Rhode Island Real Estate CE Requirements (2026): 24 Hours Every 2 Years
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Requirements Overview
The Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation requires 24 hours of continuing education per biennial cycle. At least 9 hours must be in core subjects, which include RI law on licensee-consumer relationships, RI licensure law, Fair Housing (minimum 3 hours), environmental issues and lead hazards, local ordinances on residential real estate, and coastal real estate and wetlands. The remaining 15 hours are electives. Salespersons and brokers share identical requirements.
The 3-hour Fair Housing component became mandatory as of January 1, 2022, covering federal, Rhode Island, and local fair housing law under the RI Fair Housing Practices Act. This is a permanent addition to each renewal cycle, not a one-time requirement.
Licensees issued before January 1, 2020 renew by April 30 of even-numbered years, while those issued after renew by their two-year license anniversary. First-renewal licensees whose application was approved within 180 days of initial expiration are exempt from CE for that cycle. A minimum 75% score is required on CE final exams, with unlimited retake attempts allowed.
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fair Housing | 3 | Every renewal | Minimum 3 hours required in federal, RI, and local fair housing law per the RI Fair Housing Practices Act (R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 34-37). Mandatory as of January 1, 2022. Must be part of the 9 core hours. |
First Renewal vs. Standard Renewal
Real Estate Broker Continuing Education in Rhode Island
Rhode Island's 24-hour continuing education requirement applies to brokers and salespersons alike — one shared total every 2 years.
License categories and totals above are verified from the published rules of the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation — confirm current broker requirements with the board before enrolling.
Exemptions
- First Renewal (Within 180 Days) — Licensees whose application approval occurs within 180 days of initial license expiration do not need CE for their first renewal.
How You Can Complete Your CE
Rhode Island CE Rules & Limits
Details specific to Rhode Island that generic CE guides tend to miss:
- Carry-over — No carryover provisions found in 230-RICR-30-20-2.30.
- Core subject areas (9 hrs min) include: RI law on licensee-consumer relationships, RI licensure law, fair housing (min 3 hrs), environmental issues/lead hazard, local ordinances on residential real estate, and coastal real estate/wetlands/flood plains/sea-rise.
- Fair housing CE requirement became mandatory as of January 1, 2022.
- Licenses issued before January 1, 2020 renew by April 30 of even-numbered years; licenses issued after renew by their 2-year anniversary.
- Minimum 75% score required on final exams for CE credit.
- Unlimited retake attempts allowed on CE exams.
Provider Requirements
Courses must be approved by the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation. CE course providers must be authorized by the DBR.
Tips for Rhode Island Real Estate Agents
- Prioritize the 3-hour Fair Housing requirement early — it must be specifically about federal, RI, and local fair housing law, not just general diversity training.
- Check whether your renewal date is April 30 of an even year or your personal 2-year anniversary — it depends on when you were first licensed.
- A 75% exam score is required for CE credit, but unlimited retakes are allowed, so do not stress about a single attempt.
- Core subjects include Rhode Island-specific topics like coastal real estate and lead hazards — choose courses that address these local issues.
Sources
- Cross-checked against the official published rules of the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation
- Each stated figure recorded with its exact source excerpt
- 1 source cited — 1 primary (official board)
Real Estate Requirements in Nearby States
Other Professions in Rhode Island
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