How hard is the Rhode Island real estate exam?

The Rhode Island real estate exam has approximately a 60-65% first-time pass rate. The exam uses a scaled score of 70 (not a raw percentage), which accounts for variations in exam difficulty. Key challenges include Rhode Island-specific topics like the state Fair Housing Practice Act (which has additional protected classes), landlord-tenant law, and lead paint requirements. The in-person education requirement often helps prepare candidates well.

Can I take Rhode Island pre-license courses online?

No. Rhode Island requires all 45 hours of pre-license education to be completed through in-person classroom instruction at a state-approved school. Online or distance education is not accepted for pre-license courses. However, you can take the licensing exam online through Pearson VUE OnVUE (limited to one online attempt).

What is a scaled score and how is it different from a percentage?

A scaled score of 70 is the passing threshold but does not mean you need exactly 70% correct answers. Scaled scoring adjusts for the difficulty of each exam version, ensuring fairness across different test dates. Some exams may require slightly more or fewer correct answers to achieve a scaled 70, depending on question difficulty. Focus on comprehensive preparation rather than targeting a specific percentage.

How much does it cost to get a Rhode Island real estate license?

The total cost is approximately $500-$700, including: pre-license education ($250-$400 for 45 hours in-person), lead hazard course ($50-$100), exam fees ($140 for both sections at $70 each), license application fee, and background check. The in-person education requirement may be slightly more expensive than states allowing online courses.

Does Rhode Island have reciprocity with other states?

Yes. Rhode Island has reciprocity agreements with Connecticut and Massachusetts for both salesperson and broker licenses. If you hold an active license in good standing from either state, you may be eligible for expedited licensing in Rhode Island without taking the full exam. Contact the DBR for specific reciprocity requirements.

What are Rhode Island continuing education requirements?

Rhode Island requires 24 hours of continuing education every 2 years for license renewal. This includes 6 hours of core courses (topics set by DBR) and 18 hours of elective courses from approved providers. All licenses must be renewed by April 30 of even-numbered years. Starting in 2026, short-term rental operators may also need human trafficking awareness training.

FREE Rhode Island Real Estate Exam Guide 2026 | DBR License & Practice Test

Rhode Island Real Estate License Overview

Rhode Island, the Ocean State, offers a unique real estate market featuring historic properties, coastal waterfront homes, and proximity to both Boston and New York City. The Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation (DBR) Real Estate Commission oversees all real estate licensing in the state.

Despite being the smallest state, Rhode Island boasts a diverse real estate market from the historic mansions of Newport to Providence's urban renaissance and the beautiful beaches of South County. The compact geography allows agents to easily service the entire state, maximizing your potential client base.

Rhode Island Real Estate Exam Quick Facts

Feature	Details
Exam Administrator	Pearson VUE for RI DBR
Total Questions	130 scored (80 national + 50 state)
Pretest Questions	5 unscored per section
Time Limit	240 minutes (150 national + 90 state)
Passing Score	70 scaled score on each portion
Exam Fee	$70 per section ($140 total for both)
Results	Immediate score report
Testing Options	In-person or one online attempt

Requirements Before Taking the Exam

Education Requirements

Requirement	Details
Age	18 years or older
Pre-License Education	45 hours of classroom instruction
Agency Law Course	3 additional hours (included in 45)
Lead Hazard Course	3 hours (separate requirement)
Delivery Method	In-person classroom only (no online)
Exam Validity	1 year after passing to apply for license

Pre-License Course Content (45 Hours)

Rhode Island requires in-person classroom instruction - online courses are not accepted:

Component	Hours	Topics
Real Estate Fundamentals	42 hours	Principles, practices, contracts, finance
New Agency Law	3 hours	Rhode Island agency relationships
Total Pre-License	45 hours	RIDRE-approved schools only

Additionally Required:

3-hour Lead Poisoning/Lead Hazard Mitigation course (separate from pre-license)

Application Process

Complete 45 hours of in-person pre-license education at RIDRE-approved school
Complete 3-hour lead hazard awareness course
Register for exam through Pearson VUE website
Pay exam fees ($70 per section)
Pass both exam portions
Apply for license through DBR within 1 year of passing
Associate with a licensed broker

Rhode Island Exam Format

The Rhode Island real estate exam is administered by Pearson VUE and consists of two separately-scored portions.

Content Breakdown

Section	Scored Questions	Pretest	Time	Passing Score
National/General (ReRI-Sales-GE)	80	5	150 minutes	70 scaled
State Law (ReRI-Sales-ST)	50	5	90 minutes	70 scaled
Total	130	10	240 minutes	70 scaled each

Note: Rhode Island uses a scaled score (not raw percentage). A scaled score of 70 accounts for exam difficulty variations and does not directly equal 70% correct.

National Portion Topics

Topic	Approximate Questions	Key Areas
Real Property Characteristics	10-12	Legal descriptions, property types, land use
Forms of Ownership & Title	8-10	Ownership types, title transfer, recording
Property Value & Appraisal	10-12	Valuation approaches, CMA, market analysis
Real Estate Contracts & Agency	14-16	Contract elements, agency relationships
Real Estate Practice	10-12	Brokerage operations, listing procedures
Property Disclosures	8-10	Environmental issues, required disclosures
Financing & Settlement	8-10	Mortgages, closing procedures, RESPA/TILA
Real Estate Math	6-8	Commission, prorations, area calculations

Rhode Island State Portion Topics

Topic	Questions	Key Areas
Duties Under Licensing Law	10-12	DBR powers, commission authority
Licensing Requirements	8-10	Activities requiring license, eligibility, status
Statutory Requirements	15-18	Advertising, broker relationships, disclosures
Handling of Monies	5-7	Trust accounts, escrow, deposits
Additional Topics	8-10	Fair housing, landlord-tenant, fire safety

Rhode Island-Specific Topics

Rhode Island Agency Relationships

Rhode Island has specific agency disclosure requirements:

Agency Type	Description	Required Disclosures
Seller's Agent	Represents seller exclusively	Written disclosure before showing property
Buyer's Agent	Represents buyer exclusively	Written buyer representation agreement
Dual Agent	Represents both parties	Written consent from both required
Designated Agent	Broker assigns separate agents	Each party has own representative

Rhode Island Fair Housing Practice Act (RIGL 34-37-1)

Rhode Island's fair housing law provides broader protections than federal law:

Protected Class	Federal	Rhode Island
Race	Yes	Yes
Color	Yes	Yes
Religion	Yes	Yes
National Origin	Yes	Yes
Sex	Yes	Yes
Familial Status	Yes	Yes
Disability	Yes	Yes
Age	No	Yes
Sexual Orientation	No	Yes
Gender Identity	No	Yes
Marital Status	No	Yes
Source of Income	No	Yes

Rhode Island Landlord-Tenant Law (RIGL 34-18-1)

Key provisions tested on the exam:

Topic	Requirement
Security Deposits	Maximum 1 month's rent
Deposit Return	Within 20 days of lease end
Interest on Deposits	Required after 6 months
Notice to Quit	Varies by reason (15-30 days)
Lead Disclosure	Required for pre-1978 properties
Habitability	Landlord must maintain safe conditions

Trust Account Requirements

Rhode Island has specific rules for handling client funds:

Earnest money must be deposited promptly (within agreed timeframe or per contract)
Separate trust/escrow accounts required
Broker responsible for all trust account activity
Commingling of funds is prohibited
Records must be maintained and available for DBR inspection
Interest-bearing accounts require written client consent

Lead Paint Hazards

Rhode Island takes lead paint seriously due to older housing stock:

Requirement	Details
Pre-License Course	3-hour lead hazard mitigation course required
Disclosure	Required for all pre-1978 residential properties
Lead Certificates	Must be provided in rental transactions
Compliance	Property must meet lead-safe standards

Coastal Properties and CRMC

Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) regulations:

Topic	Key Points
Setbacks	Building restrictions near shoreline
Permits	CRMC approval for coastal construction
Flood Zones	Many coastal areas in FEMA flood zones
Erosion	Disclosure of erosion risks required
Sea Level Rise	Increasing focus on climate impacts

State Reciprocity

Rhode Island has reciprocity agreements with:

State	Type of Reciprocity
Connecticut	Salesperson and broker
Massachusetts	Salesperson and broker

Licensees from these states may be eligible for expedited licensing without full exam.

Rhode Island Exam Pass Rate

The Rhode Island real estate exam pass rate varies, with most first-time candidates passing at a rate of approximately 60-65%.

Factor	Impact
Scaled scoring	70 scaled score (not raw percentage)
In-person education	Classroom instruction may improve preparation
State-specific content	Unique RI topics like CRMC, state fair housing
Two separate sections	Must pass both portions

Study Strategy

Recommended Study Time

Approach	Hours	Timeline
Intensive	40-50	2-3 weeks
Standard	50-70	3-4 weeks
Part-time	70-90	5-6 weeks

After completing the 45-hour in-person pre-license course.

Study Priority by Weight

National Portion (80 questions)
- Contracts and agency relationships (highest weight)
- Property valuation and appraisal
- Financing and settlement procedures
- Real estate math calculations
State Portion (50 questions)
- Rhode Island licensing requirements
- State fair housing (additional protected classes)
- Landlord-tenant law
- Trust account handling
- Lead paint requirements
- Coastal regulations

Key Math Formulas

Commission Calculations:

$\text{Commission} = \text{Sales Price} \times \text{Rate}$

$\text{Agent Share} = \text{Commission} \times \text{Split \%}$

Prorations (Rhode Island typically uses 365-day year):

$\text{Daily Rate} = \frac{\text{Annual Amount}}{365}$

$\text{Proration} = \text{Daily Rate} \times \text{Days}$

Property Tax:

$\text{Tax} = \text{Assessed Value} \times \text{Tax Rate}$

Loan-to-Value:

$\text{LTV} = \frac{\text{Loan Amount}}{\text{Property Value}}$

Security Deposit Interest (RI-specific):

$\text{Interest Due} = \text{Deposit} \times \text{Rate} \times \frac{\text{Months}}{12}$

Required on deposits held more than 6 months

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Ignoring Rhode Island Fair Housing Additions

Rhode Island protects additional classes not covered by federal law:

Age
Sexual orientation
Gender identity
Marital status
Source of income

Know which classes are state-specific versus federal.

2. Underestimating Landlord-Tenant Questions

Rhode Island has detailed landlord-tenant regulations:

Security deposit limits and return timing
Interest requirements on deposits
Notice periods for various situations
Habitability standards

3. Misunderstanding Scaled Scores

The passing score of 70 is a scaled score, not a raw percentage:

Scaled scores account for exam difficulty
You may need more or fewer than 70% correct
Focus on comprehensive preparation, not a specific percentage

4. Neglecting Lead Paint Requirements

Given Rhode Island's older housing stock:

Complete the required 3-hour lead course
Understand disclosure requirements
Know when lead certificates are required

Exam Day Tips

Before the Exam

Schedule through Pearson VUE website or call (800) 274-8922
Get adequate rest the night before
Eat a balanced meal before testing
Arrive 30 minutes early at testing center
Bring two forms of valid ID (primary with photo and signature)

Online Testing Option

Rhode Island allows one online attempt through Pearson VUE OnVUE:

Requirement	Details
Computer	Windows or Mac with webcam and microphone
Internet	Stable broadband connection
Environment	Private, well-lit room, clear desk
Identification	Same ID requirements as in-person
Limit	One-time online attempt only

During the Exam

Read each question completely before answering
Watch for qualifier words: "EXCEPT," "NOT," "ALWAYS," "NEVER"
Show all math work on provided scratch paper or whiteboard
Don't fixate on the scaled score concept during the exam
Use all available time to review answers

After Passing the Exam

Immediate Steps

Receive score report immediately at testing center
Apply for license through DBR within 1 year of passing
DBR recommends online application for fastest processing
Find employing broker - required to activate license
Pay license fees to DBR

Continuing Education Requirements

Rhode Island requires CE for license renewal:

Requirement	Hours	Details
Total CE	24 hours	Every 2-year renewal period
Core Courses	6 hours	Required topics set by DBR
Elective Courses	18 hours	DBR-approved courses
Renewal Deadline	April 30	Even-numbered years

2026 Update: Human Trafficking Training

Effective January 1, 2026, under R.I. Gen. Laws Section 5-14.1-1 (Human Trafficking Prevention Notice and Training Act):

Hotel employees must receive annual human trafficking awareness training
Short-term rental property operators must also complete this training
This may affect licensees managing vacation rentals

Broker License Requirements

To upgrade to a broker license in Rhode Island:

Requirement	Details
Experience	Licensed salesperson for minimum 2 years
Education	90 hours of broker-specific courses
Exam	Pass the broker exam

Rhode Island Real Estate Career Outlook

Salary Expectations

Experience	Annual Income
First year	$30,000-$50,000
2-5 years	$50,000-$80,000
5+ years	$80,000-$120,000+
Top producers	$150,000+

Hot Rhode Island Markets (2026)

Newport - Historic mansions, luxury waterfront, tourism
Providence - Urban renaissance, colleges, mixed-use
East Greenwich - Affluent suburb, top schools
Narragansett/South Kingstown - Beach communities, URI area
Barrington/East Bay - Family-friendly, water access
Warwick - Largest city by area, diverse inventory
Block Island - Vacation properties, unique market

Market Advantages

Rhode Island offers unique opportunities:

Feature	Benefit
Compact Size	Can service entire state easily
Coastal Premium	Waterfront properties command premiums
Historic Properties	Unique inventory (Newport mansions, colonial homes)
Boston/NYC Proximity	1 hour to Boston, 3 hours to NYC
College Towns	Brown, URI, RISD create rental demand
Tourism	Newport, beaches drive vacation rental market

Resources

Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation (DBR) - Official licensing information
Pearson VUE Rhode Island - Exam scheduling and candidate handbook
Rhode Island Association of Realtors - Industry resources and education
Rhode Island Housing - First-time buyer programs
OpenExamPrep - Free study materials and practice questions

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