Wisconsin Statutes
Wis. Stat. § 452.03 (2026)
Brokers and salespersons licensed
✓ current as of July 2026
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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 AnnotationUnder this section, 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. Partnership v. Howard, Needles, Tammen & Bergendoff, 196 Wis. 2d 891, 539 N.W.2d 904 (Ct. App. 1995), 94-2531.
452.03 AnnotationOfficers 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.
452.03 AnnotationActions of a tenants’ union on behalf of its members may require a real estate broker’s license. 60 Atty. Gen. 118.
452.03 AnnotationDiscussing the permitted limits of nonlicensed independent contractor agents. 70 Atty. Gen. 23.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 9
cases, 1971–2012 · leading case: Sonday v. Dave Kohel Agency, Inc., 2006 WI 92 (Wis. 2006).
Sonday v. Dave Kohel Agency, Inc., 2006 WI 92 (Wis. 2006). “See Wis. Stat. §§ 452.03 , 452.05, 452.09, 452.”
Badger III Ltd. P'ship v. Howard, Needles, Tammen & Bergendoff, 539 N.W.2d 904 (Wis. Ct. App. 1995). “The right of an out-of-state broker to a commission for brokerage work performed in Wisconsin even though he or she is not licensed in this state is controlled by two statutes: § 452.03, Stats., and § 452.19, Stats. They provide: 452.”
Hernandez v. BNG Mgmt. Ltd. P'ship, 2012 WI App 65 (Wis. Ct. App. 2012). “See Wis. Stat. § 452.03 ("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.”
Greenlee v. Rainbow Auction/Realty Co., Inc., 553 N.W.2d 257 (Wis. Ct. App. 1996). “Section 452.03, Stats., provides: 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.”
Olsen v. Celano, 600 N.E.2d 1257 (Ill. App. Ct. 1992). “” ( Wis. Stat. §452.03 (1989).) And: “No person engaged in the business or acting in the capacity of a broker, salesperson or time-share salesperson within this state may bring or maintain an action in the courts of this state for the collection of a commission or compensation…”
In Re Tirado, 329 B.R. 244 (Bankr. E.D. Wis. 2005). “§ 452.03 (2004). But the definition of “broker” does not include “Receivers, trustees .”
Schlueter v. LATEK, 821 F. Supp. 2d 1079 (E.D. Wis. 2011). “Wis. Stat. § 452.03 (2009-10). The definition of “broker,” however, is not limited to those who sell real estate.”
Kadlec v. Kadlec, 2004 WI App 84 (Wis. Ct. App. 2004). “§ 452.03 provides: 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.”
Schoenfeld v. Silver Moon Springs, Inc., 325 F. Supp. 199 (E.D. Wis. 1971). “In general, the defendants advance two grounds upon which they base their contention that the plaintiff cannot succeed in his action: (1) although styled a “finder,” the plaintiff is in reality a “broker” and (2), as such, the plaintiff has failed to comply with, or falls within…”
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