Real Estate Agent License Requirements in Rhode Island
- Training hours
- 45 hrs
- Upfront cost
- $243
- Exam
- RI Real Estate Salesperson Examination – National portion, RI Real Estate Salesperson Examination – State portion
- Renewal cycle
- Every 2 years
- Issuing board
- Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation, Division of Commercial Licensing, Real Estate Section
How to get licensed
- 1
Meet the prerequisites
Be at least 18 years old, pass a criminal background check. Per R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-20.5-3, an applicant must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident and at least 18 years old for a salesperson license. Applicants must submit a Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI) background check from the RI Attorney General's office. A sponsoring/employing broker is required: the salesperson application includes a Broker Affidavit in which the principal broker certifies the applicant is competent, trustworthy, and recommended for licensure. [4]
- 2
Complete approved training
Complete 45 hours of training at a state-approved program. 45 hours of DBR-approved Pre-Licensing education for salespersons. In addition to the 45-hour course, applicants must separately submit a Certificate of Completion for a 3-hour Lead Poisoning/Lead Hazard Mitigation course before licensure. [1]
- 3
RI Real Estate Salesperson Examination – National portion
Pass the RI Real Estate Salesperson Examination – National portion (fee: $53). Candidates must schedule and pass the exam through Pearson VUE before applying to DBR. Content outline effective April 1, 2025. [2]
- 4
RI Real Estate Salesperson Examination – State portion
Pass the RI Real Estate Salesperson Examination – State portion (fee: $50). Florida residents applying under the Mutual Recognition Agreement only need to sit for this State portion (the National portion is waived). [2]
- 5
Submit your application
Submit your application to Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation, Division of Commercial Licensing, Real Estate Section with the $140 application fee. Typical processing time: About 7-10 business days once a complete application is received. [1]
- 6
Receive your license
Once your application is approved, Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation, Division of Commercial Licensing, Real Estate Section issues your Real Estate Salesperson License for Rhode Island.
Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee [1] | $140 |
| License fee [1] | None specified |
| Renewal fee [1] | $130 |
| RI Real Estate Salesperson Examination – National portion [2] | $53 |
| RI Real Estate Salesperson Examination – State portion [2] | $50 |
| Real Estate Recovery Account fee (separate check, required with initial application) [1] | $25 |
The current Real Estate Salesperson Application (rev. 2024) requires two separate checks totaling $165 for a first-time license: $140 payable to 'RI General Treasurer' and $25 payable to the 'Real Estate Recovery Account'; there is no additional separate license-issuance fee beyond this. Note that the underlying statute, R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-20.5-3(b), still states only a $10.00 application fee 'to cover costs of processing' — that statutory figure appears superseded in practice by the Department's current fee schedule/application form, which is what applicants are actually instructed to remit, so $140 is recorded as the application fee while documenting this discrepancy. Renewal fee is $130 for salespersons (Broker/Corporate is $170); a $100 late fee applies in addition if reinstating after expiration.
Renewal & continuing education
Renew every 2 years. 24 continuing education hours required per cycle.
Licenses expire every 2 calendar years on the anniversary date of issuance (not a fixed statewide date). Non-exempt licensees must complete 24 hours of Department-approved continuing education within the 2-year licensing period, including 9 hours of CORE instruction (which itself includes 3 hours of Fair Housing instruction). Licensees issued before Dec. 12, 1984, attorneys-at-law licensed via their Bar status, and licensees who obtained their RI license via the MA/CT reciprocity or FL Mutual Recognition Agreement are exempt from RI's CE requirement.
Reciprocity
Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.
Rhode Island's Reciprocal Real Estate Salesperson application is available specifically to non-residents who live in Connecticut or Massachusetts and hold an active salesperson license in either state; they must still submit a RI BCI background check plus a home-state criminal history record, a Letter of Good Standing, and Errors & Omissions insurance proof, and pay the same $140 + $25 fees. Separately, Florida residents may apply via a Mutual Recognition Agreement (R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-20.5-4(d)) but must first pass the RI State portion of the exam. Outside of CT, MA, and FL, there is no blanket reciprocity/endorsement path described on the Department's own reciprocal-application materials.
Cost calculator
- $140
- $53
- $50
Frequently asked questions
How many hours of pre-licensing education does Rhode Island require?
45 hours of DBR-approved Pre-Licensing salesperson education, plus a separate 3-hour Lead Poisoning/Lead Hazard Mitigation course certificate.
Who administers the Rhode Island real estate exam, and what does it cost?
Pearson VUE. The National portion costs $53 and the State portion costs $50, per Pearson VUE's official RI Real Estate Candidate Handbook.
Does Rhode Island require a sponsoring broker?
Yes. The salesperson application includes a Broker Affidavit in which the applicant's principal broker certifies the applicant is competent and trustworthy and recommends licensure.
Is a background check required?
Yes, a Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI) check from the RI Attorney General's office; non-resident applicants must also submit a criminal history record from their home state.
Does Rhode Island have reciprocity with other states?
Yes, but narrowly: a Reciprocal Salesperson license is available to active Connecticut and Massachusetts licensees, and a separate Mutual Recognition Agreement covers Florida residents (who must still pass RI's State exam portion).
Sources
- [1] dbr.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur696/files/2024-02/RE-Sales_App.pdf — accessed 2026-07-12
- [2] home.pearsonvue.com/getattachment/a52eae69-f165-4240-9e0f-9d02522cfeab/State%20of%20Rhode%20Island%20Real%20Estate%20Candidate%20Handbook.aspx — accessed 2026-07-12
- [3] dbr.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur696/files/2026-04/RERenewalApplication.pdf — accessed 2026-07-12
- [4] webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE5/5-20.5/5-20.5-3.HTM — accessed 2026-07-12
- [5] dbr.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur696/files/2024-01/Real%20Estate%20Reciprocal%20Salespersons_0.pdf — accessed 2026-07-12