Licensing & state law

How to become a real estate agent in Rhode Island

To get a Rhode Island real estate salesperson license you complete 45 hours of state-approved pre-license education, pass the PSI-administered exam, clear a background check and affiliate with a sponsoring broker. The Rhode Island Real Estate Division sets the rules and issues the license.

What are the requirements for a Rhode Island real estate license?

Rhode Island requires 45 hours of approved pre-license education, a passing score on the PSI salesperson exam, a background check and sponsorship by a licensed broker. The table lists each requirement, the published fees WealthyBud could source and the regulator.

Rhode Island real estate license facts
RequirementRhode Island
Pre-license education45 hours
Exam administratorPSI
License / application feen/a
Exam feen/a
RegulatorRhode Island Real Estate Division
Payroll-employed agents (BLS)n/a
Agent median pay (BLS May 2025)$60,310

What are the steps to get licensed in Rhode Island?

Getting licensed in Rhode Island takes six steps: meet eligibility, finish 45 hours of pre-license education, pass the PSI exam, clear a background check, affiliate with a sponsoring broker, then apply and activate with the Rhode Island Real Estate Division.

1/ 6

Meet the basic eligibility

Be at least 18 and hold a high-school diploma or equivalent; the Rhode Island Real Estate Division lists any residency or other conditions.

2/ 6

Complete 45 hours of pre-license education

Rhode Island requires 45 hours from a state-approved real estate school, in a classroom or online.

3/ 6

Pass the Rhode Island salesperson exam

The exam is administered by PSI and covers national real estate principles plus Rhode Island law.

4/ 6

Clear the background check

Submit fingerprints or a criminal-history check as required by the Rhode Island Real Estate Division.

5/ 6

Affiliate with a sponsoring broker

A new Rhode Island salesperson must work under a licensed broker before practicing.

6/ 6

Apply and activate the license

File the application and pay the license fee to the Rhode Island Real Estate Division, then activate under your broker.

How much does a Rhode Island real estate license cost?

Rhode Island's published costs in WealthyBud's sources are: license fee: n/a (not published in our sources); exam fee: n/a. Pre-license course tuition is set by each school and is not regulated, so it is not listed. Confirm every fee with the Rhode Island Real Estate Division before applying.

How much do licensed agents earn in Rhode Island?

Payroll-employed real estate sales agents in Rhode Island earned a median of $60,310 in May 2025 (BLS); the bottom 10% earned under $38,840. See the full Rhode Island agent salary breakdown.

What are Rhode Island’s housing markets like for new agents?

WealthyBud tracks 1 Rhode Island housing market. Their median listing prices have a midpoint of $569,450 as of September 2026, from $569,450 in Providence to $569,450 in Providence; 1 of 1 is below last year's asking price.

Largest tracked Rhode Island housing markets by active listings — September 2026
MarketMedian list priceYoYDays on marketActive listings
Providence, RI$569,450-4.2%392,844

All tracked markets: Rhode Island housing market hub.

Rhode Island real estate license FAQ

How many hours of education do you need for a real estate license in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island requires 45 hours of state-approved pre-license education before the salesperson exam, according to WealthyBud's compilation of Rhode Island Real Estate Division requirements.
How much does a Rhode Island real estate license cost?
Published fees in WealthyBud's sources: license fee: n/a (not published in our sources); exam fee: n/a. Course tuition varies by school. The Rhode Island Real Estate Division publishes the current fee schedule.
Who administers the Rhode Island real estate exam?
PSI administers the Rhode Island salesperson exam.
Do you need a college degree to get a real estate license in Rhode Island?
No. Rhode Island requires pre-license education and a passing exam score, not a college degree. You must generally be 18 with a high-school diploma or equivalent.
Who regulates real estate agents in Rhode Island?
The Rhode Island Real Estate Division licenses and regulates Rhode Island real estate salespersons and brokers and is the authoritative source for current rules.
Licensing rules and fees change. Always confirm current requirements with the Rhode Island Real Estate Division before enrolling.

Elena Park Real Estate Content Reviewer

Elena Park reviews WealthyBud's licensing, salary and market guides for accuracy before publication, checking figures against primary government and regulator sources.

Editorial persona: WealthyBud bylines are editorial personas, not real individuals. Pages are produced by the WealthyBud research team from the public data cited on each page.