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Real Estate License Renewals Due December 31
by Debbi Conrad
Make sure that you have satisfied the continuing education requirement-or that you will be able to satisfy the requirement before the end of this year-because Dec. 31, 2002 is the deadline for all real estate license renewals. This means that renewal applications, including a statement certifying completion of the continuing education (CE) renewal requirement, must be filed with the Department of Regulation and Licensing (DRL) by Dec. 31, 2002. A renewal application is considered filed upon receipt by the DRL. Individuals failing to meet the Dec. 31, 2002 deadline will be unlicensed as of Jan. 1, 2003 and CANNOT PRACTICE REAL ESTATE until they complete the renewal process and receive their new licenses.
The CE renewal requirement may be met either by having passed the "test-out" exam which was given between July 1, 2001 and June 30, 2002, or by taking 12 hours of DRL-approved CE and passing the course examinations. The required CE consists of 4 courses of at least 3 hours in length. All renewing licensees taking the CE courses must take Course 1 regarding use of forms and contract law, Course 2 regarding practice guidelines and broker ethics, and Course 3 regarding new developments. Options for Course 4 include the general real estate practice/residential sales course; the rural, farm and vacant land elective course; the supervising broker elective course; or the property management elective course. Some commercial CE courses have also been available on a limited basis. Live, video (Internet exam), and self-study (Internet exam) CE courses are still available from the WRA. For a schedule and contact numbers for all remaining live courses in 2002, see the
online calendar
or visit our Education Page, for information about the WRA's video and self-study options.
Individuals failing CE course examinations may retake the courses and examinations for credit. Licensees do not need to submit any course certificates with their renewal applications. The course certificates may later be requested by the DRL, however, during its random license renewal audit.
The CE renewal requirement does not apply to licensees who received an original Wisconsin real estate salesperson or broker's license during the 2001-2002 biennium.
As was the case during the 2000 renewal, licensees will be able to renew their real estate licenses over the Internet. The Department of Electronic Government, in collaboration with the DRL, developed an updated Internet application for the renewal of real estate licenses. The 1,264 licensees who took advantage of the Internet renewal option two years ago generally reported satisfaction with the process. Improvements were made to the Internet renewal process, and the DRL hopes that more licensees will try the Internet renewal process this year. Licenses can be renewed online at
www.renewal.wisconsin.gov, or go to "What's New" on the DRL Web site at
www.drl.state.wi.us. In order to use the Internet renewal, licensees will need the PIN number that appears on the renewal notice sent in the mail.
The DRL uses a licensee's Social Security number or a company's FEIN to check with the Department of Revenue (DOR) and determine whether the renewing licensee has any delinquent state tax payments. The DRL may deny the renewal application if a licensee is liable for delinquent taxes. Those with delinquent taxes (does not include property taxes) are given 10 days to pay the amounts due, or enter into a payment agreement with the DOR. If this is not done, the DRL will issue a written notice of denial, and the applicant will have 30 days to file a written request for a hearing to review the denial. Those who enter into a payment plan with the DOR within the 30 days may be allowed to renew their licenses. A licensee will be given considerable time to exercise due process rights, but a licensee may continue to practice during this time only by filing a timely and complete application for renewal.
Social Security numbers and FEIN numbers will also be used to determine whether licensees have failed to pay family support or failed to comply with a warrant or subpoena related to paternity or support proceedings.
Wis. Admin. Code § RL 17.07 places responsibility upon the broker/employer to confirm that each sales agent employed by the broker/employer, or affiliated with the broker/employer as an independent contractor, has renewed his or her real estate license on time. If an individual's renewal application has not been filed in a timely manner with the DRL, a broker/employer may not employ or affiliate that individual, nor permit the individual to practice real estate after Dec. 31, 2002 until that individual's license is renewed.
Licensees who do not fulfill the CE requirements by Dec. 31, 2002, may complete the CE courses after that date and file a late renewal application. Applications filed after Dec. 31, 2002 must include the license application form (including the statement certifying completion of the CE requirement), the appropriate renewal fee, and the $25 late fee.
The renewal fee for a real estate salesperson is $93, a real estate broker is $138, and a real estate business entity (such as a corporation, partnership, or LLC) is $66. Questions concerning license renewals should be directed to the DRL at (608) 266-0627. Those with questions about their state tax status may contact their local DOR office or call (608)266-8619.
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2002 Management Conference - Dec. 12 in Pewaukee
Find out how incorporating strengths from many areas of business helps to build
"The Big
Picture" of being a successful manager. Distinguished speakers and interactive workshops will cover a wide range of management topics, including:
- "Brokers and Their MLS-The Perfect Storm"
- "The Future of the Real Estate Industry"
- "When Teams Come Apart"
- "Embezzlement ... It Can Happen to You"
- "Accountability is Not a Dirty Word"
- "Money Wasters and Good Investments"
- "How to Value Your Company"
- "The Impact of New Telemarketing Regulations on REALTORSŪ"
- "A New Approach to Agent Compensation"
- "Recruiting and Retention Workshop"
- "Mold ... What You Need to Know to Manage Risk"
- "Tomorrow's Prosperity"
Register today!
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State and Local Association Update: NAR's Public Awareness Campaign
It's an important time for REALTORSŪ. The real estate industry continues to help support the economy in difficult times. Factors and events outside the real estate industry have consumers looking for people they know and can count on. Today it's even more important that the pubic recognize a
REALTOR'SŪ professionalism, role and importance in the transactional process.
"Work With Someone Who'll Work With You."
The Public Awareness campaign successfully enters its sixth year in 2003 with new television, radio and print executions which reflect the changing relationship members have with their customers.
NAR commissioned two key pieces of research that confirmed that customers wanted to have a role in the transaction. The campaign was modified to meet this changing need. Gone is the "You've Got A Life, We Let You Live It" part of the theme line. Today, customers want to know they have a partnership with their
REALTORŪ. The new theme lets customers know they have the partner they need in the new line: "Work With Someone Who'll Work With You. We're
REALTORSŪ. Real Estate Is Our Life."
Coast-to-Coast Coverage Helps REALTORSŪ Become a Household Name
The 2003 NAR media plan will continue to ensure the message is received by potential homebuyers and sellers in their homes, cars and offices.
Network TV helps us create over 2,915,852,000 impressions among our target. The addition of primetime this year ensures that we are reaching over 95 percent of all target household an average of 26 times per year. Network radio continues to assure that the Public Awareness campaign message is out there-often.
"Are We Better Off Than We Were 4 Years Ago?"-The Research Says It All.
The numbers are in and again the Public Awareness campaign continues to make an impact with customers and members alike.
NAR has commissioned Riter Research, an independent testing organization to measure reactions of consumers and NAR members on the Public Awareness campaign.
How To Make the Public Awareness Campaign Your Own-Locally.
The Public Awareness campaign is the member's campaign. It was designed to benefit
REALTORSŪ nationally and also crafted to be used by each state and local association.
The campaign materials are free from NAR and available for local and state association use.
NOW AVAILABLE: Public Awareness Campaign Web Banners
To help local and state associations use all of the communications vehicles they have at their disposal, NAR has extended the Public Awareness campaign into Web banners. They are free and available now from NAR.
Stay up-to-date on the Public Awareness Campaign
For regular updates on the Public Awareness campaign, be sure to visit
www.realtor.org. For easy reference, try book-marking it as a favorite Web site!
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