How to Get a Wisconsin Real Estate License
Jay Gallagher
Real Estate Broker (Advice from an agent like you, not some tech nerd who never sold a home!)
This is a Step by Step Guide on how to get your Wisconsin Real Estate License. No matter where you live, from Milwaukee to Madison or Green Bay to my favorite town, Sister Bay, or anywhere in between, becoming a real estate agent may be the best decision you ever make.
All the information, documents and links you’ll need to get your Wisconsin real estate salesperson license are below.
I also answer all your most important questions at the end of the page.
Click on a question to see the answers:
Meet the State Requirements
Learn exactly what the State of Wisconsin requires before you can get a Real Estate Salesperson License.
Take Salesperson Education
Wisconsin requires only 72 hours of Real Estate Education to get licensed. Find the best Real Estate School for you.
Pass the State Exam
Learn the fastest and easiest way to pass the Wisconsin Real Estate Salesperson License Exam the very first time.
Find an Association Firm
Meet the new boss! The good news is you get to pick the broker you want to work with. Learn how to pick the best.
Submit the Application
Make sure you get it right the first time. Check the list, make sure you jumped through all the right hoops and hit send.
Launch Your New Career
Now the fun begins. Learn how to get your new Real Estate Career off on the right foot by doing the right things to get business.
So, How Do You Get Your Wisconsin Real Estate License?
1. Meet The State Requirements
To get your Wisconsin Real Estate Salesperson License you must meet the following requirements:
- Must be 18 years of age.
- Be a Citizen of the US or a Qualified Alien.
- Take and Pass a Wisconsin State Salesperson Education Course
- Pass the Wisconsin Real Estate Salesperson Exam.
Print out the Wisconsin Real Estate Salesperson Application here.
It’s possible to obtain a Wisconsin real estate license even if you have a criminal history.
It’s suggested that you disclose any felonies and misdemeanors by filling out the optional Application For Predetermination Form.
This is an optional step. You can just apply normally, but this runs the risk of going through the entire process just to be denied.
By disclosing any criminal history first and asking for a decision letter, you’re not wasting time and money with real estate courses and real estate exam prep.
Once you get a decision letter saying that your history is not a barrier to getting a license you then apply using the standard method.
You’ll also need to submit this Conviction and Pending Charges Form when you do submit your application, though.
2. Complete Wisconsin Salesperson Education
Wisconsin has one required course that must be completed before you can apply for your Wisconsin Real Estate License:
- Wisconsin Salesperson Education Course – 72 hours
They have 4 levels of instruction.
I don’t recommend the basic level at all because it doesn’t included the most valuable part, the Real Estate License Practice Tests.
These practice tests actually guarantee you will pass the Real Estate Exam. Just take the practice tests until you consistently score 90 or higher and you are guaranteed to pass the Wisconsin Real Estate Exam on your first try. I think these practice tests are the easiest way to ensure you pass.
3. Pass the Real Estate Salesperson Exams
Wisconsin has only one exam you must be pass before you can apply for your Wisconsin Real Estate License:
- Wisconsin Real Estate Salesperson Exam
4. Pick a Responsible Broker
A Responsible Broker can sign page 3 of your Wisconsin Salesperson Application for License. If you haven’t decided which broker you want to go with, you can still apply for your license and choose a broker later. You can’t practice real estate without first notifying Wisconsin DSPS using the Notice of Licensee Association with A Firm Form.
All Realtors must work under the supervision of a Broker who’s responsible for supervising their activities. The good news is that you get to pick a broker to place your real estate salesperson license under.
If you’re a new agent, I recommend you go with one of the big box real estate brokerages. ReMax, Keller Williams and Century 21 are a good place to start. The reason I recommend these brokerages for new agents is because the big box brokerages have training programs in place to help you make the transition from Rookie Agent to seasoned pro.
5. Submit Your Application
To get your Wyoming real estate license, the following items need to be submitted to the Wyoming Real Estate Commission:
- Completed Wisconsin Salesperson Application Form.
- Proof of completion of the Wisconsin Salesperson Education Course
- Passing grade report from Pearson VUE for Wisconsin Salesperson Exam.
- Non residents of Wisconsin must provide Irrevocable Consent Form.
- You can submit your application at OLAS Online Licensure Application System.
- If using OLAS, you must mail or fax the Addendum to Online Application.
- You can mail your application to the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) at P.O. Box 8935 Madison, WI 53708-8935.
- Check or Money Order with the appropriate fees.
- You can fax your application and Fax Payment Form to FAX # 608 251-3036
- If you didn’t choose an Association Broker when applying for your license make sure you send in the Notice of Licensee Association with Firm Form when you do choose.
- If you previously submitted your criminal history for review using the Application For Predetermination Form and received a positive decision letter, remember to submit the Convictions and Pending Charges Form with the application package.
6. Launch Your New Real Estate Career!
Now the real fun (and work) begins. The best thing about being a Real Estate Agent is the freedom it gives you. You’re your own boss and you get to decide how to move your real estate career forward.
Books
Continuous learning is the hallmark of all successful agents. Here are some resources to get you going in the right direction.
Below are my best suggestions:
- Best Books to Learn Principles of Success.
- Best Books for Real Estate Agents.
- Best Books for Real Estate Agent Social Media Marketing
Tools
You’ll need some tools to get the job done. At the very least, you’ll need a good Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software and a Real Estate Agent Website.
Jay Answers Your Questions...
The best (and worst) thing about being a realtor is the freedom you have. Many agents just work part-time and only do 1-3 transactions a year. Other agents work 60+ hours a week and sell hundreds of homes a year.
The best way to answer the question of how much a Wisconsin realtor makes is to show how much you are likely to make per transaction.
The average price of a home in Wisconsin is $203,000. Say the average commission per side of the transaction is 5.5% and the average broker/agent split is 15/85. That means you will earn, on average, about $4800 per transaction. Not bad.
Of course this number will vary based on the average cost of real estate in your area, your commission rate and your broker split but that’s a good number to start with. Now you can dial up your income based on how hard and how effectively you work.
Wisconsin requires 72 hours of coursework. If you elect to take these courses in a classroom setting, you’ll have to go to a designated place and sit for the entire time.
For this reason, most people take the courses online so they can take the courses at their own pace and any time they wish.
Most people find they can complete the online coursework in a fraction of the 72 hours. A motivated person can complete it in as little as one week but most people will take a month or more if they do a little bit every day.
The Wisconsin Real Estate Exam is not difficult IF you buy a test prep course.
The best test prep courses include practice tests that you can take over and over again until you know the material. If you can consistently take a practice test and score a 90 or higher, then you are practically guaranteed to pass the actual exam.
If you’re someone who gets nervous and their mind goes blank during testing, then maybe you should wait until your score on the practice tests is consistently 95 or better.
The best brokerage is the one that’s the best fit for you.
Call up a few local brokerages and schedule a time to sit down and talk to them. Discuss things like E&O insurance, commission splits, leads and don’t forget to find out about any desk fees, tech fees or insurance fees.
Remember, if you don’t like the brokerage, you can easily change brokers.
I don’t recommend that you use any brokers CRM or email address because those things are the heart of YOUR real estate business and if your clients information is locked into your broker’s CRM, then it will be harder to make the move. That’s why the tools are “free” or included in a tech fee, to make it difficult for you to leave.
Let’s break it all down.
- Pre-licensing Educational courses – $240.00 – $945.00
- Exam Prep Courses – $0.00 – $99.00 – (Some Licensing Education Includes Exam Prep)
- Exam costs – $65.00
- Wisconsin Application Fee – $60.00
The cost of getting your Wisconsin real estate license can vary depending on your situation and your needs.
Depending on the Licensing course you choose the cost will be as low as $365.00 to as high as $1050.00.
Most agents who follow my recommendations will pay about $475.00
