How to get a Real Estate Salesperson license in Rhode Island
Rhode Island licenses real estate agents statewide through the Department of Business Regulation (DBR).1 For the Real Estate Salesperson license you need at least 45 clock hours1 of education and a passing score on the Rhode Island Salesperson examination1. You renew every 2 years1 and complete at least 24 hours of continuing education1.
Who issues it
Department of Business Regulation (DBR)
Training and experience
Training: at least 45 clock hours1
Exam
Rhode Island Salesperson examination1
On this page
Rhode Island real estate agent licenses
Rhode Island issues 2 real estate agent credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.
| License | What it covers | Training or experience | Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real Estate Salesperson | Real estate activity only while affiliated with a licensed principal broker; may not run, supervise or manage a brokerage1 | Training 45 clock hours1 | Yes1 |
| Real Estate Broker | Brokers may act as principal broker, supervising every transaction of affiliated licensees and keeping the escrow account; property managers for others must hold a broker license1 | Training 90 clock hours1 | Yes1 |
Applies to every license level
These rules are the same for every Rhode Island real estate agent license on this page, so they are shown once here. Each license's own section lists only what differs.
Requirements
- Background check
- Licensees must report any felony or misdemeanor conviction (or guilty/nolo plea) or other licensing discipline to DBR within 60 days1
- Insurance
- Errors and omissions insurance: individual licensee at least $50,000 per claim and $150,000 aggregate1
- Insurance
- Coverage lapse: stop real estate activity immediately and notify DBR within five business days1
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fee of twenty-five dollars | $251 | DBR | Every original license |
The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee.
Renewal
- How often
- Every 2 years1
- When it expires
- Every two years: licenses issued after January 1, 2020 renew on the issue-date anniversary; licenses issued before then renew on May 1 of even-numbered years1
- Continuing education
- At least 24 hours each renewal period1
- Required topics
- At least 9 of the 24 hours in CORE subjects (RI agency, licensing and landlord-tenant law, contracts, fair housing, lead/environmental, local ordinances, financing, ethics, coastal/wetlands/flood)1
At least 3 of the 9 CORE hours in federal, RI and local fair housing law1
Remaining 15 hours: any Department-approved real estate course1 - Approved courses
- Only Department-approved courses; online CE may be live or on-demand (no fast-forwarding)1
Who needs a Real Estate Salesperson license
Real estate activity only while affiliated with a licensed principal broker; may not run, supervise or manage a brokerage1
Work that does not need this license:
- Bona fide owners, lessors or lessees managing their own property, and their regular employees (property management rule)1
Requirements for a Real Estate Salesperson license
The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.
- Education or training
- At least 45 clock hours1
Pre-licensing classroom hours completed within two years before applying (also required of former licensees expired more than one year)1
Who may teach it: Classroom courses (in person or live-virtual) at a Department-authorized real estate school; on-demand and pre-recorded pre-licensing is prohibited. A clock hour is at least 50 minutes.1 - Exam
- Rhode Island Salesperson examination1
Retakes: Failed sections may be retaken within one year; after one year the whole exam must be retaken. Oral exams or extra time can be requested.1
Time limit: One year to pass any failed section1 - Also required
- Must affiliate with a licensed principal broker1
How to apply
- Complete 45 classroom hours at an approved school (within two years of applying).1
- Pass the salesperson exam (retake failed sections within one year).1
- Affiliate with a licensed principal broker and arrange errors and omissions insurance.1
- Pay the statutory license fees plus the $25 Real Estate Recovery Fund fee (check or money order to the RI General Treasurer) before the license is issued.1
Renewal and continuing education
Renewal planner
Enter the expiration date printed on your Rhode Island Real Estate Salesperson license. The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.
Real Estate Broker
Brokers may act as principal broker, supervising every transaction of affiliated licensees and keeping the escrow account; property managers for others must hold a broker license1
Requirements
- Education or training
- At least 90 clock hours1
Broker pre-licensing classroom hours, completed within four years before applying; salesperson hours cannot count; statutory exemptions apply1
Who may teach it: Classroom courses (in person or live-virtual) at a Department-authorized real estate school; on-demand and pre-recorded pre-licensing is prohibited. A clock hour is at least 50 minutes.1 - Exam
- Rhode Island Broker examination1
Retakes: Failed sections may be retaken within one year; after one year the whole exam must be retaken. Oral exams or extra time can be requested.1
Time limit: One year to pass any failed section1 - Insurance
- Principal broker blanket policy alternative: $50,000/$150,000 times number of licensees, or $300,000 per claim / $1,000,000 aggregate1
- Business requirements
- Principal broker must keep an escrow account and supervise all affiliated licensees, offices and teams1
How to apply
- Complete 90 broker classroom hours (within four years; not the salesperson hours).1
- Pass the broker exam (retake failed sections within one year).1
- Pay the statutory fees plus the $25 Real Estate Recovery Fund fee before issue.1
The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.
Laws and rules
The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.
Common questions
How long does it take to get a Real Estate Salesperson license in Rhode Island?
The rules set at least 45 clock hours1 before you can be licensed. The board does not publish how long it takes to process an application.
Real estate agent licenses in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.
- 230-RICR-30-20-2 Real Estate Brokers and SalespersonsRhode Island Department of State (Department of Business Regulation real estate rules)Dated February 21, 2022Checked November 6, 2026