Rhode Island · Real Estate Agents · 2026 renewal guide
How to Renew Your Rhode Island Real Estate Agent License
Rhode Island real estate agents must complete 24 hours of board-approved continuing education every 2 years, as required by Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation (DBR), Commercial Licensing Division — Real Estate Section, with the Rhode Island Real Estate Commission.
Written by the TradesCE compliance team · Verified against the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation (DBR), Commercial Licensing Division — Real Estate Section, with the Rhode Island Real Estate Commission rule on September 10, 2026.
- CE hours
- 24 hours
- Renewal cycle
- Every 2 years
- Next deadline
- Per license
- Exam to renew
- Required
Who has to renew
This guide covers Rhode Island real estate agents holding a Standard Biennial CE — Salesperson & Broker license. Requirements are set by Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation (DBR), Commercial Licensing Division — Real Estate Section, with the Rhode Island Real Estate Commission.
When to renew
Rhode Island real estate agents licenses renew every 2 years, on the schedule your board assigns to your license. Continuing education must be complete before you submit the renewal. (R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-20.5-6; 230-RICR-30-20-2 § 2.30 — licenses issued before Jan 1, 2020 renew on April 30 of every even-numbered year (fixed); licenses issued on or after Jan 1, 2020 renew every two years on the anniversary of issuance (staggered). Overall basis classified as staggered because the majority of active licensees now fall under the anniversary-date system.)
The continuing education Rhode Island requires
Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation (DBR), Commercial Licensing Division — Real Estate Section, with the Rhode Island Real Estate Commission requires 24 hours of approved continuing education every 2 years. The hours must cover these topics:
- Fair Housing (mandatory CORE) — at least 3 hours
- Additional CORE subjects (6 hours from mandatory subject-area list) — at least 6 hours
- Elective — any DBR-approved real estate course — at least 15 hours
How to renew, step by step
- 1
Confirm your license class and renewal date
Rhode Island sets real estate agents requirements by license class (Standard Biennial CE — Salesperson & Broker). Check the class printed on your license, then note your renewal date — renewals run the schedule your board assigns to your license.
- 2
Complete 24 hours of board-approved continuing education
Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation (DBR), Commercial Licensing Division — Real Estate Section, with the Rhode Island Real Estate Commission requires 24 hours every 2 years, including Fair Housing (mandatory CORE), Additional CORE subjects (6 hours from mandatory subject-area list), Elective — any DBR-approved real estate course. Do not leave it for the last week — completions must be on file before the deadline.
See the Rhode Island real estate agents course - 3
Save your certificate of completion
Download the certificate the moment you finish and keep it with your license records.
- 4
Make sure your hours reach the board
In Rhode Island, you keep your certificate and attest to completion when you renew; the board may audit.
- 5
Renew with Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation (DBR), Commercial Licensing Division — Real Estate Section, with the Rhode Island Real Estate Commission
Submit your renewal through the board’s online portal and pay the renewal fee before the deadline. This renewal also requires passing an exam. A late renewal usually means a late fee, and a lapsed license can mean re-applying from scratch.
Go to Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation (DBR), Commercial Licensing Division — Real Estate Section, with the Rhode Island Real Estate Commission
Rhode Island real estate agent renewal FAQ
- How many continuing education hours do Rhode Island real estate agents need?
- Rhode Island real estate agents must complete 24 hours of board-approved continuing education every 2 years, as set by Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation (DBR), Commercial Licensing Division — Real Estate Section, with the Rhode Island Real Estate Commission.
- Which license classes does the Rhode Island real estate agents CE requirement apply to?
- The 24 hours requirement applies to: Standard Biennial CE — Salesperson & Broker.
- What topics are required for Rhode Island real estate agents continuing education?
- Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation (DBR), Commercial Licensing Division — Real Estate Section, with the Rhode Island Real Estate Commission requires coverage of: Fair Housing (mandatory CORE) (3 hours); Additional CORE subjects (6 hours from mandatory subject-area list) (6 hours); Elective — any DBR-approved real estate course (15 hours).
- Is an exam required to renew a Rhode Island real estate agents license?
- Yes — Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation (DBR), Commercial Licensing Division — Real Estate Section, with the Rhode Island Real Estate Commission requires an examination as part of renewal in addition to continuing education.
- Can Rhode Island real estate agents complete continuing education online?
- Yes. Board-approved online courses count toward the Rhode Island requirement; timed seat-time and completion records satisfy audit requirements.
Sources
- Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation (DBR), Commercial Licensing Division — Real Estate Section, with the Rhode Island Real Estate Commission — official board site
- Continuing education rule — the requirement cited above, verified September 10, 2026
- Rhode Island Real Estate Agents continuing education requirements — hours, topics and courses by license class