Getting a real estate license in Wisconsin

Wisconsin, the land of agriculture, cheese, and beer! Birthplace of the Miller Brewing Company and the Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin is also the birthplace of Great American Architect Frank Lloyd Wright and two of his most important designs, the Taliesin Studio and Jacobs I House. Thank you, Wikipedia and Mr. May’s A.P. U.S. History class.

But enough history class! You don’t need to be a history teacher to become a real estate agent in Wisconsin, although teachers can make great agents. You don’t even need a college degree to get your real estate license, although it might help if you study real estate.



This blog will cover how to get a Wisconsin Real Estate Salesperson’s and Broker’s license and getting a license through reciprocity.

Qualifications & Steps

To qualify to become a real estate salesperson is not terribly difficult on paper. You must be 18 years of age and have a good moral character. The harder part is the pre-license education and knowledge check.

Wisconsin requires that all new applicants must complete a 72-hour pre-license course that includes a heavy emphasis on real estate law. “What other kind of law would it cover?” That’s a good question. You’ll learn about contract and property law, as well as licensing law and how a real estate company must operate in Wisconsin. You will also take a course final exam and pass with a score of at least 75% for salespersons and brokers.

After completing the pre-license course, you will then take the state licensing exam and then apply to the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS).

You will take the licensing exam through PearsonVue.  Candidates must complete their pre-license education and pass the licensing exam through PearsonVue and then apply for their license through the DSPS.

Board or Department of Safety and Professional Services?

It can be pretty confusing on how to apply to get your real estate license. The Wisconsin Real Estate Examining Board (REEB) is most often referenced because they are the regulatory body for real estate professionals. However, you will apply through the DSPS’s portal, the LicensE portal for your real estate license. Here is a brief breakdown:

When it comes to applying for a new license, renewing your license, or changing your license status, you will most likely go through LicensE portal to file the appropriate application.

Getting an Wisconsin Brokers License

Getting the next level of real estate license is a similar process to getting your initial salesperson license.

The process to become a broker is virtually the same as a salesperson. You will complete the pre-license education, pass the broker licensing exam, and then apply to the DSPS. There is a slight difference to get your broker license: you must have 2 years licensed as a salesperson and at least 40 points of experience or transactions. If you have both of those, you can take the 72-hour Broker Course, pass the licensing exam, and then apply to the DSPS.

Wisconsin Reciprocity & Endorsement

Wisconsin has one of the more unique licensing processes for people who are already licensed in other states. Wisconsin has 2 formal reciprocity agreements with Indiana and Illinois. If you are already licensed in those states, you will only have to complete the Wisconsin licensing exam. You will not have to complete the pre-license education.

If you are already licensed in any other state, you will have to take a non-resident course and pass the licensing exam. If you wish to become a salesperson in Wisconsin, you would need to take a 13-hour Salesperson course on Wisconsin Law. If you wish to become a broker in Wisconsin, you would need to take a 19-hour Broker Package that includes the 13-hour law course and 6-hour broker management course. After completing those courses, you would then pass the licensing exam and apply to the DSPS for an endorsement license.

Exemptions and Other Considerations

If you are applying for a salesperson or broker license, you may be exempt from the pre-license education requirements. The REEB accepts 10 academic credits of real estate education as completing the salesperson pre-license education and 20 academic credits in real estate education for broker pre-license education. The REEB also allows Wisconsin licensed attorneys to forgo broker pre-license education and become licensed as a broker as long as they pass the broker licensing exam.

If you have any questions about getting licensed in Wisconsin or other states, do not hesitate to contact our License Law specialists.