Educational Resources: Take Rhode Island Real Estate Sample Tests, Application Steps and Tips

The Real Estate Commission, which is part of the Department of Business Regulation in Rhode Island, has a contract with PearsonVUE to administer the state exam.^1,2

You can schedule an exam online through their website or you can call (800) 274-8922. You have to make the exam reservation at least a day in advance.

PearsonVUE requires that you pay $70 via check, voucher, debit card, or credit card. This fee is non-refundable. Additionally, future retake exams will also cost $70.

If you want to modify or cancel your exam reservation you can do so by calling (800) 274-8922 two business days before the exams. If you fail to call within this period (48 hours) then you’ll forfeit the exam fees.

You’ll have to go to the exam center with two valid signature identification forms. The primary identification needs to contain your signature and photo.

The primary ID can be a US passport, military ID, or driver’s license among others. The secondary ID must have a signature and legal name like a credit and debit card and a US social security card.

Besides IDs, you’ll also need to provide a pre-licensing course completion certificate. For site locations, examination schedules, reporting, exam security, and preparation refer to the RI real estate candidate handbook.³

Real Estate Exam Essentials

The state salesperson exam in RI is divided into two sections. The national and state sections.

The exams include:

1. The national or general section of 80 questions with a time limit of 2.5 hours
2. State section of 50 questions with a time limit of 1.5 hours
3. 5 pre-test questions for each section (Not scored)

The exam contains content outlines, choice questions, and several questions for each section available in the candidate information bulletin.³

DBR in Rhode Island uses a scaled score. This score doesn’t reflect the percentage or number of questions answered correctly.

This scaled score accounts for variances in exam difficulty. The passing score for both sections is 70.

You’ll get your official score report as soon as you complete the exams before leaving the exam center.³ Once you’ve passed the test, you’ll receive further instructions on how to apply for your license.

If you receive a failed score, you’ll also get diagnostic information on each exam section and retake information.

If you fail only one section, you can retake the exam just for that portion. All full and partial retakes must be scheduled within one year.

Once you’ve passed your exams you have one year to apply for a license in Rhode Island.

Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation Real Estate License Application: Completing the 4 Required Steps

To become a real estate agent in Rhode Island, you’ll need to get a real estate salesperson license from the state. Nowadays, you can complete almost all the process online.

The only caveat is the exam which must be done in person.

There are five steps you need to take to obtain your Rhode Island real estate license they include:

Step 1: Take the Real Estate Pre-Licensing Course

RI requires that all agents complete a 45-hour pre-licensing coursework before sitting for the state exam.⁴ The course should include a 3-hour New Agency Law Course.

After taking the coursework, you’ll need to include another 3-hour course in Lead Poisoning/Lead Hazard Mitigation.

You can choose to take your pre-licensing education course online so that you can go at your own pace. A majority of these online courses are self-paced and offer other practice materials such as flashcards, and real estate practice exams.

Some real estate schools guarantee that you’ll pass exams on the first attempt but this benefit is dependent on the package you choose and the education provider.

Keep in mind that the aim of these courses is not to complete a requirement or check a box. Rather it’s to prepare you to become a better agent and pass your exams.

In RI, the final pre-license exam does not need to be supervised by a proctor. This pre-license exam is not the same as the state exam.

This test is usually given out with the education company you choose as an indication that you’ve completed and retained the information from your pre-license education course. This exam is a closed-note and closed book similar to the state exam.

You are allowed a scratch paper and calculator but not internet access and cellphones.

The main exam is the Rhode Island Real Estate License Exam. The fee to take this exam is $70.

The exam has 130 questions, 50 for the state section and 80 for the national section. The entire exam takes 240 minutes or 4 hours.

The national exam takes 2.5 hours and the state exam takes 1.5 hours.

You’ll need to score 35/40 for the state section and 56/80 for the national exam. The passing score is 70.

You’ll get a scoring document immediately after completing the exam. If you fail the test, you’ll get a breakdown of your score in different sections of the test.

You can use this as a revision guide if you decide to take the exams again.

Step 2: Conduct a Background Check

You need to complete a criminal history check immediately after passing the exam. You can obtain a criminal history record from the Bureau of Criminal Identification at the RI Department of the Attorney General.⁵

You’ll need a picture identification also showing your date of birth when applying for a CHR.

The BCI also allows you to apply by mail. You’ll need to send

• Self-addressed stamped envelope
• Notarized/signed letter giving the DAG permission to conduct a background check on you
• Photo ID showing your date of birth

Whether you apply in person or by mail, you’ll have to pay a $5 fee payable by money order or check by the Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Once the criminal history check is complete, the Office of the Attorney General will mail a letter to the state agency indicating either ‘qualified’ or ‘disqualified.’

The Real Estate Commission in RI will review the criminal history record to verify your eligibility. During this process, they reach out to you if they need additional documentation or information to clear up any findings.

People with criminal judgements or offenses may not be eligible for a real estate license in RI though this information is determined on a case-by-case basis.

Step 3: Obtain Errors and Omissions Insurance

The only step left before obtaining an active license in RI is getting Errors & Omissions Insurance. Once you get your E&O certificate you can submit it along with your license application.

You need to carry this insurance independently. The coverage should meet the minimum limits mandated by the Department of Business Regulation.

E&O covers errors and omissions, wrongful acts, and negligence committed by the licensee.

Step 4: Apply for the Real Estate License

Once you’ve completed the first 4 steps, you can now apply for a real estate license in Rhode Island. You should fill out the application using the DBR online system.⁶

The application fee is $140 and you’ll have to provide an additional $25 fee which goes to the RI Real Estate Recovery Fund. Upload the following documents along with your application:

• Original Test Score Report given by PearsonVUE (both pages)
• Completed application for Real Estate Salesperson
• Certificate indicating successful completion of the 45-hour pre-licensing education
• Criminal History Record from the Office of the Attorney General
• Taxpayer Identity Verification/Status Affidavit
• Certificate of completion of the 3-hour Lead Poisoning/Lead Hazard Mitigation
• Certificate of E&O Insurance
• Certificate of New Agency Law Course

Financial Obligations for Membership in the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation Association of Real Estate Agents

There are several fees you must pay to become a real estate agent in Rhode Island they include:

Requirement	Fee
Pre-licensing education coursework	$500–$900
Exam fee	$70
Salesperson license application	$140
Broker license application	$180
Recovery Fund Fee	$25

Applying for National Association of Realtors® (NAR) Membership

To join the National Association of REALTORS®, you must first join a local real estate board. In this case, you’ll have to join the Rhode Island Association of REALTORS®.

A local association membership automatically extends your membership to NAR and state associations.

What’s the Usual Time Required for the Real Estate Application Process?

The main hassle, when obtaining a real estate salesperson license in Rhode Island, is the 45-hour mandatory course work. If you are a fast learner and decide to take the course online, the process could take less than a week.

However, if you go the traditional route, and choose to attend classes in person. The process may take 2 to 4 months.

Overall, you should give the whole application process about 4 months. This will include the 45-hour coursework, exams, and the waiting period before your application goes through.