Rhode Island Real Estate Crash Course and Exam Prep

The Rhode Island real estate exam is administered by Pearson VUE. Candidates may schedule a reservation to take the exam by visiting the following site: www.pearsonvue.com/ri/realestate, or by calling Pearson VUE at 800-274-8922.

Exams should be scheduled at least 24 hours ahead of the desired test date. 

Current Processing Timeframes: Licenses are typically processed in at least 3 weeks.

Salesperson Exam

• Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and:
• Must successfully complete the real estate exam before applying for a salesperson license 
• Must submit proof of having successfully completed 45 hours of Pre-License Education
• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent 
• Must undergo a criminal background check that is then submitted to the Real Estate Section, Department of Business Regulation
• Must submit a Tax Payer Status Affidavit/Identity Verification
• Must sign and complete an application form 
• Must provide a Certificate of Errors and Omissions insurance
• Must pay the exam fee ($70) and the license fee ($140 + $25 Recovery Fund fee)

Broker Exam

• Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and:
• Must successfully complete the real estate exam before applying for a broker license 
• Must provide proof of having successfully completed 90 hours of Pre-License Education 
• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent 
• Must sign and complete an application form
• Must undergo a criminal background check that is then submitted to the Real Estate Section, Department of Business Regulation
• Must submit a Tax Payer Status Affidavit/Identity Verification 
• You must submit a Certificate of Errors and Omissions insurance 
• Must pay exam fee ($70) and the license fee ($140 + $25 Recovery Fund fee)

Salesperson Examination: The salesperson examination consists of a national portion and a state-specific portion. There are 80 questions on the national portion, and candidates are given 2.5 hours to complete it. The state portion includes 40 questions, and candidates are given 1.5 hours to complete it.

Broker Examination: The broker examination consists of a national portion and a state-specific portion. There are 80 questions on the national portion and candidates have 2.5 hours to complete it. There are 50 questions on the state portion and candidates have 1.5 hours to complete it. 

The exam is in multiple-choice format and is given on computer. It may be taken at the following locations: East Providence, and in Massachusetts: Worcester, Boston, Woburn, and North Dartmouth.

The national portion of the exam covers the following topics:

• Real property characteristics, definitions, ownership, restrictions, and transfer (Salesperson 9 items; Broker 9 items)
• Forms of ownership, transfer, and recording of title (Salesperson 8 items; Broker 8 items)
• Property value and appraisal (Salesperson 11 items; Broker 10 items)
• Real estate contracts and agency (Salesperson 16 items; Broker 17 items)
• Real estate practice (Salesperson 14 items; Broker 13 items)
• Property disclosures and environmental issues (Salesperson 8 items; Broker 8 items)
• Financing and settlement (Salesperson 7 items; Broker 7 items)
• Real estate math calculations (Salesperson 7 items; Broker 8 items)

The state portion covers the following topics:

• Duties and obligations under licensing law (Salesperson 4%; Broker 3%)
• Licensing requirements (Salesperson 12%; Broker 10%)
• Statutory requirements governing the activities of licensees (Salesperson 48%; Broker 37%)
• Additional topics (Salesperson 36%; Broker 30%)
• Broker-only topics (20%)

Salesperson Examination: A passing score is 70 or higher.

Broker Examination: A passing score is 70 or higher.

All candidates are required to provide 2 forms of current signature identification. The name on the identification must exactly match the name on the registration. The primary identification must be government-issued and must include a photograph and a signature. The secondary identification must include a valid signature.

The primary identification can be any of the following:

• Government-issued driver's license
• US Department of State driver's license
• US Learner's Permit (plastic card only with photo and signature)
• National/state/country ID card 
• Passport
• Passport card 
• Military ID 
• Military ID for spouses and dependents
• Alien registration card

The secondary identification may be any of the following:

• Social Security card
• Debit card or credit card
• Any form of ID on the primary list 

• State of Rhode Island Real Estate and Commercial Licensing
• Rhode Island Real Estate Candidate Handbook 
• Real Estate Salesperson Application 
• Rhode Island Approved Real Estate Education Providers 
• Real Estate Broker Application