Everything comes with an expiration date, and as every seasoned REALTOR^® in Wisconsin can tell you, that includes real estate licenses. And every licensee knows that expiration date is December 14 of every even year. There have been a couple changes to continuing education (CE) and the license renewal process since the last renewal cycle, so grab a seat anywhere you like and let me tell you about the specials!

What’s fresh?

• Hourlong format: The most noticeable change this biennium is the new one-hour CE course format. Every biennium, the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) requires real estate licensees to take 18 hours of CE. For the first time, the courses have been broken down into 18 individual, bite-sized courses this biennium. A couple here and there, and just like calories: they add up quickly. Am I right?
• CE reporting: The second change is the new LicensE portal on the DSPS website and CE reporting by the WRA. The DSPS emailed established licensees with information regarding the setup of their LicensE account and confirming their login credentials. If you have not received your email about logging into LicensE, a step-by-step guide and demo videos are available on the DSPS website at dsps.wi.gov/Pages/LicensEResources.aspx. 

Also of note, the WRA will participate in a pilot program for education providers to report CE completion to the DSPS. More information about this pilot program is available in the September 2024 Wisconsin Real Estate Magazine article, “The Need, the Need for Speed."

“Can you skip me and come back around?”

One of the most frequently asked questions we get every biennium is, “Do I have to take CE this biennium?” If you are reading this article, the answer is almost certainly “yes.” 

This is my first biennium, do I have to take CE?  

Yes! And the requirement is the same. All 18 credits are due; they are not prorated. The only exception to this is a person who receives a salesperson license after October 1 of an even year is exempt. Note this exception is applicable only to people who receive a salesperson license and is not applicable to those who receive a broker license.

I got my broker license this year, do I have to take CE?

Yes! All real estate licensees need to take CE and renew every biennium. The 72-hour broker course does not qualify as CE with the DSPS.

What if I just do referrals, do I have to take CE?

Yes! In order to practice real estate in any capacity, you must keep your license current. 

All licensees must complete the education requirement and submit the renewal application through the DSPS renewal portal, LicensE, before midnight on December 14, 2024. 

Don’t let the firm go cold in the window!

In addition to renewing their individual licenses, brokers in charge need to renew their business entity licenses and monitor the renewal status of all agents associated with their firm. If an agent’s renewal application has not been timely filed, the firm may not permit the individual to engage in real estate practices after December 14 until their license is renewed. 

Sorry, kitchen’s closed …

Any renewals submitted to the DSPS after the renewal deadline will be considered late and, in addition to the lapse in the license validity, the licensee will be charged a $25 late fee on top of the $60 renewal fee. 

The Wisconsin Real Estate Examining Board (REEB) may grant an extension for completing CE and renewing a license if it receives a written request from the licensee along with a physician’s statement that verifies that a licensee’s health prevented them from completing CE. An extension may also be granted to a licensee on active military duty outside Wisconsin. More information about Wisconsin Act 210 is available on the DSPS website at dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/RESalesperson/Default.aspx.

FAQs a la carte

Where can I find my certificates of completion?

To obtain certificates for courses taken through the WRA, see your WRA education history and log in with your WRA credentials. The WRA maintains certificates for WRA courses only and does not have access to records from other education providers.

I took my CE with another education provider. Does the WRA have those records?

No, the WRA does not have records for coursework completed elsewhere. The WRA only maintains records for WRA courses. If you completed CE through another education provider, WRA records will not reflect those courses. You must contact the other education provider to obtain your course certificates.

Is my license renewed once I complete the CE courses?

No, taking CE is a prerequisite to license renewal and does not by virtue of completion mean you’re renewed. To maintain the license, you must complete the required CE and then submit your renewal to the DSPS through LicensE. Learn more about LicensE at dsps.wi.gov/Pages/LicensEResources.aspx.

Why are these called electives if they are required?

The DSPS requires 18 hours of CE. The first 12 are mandatory courses and cover the topics that every licensee needs a refresher on every two years, while the remaining six hours are electives. The WRA developed the remaining six courses to round out the 18-credit requirement, but there are other courses that provide CE elective credit and can be taken in lieu of Electives 1-6.

The WRA works with the DSPS and the national councils to ensure that WRA designation courses are approved for CE elective credit when they qualify. Attendees of the 2024 REALTOR^® & Government Day event had the option to receive complimentary elective CE credit as well.

It’s on the house … 

Speaking of complimentary CE, the WRA has sprinkled in a few CE credits for our members on the house this biennium. CE credits have been awarded to participants at both the 2023 and 2024 REALTOR^® & Government Day events and recent Legal Update Live webinars.

Something for every appetite!  

From the value-added content of CE On Demand to in-person classroom courses in Wisconsin Dells, we are sure to offer a format that suits your taste.

On Demand: Designed with you in mind, CE has never been more engaging and convenient. The new synergistic course content has video and written content fused into one interactive book, streamlining the learning experience. Enhanced visuals and built-in learning tools create a more immersive learning experience, and the convenient one-hour course blocks make fitting CE into your schedule easier than ever!

Self-study: If a hard-copy book is more to your taste, WRA Self-study CE is sure to please. We ship the book of course outlines to your address, and you can study from anywhere to take the online exams.

Live courses: The WRA also offers regular virtual CE classrooms in addition to in-person classrooms at special events like the annual convention. Whether online or face-to-face, there is no replacing the classroom experience. Our team of attorney instructors answers all your questions while covering the material, resulting in the most rewarding learning experience.

Dishing out CE 2023-24!

Like ketchup and French fries, license renewal and CE go hand and hand. As part of the renewal protocol, Wisconsin real estate licensees are required to take 18 hours of CE every two years to maintain their licenses.

Hot off the grill 

New to the mix this biennium is the snack-sized, one-hour course format. In previous biennia, the 18 required hours of CE were divided into six three-hour courses. The new 2023-24 CE curriculum breaks up the 18 required hours into one-hour courses consisting of 12 mandatory courses and six electives. Each course is approximately 50 minutes and is followed by a five-question, multiple-choice exam.

Mandatory courses (12 courses, one hour each)

• Course 1: Wisconsin Agency Law
• Course 2: Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services Disciplinary Actions*
• Course 3: Commissions in Wisconsin Agency Agreements, Offers of Compensation and Antitrust*
• Course 4: The Inspection Contingency in the Wisconsin Offers to Purchase
• Course 5: Wisconsin Legislative Updates Related to Real Estate
  • Alternative Course 5: 2023 REALTOR^® & Government Day*
• Course 6: Wisconsin Real Estate Case Law Update
  • Alternative Course 6: Legal Update Live webinar on March 27, 2024*
  • Alternative Course 6: Legal Update Live webinar on June 24, 2024*
  • Alternative Course 6: Legal Update Live webinar on August 7, 2024*
• Course 7: Advertising for Wisconsin Real Estate Licensees**
• Course 8: Default, Earnest Money, and WB-45 Cancellation Agreement and Mutual Release
• Course 9: Financing Commitment and Appraisal Contingencies in the Wisconsin Offers to Purchase
• Course 10: Fair Housing in Wisconsin Transactions**
• Course 11: Agent-to-Agent Relationships**
• Course 12: Seller and Licensee Disclosure in Wisconsin Transactions

Elective courses (six courses, one hour each)

• Elective 1: Short Sales and Foreclosures in Wisconsin
• Elective 2: Changing a Property’s Use in Wisconsin
• Elective 3: Other Wisconsin Approved Form
• Elective 4: Closing a Buyer’s Property Contingency, Secondary Offer and Bump Clause in the Wisconsin Offers to Purchase
• Elective 5: Drafting Contracts in Wisconsin Real Estate Transactions
• Elective 6: Risk Reduction for Wisconsin Licensees
• Other Elective: 2024 REALTOR^® & Government Day*

*Complimentary CE for WRA members.
**These five courses combined satisfy the National Association of REALTORS^®’ Code of Ethics requirements.