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How hard is the Rhode Island Real Estate Broker exam?

Quick answer

The Rhode Island Real Estate Broker exam is a serious, studiable test — its difficulty comes less from any single hard idea than from the breadth of material across 16 weighted content areas. Expect 140 questions in 240 minutes. You must score Scaled score of 70, which leaves little room for guessing. Candidates who drill real practice questions by topic until they consistently clear the standard you need usually pass on the first try — PrepPass has 476+ free Rhode Island Real Estate Broker practice questions with explanations.

How to make the Rhode Island Real Estate Broker exam easier

The single best predictor of passing is practicing real questions until you consistently clear the standard you need. PrepPass has 476+ free Rhode Island Real Estate Broker practice questions with answer explanations and a full timed mock exam — no signup required.

Studying in order?

In the Rhode Island Real Estate Broker guide: A 60-question national practice exam, with a key that explains all four options and not just the right one. Practice here stays free.

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The Rhode Island Real Estate Broker exam at a glance

140
questions
240 min
time limit
Scaled score of 70
to pass
16
content areas

The 16 content areas on the Rhode Island Real Estate Broker exam

The exam is built from weighted content areas — focus your study time where the weight is. These weights are how PrepPass has organized the material; check the exam authority’s own outline for its published breakdown.

Property Ownership10%
Land Use Controls and Regulations5%
Valuation and Market Analysis8%
Financing9%
Contracts19%
General Principles of Agency13%
Property Disclosures7%
Property Management5%
Transfer of Title6%
Practice of Real Estate12%
Real Estate Calculations6%
RI Duties and Obligations Under Licensing Law3%
RI Licensing Requirements10%
RI Statutory Requirements Governing Licensee Activities37%
RI Additional Topics30%
RI Broker Only20%

How the Rhode Island Real Estate Broker exam is administered

Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation, Division of Commercial Licensing oversees licensing. The exam is delivered by Pearson VUE. Prelicensing education: 90 classroom hours. Confirm the current details with the official authority before you rely on them.

What is the pass rate, and can you retake it?

Wondering about pass rates and what happens if you don't pass the first time?

See Rhode Island Real Estate Brokerpass rate & retake rules →

Frequently asked questions

What score do you need to pass the Rhode Island Real Estate Broker exam?+

You need to score Scaled score of 70 on the Rhode Island Real Estate Broker exam.

How many questions are on the Rhode Island Real Estate Broker exam?+

The Rhode Island Real Estate Broker exam has 140 questions, with a 240-minute time limit.

Who regulates real estate brokers in Rhode Island?+

The Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation, through the Real Estate Section of its Division of Commercial Licensing, sets the qualification requirements and licenses real estate brokers and salespersons under R.I. Gen. Laws chapter 5-20.5 and regulation 230-RICR-30-20-2. A nine-member Rhode Island Real Estate Commission sits inside the Department and has a policy-making role in the examinations. The Department contracts with Pearson VUE to deliver the exams, and your license application must be filed within one year of the date you pass.

What experience and education do I need before the Rhode Island broker exam?+

R.I. Gen. Laws 5-20.5-4(b) requires a broker applicant to have been engaged full time as a real estate salesperson for at least the two years immediately before applying, and to have completed at least 90 hours of approved classroom study. The 45 hours used to qualify for your salesperson license cannot be counted toward the 90, and classroom hours more than four years old do not count (230-RICR-30-20-2 s 2.7(C)). The application also needs the names of three unrelated Rhode Island residents who have known you for three years and will attest to your reputation for honesty.

How is the Rhode Island broker exam structured?+

Two separately scheduled and separately scored parts: a national/general section of 80 scored items in 2.5 hours, and a Rhode Island state section of 60 scored items in 1.5 hours, so the full exam runs about four hours. Each part also carries unscored pretest items (5 national, 10 state). Scores are scaled and 70 passes at all exam levels. The state section is weighted 3% duties and obligations, 10% licensing requirements, 37% statutory requirements governing licensee activities, 30% additional topics, and 20% broker-only material.

Does Rhode Island require errors and omissions insurance?+

Yes. R.I. Gen. Laws 5-20.5-25 makes carrying and maintaining errors and omissions insurance a condition of retaining a broker's or salesperson's license, and a certificate of coverage must be filed with the Department by each annual renewal date. Regulation 230-RICR-30-20-2 s 2.28 sets the minimum for an individual licensee at $50,000 per claim and $150,000 in the aggregate; if your coverage lapses you must stop all licensed activity immediately and notify the Department within five business days.

What continuing education do Rhode Island licensees need?+

Twenty-four clock hours of Department-approved courses in each two-year renewal period. At least nine of the 24 must come from the listed core subjects, and at least three of those nine must be federal, Rhode Island and local fair housing law (R.I. Gen. Laws 5-20.5-6(b); 230-RICR-30-20-2 s 2.30). Licensees first licensed before 12 December 1984, and Rhode Island attorneys licensed under 5-20.5-4(d), are exempt.

How should I study for the Rhode Island Real Estate Broker exam?+

Focus your time on the heaviest content areas, then drill practice questions by topic until you consistently clear the standard you need. PrepPass has 476+ free Rhode Island Real Estate Broker practice questions with full explanations and a timed mock exam.

Last updated: August 2026

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