Don’t let your license renewal expiration sneak up on you!

Knowing in advance exactly when your license expires and all the state requirements can ease the stress of the renewal process.  Below is some helpful information on renewing your Rhode Island real estate license. 

Download/print our flyer:  Tips on a Smooth License Renewal

 

 

 Frequently Asked Questions 

What courses are required to maintain membership with the National Association of REALTOR®?

Members of the National Association of REALTORS® must complete a Code of Ethics and Fair Housing course during set cycles, which are different from RI license renewal.   The current cycle is January 1, 2025 – December 31^st, 2027.    All RI REALTORS® Code of Ethics and Fair Housing courses fulfill the RI State and NAR requirements.

How do I renew and where do I upload certificates?

The fastest option to renew with the Department of Business Regulation is through the elicensing portal.  As part of the elicensing application process, you will need to upload your certificates. 

Is Code of Ethics Required?

Taking the Code of Ethics through RI REALTORS® will count as 3 CORE hours toward RI license renewal but is not required by DBR; however, it is mandatory for all REALTOR® members to complete to remain in good standing with the National Association of REALTORS®. It is important to note that the Code of Ethics cycle is not the same as RI license renewal.  Visit RI REALTORS Code of Ethics to view Cycle requirements and additional information.

Check your Code of Ethics status with NAR or contact your local board for questions regarding Code of Ethics. 

I'm exempt. What do I do next?

If you fall under CE exemption you will still need to complete a renewal application with the RI Department of Business Regulation prior to your RI license expiration date.   Visit https://dbr.ri.gov/real-estate-and-commercial-licensing/real-estate to access renewal applications and renew. 

If you are unsure if you are exempt, please contact the Department of Business Regulation at [email protected] or call 401-462-9506 Option 3.

My license is in referrals, am I required to take CE?

Yes, all RI licensees that do not meet the exemption criteria must complete CE. If you are unsure if you meet CE exemption status, please contact the RI Department of Business Regulation at [email protected] or call 401-462-9506 Option 3.

I am not currently a member of the RI Association of REALTORS®, how do I register for classes?

To register for in-person or Zoom classes, you would access through the ‘Log in’ on the non-member page.  If you have never been a member of the Association, you can create an account.   If you were previously a member of the Association or have previously taken a RIAR class, please email [email protected] to retrieve your login information.

To register for RI REALTORS® eLearning courses that you can take at any time,  please visit  https://rirealtors.docebosaas.com/ to create an account or, if you took an eLearning course with us previously, reset your password on the login screen.

If I take more than 24 CEs, will those count towards the next renewal deadline?

No. CEs do not rollover.

 

If I take over 9 CORE, will they be counted towards the total 24 needed to renew?

Yes. Any CORE CE taken will count towards the total 24. you need a minimum of 9 for renewal with at least 3 in Fair Housing-related content.  

 

Do I need to send RIAR my certificates from online schools or schools other than RIAR?

No. Renewal is all handled through the RI Department of Business Regulation. You should be saving all certificates either physically or digitally in a central place as you will need a digital copy of each certificate when renewing your license. It is important to save these certificates for your records.

 

I’ve lost a certificate, how do I get a new one?

RI REALTORS® can ONLY provide certificates for classes taken under the RIAR school license. Because there are many real estate schools in Rhode Island, if you are in need of a certificate for a class taken with another school please contact that school directly.  To request a digital copy of a certificate for a class taken with RI REALTORS®, please email [email protected].  Depending on the demand for digital copies, this may take up to 2 business days.

 

How do I make sure DBR has my up-to-date information (email/address)?

If your information has changed with DBR, you will want to make sure the email and other information is up to date here: http://www.dbr.ri.gov/updateinformation/

 

Where do I see all the CE classes I’ve taken?

You will only be able to view courses taken with RI REALTORS®.  Members can log into the Gateway/Dashboard and select ‘Member Services’ > ‘Education Information’ > ‘Classes You Have Taken’ to view Credits and Completion dates.  

Note: When taking online courses through RI REALTORS® eLearning platform Docebo, or with RI REALTORS® partnered school Keynote, completions are added at the end of the month they were taken in.

If you have taken CEs with schools other than RIAR, they will not display here. There is no central place to check if you’ve taken classes at multiple schools.

How can I verify that the school I took a CE course with is approved in RI?

The RI Department of Business Regulation has a list of approved schools and courses that can be viewed at https://dbr.ri.gov/real-estate-and-commercial-licensing/real-estate

How can I see if a class is CORE or not?

At RI REALTORS®, this is indicated in class descriptions and listed on completion certificates. If you are not able to find that information, email [email protected]. 

Some online schools may refer to CORE classes as mandatory.  

The RI Department of Business Regulation includes if a class is CE, CORE, or fulfills the Fair Housing Requirement (FH CORE) on their website of approved courses at https://dbr.ri.gov/real-estate-and-commercial-licensing/real-estate

It is always recommended to check with the school in question.

RI REALTORS® is offering a class with the same name that I took with another school, can I get CEs in RI?

RI Licensees are asked to do their due diligence to check with the school to see if they are approved for continuing education credit in RI.  Licensees may also view a list of approved schools/courses on the RI Department of Business Regulation site at https://dbr.ri.gov/real-estate-and-commercial-licensing/real-estate

I would like to get my broker's license within the next 4 years, can I count classes I take now towards renewal  and towards my broker 90?

Yes. View upcoming classes at RI REALTORS® that are approved broker classes as well as additional information at https://www.rirealtors.org/broker-licensing

 

Where can I see what online schools you are affiliated with?

View affiliated online schools here. In order to receive CE for a class using an online school, both the school and course must be approved by DBR and on their website.

 

I have a reciprocal license in CT or MA, do I have to take additional CE’s?

State requirements vary.   Please contact the state licensing authority of the reciprocal state.

• Massachusetts:  Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons Licensing | Mass.gov
• Connecticut: Real Estate Education and Exam Information (ct.gov)

How do I know if a class I took includes Fair Housing?

Regardless of what school you’ve taken it at, it should state CORE-Fair Housing or CORE-FH on the certificate.   If your certificate does not include that, you should check with the school where the class was taken.   Additionally, the list of DBR Approved Courses & Schools include “FH’ in the title.

 

Have additional questions? Contact the RI REALTORS® Professional Development Center at [email protected], or 401-785-9898 option 1