Rhode Island real estate license and CE requirements
What the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation, Real Estate Section asks of licensees, with a link to the official source for every figure.
Last reviewed October 15, 2026. Next review due October 2027.
Rhode Island asks for 24 hours every two years, with at least 9 from core subject areas that include landlord-tenant law, contract law, lead and environmental issues, financing and ethics. At least 3 of those core hours must cover federal, state and local fair housing law.
Your Rhode Island renewal date depends on when you were first licensed: licenses issued before 2020 renew May 1 of even-numbered years, and later licenses renew on the anniversary of issue. Licensees whose license dates from before December 12, 1984 are exempt from CE.
Rhode Island at a glance
| Licensing body | Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation, Real Estate Section |
|---|---|
| License levels | Salesperson and broker |
| Salesperson CE | 24 hours every 2 yearsRequired topics: At least 9 hours from CORE subject areas (including Rhode Island landlord-tenant law, contract law, lead and environmental issues, financing, ethics), of which at least 3 hours must be fair housing law; remaining 15 hours any approved course |
| Broker CE | 24 hours every 2 yearsRequired topics: At least 9 hours from CORE subject areas, of which at least 3 hours must be fair housing law; remaining 15 hours any approved course |
| Post-license education | None stated in the sources we checked. Check with the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation, Real Estate Section if you are newly licensed. |
| Renewal | Licenses issued before January 1, 2020 renew May 1 of each even-numbered year; licenses issued after January 1, 2020 renew every two years on the anniversary of issue. |
| Source | State code or rule text (Rhode Island), checked October 15, 2026 |
Rules change. The Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation, Real Estate Section is the only authority on what you need to renew; where this page and the official source disagree, the official source is right. Blank figures say "Check with the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation, Real Estate Section" because we could not confirm them from an official source.
Optional professional development
Once your CE is done, these ACI designations go deeper on the same ground as parts of the Rhode Island requirements. They are voluntary, they are not CE, and you never need them to keep your license.
Certified Transaction Coordination Specialist
Carry every deal from signed contract to closing without a missed deadline.
Rhode Island's required topics touch contracts, financing or closing. The CTCS covers contract terms, deadlines and coordinating a deal from signed contract to closing.
Certified Home Listing Specialist
Win the listing, market it well and keep the seller with you to closing.
Rhode Island requires CE on disclosure. The CHLS covers the listing appointment, pricing and seller expectations.
Advanced Real Estate Negotiator
The negotiation playbook that protects your clients and your commission.
Optional depth beyond licensing topics: the AREN is a practical playbook for negotiating offers and counters.
Questions about Rhode Island
How many CE hours does a Rhode Island salesperson need?
24 hours every 2 years, according to the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation, Real Estate Section (checked October 15, 2026). Required topics: At least 9 hours from CORE subject areas (including Rhode Island landlord-tenant law, contract law, lead and environmental issues, financing, ethics), of which at least 3 hours must be fair housing law; remaining 15 hours any approved course.
How many CE hours does a Rhode Island broker need?
24 hours every 2 years, according to the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation, Real Estate Section (checked October 15, 2026). Required topics: At least 9 hours from CORE subject areas, of which at least 3 hours must be fair housing law; remaining 15 hours any approved course.
Do ACI designations count toward Rhode Island CE?
No. Agent Certification Institute designations are voluntary professional credentials, not continuing-education credit. They are not approved by the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation, Real Estate Section and do not satisfy any part of Rhode Island's CE, post-license or renewal requirements.