Article Summary: This article will help anyone looking for information pertaining to a real estate license in the state of Rhode Island or anyone looking to become a real estate agent or realtor in Rhode Island. Contents of this article may include information on real estate education, schools, training courses, continuing education, tests and exams, laws, license requirements, renewal information, forms and more..

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The Division of Commercial Licensing and Regulation of the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation handles all aspects of the licensing and regulation of real estate agents within the state.

The requirements for a real estate salesperson license in Rhode Island include being at least 18 years of age, and having successfully completed at least 45-hours of approved real estate education in an approved real estate school. All applicants must also pass the real estate salesperson examination. Non-residents who apply need to file an irrevocable power of attorney form for service of process. There is a $100.00 application fee when applying for the license, which includes a $25 Real Estate Recovery fee.

A Rhode Island real estate agent must provide a statement attesting to the salesperson applicant being competent, trustworthy and a suitable person to be licensed. The salesperson applicant also needs to provide references from three property owners who have known the applicant for at least three years, who need to certify to the applicant's good reputation for honesty and trustworthiness.

The requirements for a real estate broker license in Rhode Island include being at least the legal age of majority within the state and a legal resident of the United States. Broker license applicants need to provide evidence of having at least one-year full time experience as a real estate salesperson immediately prior to applying, or having successfully completed 90 hours of approved classroom real estate courses. Applicants who have a bachelor's degree with a major in real estate from an accredited college or university may have the education requirement waived. All non-residents need to file an irrevocable power of attorney for service of process. And, all applicants must pass the real estate broker examination. There is a $10.00 application fee for the broker license.

The approved continuing education real estate schools are located throughout the state and the area.

In order to renew their license, the continuing education requirement for all agents is 18 hours of successful completion of specific, approved real estate courses. Licensed attorneys are exempt from continuing education requirements.

The renewal fee for a broker license is $170.00 for two years, and for a salesperson license is $130.00 for two years. This renewal fee must be paid by the expiration date of April 30th of even numbered years. Effective July 30, 2004, the fee for late renewal of either a salesperson or broker license is $100.00 in addition to the license fee.

Rhode Island has reciprocity agreements for either a salesperson or broker license with Connecticut and Massachusetts. The applicants need to be a resident of one of these states, licensed by examination, and in good standing. Their fees are the same as Rhode Island resident agents, plus they need to pay $25.00 to the Real Estate Recovery Account. Non-resident licensees must carry and maintain errors and omissions insurance. Non-resident reciprocal license applicants need to meet the continuing education requirements in their home states, rather than those of Rhode Island.

Real estate careers are strengthened by membership in the many organizations that provide services for the professional agent. Organizations like the Rhode Island Association of Realtors and the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) assist many in locating real estate jobs within the industry. The Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO) and The National Association of Realtors (NAR), the world's largest professional association, are excellent resources for real estate education and professional enrichment.

Rhode Island Real Estate Forms	Rhode Island Reciprocity States
Most real estate forms can be obtained online. Ones listed below pertain to new salespersons and brokers. Real Estate Salesperson Application Real Estate Broker Application Criminal History Record Candidate Handbook	Connecticut Massachusetts (as of 2/23/2010)
Rhode Island Approved Real Estate Schools Prelicensing and Postlicensing Education
Community Colleges N/A	Private Schools Access America Real Estate (Coventry) Bellevue Real Estate School (Newport) Century 21 FastTrack Real Estate School (Pawtucket) East Bay Real Estate Academy, Ltd. (Providence) Gold Star Real Estate School, Inc. (Middletown) North American Institute for Appraisal & Real Estate Studies (Pawtucket) Rhode Island Association of Realtors (Warwick)
Last Update:  3/1/2010 This list may not include all approved schools. Please visit the Department of Business Regulation website for the latest list of approved real estate schools.