Your Complete Guide to Rhode Island's Continuing Education Requirements for Real Estate License Renewal
Picture this: You're closing in on your license renewal deadline, and you're not quite sure whether you've completed the right continuing education courses. Did you hit all the core hours? Did you take that required fair housing course? And wait—when exactly is your renewal deadline, anyway?
If you're a Rhode Island real estate professional, staying on top of your continuing education (CE) requirements isn't just about checking a box—it's about maintaining your ability to serve clients, staying current with industry changes, and ensuring you understand the laws that protect everyone's right to fair housing. Whether you're approaching your first renewal cycle or your tenth, understanding Rhode Island's specific requirements will help you plan ahead and avoid the last-minute scramble.
At Slocum Home Team powered by eXp Realty, we believe that ongoing education makes us better advocates for our clients. Let's walk through everything you need to know about Rhode Island's continuing education requirements, so you can approach your renewal with confidence.
The Basics: 24 Hours Every Two Years
Rhode Island requires all real estate licensees—both salespersons and brokers—to complete 24 clock hours of Department-approved real estate courses during the preceding two-year period as a prerequisite to renewing a license. This applies to everyone unless you fall into one of the exempt categories we'll discuss shortly.
Think of these 24 hours as an investment in your professional growth.
Continuing education can be completed at any time during the two-year renewal cycle, and it takes about 24 hours to complete 24 credits of Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation approved continuing education. That means you can spread out your coursework over the full renewal period rather than cramming it all in at the end.
The beauty of Rhode Island's current system? Flexibility.
All continuing education courses can be completed online (self-paced), live-virtual (such as Zoom), or in a physical classroom location—Rhode Island real estate continuing education courses are not mandated to be completed live. You can learn at your own pace, on your own schedule, from wherever works best for you.
Understanding the Core Hour Requirement: Not All CE Credits Are Equal
Here's where it gets important: not just any 24 hours will do.
At least six of the twenty-four clock hours must come from the following CORE subject areas: Rhode Island law defining relationships between licensees and consumers; Rhode Island law pertaining to real estate licensure; Federal, Rhode Island, and local law pertaining to fair housing and the treatment of any individual in a protected class as designated in the Rhode Island Fair Housing Practices Act. Additional core subjects include lead hazard mitigation, environmental issues pertaining to real property, and local ordinances and regulations pertaining to residential real estate.
These core subjects aren't arbitrary—they cover the foundational knowledge you need to practice ethically and legally in Rhode Island. They ensure every licensee understands the laws and regulations that govern our industry and protect consumers.
In addition to the 6 CORE credits, 18 credits worth of elective credits must be completed—more than 6 Core credits can be completed, but no less than 6 Core can be completed. So if you find a 12-hour core course that interests you, taking it will count those extra hours toward your total 24, giving you more flexibility with your remaining elective choices.
The Fair Housing Education Mandate: Why Three Hours Matter
In January 2022, Rhode Island added a critically important requirement:
At least three of the six core subject area clock hours must be in Federal, Rhode Island, and local law pertaining to fair housing and the treatment of any individual in a protected class as designated in the Rhode Island Fair Housing Practices Act, R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 34-37.
This isn't just another checkbox. Fair housing laws exist to ensure that every person—regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, familial status, age, national origin or ancestry, disability, military or veteran status, or lawful source of income—has equal access to housing opportunities. As real estate professionals, we're on the front lines of making that promise a reality.
The 24-hour package now includes a 3-hour Fair Housing course that is required as of January 2022. This education helps licensees understand not just what the law requires, but why it matters and how to apply fair housing principles in every transaction.
When you're choosing courses, look for those marked "FH" or "FH CORE" on the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation's approved course list. These designations tell you the course fulfills the fair housing requirement.
Renewal Deadlines: Know Your Date
One of the most important changes to Rhode Island's licensing system happened on January 1, 2020, and it affects when your license expires. Your renewal deadline depends on when you were originally licensed:
If you were licensed PRIOR to January 1, 2020:
Your renewal deadline is April 30, 2026 (and April 30th of every even-numbered year going forward).
If you were licensed AFTER January 1, 2020:
Your renewal deadline is your anniversary date every two years from the date on your license. That means if you were licensed on July 15, 2022, your first renewal was due July 15, 2024, and your next renewal will be due July 15, 2026.
This dual-deadline system can be confusing at first, but it's important to know your specific date. You can check your license status and expiration date through the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation's license lookup tool—just click "Detail" next to your name to see all the information you need.
There is no grace period, so missing your deadline means your license becomes inactive, and you cannot engage in real estate transactions until you've completed the renewal requirements and paid any applicable late fees.
Who's Exempt from Continuing Education?
Rhode Island does provide exemptions for certain licensees.
Licensees who hold a valid license originally issued prior to December 12, 1984, are not required to take continuing education courses. Additionally,
Rhode Island Real Estate Attorneys in good standing are exempt from completing continuing education.
If you hold an inactive license status,
Licenses with an inactive status are not required to complete these CE requirements every two years in order to continue renewing, but keep in mind that you will not be able to engage in any real estate sales or brokerage activity with an inactive license.
If you're exempt, you'll still need to complete a renewal application with the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation before your license expiration date—you just won't need to submit proof of continuing education.
Choosing Your Courses: Where to Start
The Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation maintains an updated list of approved continuing education providers and courses.
The RI Department of Business Regulation indicates 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, and 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.
Always verify that your courses are approved before you invest your time and money. The state regularly updates its approved course list, with recent updates as of June 2026, so courses that were approved last cycle should be verified again.
When selecting your courses, consider what will help you grow professionally, not just what fulfills the requirement. Are you working with more buyers now? Look for courses on buyer representation. Dealing with complex transactions? Consider courses on contracts, title issues, or financing. Want to expand your expertise? Explore courses on environmental issues, coastal real estate, or commercial transactions.
How to Renew: The Process
Once you've completed your 24 hours of continuing education (including at least 9 core hours and 3 fair housing hours), you're ready to renew.
As of November 2025, Rhode Island uses a new eLicensing portal, and you can login and renew your license through the system.
Prior to the renewal of any license, all licensees not specifically exempted shall make a positive affirmation, either in writing or electronically, certifying under penalty of perjury to the Department that the licensee has attended and successfully completed during the preceding two-year period, twenty-four clock hours of real estate oriented educational sessions or courses of instruction.
Your continuing education provider will typically report your completed courses directly to the Department of Business Regulation, but keep your certificates of completion for your records. These certificates serve as proof that you've met the requirement, and it's wise to have backup documentation.
Why Continuing Education Matters Beyond Compliance
Yes, continuing education is a licensing requirement. But at its heart, it's about something more important: being a better advocate for the people we serve.
Real estate laws change. Market conditions evolve. New technologies emerge. Financing options expand and contract. Fair housing protections grow to cover more people. Our industry doesn't stand still, and neither should our knowledge.
When you invest in quality continuing education, you're investing in your ability to give clients accurate information, spot potential issues before they become problems, navigate complex transactions with confidence, and treat every person with the professionalism and respect they deserve. You're building a foundation that helps you serve your community well—not just this year, but throughout your career.
At Slocum Home Team, we view continuing education as part of what it means to be truly professional. It's one way we demonstrate our commitment to being knowledgeable guides who genuinely care about our clients' outcomes. Because every transaction matters, every client deserves our best, and every home is someone's castle.
Your Next Steps
If your renewal deadline is approaching, don't wait. Take a few minutes today to check your license status, verify your renewal date, and confirm how many CE hours you've already completed. Then choose your remaining courses from Rhode Island-approved providers, making sure you've covered the core requirements and the fair housing mandate.
If you're a real estate professional looking for a brokerage that values education, professionalism, and genuine care for clients and agents alike, we'd love to talk. At Slocum Home Team powered by eXp Realty, we believe in building careers that last, grounded in knowledge and integrity.
Have questions about continuing education requirements or want to learn more about what it's like to be part of a team that invests in your growth? Reach out to us at Hello@SlocumHomeTeam.com or call (401) 372-8976. We're here to help—because in this business, we're all in it together, and your success matters to us.
