Educational Resources: Take Wisconsin Real Estate Sample Tests, Application Steps and Tips

One of the most important aspects of the entire application process is the real estate exam. After taking the course in person or online, you will go ahead and apply for the final exam.¹

Passing with at least a 70% score will stamp you in the list of the newest licensees in the state. So, how exactly is the exam structured?

The Real Estate License Test Overview

There are basically two parts to the test: one is the national and the other the state part.

To answer the 140 questions available, you are given a total of 4 hours. Basically, 85 questions come from the national section, while the rest are specific only to the State of Wisconsin.

If you fail to get the pass mark, you can always apply to retake the affected sections, and also, remember that for each attempt at the test, you are expected to pay $65. Since this is your very first time taking the test, you may be a little bit anxious, wondering what type of content will be tested; here is a breakdown.

• Property ownership
• Property disclosures
• Property management
• Real estate practice
• Calculations
• Financing
• Market analysis
• Land use
• Principles of agency
• Contracts

The Wisconsin Department of Revenue Real Estate License Application Process: 5 Essential Steps

Getting real estate certification in Wisconsin doesn’t have to be an uphill task. You don’t have to feel overwhelmed if you are a first-timer because there are literally only five steps to get it right.

If you sail through these steps, you will be well on your way to becoming a fully-fledged real estate agent in Wisconsin.

Step 1: Take The 72 Hours of Pre-Licensing Education

One of the very first steps to receiving your license is by completing the prerequisite 72 hours of education. This training gives you the ropes as a beginner, so you know exactly what to do when you get to the groundwork.

You can skip this process if you actually have a college degree in real estate and go straight to the next.

Step 2: Pass the Final Exam

When you are ready and sure that you have diligently gone through the hours of education, you get the chance to prove this by taking the Wisconsin real estate exam. If you get 70% for both the national and state-specific portions, you are one bold step closer to receiving your licensure.

If you fail a section, you are also free to retake it as many times as needed, at least until you pass and move on to the next step.

Step 3: Complete the Background Check

Submitting your fingerprints for checking helps the board understand whether you have a conviction or not.

If you are affected, some offenses will indeed keep you out, but not to worry because it is on a case-by-case basis, so you may be let off the hook depending on the conviction. However, if you don’t happen to have any criminal background, this step will be nothing short of a breeze for you.

Step 4: Pick a Sponsoring Broker

For you to be accepted as a real estate agent in Wisconsin, you will have to show proof that you are working under a sponsoring brokerage.

When you get a broker, they will have to sign the 4th page of the application under Number 3166,² and that should also get you a step closer.³ The trick is to find one that specializes in a field that you love and one that has generous commissions.

Step 5: Apply for the Wisconsin Real Estate License

Now that you are certain that you have practically met all the requirements, there is one last and probably most important thing to do: submit your license application. You will be required to pay a $60 fee in order to apply, and this will be remitted to DSPS using Form 3071.⁴

During this stage, you will also show proof that you actually took the classes and that you passed the exams, and that is about it. When everything else checks out, all you will be left with is to receive the actual license.

Wisconsin Department of Revenue Association of Real Estate Agents Membership Fees and Financial Commitments

Again, you need to know that you have to pay some small money as application and renewal fees to keep you as a licensed real estate agent in Wisconsin. For instance, the annual license renewal fee stands at around $82,⁵ the post-licensing continuing education rate ranges between $100-$250, while there are other renewal fees based on whether or not you are part of a local board of real estate agents in Wisconsin and these could cost as much as $1,000 in a single year.⁶

Deciding To Apply for National Association of Realtors® (NAR) Membership

Ever heard of some real estate agents referring to themselves as Realtors®? Realtors® and real estate agents in Wisconsin are not really the same.

In order for you to be a Realtor®, you have to be a registered member of one of the largest organizations in the field, called the National Association of REALTORS®.

You will love to be part of this body if you want to take your career to the next level and become a notable Realtor® in the business. For this, you will need to pay a membership fee of about $150 each and every year.

What’s the Average Timeline for the Real Estate Application?

Another very common question for first-timers is exactly how long does it take to become a real estate agent. In other words, how long do you have to wait to receive your license?

Usually, the time frame varies for each candidate, but one of the most significant determining factors is how much time you take on the real estate training. Considering that there are only 72 hours, attending the classes full-time and in person means that you could be done in as little as two weeks.

For most candidates who take online or part-time classes, maybe because of school, work, or other commitments, the time frame is usually around 2 months. After that, when you are done with the classes, you can go ahead and apply to take the exam.

There is some good news. If you are diligent with the courses, thoroughly revise, and fortunately pass the test on the very first try, then, of course, you will be getting your license way sooner than others. However, 4-6 months are enough to take the courses and get your credentials.