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How to get a real estate license in Rhode Island. 45 pre-licensing hours required. Government fees: $335. 2-year renewal cycle. Verified 2026-03-22. Data verified 2026-03-22. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Real Estate Agent
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33% of data points are verified against official sources. 8 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Pre-License Hours
$335
Total Gov Fees
130
Exam Questions
4 hrs
Exam Time
Renewal Cycle
Reciprocity
Take approved 45-hour sales course (includes 3-hr Agency Law) plus separate 3-hr Lead Hazard course.
Estimated time: 2–6 weeks
Register and pay $100 exam fee (both sections). Pass both National (70%) and State (70%) sections. Bring Education Completion Certificate.
Estimated time: 1–2 weeks
Obtain background check from RI BCI&I ($45).
Estimated time: 1–3 weeks
Secure a sponsoring broker. Submit application with $140 fee + $25 Recovery Fund. Allow 7-10 business days for processing.
Estimated time: 2–4 weeks
| Minimum Age | 18 years old |
| Education | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Residency | Required RI residency required for salesperson license. |
| Citizenship | US citizen or legal resident |
| Background Check | Required Criminal History Report from RI Attorney General. Fee: ~$45. NOT fingerprint-based. |
| E&O Insurance | Required $50,000 per claim / $150,000 aggregate minimum. Must obtain before licensing. |
| Sponsoring Broker | Required Must affiliate with a RI-licensed principal broker (principal broker affidavit required). |
Education Requirements
Mostly verifiedTotal Hours Required
Provider Type
DBR-approved education providers
Required Courses
Pre-licensing must be in LIVE/CLASSROOM format — NO online pre-licensing allowed (highly unusual). Course completion certificate valid for 2 years. The 3-hour Lead Hazard course is a separate mandatory requirement. Rhode Island has strict lead paint disclosure requirements.
Exam Details
VerifiedExam Provider
Total Questions
130
Total Time
240 min
Format
Computer-based, multiple-choice. In-person at Pearson VUE test centers. Online proctoring (OnVUE) available once per section.
Exam Sections
| Section | Questions | Time | Passing |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | 80 | 150 min | 70% |
| State (Rhode Island) | 50 | 90 min | 70% |
Retake Policy
One year from initial attempt to pass both sections. Only failed section must be retaken. No limit on retake attempts. $50 per section per retake. Online proctoring available only once per section — all retakes must be at physical test centers.
130 scored questions plus up to 5 pretest per section. Uses SCALED SCORING (not simple percentage) — passing threshold is scaled score of 70. Must bring Education Completion Certificate on test day. Primary test center in East Providence; additional centers in MA.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Exam Fee (per section) Paid to: Pearson VUE | |
License Application Fee Paid to: RI General Treasurer | |
Real Estate Recovery Fund Paid to: Real Estate Recovery Account | |
Background Check Paid to: RI BCI&I | |
Fingerprinting Paid to: State/vendor | |
Total Estimated Government Fees | $335 |
Ready to get started in Rhode Island?
Pre-license courses start at a fraction of the total licensing cost. Study online, at your own pace.
Compare top-rated schools: See our picks for the best real estate schools in Rhode Island with pricing, reviews, and pass rates.
Renewal Details
Mostly verifiedRenewal Cycle
CE Hours
Renewal Fee
Deadline & Late Policy
Pre-2020 licenses: April 30 of even years. Post-2020 licenses: anniversary date every 2 years.
Regulatory Board
Interstate Reciprocity
VerifiedHas Reciprocity
Yes
Type: Conditional Reciprocity
Reciprocal States
| State | Conditions |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts (MA) | Active MA license in good standing. RI state exam and application requirements still apply. |
| Connecticut (CT) | Active CT license in good standing. RI state exam and application requirements still apply. |
Reciprocal applicants from MA and CT may have streamlined requirements but must still pass the RI state exam portion and meet application requirements.
3–12 weeks from start to active license.
Minimum with intensive study. Typical: 6–10 weeks.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Rhode Island.
How this state compares to 48 others for this profession
Timeline
#3 of 49
Salary
#18 of 49
Cost
#22 of 49
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Real Estate Sales Agents (SOC 41-9022)
Entry Level
$47,340
25th percentile
Median
$55,460
-2% vs. national avg ($56,320)Experienced
$64,890
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
850 employed in this state
Note: Real estate agent compensation is heavily commission-based. BLS OEWS data reflects base wages reported by employers and may undercount total earnings.
Source: BLS OEWS – Real Estate Sales Agents (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+1.8%
Below AverageNew Jobs
+6,500
over 10 years
Annual Openings
42,900
per year (avg.)
359,300 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Real Estate Career Ladder+45% salary growth potential
You are here
Real Estate Agent
$55,460
Pre-licensing education (40-180 hours) + state exam
2-3 years experience + additional education + broker exam
You are here
Real Estate Agent
Pre-licensing education (40-180 hours) + state exam
$55,460
2-3 years experience + additional education + broker exam
AQB courses + supervised experience (varies by tier)
$80,460
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Source: RI DBR — Real Estate
Estimated total: 3–12 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: RI DBR — Real Estate
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All data on this page was verified against the following official sources. Last verified: 2026-03-22.
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