Chapter 452

452.01(5m)(a) (a) Acting, whether directly or indirectly, as an intermediary by facilitating or participating in communications between parties related to the parties’ interests in a transaction. In this paragraph, providing advice or opinions on matters that are material to a transaction in which a person is engaged or intends to engage or showing a party real estate does not, in and of itself, constitute acting as an intermediary by facilitating or participating in communications between parties.

452.01(5m)(b) (b) Completing, when requested by a party, appropriate board-approved forms or other writings to document the party’s proposal consistent with the party’s instruction.

452.01(5m)(c) (c) Presenting to a party the proposals of other parties to the transaction and giving the party a general explanation of the provisions of the proposal.

452.01(5n) (5n) “Out-of-state broker” means a person who is not licensed under this chapter and who is regularly and lawfully engaged in the real estate brokerage business in another state, a territory or possession of the United States, or a foreign country.

452.01(5p) (5p) “Out-of-state salesperson” means a person who is not licensed under this chapter and who is employed or engaged as an independent contractor by an out-of-state broker.

452.01(5r) (5r) “Party” means a person seeking to engage in a transaction.

452.01(5w) (5w) “Principal firm” means a firm that engages a subagent to provide brokerage services in a transaction.

452.01(6) (6) “Real estate practice” means engaging in conduct which requires a license under this chapter.

452.01(7) (7) “Salesperson” means any individual who is associated with a firm, other than a broker or an individual who is not required to hold a license under this chapter as provided under s. 452.03 (2).

452.01(7r) (7r) “Subagent” means a firm that is engaged by a principal firm to provide brokerage services in a transaction, but that is not associated with the principal firm.

452.01(8) (8) “Time share” has the meaning given in s. 707.02 (24).

452.01(10) (10) “Transaction” means the sale, exchange, purchase or rental of, or the granting or acceptance of an option to sell, exchange, purchase or rent, an interest in real estate, a business or a business opportunity.

452.01 History History: 1981 c. 94; 1983 a. 27; 1985 a. 305; 1987 a. 359, 399; 1987 a. 403 s. 256; 1989 a. 341; 1991 a. 221; 1993 a. 127; 1995 a. 27, 400; 1997 a. 263; 2001 a. 102; 2005 a. 87; 2009 a. 2; 2011 a. 32; 2013 a. 124, 259, 288; 2015 a. 195, 258; 2017 a. 110.

452.01 Annotation A foreign corporation that entered into a brokerage contract to sell a radio station without being licensed in this state could not sue for its commission. The licensing requirement is not an unlawful burden on interstate commerce. Chapman Company, Inc. v. Service Broadcasting Corporation, 52 Wis. 2d 32, 187 N.W.2d 794 (1971).

452.01 Annotation Units of interest in a limited partnership are personalty and not real estate, and no real estate broker’s license is required for their sale. 60 Atty. Gen. 254.

452.01 Annotation That one who owns stock in a corporation owns “an interest” in a business under sub. (2) (a) and that therefore anyone who negotiates a sale of stock requires a license under this section cannot be right. That would require every securities broker in Wisconsin to have a real estate broker’s license as well as a securities license. Schlueter v. Latek, 683 F.3d 350 (2012).

452.01 Annotation The ‘New’ Chapter 452: Defining Real Estate Broker Practice. Leibsle. Wis. Law. June 2006.

452.03 452.03 Brokers and salespersons licensed.

452.03(1) (1) Except as provided in s. 452.137, no person may engage in or follow the business or occupation of, or advertise or hold himself or herself out as, or act temporarily or otherwise as a broker or salesperson without a license issued under this chapter. The board may grant a license only to a person who is competent to transact that business or occupation in a manner that safeguards the interests of the public, and only after satisfactory proof of the person’s competence has been presented to the board.

452.03(2) (2) No license under this chapter is required for an individual who, on behalf of and under the direction of a firm or one or more licensees associated with a firm, provides the firm or licensee with services that are limited to those that are purely administrative, clerical, or personal in nature.

452.03 History History: 1981 c. 94, 391; 1989 a. 307; 2011 a. 32; 2015 a. 258.

452.03 Annotation Under s. 452.03 an agreement to pay a real estate brokerage commission to a person not licensed as a broker is void at its inception. Using a licensed broker who provides no actual services as a conduit for a fee to an unlicensed person does not create a co-brokerage arrangement authorized by s. 452.19. Badger III Ltd. v. Howard, Needles, Tammen & Bergendoff, 196 Wis. 2d 891, 539 N.W.2d 904 (Ct. App. 1995), 94-2531.

452.03 Annotation Officers of a corporation or partners of a partnership can act for the corporation or partnership in the rental of real estate owned by the entity without being licensed as real estate brokers. 60 Atty. Gen. 1 (1971).

452.03 Annotation Actions of a tenants union on behalf of its members may require a real estate broker’s license. 60 Atty. Gen. 118 (1971).

452.03 Annotation The permitted limits of nonlicensed independent contractor agents are discussed. 70 Atty. Gen. 23.

452.05 452.05 Duties and powers of board.

452.05(1) (1) In addition to the other duties and responsibilities of the board under this chapter, the board shall advise the secretary on matters relating to real estate practice and shall:

452.05(1)(a) (a) Grant and issue licenses to individuals and business entities to act as brokers and to individuals to act as salespersons.

452.05(1)(b) (b) Approve forms for use in real estate practice. The board may conduct public hearings on matters relating to the approval of forms used in real estate practice. The board may also solicit comments relating to forms used in real estate practice from the council on forms created under s. 452.06 (1) (a) or from a professional trade association whose members consist primarily of licensees actively engaged in real estate practice.

452.05(1)(c) (c) After consultation with the council on real estate curriculum and examinations, promulgate rules establishing criteria for the approval of educational programs and training sessions under s. 452.09 (2) and approve such programs and sessions in accordance with the established criteria.

452.05(1)(d) (d) After consultation with the council on real estate curriculum and examinations, brokers and salespersons licensed under this chapter, and interested members of the public, establish criteria for the approval of continuing educational programs and courses in real estate related subjects required for renewal under s. 452.12 (5) (c).

452.05(1)(g) (g) Approve continuing educational programs and courses in accordance with the criteria established under par. (d). In order to be approved, a continuing educational program or course must require brokers and salespersons to pass an examination on the information presented at the program or course in order to successfully complete and receive continuing education credit for the program or course under s. 452.12 (5) (c).

452.05(1)(i) (i) Create a form on which an individual applying to renew a broker’s or salesperson’s license may do all of the following:

452.05(1)(i)1. 1. State whether he or she has been convicted of a crime since he or she last applied to renew the license or, for an initial renewal, since he or she initially applied for the license.

452.05(1)(i)2. 2. Identify the date of conviction for any crime described under subd. 1. and describe the nature and circumstances of the crime.

452.05(1)(i)3. 3. Sign his or her name to attest to the accuracy and truthfulness of the information under subds. 1. and 2. and to acknowledge all of the following:

452.05(1)(i)3.a. a. The department’s authority to conduct an investigation under s. 440.03 (13).

452.05(1)(i)3.b. b. The board’s authority to revoke the license under s. 452.14 (3) (o).

452.05(1)(i)3.c. c. The board’s authority to assess forfeitures under s. 452.14 (4r).

452.05(1)(j) (j) Assign a unique license number to each person licensed under this chapter.

452.05(1m) (1m) 

452.05(1m)(a) (a) In this subsection:

452.05(1m)(a)1. 1. “Certified local register of historic property” means a register of historic property that is part of a historic preservation ordinance enacted by a city, village, town or county if the ordinance is certified by the state historical society under s. 44.44.

452.05(1m)(a)2. 2. “Commercial real property” means real property that is classified as commercial under s. 70.32 (2) (a) 2.

452.05(1m)(a)3. 3. “Historic building” means a building that fulfills at least one of the following requirements:

452.05(1m)(a)3.a. a. Is listed on a certified local register of historic property, if that fact is specified in a statement recorded in the office of the register of deeds for the county in which the commercial real estate is located.

452.05(1m)(a)3.b. b. Is included in a district that is listed on a certified local register of historic property, if that fact is specified in a statement recorded in the office of the register of deeds for the county in which the commercial real estate is located, and has been determined by the city, village, town or county to contribute to the historic significance of the district.

452.05(1m)(b) (b) In preparing the form for the offer to purchase commercial real property under sub. (1) (b), the board shall include a statement that the seller represents to the buyer that the seller has no notice or knowledge that the commercial real property is a historic building.

452.05(2) (2) The board may prepare letters and bulletins and conduct clinics disseminating information to its licensees.

452.05(3) (3) The board may enter into reciprocal agreements with officials of other states or territories of the United States for licensing brokers and salespersons and grant licenses to applicants who are licensed as brokers or salespersons in those states or territories according to the terms of the reciprocal agreements.

452.05 History History: 1981 c. 94, 391; 1985 a. 305 ss. 1t, 7; 1987 a. 399; 1989 a. 307, 341; 1991 a. 39; 1993 a. 141; 1995 a. 27; 1997 a. 27; 2003 a. 168; 2011 a. 32; 2013 a. 288; 2015 a. 258; 2017 a. 110, 278; 2017 a. 365 s. 111.

452.05 Annotation A corporation cannot be licensed as real estate salesperson. 71 Atty. Gen. 38.

452.06 452.06 Councils and committees.

452.06(1) (1) 

452.06(1)(a) (a) The board shall create a council on forms that shall meet when directed by the board, be chaired by a member of the board, and report to the board.

452.06(1)(b) (b) Any proposed change in a form relating to real estate practice shall be referred to the council on forms for review before the form is approved.

452.06(1)(c) (c) The board may direct the council on forms to create or modify a form relating to real estate practice and submit that form to the board for approval. If the board directs the council to create or modify a form, the board shall establish a deadline for the council to submit the form to the board.

452.06(2) (2) The council on real estate curriculum and examinations shall do all of the following:

452.06(2)(a) (a) Advise the board on establishing continuing education requirements under s. 452.05 (1) (d).

452.06(2)(b) (b) Not less than annually, review subjects covered on examinations for licensure under this chapter and the qualifications for instructors of and performance evaluations for educational and continuing educational programs, training sessions, and courses approved under this chapter.

452.06(3) (3) If the secretary creates any councils or committees under s. 15.04 (1) (c) to provide advice to the department or board on matters relating to real estate practice, such councils or committees shall be chaired by a member of the board, if available, and shall report to the board and the secretary.

452.06(4) (4) The secretary shall provide staff and other support required for the operation of councils and committees created under this section or under s. 15.04 (1) (c) to provide advice to the department or board, as appropriate, on matters relating to real estate practice.

452.06 History History: 1981 c. 94; 1989 a. 341; 1991 a. 39; 2011 a. 32; 2017 a. 110.

452.07 452.07 Rules.

452.07(1) (1) The board shall promulgate rules for the guidance of the real estate profession and define professional conduct and unethical practice.

452.07(1m) (1m) The board may promulgate rules regarding the supervisory responsibilities of brokers under s. 452.132.

452.07(3) (3) The board may promulgate rules regarding advertising by brokers or salespersons that do not conflict with s. 452.136.

452.07 History History: 1981 c. 94; 1985 a. 182 s. 57; 1987 a. 403 s. 256; 2001 a. 16; 2011 a. 32; 2013 a. 288; 2015 a. 258; 2017 a. 110, 278.

452.07 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also chs. REEB 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, and 25, Wis. adm. code.

452.08 452.08 Board receipt of proposed legislation. The secretary shall submit to the board in writing any legislation proposed by the department relating to licensees or the board prior to introduction in the legislature.

452.08 History History: 1981 c. 94.

452.09 452.09 Application for license, contents.

452.09(1) (1) Form of application. Any person desiring to act as a broker or salesperson shall submit to the board an application for a license. The application shall be in such form as the board prescribes and shall include the following:

452.09(1)(a) (a) The kind of license desired.

452.09(1)(b) (b) The name and address of the applicant. If the applicant is a business entity, the application shall also include the name and address of each business representative and the license number of each business representative licensed as a broker under this chapter.

452.09(1)(d) (d) The business or occupation engaged in by the applicant, or if a business entity, by each business representative, for a period of at least 2 years immediately preceding the date of the application.

452.09(1)(e) (e) Any other information that the board may reasonably require to enable it to determine the competency of each applicant, including each business representative of the business entity, to transact the business of a broker or salesperson in a manner that safeguards the interests of the public.

452.09(2) (2) Educational requirements for applicants for licenses.

452.09(2)(a) (a) Except as provided in a reciprocal agreement under s. 452.05 (3), each applicant for a salesperson’s license shall submit to the board evidence satisfactory to the board of successful completion of educational programs approved for this purpose under s. 452.05 (1) (c). The board may waive the requirement under this paragraph upon proof that the applicant has received 10 academic credits in real estate or real estate related law courses from an accredited institution of higher education.

452.09(2)(c) (c) Except as provided in par. (d) or a reciprocal agreement under s. 452.05 (3), each applicant for a broker’s license to be issued to an individual shall do all of the following:

452.09(2)(c)1. 1. Satisfy or obtain a waiver of the requirement under par. (a) or submit proof of licensure as a salesperson under this chapter.

452.09(2)(c)2. 2. Submit to the board evidence satisfactory to the board of successful completion of educational programs in business management approved for this purpose under s. 452.05 (1) (c). No educational programs applied to satisfy the requirement under subd. 1. may be applied to satisfy the requirement under this subdivision.

452.09(2)(d) (d) The board may waive the requirements under par. (c) upon proof that the applicant has received 20 academic credits in real estate or real estate related law courses from an accredited institution of higher education or that the applicant is licensed to practice law in this state.

452.09(3) (3) Competency of applicant.

452.09(3)(a) (a) In determining competency, the board shall require proof that the applicant for a broker’s or salesperson’s license has a fair knowledge of the English language; a fair understanding of the general purposes and general legal effect of deeds, mortgages, land contracts of sale, leases, bills of sale, and conditional sales contracts; and a general and fair understanding of the obligations between principal and agent, as well as of this chapter. The board shall deny a license to an applicant receiving a failing grade, as established by rules of the board, on any examination given under this section, but any applicant may review his or her examination results in a manner established by rules of the board.

452.09(3)(b) (b) The board shall determine competency under par. (a) by means of only an oral examination for any applicant who is unable to write because of a physical handicap.

452.09(3)(c) (c) Examinations shall reliably measure an applicant’s ability to competently engage in real estate practice.

452.09(3)(d) (d) Except as provided under s. 452.12 (2) or in a reciprocal agreement under s. 452.05 (3), the board may not grant a broker’s license to an applicant unless the applicant passes the salesperson’s examination and the broker’s examination and meets the requirements under sub. (4).

452.09(4) (4) Experience requirements for broker’s license applicants.