In order to kickstart your real estate career in Rhode Island, it’s essential to obtain a Rhode Island Real Estate License. However, despite the fact that the application process is mainly completed online nowadays, many applicants can still find it quite confusing and complicated.
For this reason, this How to Get a Real Estate License in Rhode Island article will break down the main steps involved in the licensing process, covering everything from educational requirements to exam preparation and having your fingerprints taken.
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In order to get your Rhode Island real estate license and start working in the real estate industry, there are several key steps you’ll need to complete. These include:
In the sections below, we’ve explored each of these steps in more detail.
Before continuing ahead with your application for a Rhode Island real estate license, you’ll first need to confirm you’re actually eligible for it by ensuring you meet the following prerequisites under R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-20.5-6(a):
Additionally, under the R.I. Fair Chance Licensing Act § 28-5.1-14(d) you can’t be disqualified from applying for any kind of professional license (including a real estate license) on the basis of a prior conviction — unless it substantially relates to the industry in question.
For the real estate industry, this generally refers to any crimes that involve an element of deception or dishonesty (e.g., bribery, fraud, or extortion) and any attempts to obtain money under false pretenses.
In addition to the general requirements outlined above, there are certain educational prerequisites you’ll be expected to meet in order to be able to apply for a Rhode Island real estate license.
In particular, R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-20.5-4(b) states you must complete 45 hours of state-approved, pre-licensing real estate classes. As part of this requirement, you’ll also need to complete at least three hours worth of Agency Law training.
On top of this, you’ll also need to take a three-hour Lead Poisoning/Lead Hazard Mitigation course. Both can be completed in either online classes or in person.
Once you complete this mandatory coursework, you’ll receive an Education Completion Certificate that you must present at the Pearson VUE testing site on the day of your exam in order to be able to take the test.
Even though completing the courses is mandatory, it would be a mistake to think of this step as just “checking a box”. This is because your pre-licensing education is what will prepare you to both pass your exam and become a better real estate agent.
For this reason, we always encourage our readers to invest in high-quality and reliable courses, as their study materials (like real estate practice tests and flashcards) can be invaluable during the exam prep stage.
On top of this, some of the top courses also offer money-back guarantees in the event that you do not pass your exam on your first attempt after taking their course.
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Interested in getting started? We recommend The CE Shop’s online pre licensing education packages due to their high-quality study resources, money-back-guarantee, and flexible pricing.
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The next step you’ll need to complete is to pass the Rhode Island real estate exam. This four-hour exam, which is administered by Pearson VUE, includes 130 scored questions divided into two sections: national and state-specific.
The national portion includes 80 questions that cover general real estate principles and practices while the state-specific portion has 50 questions focused on Rhode Island real estate laws and regulations.
To schedule your real estate exam, go to the Pearson VUE website and make an online reservation. If this is your first time using the platform, you’ll need to create an account after which you’ll see step-by-step instructions on how to complete the exam reservation.
When making your exam reservation, you’ll have to pay a $50 fee for each section of the exam you plan to take. For first-time applicants — or those who failed both parts of the exam on a previous attempt — this’ll mean you need to pay a total fee of $100.
In order to pass, you must obtain an overall scaled score of at least 70.
Note: After passing the state licensing exam, you’ll need to complete the rest of the application process within a year of the date you passed. If you took each section on separate dates, this countdown will start on the date you passed the latter section.
With the Rhode Island real estate exam out of the way, the next step you’ll need to complete is to request a check of your criminal history record (CHR). The purpose of this requirement is to demonstrate you satisfy the character requirement mentioned in Step 1.
You can request your CHR from the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI) in one of two ways:
If you decide to submit your request by mail, you’ll need to send all the requested documentation to the following address:
Rhode Island Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation
4 Howard Ave.
Cranston, RI, 02920
Regardless of how you choose to submit your CHR request, it’ll cost you $45. You can pay this fee by a check or money order addressed to the “BCI.”
Once this background check is complete, the Attorney General’s Office will mail a letter to the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation (DBR) that indicates whether or not you’re qualified for licensure. The DBR will then review any findings in your criminal history record to ensure your eligibility.
Note: If you reside in any other state outside of Rhode Island, you’ll also have to include the results of a background check in your home state.
After passing the Rhode Island real estate exam and satisfying all other licensing requirements, the next step you’ll need to complete before you can submit your license application is to obtain E&O insurance.
In accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-20.5-25, the E&O policy that you obtain must satisfy the following minimum requirements in order to be accepted by the DBR:
Note: After choosing a provider and purchasing a qualifying insurance policy, you’ll need to look after the Certificate of Coverage you receive because you’ll need to submit it with both your initial licensing application and license renewal each year.
The final step you’ll need to take before you can submit an application for your real estate license is to find a sponsoring broker. This is a licensed real estate professional with a broker license who supervises and mentors you, ensuring you comply with essential legal and ethical standards.
While it’s a legal requirement for new real estate licensees to work under a sponsoring broker in Rhode Island, it’s important you don’t treat this as just a rule you need to follow. This is because these real estate brokers provide essential training, support, and access to valuable networks that will help you to learn the industry, avoid pitfalls, and grow your business effectively.
Once you’ve found and appointed a principal broker that you’re happy with, you’ll need to ask them to sign and date a Real Estate Principal Broker Affidavit before you can finally submit your application.
After passing the state real estate exam and satisfying all other licensing requirements, you’ll be ready to move onto submitting your real estate salesperson license application. You can do this in one of two ways:
Department of Business Regulation
Division of Commercial Licensing
Real Estate Section
1511 Pontiac Ave., Bldg. 69-1
Cranston, RI 02920
Regardless of how you submit your license application, you must include the following documentation alongside it:
Note: License applications cost $165 to submit and will remain valid for 24 months, if approved. This total fee includes $140 that goes to the Rhode Island General Treasurer and $25 that goes to the Real Estate Recovery Account.
If you’ve managed to get this far, congratulations! With your application submitted and all the other licensing requirements satisfied, in most cases, the DBR should finish processing it within seven to 10 business days.
Be sure to take some time to celebrate your accomplishment. You’ve put in a lot of work and effort and deserve a celebration!
Note: If you’re unsure what’s happening with your license and it’s been longer than expected, you can reach out directly to the DBR by phone or email.
In order to keep your license valid and continue working as a real estate sales agent, you’ll need to renew your license and pay a $130 renewal fee every two years as per R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-20.5-6.
Just like your initial license application, you can submit this either electronically through the DBR’s eLicensing website or by mail using a paper Real Estate Renewal Application.
Importantly, in addition to submitting your renewal application, you’ll also need to complete a minimum of 24 hours of continuing education credits throughout each licensing period in order to maintain an active license. This total time must include at least three hours of Fair Housing courses as well as six hours of any of the DBR’s mandatory core topics.
We always encourage our readers to think of the post-licensing courses they take as an investment in their future career because high-quality, reliable course content is a central part of ensuring you continue to grow professionally.
Recommended: Interested in getting started? We recommend The CE Shop’s online post licensing education packages due to their high-quality study resources, money-back-guarantee, and flexible pricing.
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Mailing Address:
Real Estate Commission
1511 Pontiac Avenue
Cranston RI 02920
Phone: (401) 462-9645
Fax: (401) 462-9645
