Key Takeaways
- Rhode Island salesperson applicants must be at least 18 years old
- Pre-license education requirement is 45 hours, including 3 hours of Agency Law and 3 hours of Lead Hazard Mitigation
- The salesperson exam has 130 scored questions: 80 national and 50 state-specific
- Passing score is 70% on each portion within the same test session
- All licensees must carry errors and omissions (E&O) insurance: minimum \$50,000 per claim, \$150,000 aggregate
Rhode Island License Requirements
Rhode Island has specific requirements for salesperson and broker licenses. Understanding these requirements is essential for the state exam.
Salesperson License Requirements
1. Age and Legal Requirements
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Complete a criminal background check
- Meet character and fitness requirements
2. Education Requirements
Complete 45 hours of pre-license education from a DBR-approved school:
| Course Component | Hours |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Principles and Practices | 39 hours |
| Agency Law (mandatory) | 3 hours |
| Lead Poisoning/Lead Hazard Mitigation (mandatory) | 3 hours |
| Total | 45 hours |
Important: Per R.I. Gen. Laws 5-20.5-4(b), the 45 hours required for a salesperson license cannot be counted toward the 90 hours needed for a broker license.
3. Examination
| Detail | Salesperson Exam |
|---|---|
| National Portion | 80 scored questions + 5 pretest |
| State Portion | 50 scored questions + 10 pretest |
| Time - National | 2.5 hours |
| Time - State | 1.5 hours |
| Passing Score | 70% on each portion |
| Exam Provider | Pearson VUE |
4. Background Check
All applicants must submit to a criminal history background check as part of the application process.
Broker License Requirements
To become a Rhode Island real estate broker, you must meet additional requirements:
Experience Requirement
Varies based on prior experience and education in real estate.
Education Requirements
Complete 90 hours of broker-level education:
| Requirement | Hours |
|---|---|
| Broker pre-license courses | 90 hours |
Key Point: The 45 hours completed for the salesperson license do NOT count toward the 90 broker hours, regardless of when those hours were completed.
Broker Examination
| Detail | Broker Exam |
|---|---|
| Format | Similar to salesperson with broker-level content |
| Passing Score | 70% on each portion |
Errors and Omissions Insurance Requirement
All Rhode Island real estate licensees must carry errors and omissions (E&O) insurance:
| Coverage | Minimum Amount |
|---|---|
| Per claim | $50,000 |
| Aggregate | $150,000 |
Critical Requirement: Licensees must maintain E&O insurance independently. This is a mandatory requirement for all active licensees.
Application Process
- Complete education at DBR-approved school
- Submit application through DBR
- Complete background check
- Receive examination eligibility
- Schedule exam through Pearson VUE (at least 24 hours in advance)
- Pass both exam portions (70% each, same session)
- Obtain E&O insurance
- Apply for licensure within 1 year of passing exam
- Find sponsoring broker (salespersons must affiliate with broker)
What is the minimum age requirement for a Rhode Island real estate salesperson license?
How many hours of pre-license education are required for a Rhode Island salesperson license?
What minimum E&O insurance coverage must Rhode Island licensees maintain per claim?