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

This article breaks down all the steps and the corresponding timeline when getting a real estate license in the state of Wisconsin.

We provide time estimates for each stage in the process — from taking your pre-licensing education to completing your continuing education requirements.

Keep reading to get a solid picture of the time you need to invest into obtaining your Wisconsin real estate license.

Estimated Timeline to Get a Real Estate License in Wisconsin

Before investing all the time to go through the process of getting your real estate license in Wisconsin, it’s best to do some research.

Look into the basic requirements and financial demands by visiting the Department of Safety and Professional Services website. It’s a great place to start gathering information.

Not only will you learn more about the licensing process, but you’ll be able to check out forms you’ll need to compete and start tallying up costs.

You can also take some time to price-compare approved schools offering pre-licensing classes, as well as look into local brokers in your area who can sponsor you down the road.

The timeline to complete your pre-licensing real estate courses in Wisconsin completely depends on how you go about taking it.

The salesperson real estate license requirement is for either 10 academic hour credits at an institution of higher learning or 72 education hours at an approved real estate school.

If you go the college credit route, courses must be taken in real estate or real estate related law.

Based on the college’s credit system, completing these 10 hours could take anywhere from a quarter to most of the academic year.

It’s also worth noting that for a broker license in Wisconsin, the academic hour requirement goes up to 20, but the education hours stay the same.

You also have options if you decide to complete this requirement by taking the 72 hours of pre-licensing education. You can take a traditional, in-person course or go virtual.

For in-person learning, completing the 72 hours will take anywhere from 3-4 months.

Going virtual, and being able to work at your own pace, means you could have the requirement completed in as little as two weeks.

The best way to determine which method can help you learn the most is by comparing the pros and cons of real estate online classes vs classroom courses.

You should also factor in the time it takes to review and study for the test.

How long you should study for the real estate exam will depend on your schedule, but it is recommended that you get into this while everything that you’ve learned in class is still fresh on your mind.

Once you’ve studied and feel ready, it’s time to schedule your real estate license exam. To do this, you’ll need to contact Pearson VUE. They administer the exam.

You have the option of creating an online account to schedule your test, or you can call 888-204-6284. The fee to take the test is $65.

Once your exam day arrives, you’ll report to your testing location either in Wisconsin or at a nearby center in Chicago, IL, Duluth, MN, or St. Paul, MN.

For the salesperson exam, you’ll have four hours to answer 145-150 questions. Five-to-ten won’t be scored and are considered pre-test questions, but you won’t know which is which.

For the broker exam, you’ll have 3.25 hours to answer 105-110 questions, with the same 5-10 pre-test questions included throughout.

To pass the exam, you’ll need to get a score of 75 regardless of license type.

Read our article on what to study for the Wisconsin real estate exam for the topics covered in the test.

Should you fail the exam, you’ll need to wait 24 hours before contacting Pearson VUE to schedule your retake, but you have unlimited attempts to pass.

Each retake, though, carries with it the same $65 fee.

Before submitting your real estate license application upon passing your exam, you should connect with a sponsoring broker.

It’s okay to not have a sponsoring broker when you submit your application, but without one, you’ll pay an additional $10 fee.

You should have done some preliminary research already, but now it’s time to commit.

If you end up with a long list of potentials, and can’t figure out how to narrow it down, our article, How to Choose the Right Real Estate Brokerage to Work For as a New Agent, can help.

Then, check out our directory of top real estate brokers in Wisconsin to find your best match.

You’ll receive next-step instructions once you pass your real estate license exam, which will include information on how to submit your application.

You can do so via paper, and mail it in, or create an online profile using the Online Licensure Application System and submit it digitally.

There’s also a $75 application fee to pay.

It takes anywhere from 5-10 working days for a real estate license application to get through its review.

From there, you’ll receive notification whether your application was approved.

The waiting time can be an overwhelming period for anyone, but be sure to keep yourself productive and prepare for what’s ahead.

This could mean learning all about the real estate profession and what it takes to succeed in the field.

Take a hint from industry insiders in our article that tackles the benefits and drawbacks of being a real estate agent.

In order to renew your license, you must complete 18 hours of continuing education before each renewal period.

All real estate licensees in Wisconsin renew on December 14th of every even year. The renewal fee is $75.

The 18 hours break down into six, three-hour courses in topics approved by the Real Estate Examining Board.

A new outline of approved content is released each year.

Based on the format in which you complete the hours, you could wrap this requirement up in a single week. However, it’s more likely you’ll spend about six weeks finishing your hours.

If you do get your Wisconsin real estate license within a renewal year, you’re not required, in that first period, to complete the continuing education hours.

Aspiring real estate agents in Wisconsin have the option to take their pre-licensing education at an institution of higher learning or at an approved school.

No matter which route you take, make sure to put in the time to study and review in preparation for the real estate exam.

You want to use your pre-licensing educational materials, plus outside resources, to really help you feel prepared to take the test.

Start by converting your in-class notes to study outlines and flashcards. Review on your own, or consider forming a study group with your peers for extra prep.

You can locate additional resource materials in the Pearson VUE Real Estate Candidate Handbook, along with exam outlines to ensure you focus your study on the right topics.

Make sure you find a quiet spot to dedicate toward your exam preparation, one where you won’t get interrupted and that’s available on a daily basis as you get ready to take the test.

Using class notes alongside additional study materials and the exam outline gives you many ways to review all important information to hopefully pass the real estate exam the first time you take it.

With this guide, we hope you will be able to plan your schedule accordingly and complete all steps in the licensing process without shortcuts.

Should you need to prepare financially when getting licensed, our guide on how much a real estate license in Wisconsin is can give you the information you need.

If you’re concerned about the effects of your previous criminal convictions on your license eligibility, we have tips for applying for a Wisconsin real estate license with criminal record.

It also helps to think much far ahead and prepare for your real estate career even as you wait to get licensed.

You can start by devising a fool-proof action plan that enumerates your next steps after passing the real estate exam.

This should include joining a real estate team, where you can meet experienced agents to learn more about the industry.

Make time as well to create strategies to boost your real estate business. This is particularly essential for new agents.

To help you build and grow your real estate career quickly, we at Real Estate Bees created a directory for real estate professionals.

It’s designed to help you get more exposure for your business, including receiving leads. Create a free profile by signing up here.

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About the Author

Kristina Morales is a REALTOR® with over 20 years of professional experience. She actively practices real estate in Ohio but also has practiced real estate in California and Texas. Conducting her real estate business in three states has allowed her to gain unique experiences that make her a well-rounded realtor. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Business Management and her MBA with a concentration in Banking and Finance. Prior to real estate, Kristina had an extensive corporate career in banking and treasury. She ended her finance career as an Assistant Treasurer at a publicly traded oil & gas company in Houston, TX.