State of Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation
Real Estate Section
1511 Pontiac Avenue, Bldg. 69-1
Cranston, RI 02920
Phone: 401-462-9512
Email: DBR.REInquiry@dbr.ri.gov
Website: http://www.dbr.ri.gov/divisions/commlicensing/realestate.php
Salesperson Pre-Licensing Education Requirements
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Complete a criminal history record with the state and pass a background check
- Successfully have completed 45 hours of education within two years from the date of application
- Successfully have completed 3-hour course in lead poisoning/lead hazard mitigation
- Pass both the State and National Exams and apply for licensure within one year of passing the exam
- Obtain Errors and Omissions insurance
- Complete the Real Estate Salesperson Application and pay fees
- Review additional information on application
Broker Pre-Licensing Education Requirements
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Complete a criminal history record with the state and pass a background check
- Have 2 years of full-time experience as a salesperson, validated by an affirmation letter from the employing broker
- Successfully have completed 90 hours of education
- Obtain Errors and Omissions insurance
- Pass the State and National exams and apply for licensure within one year of passing exam
- Submit a Tax Payer Status Affidavit/Identity Verification
- Review additional information on the application
Rhode Island Salesperson & Broker Continuing Education Requirements
- Renewal periods are every two years as follows:
- For licenses issued before January 1, 2020: The renewal deadline is April 30th of every even-numbered year
- For licenses issued after January 1, 2020: The renewal deadline is the anniversary date of the license every two years
- Licensees must complete 24 hours of education for each renewal period. At least 9 of the 24 hours must come from CORE subject areas:
- Rhode Island law defining relationships between licensees and consumers
- Rhode Island law pertaining to real estate licensure
- Rhode Island landlord-tenant law
- The law of contracts
- Federal, Rhode Island, and local law pertaining to Fair Housing and the treatment of any individual in a protected class as designated in the Rhode Island Fair Housing Practices Act, R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 34-37
- Lead hazard mitigation or other environmental issues pertaining to real property
- Local ordinances and regulations pertaining to residential real estate
- Financing the purchase of real estate
- Ethical considerations in real estate transactions
- Coastal real estate, wetlands, flood plains, and sea-rise
- At least 3 of the 9 CORE subject hours must be in Federal, Rhode Island, and local law pertaining to Fair Housing and the treatment of any individual in a protected class as designated in the Rhode Island Fair Housing Practices Act, R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 34-37
- The remaining 15 clock hours may be completed with any department-approved real estate course
- Exemptions:
- Licensees who hold a valid RI real estate license originally issued prior to December 12, 1984, are not required to take continuing education courses for purposes of license renewal
- Effective January 1, 2022, attorneys licensed by and in good standing with the Rhode Island Supreme Court and granted a license pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-20.5-4(d) are not subject to the continuing education requirements in § 2.30 of this Part
- See additional information in Rhode Island regulations
Exam Provider Information
- Testing provider is Pearson VUE
- Candidates may make a reservation by either visiting www.pearsonvue.com or calling Pearson VUE at 800-274-8922. Candidates should make a reservation online at least 24 hours before the desired examination date. Walk-in examinations are not available. When registering on the site, ensure that the legal name on your government-issued ID is used to ensure proper reporting to the licensing agency.
- Website: https://home.pearsonvue.com/ri/realestate
- Review the Candidate Information Bulletin to ensure fully prepared for exam day