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RI Real Estate License Requirements

To obtain a real estate license in Rhode Island, you must be at least 18 years old, complete 45 hours of pre-licensing education from an approved provider, and pass both the national and state portions of the licensing exam. Additionally, you need to complete a 3-hour lead paint course and undergo a criminal background check. Finally, you must apply for licensure, affiliate with a licensed Rhode Island brokerage, and obtain Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance.

1. Age and Residency: You must be at least 18 years old and a legal resident of the United States.
2. Pre-Licensing Education: Complete 45 hours of approved pre-licensing education. This includes a 3-hour Lead Paint Hazards/Awareness course and a 3-hour New Agency Law course (which may be part of the 45 hours).
3. Criminal Background Check: Submit a criminal history record to the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation (DBR).
4. Exam: Pass both the national and state portions of the Rhode Island real estate licensing exam.
5. Application: Complete the real estate salesperson application and submit it to the RI DBR.
6. Broker Affiliation: Affiliate with a licensed Rhode Island real estate brokerage to activate your license.
7. Errors and Omissions Insurance: Obtain Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance.
8. Fees: Pay the necessary application and examination fees.
9. Other Requirements: Submit a Taxpayer Status Affidavit/Identity Verification, and potentially a Certificate of Good Standing from your home state if you have a license elsewhere.

RI Real Estate License Renewal Guidelines

License Renewal

The State of Rhode Island Commercial Licensing Division- Real Estate Division

For more information including renewal applications and regulations including online license renewal. Visit: Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation DBR

License Renewal Requirements

Rhode Island real estate licensees are required to complete the following requirements unless exempt.

24 clock hours of State approved continuing education classes
At least 9 of the 24 hours must be designated as ‘core’.
3 of the 9 ‘core’ hours must include an approved Fair Housing class.

Renewal Periods

License renewals are approved by the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulations, Commercial Licensing Division Real Estate.

Renewal deadlines are as follows:

If you were licensed PRIOR to January 1, 2020, your renewal deadline is April 30th, 2026.
If you were licensed AFTER January 1, 2020, your renewal deadline is your anniversary dates from every 2 years from the date on your license.

Need to look up your license? You can check the status of your Rhode Island real estate license through the states license look up. Click on “Detail” next to your name for your real estate license status and expiration date.

Exemptions for Continuing Education

Licenses issued before Dec. 12, 1984
Active licensees of MA and CT who obtained their RI license via reciprocity
Active licensees who are residents of FL and received their RI license via the Florida Mutual Recognition Agreement
Attorneys at law granted a license pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-20.5-4(d)

Need Help?

For questions regarding renewal applications, licensure status contact the Department of the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation.

Email: DBR.REInquiry@dbr.ri.gov
Phone: 401-462-9506 Option 3.
For trouble renewing online contact: dbr.Elicensing@dbr.ri.gov

Applying For Your License

All RI real estate professionals are licensed by the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation (DBR). An application signed by the applicant and principal broker, where you will hang your real estate license, is required. In addition to the items in steps 1 – 3, you must include the following.

Broker signature on application.
Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI) background check from the Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General
Errors & Omissions Insurance
Fees to the RI General Treasurer and Real Estate Recovery Account.

You can find the Sales Person application on the State’s website, where additional information, including fees, can be found.

What's the difference between a Salesperson, REALTOR® and Broker?

A licensed salesperson is a real estate professional who has taken and passed all required real estate classes, has met the state requirements and passed the real estate licensing exam. It is the most encompassing of the titles since it is the starting point for real estate professionals in Rhode Island.

A REALTOR® is a real estate licensee who is a member of the National Association of Realtors. To become a member, a real estate licensee has joined a local board of realtors and has agreed to abide by the association’s standards and uphold the code of ethics.

A real estate broker has met the state requirements and has passed the real estate brokers exam. Real estate brokers can work as independent real estate licensees or have other licensees working for them.

The biggest distinction between the three is that a broker can work on his or her own, while a salesperson or REALTOR® must work under a licensed broker to hold an active license with the state.