CE and License Renewal: Two of a Kind
You must complete both by December 14 to maintain your license
Lauren B. Hubbard, WRA Editor
Peanut butter and jelly. Mac and cheese. Cats and cardboard boxes. Some pairs just seem to belong together. And in the world of Wisconsin real estate, continuing education (CE) and license renewal are one of those pairs.
As the December 14 real estate biennium deadline approaches, the goal for Wisconsin real estate licensees isn’t just to complete CE or to renew their license — the goal is to complete both. After all, you need to do both to continue practicing real estate legally in Wisconsin come December 15.
Step 1: Complete your CE
Before you can renew your Wisconsin real estate license, you must complete 18 hours of CE for the 2025-26 biennium. You can’t skip the CE and jump straight to license renewal. Think of CE as one half of the key-and-lock combo: without both pieces, you’re not getting through the door.
Curriculum details
For the 2025-26 biennium, Wisconsin real estate licensees must complete 18 hours of CE, consisting of 12 mandatory courses and six elective courses. Courses are one hour each.
Mandatory courses
Course 1: Buyer Agency in Wisconsin
Course 2: Contract Drafting in Wisconsin
Course 3: When the Wisconsin Transaction Does Not Close
Course 4: Department of Safety and Professional Services Discipline Roundup
Course 5: Wisconsin Legislative Updates
Course 6: Wisconsin Case Law Related to Real Estate
Course 7: Inspection and Testing in the Wisconsin Offers to Purchase
Course 8: Antitrust for Wisconsin Licensees
Course 9: Fair Housing I for Wisconsin Licensees — State Law
Course 10: Fair Housing II for Wisconsin Licensees — Federal Law
Course 11: Advertising for Wisconsin Licensees
Course 12: Financing and Appraisal in the Wisconsin Offer to Purchase
Electives
Elective 1: Disclosure for Wisconsin Licensees
Elective 2: Seller Impersonation Fraud
Elective 3: Personal Transactions for Wisconsin Licensees
Elective 4: Incentives in Wisconsin Real Estate Transactions
Elective 5: Commissions and Dispute Resolution in the Wisconsin Listing Contracts
Elective 6: Personal Property and Fixtures in Wisconsin Transactions
Why WRA CE?
Learn what matters to Wisconsin real estate professionals: WRA CE is developed by Wisconsin real estate legal experts with the Wisconsin-specific knowledge you need to stay current in your practice.
Prepare for 2027 practice changes: WRA CE courses include important information about Wisconsin real estate practice changes taking effect January 1, 2027. You’ll learn about new requirements affecting residential transactions and what they will mean for your day-to-day practice.
Complete it all in one place: Complete all 12 mandatory courses and six elective courses with the WRA. All WRA CE courses are approved and satisfy the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) CE requirements. Plus, when you complete all 18 hours with the WRA, your CE is automatically reported to the DSPS, making the renewal process a breeze.
Choose the learning format that works for you
Even though December is right around the corner, the WRA can help you prepare. The WRA offers all the required CE courses in three learning formats:
On Demand: Prefer to learn on your own schedule? WRA On Demand courses combine video and written content in an all-digital format, with built-in learning tools and enhanced visuals. And with one-hour courses, you can work through your CE in manageable chunks rather than carving out an entire day.
Self-study: Prefer a book and a little quiet time? WRA Self-study CE lets you take your coursework with you. A printed book of all course outlines is shipped to you, and you can study at your own pace before completing the online exams.
Live courses: Prefer learning in a live setting? The WRA offers instructor-led CE courses throughout the year, and attendance at various WRA conferences can also count for CE credit. While most of these events have already taken place during the 2025-26 CE biennium, keep this option in mind for the 2027-28 biennium!
Step 2: Renew your license
Completed CE? Check. Aced the course quizzes? Check. Gathered course completion certificates? Check. You’ve done the heavy lifting, but there’s one more task to complete: renew your Wisconsin real estate license with the DSPS. After all, CE without license renewal is a little like Tom without Jerry — something is missing.
To renew your license, you must submit your license renewal application online and a $75 renewal fee to the Wisconsin DSPS through its LicensE online platform by or before the December 14 deadline. Be sure to check your inbox because last month, the DSPS emailed all Wisconsin real estate licensees with a reminder and instructions about using the LicensE portal. The LicensE portal usually becomes available during the last two months of the biennium; it may be available by the time you read this November magazine.
WRA-provided CE gives you a simpler renewal process
When you complete all 18 CE hours with the WRA, your completed coursework is automatically reported to the DSPS. The DSPS already has your CE credits on file when you visit the LicensE portal for your renewal, so there’s no manual entry of your CE information.
On the other hand, if you took CE courses with another education provider, you must contact that education provider to obtain your course completion certificates. You will need all 18 certificates when you are on the LicensE portal ready to renew, and you’ll be required to manually enter your information into LicensE.
Final thoughts
Chips need dip. Sonny needs Cher. And as a Wisconsin real estate licensee, you need both CE and license renewal.
Your real estate license renewal application and fee must be received by the Wisconsin DSPS no later than midnight Monday, December 14, 2026. If you don’t complete both requirements by the deadline, your license will lapse on December 15, and you will not be able to practice real estate until your license is renewed.
So check both boxes and head into the 2027-28 biennium with your license ready to go. After all, some things just work better together.
CE Questions? We Have Answers
Do you need to complete CE by December 14 if you’re newly licensed?
How do you earn Minnesota CE credit for a dual license?
How can you confirm that your license is actually renewed?
Find answers to these questions and many more on the WRA’s CE FAQ webpage. Plus, once the DSPS opens its LicensE online renewal portal, the WRA’s CE FAQ webpage will include a tutorial video walking you through the renewal process step by step.
Find the info you need:
