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How many continuing education hours do Wisconsin real estate licensees need?

Wisconsin real estate licensees must do 18 hours of continuing education (CE) in the 2025-2026 biennium. Twelve are required and six are electives. The 2027-2028 biennium also sets 18 hours.

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The rule, fact by fact

Course hours
Licensees must complete 18 hours of continuing education in the 2025-2026 bienniumIt is in the 2025-2026 course content outlines on the DSPS page.
Verified. dsps.wi.gov (opens state website) · checked Nov 13, 2026
Rule
12 hours of mandatory content and 6 hours of elective contentEvery licensee takes the same mandatory hours.
Same source and date as above
Valid for
License holders must complete 18 hours of continuing education in the 2027-2028 bienniumIn 2027-2028, 12 of those hours are mandatory content and six are electives.
Same source and date as above
Online accepted
DSPS's approved provider table lists distance education as Yes for a schoolThe table has separate columns for distance and classroom courses.
Same source and date as above

How to get it done

  1. Step 1. Find the outline for your period. The 2025-2026 outline has licensees complete 18 CE hours, and the 2027-2028 outline has license holders complete 18 CE hours.

  2. Step 2. Pick a school from DSPS's approved courses by provider list. Its table has a column for distance courses and one for classroom courses, so you can see which format a school offers.

  3. Step 3. Take 12 hours of mandatory content and 6 hours of electives. Each approved hour is 50 minutes of instruction, followed by a 5-question exam.

  4. Step 4. Choose electives specific to Wisconsin real estate. They must cover Wisconsin forms, Wisconsin law, Wisconsin administrative code or a mix of these.

  5. Step 5. Get a certificate for each hour. You receive a certificate of completion for each hour you successfully complete.

Before you pay

This page rests on one page from the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS). We haven't confirmed a renewal deadline, a course price or who is exempt.

Before you pay a school, check that it is on the DSPS list of approved courses by provider and that it offers the hours you need.

Questions

What topics are mandatory?

Among the mandatory topics in the 2025-2026 outline are Buyer Agency in Wisconsin, Contract Drafting in Wisconsin and When the Wisconsin Transaction Does Not Close.

Can a school offer its own electives?

Yes, if DSPS approves them. A provider that is pre-approved for all the mandatory courses may submit other electives for approval.

Does a sales meeting at my firm count?

No. Routine sales meetings held by a Wisconsin firm do not qualify for elective credit. Other routine instruction, such as marketing strategies or using a multiple listing service, does not qualify either.

Can a REALTORS designation course count?

Yes, for electives. A Designation Course the National Association of REALTORS has approved may be used to satisfy elective hours. For example, a 3-hour Designation Course may satisfy 3 elective hours.

Can I take the hours in a single block?

Providers may offer instruction in blocks, such as a 3-hour block or a 6-hour block. An exam of 5 questions for each hour of instruction follows.

What to do next

Start with the DSPS page on real estate continuing education. Then pick a school from its approved courses by provider list.

dsps.wi.gov

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