every renewal requires the full 18 hours of CE before the deadline to avoid late fees or risk losing you license status. 

Wisconsin Real Estate License Reciprocity for Salespersons

If you already hold a real estate license in another state, Wisconsin may allow you to apply for a license here without starting the process from scratch. The DSPS has reciprocity agreements in place that make it easier for licensed salespersons from certain states to transfer their credentials. 

Under Wisconsin’s reciprocity, out-of-state salespersons who hold an active license in Illinois or Indiana can apply for a Wisconsin real estate license without completing the full 72-hour prelicensing course. Instead, you’ll need to:

• Provide proof of your active license in your home state
• Submit the Wisconsin application and pay the required fees
• Pass the Wisconsin state-specific portion of the licensing exam

If you are licensed in a state other than Illinois or Indiana, you will need to meet Wisconsin’s full requirements, including completing the prelicensing education and passing both portions of the licensing exam.

Reciprocity offers a faster path for some agents, but all applicants must go through the DSPS for approval before practicing real estate in the state. 

Earn Your Wisconsin Real Estate License with Kaplan’s MN to WI Course

If you’re licensed in Minnesota and want to expand into Wisconsin, the process is easier than you might think. Kaplan offers a 13-hour Minnesota to Wisconsin License Course that satisfies Wisconsin’s education requirement for salespersons by endorsement. And here’s the bonus: the same course also counts for 7.5 hours of Minnesota CE.

You qualify if you currently hold an active license in Minnesota or if your license expired less than two years ago. In just two days, this course covers the Wisconsin laws and practices you’ll need to know, prepares you for the state exam, and gives you a certificate of completion to submit with your license application.

What makes this course work for busy Minnesota salespersons:

• Meets Wisconsin’s 13-hour education requirement
• Counts for 7.5 hours of Minnesota CE
• Taught live online by experienced Wisconsin instructors
• Focused on the exact topics you’ll see on the licensing exam
• Only two days to finish–designed for working professionals

Important to know before enrolling:

• A pre-test is mailed ahead of time and must be completed before class
• A webcam and Zoom account are required to attend the live online sessions

With this course, adding a Wisconsin license to your Minnesota business isn’t a long, complicated process. It’s a fast track that lets you grow your real estate career on both sides of the state line.

Enroll in Kaplan’s Minnesota to Wisconsin License Course Today