Become a Real Estate Agent in Wisconsin

Ready to get your real estate license in Wisconsin?

Excellent choice! Becoming a Realtor is an incredible opportunity for entrepreneurs, with nearly limitless growth possibilities. While the thought of going through the licensing process may feel a little overwhelming at first, we’re going to walk you through the entire process, step by step.

• 4 Steps to Get a Real Estate License in Wisconsin

• Timing: How Long Does It Take to Get a Wisconsin Real Estate License?

• Costs: How Much Does It Cost to Get a Real Estate License in Wisconsin?

• Pre-License Course: Find the Best Real Estate Schools

• Sponsoring Broker: How to Select the Best Broker for New Agents

• Frequently Asked Questions

4 Steps to Get a Real Estate License in Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (WDSPS) requires that, in order to become a licensed real estate agent in the state of Wisconsin, you must be at least 18 years old and complete the following steps:

STEP 1 | Successfully Complete the 72 hour Real Estate Pre-License Course

• After you’ve finished your 72 hours, your real estate school will administer a course exam. Upon passing, you will receive a certificate of completion.

STEP 2 | Pass the Wisconsin Real Estate Exam

• There are 140 questions on the exam and you’ll need a minimum score of 75% to pass. The in-person exam is administered by PearsonVue and you can schedule your exam once you’ve received the certificate of completion from the school.

STEP 3 |  Find a Sponsoring Brokerage

• In order to activate your license after passing the exam, you’ll need to select a broker. Keep reading below for tips on what to look for when picking a brokerage.

STEP 4 |  Submit Your Wisconsin Real Estate License Application

• This final step is simple. Just complete the application for your Wisconsin Salesperson License and submit the $60 application fee. The WDSPS will review and if approved, will officially issue your license!

How Long Does It Take to Get a Real Estate License?

Once you decide to become a real estate agent in Wisconsin, you’re probably excited and want to get started immediately.  Before you leave your current position, it’s important to understand how long the process can take.  Here is what an average timeline looks like:

• 2 to 8 weeks to complete your 72 hour Wisconsin pre-licensing course
• 1 to 2 weeks to schedule the real estate course exam
• 1 to 2 weeks to get your Wisconsin state real estate exam scheduled
• 2 to 4 weeks to interview and select a real estate brokerage
• 1 to 3 weeks for real estate commission to process your license application

While this timeline may seem a little daunting, there are a few ways to expedite things. First, taking an online course is the way to go.  Instead of attending scheduled in-person classes, two to four times weekly, you can learn at your own pace online.  We would also recommend interviewing brokerages while you are finishing up your real estate course, so you are ready to hang your license with a broker as soon you pass the state exam.  All in all, it’s definitely possible to become a real estate agent in Wisconsin in less than six (6) weeks!

Cost to Get a Real Estate License in Wisconsin

There are several fees involved when working to become a real estate agent in Wisconsin…

• Pre-License Real Estate Course – $299 to $650
• Application Fee – $60
• State Exam Fee – $65 (per attempt)
• State exam prep courses or materials – $25 to $150 (optional)

** Total Cost to Get Licensed = $424 to $775

More Costs to Expect as a Wisconsin Realtor

Getting a license is just the beginning! What many aspiring agents don’t always realize is that there are several other expenses to consider when becoming a real estate agent in Wisconsin. Whether you’re building a new business and opening a gift shop, restaurant, or your real estate empire, keep in mind there are always start-up costs involved.

Additional Costs to Budget For

Expense	Estimated cost
Post-license continuing education	Approximately $100–$250
License renewal	$60 every two years
Local, state, and national REALTOR® associations	Often $800 or more per year, depending on the association. See examples below.
Multiple Listing Service (MLS)	Approximately $150–$175 per quarter
Application fees for a local REALTOR® association or MLS	Approximately $0–$600
SentriLock or Supra eKEY access	Approximately $100–$150 per year
Brokerage joining fee	Typically $0–$500, with approximately $250 being common
Monthly brokerage fees	Approximately $0–$350 per month
Business cards and signage	Varies based on the brokerage and the materials purchased
Marketing and advertising	Varies based on how the agent chooses to promote their business

Examples of Wisconsin REALTOR® Association Dues

Association	Estimated dues
Greater Milwaukee Association of REALTORS®	Approximately $1,416 per year
REALTORS® Association of Northeast Wisconsin	Approximately $1,083 per year
REALTORS® Association of South Central Wisconsin	Approximately $983 per year

Estimated Total Cost

When you combine the expenses required to earn your license with the initial costs of officially launching your real estate business, you should plan to spend approximately $1,640–$2,615.

Once you are up and running, there are more costs to consider. Learn more about costs to become a real estate agent in Wisconsin:

Find the Best Wisconsin Real Estate Schools

To get your real estate license, you’ll have to attend a school that’s approved by the Wisconsin Real Estate Commission. There are at least a dozen approved real estate schools throughout the state. Some are online, others in person, and a few do a combination of the two.

Here are a few of the most popular:

• Colibri Real Estate – online + exam prep bundles
• Kaplan Real Estate Education – online with instructor support
• The CE Shop – Wisconsin Pre-License – online + exam prep bundles available
• Mbition Real Estate Course – online

When shopping for the best online real estate schools, you’ll want to compare pricing, but there are a few other things you will need to consider:

• Do they share their “pass rate”? This will tell you what percentage of their students passed the state exam on the first try.
• Does the school offer any guarantees if you don’t pass? For example, one school will pay the fee for you to retake the state exam.
• Are practice tests given to the students or is there any additional charge?
• Do they offer a separate exam prep course or a weekend cram course?

How to Select a Real Estate Broker

In Wisconsin, you must affiliate with a real estate brokerage in order actively help home buyers and sellers. This is often referred to as the “sponsoring broker” or “managing broker.” Picking the right brokerage to work with can be key to your success as a newly licensed agent.

When researching and meeting with different brokerages, keep in mind that many are independently owned franchises. So one Century 21 or Keller Williams office could be completely different from another that’s just 10 minutes away. The culture, training, support team, and sometimes even the fees and commission splits can vary from franchise to franchise.

Focus on What’s Most Important: Support

While many newly licensed agents are looking for the best commission splits when shopping for brokers, we would highly recommend that you make that #2 or #3 on your list. The most important thing you should look for in a brokerage is how they support brand new real estate agents. Do they have a formal training program? Will you have at least 3 people you can reach out to if you have questions? Are they available outside traditional business hours? Do they have mentors – and what exactly will the mentors do to assist you?

Commonly Asked Questions

Other Articles + Resources You Might Like:

• Wisconsin Real Estate Candidate Handbook
• 20 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Brokerage
• What You Can Do BEFORE You’re Officially Licensed (free guide)
• Should New Agents Join a Real Estate Team?
• Wisconsin REALTORS Association
• State Real Estate Commission