What is the difference between a real estate broker and a real estate agent?

A real estate broker is licensed to manage an independent real estate business and may employ other agents, while a real estate agent (or salesperson) must work under a licensed broker and cannot practice independently. Brokers meet additional education, experience, and exam requirements beyond what salespersons need. In Rhode Island, the Department of Business Regulation issues both broker and salesperson licenses under RIGL 5-20-5 and 5-20-6.

What is the difference between a real estate agent, a real estate broker, and a Realtor?

A real estate salesperson, commonly called an agent, is licensed to help clients buy, sell, and rent real estate but must work under a licensed broker; in Rhode Island, this requires 45 hours of pre-licensing education and a minimum score of 70 on both parts of the Pearson VUE exam. A real estate broker has met additional requirements under Rhode Island law: 90 hours of approved classroom or live-broadcast education and at least 2 years of full-time experience as a licensed salesperson, validated by the employing broker, and brokers may operate independently and supervise agents. A REALTOR® is a trademarked membership designation from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and may be either an agent or a broker; NAR reported approximately 1.4 million members in its 2025 Member Profile.

How do you become a real estate broker?

To become a real estate broker in Rhode Island, you must complete 90 hours of approved classroom or live-broadcast coursework, pass the RI Broker Examinations (National and State) with Pearson VUE, and have at least two years of full-time experience as a licensed salesperson validated by your employing broker. The 45-hour salesperson pre-licensing course does not count toward the 90-hour broker requirement, and the DBR requires a single 90-hour certificate from one school rather than individual certificates adding up to 90. Broker 90 courses remain valid for four years from the date a complete application is filed with the DBR.

How long does it take to get a real estate broker license?

Rhode Island requires broker license applicants to hold a salesperson license and work full-time in that capacity for at least 2 years immediately prior to applying, so the minimum timeline from initial salesperson licensure to broker eligibility is 2 years. Applicants must also complete 90 hours of approved classroom or live-broadcast education from a state-approved provider, and the 45-hour salesperson pre-licensing course does not count toward this 90-hour requirement; coursework must be completed within 4 years of filing a complete application with the DBR. After meeting the education and experience requirements, the applicant must pass both the National and State portions of the Pearson VUE broker exam with a minimum scaled score of 70 on each part.

Do you need a college degree to become a real estate broker?

Rhode Island does not require a college degree to become a real estate broker. The requirements are 90 hours of approved classroom or live-broadcast pre-licensing education, two years of full-time experience as a licensed salesperson validated by the employing broker, and passing the National and State broker examinations with Pearson VUE. The 45-hour salesperson pre-licensing course does not count toward the 90-hour broker requirement, and the DBR will not accept individual certificates adding up to 90; a single 90-hour certificate must be issued by one school.

What pre-licensing courses are required to become a real estate broker?

RI broker pre-licensing requires 90 hours of approved classroom or live-broadcast instruction from a DBR-approved provider. The 45-hour salesperson pre-licensing course does not count toward the 90-hour broker requirement, and the Department of Business Regulation (DBR) will not accept individual certificates adding up to 90; a single 90-hour certificate must be issued by one school. Broker 90 courses are valid for 4 years from the date a complete application is filed, and all coursework must be delivered live, either in-person or via monitored broadcast such as Zoom.

How do you prepare for the real estate broker licensing exam?

Broker candidates in Rhode Island must complete 90 hours of approved classroom or live-broadcast pre-licensing education from a DBR-approved provider, accumulate two years of full-time experience as a licensed salesperson validated by their employing broker, and pass both the National and State portions of the Pearson VUE broker exam with a scaled score of at least 70. Pearson VUE offers broker practice tests for $19.95 covering general real estate topics, though state-specific practice tests are not available. The 45-hour salesperson pre-licensing course does not count toward the 90-hour broker requirement, and DBR requires a single 90-hour certificate rather than individual certificates adding up to 90.

How do you become a REALTOR®?

To become a REALTOR®, a licensed real estate agent must join a local REALTOR® association and pay membership dues. The principals of a real estate firm must join a REALTOR® association before any non-principal agents can join, and each firm appoints one principal as the designated REALTOR®. For 2027, National Association of Realtors (NAR) national dues are $156 per member plus a $45 special assessment for the Consumer Advertising Campaign, billed through the member's primary local association.

How to become a real estate broker in Rhode Island

11 min readUpdated October 20, 2026

To become a real estate broker in Rhode Island, a licensed salesperson must complete 90 hours of approved broker pre-licensing education, work full-time as a salesperson for at least two years, and pass the Rhode Island broker licensing exam administered by Pearson VUE. The DBR Real Estate Section ^[1] issues broker licenses under Rhode Island General Laws Chapter 5-20-6. The distinction between a broker and REALTOR® is separate from state licensing: a broker holds a license to operate independently, while a REALTOR® is any licensed agent or broker who joins the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).

What a real estate broker can do in Rhode Island

A real estate broker in Rhode Island holds a license issued by the DBR ^[1] that authorizes the holder to operate an independent real estate business, employ salespersons, and supervise real estate transactions without affiliation to another broker. The license requires additional education, experience, and examination beyond the salesperson license.

What is the difference between a real estate broker and a real estate agent?: A real estate broker is licensed to manage an independent real estate business and may employ other agents, while a real estate agent (or salesperson) must work under a licensed broker and cannot practice independently. Brokers meet additional education, experience, and exam requirements beyond what salespersons need. In Rhode Island, the Department of Business Regulation issues both broker and salesperson licenses under RIGL 5-20-5 and 5-20-6.
Answered for Rhode IslandView answer for 50 other states
What is the difference between a real estate agent, a real estate broker, and a Realtor?: A real estate salesperson, commonly called an agent, is licensed to help clients buy, sell, and rent real estate but must work under a licensed broker; in Rhode Island, this requires 45 hours of pre-licensing education and a minimum score of 70 on both parts of the Pearson VUE exam. A real estate broker has met additional requirements under Rhode Island law: 90 hours of approved classroom or live-broadcast education and at least 2 years of full-time experience as a licensed salesperson, validated by the employing broker, and brokers may operate independently and supervise agents. A REALTOR® is a trademarked membership designation from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and may be either an agent or a broker; NAR reported approximately 1.4 million members in its 2025 Member Profile.
Answered for Rhode IslandView answer for 48 other states

Rhode Island does not issue a separate license for commercial real estate; the broker license covers all types of real estate transactions. Brokers take on supervisory and legal responsibility for the agents they employ. A principal broker must sign each salesperson's license application, certifying the applicant is "competent and trustworthy," per the DBR Salesperson Application ^[2]. The National Association of REALTORS®^[3] notes that brokers are liable for their agents' actions, which is why the state requires additional education and experience before granting the broker license.

The median annual wage for real estate brokers in the United States was $72,280 as of May 2024, compared to $56,320 for sales agents, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ^[4].

Rhode Island broker license experience requirement

Broker applicants must have worked as a licensed salesperson on a full-time basis for a minimum of two years before applying. The employing broker must certify this experience in writing as part of the broker application, per RI REALTORS®^[5].

How do you become a real estate broker?: To become a real estate broker in Rhode Island, you must complete 90 hours of approved classroom or live-broadcast coursework, pass the RI Broker Examinations (National and State) with Pearson VUE, and have at least two years of full-time experience as a licensed salesperson validated by your employing broker. The 45-hour salesperson pre-licensing course does not count toward the 90-hour broker requirement, and the DBR requires a single 90-hour certificate from one school rather than individual certificates adding up to 90. Broker 90 courses remain valid for four years from the date a complete application is filed with the DBR.
Answered for Rhode IslandView answer for 50 other states

You do not need to complete the two-year experience requirement before starting broker pre-licensing coursework. RI REALTORS® recommends waiting until most courses are finished before taking the Broker Pre-License exam prep course, but you can begin the education requirement at any time while working as a salesperson.

How long does it take to get a real estate broker license?: Rhode Island requires broker license applicants to hold a salesperson license and work full-time in that capacity for at least 2 years immediately prior to applying, so the minimum timeline from initial salesperson licensure to broker eligibility is 2 years. Applicants must also complete 90 hours of approved classroom or live-broadcast education from a state-approved provider, and the 45-hour salesperson pre-licensing course does not count toward this 90-hour requirement; coursework must be completed within 4 years of filing a complete application with the DBR. After meeting the education and experience requirements, the applicant must pass both the National and State portions of the Pearson VUE broker exam with a minimum scaled score of 70 on each part.
Answered for Rhode IslandView answer for 50 other states
Do you need a college degree to become a real estate broker?: Rhode Island does not require a college degree to become a real estate broker. The requirements are 90 hours of approved classroom or live-broadcast pre-licensing education, two years of full-time experience as a licensed salesperson validated by the employing broker, and passing the National and State broker examinations with Pearson VUE. The 45-hour salesperson pre-licensing course does not count toward the 90-hour broker requirement, and the DBR will not accept individual certificates adding up to 90; a single 90-hour certificate must be issued by one school.
Answered for Rhode IslandView answer for 15 other states

Education requirements for a Rhode Island broker license

Rhode Island's broker education requirement includes specific rules on course format, certificate structure, and validity beyond the basic hour count.

What pre-licensing courses are required to become a real estate broker?: RI broker pre-licensing requires 90 hours of approved classroom or live-broadcast instruction from a DBR-approved provider. The 45-hour salesperson pre-licensing course does not count toward the 90-hour broker requirement, and the Department of Business Regulation (DBR) will not accept individual certificates adding up to 90; a single 90-hour certificate must be issued by one school. Broker 90 courses are valid for 4 years from the date a complete application is filed, and all coursework must be delivered live, either in-person or via monitored broadcast such as Zoom.
Answered for Rhode IslandView answer for 50 other states

The Department of Business Regulation (DBR) requires that all broker coursework be documented on one consolidated transcript from a single approved school; separate certificates from different providers cannot be combined, per RI REALTORS®^[5]. Fully self-paced online courses are not accepted for the broker requirement. This format rule stems from Rhode Island Regulation 230-RICR-30-20-2, which governs real estate education requirements for all license types, per the DBR ^[1].

Completed coursework expires after four years; hours finished more than four years before submission of the application are disqualified, per RI REALTORS®^[5].

The RI REALTORS® Broker Pre-License exam prep course is a 27-hour course, of which 24 hours count toward the broker education requirement. The remaining 3 hours do not qualify, per the Rhode Island Association of REALTORS® Broker Licensing FAQ ^[5].

Brokers must also complete a separate 3-hour Lead Poisoning/Lead Hazard Mitigation course, the same requirement that applies to salesperson applicants, as listed on the DBR Salesperson Application ^[2].

The Rhode Island broker licensing exam

The Rhode Island broker licensing exam is administered by Pearson VUE in two parts: a National/General portion and a Rhode Island State Law portion. Candidates must pass both parts with a minimum scaled score of 70 on each. The state portion includes broker-specific topics beyond what the salesperson exam covers.

How do you prepare for the real estate broker licensing exam?: Broker candidates in Rhode Island must complete 90 hours of approved classroom or live-broadcast pre-licensing education from a DBR-approved provider, accumulate two years of full-time experience as a licensed salesperson validated by their employing broker, and pass both the National and State portions of the Pearson VUE broker exam with a scaled score of at least 70. Pearson VUE offers broker practice tests for $19.95 covering general real estate topics, though state-specific practice tests are not available. The 45-hour salesperson pre-licensing course does not count toward the 90-hour broker requirement, and DBR requires a single 90-hour certificate rather than individual certificates adding up to 90.
Answered for Rhode IslandView answer for 49 other states

Each part is scheduled and paid for separately through Pearson VUE ^[6], which publishes exam content outlines and offers a broker practice test for $19.95. Candidates need copies of both pass notices when applying for a license, per Pearson VUE ^[6]. After one failed attempt per part via online testing, candidates must register and test at a physical testing site.

Applying for your Rhode Island broker license

After passing both parts of the broker exam, you submit a broker license application to the DBR with required documentation and fees. Required documents include original Pearson VUE pass notices for both exam parts, the broker education certificate, the 3-hour Lead Poisoning/Lead Hazard Mitigation certificate, a BCI background check from the RI Attorney General, an errors and omissions (E&O) insurance certificate, and the employing broker's written certification of full-time salesperson experience.

The broker license application fee is $180 payable to the "RI General Treasurer" plus $25 to the "Real Estate Recovery Account," totaling $205, as listed on the DBR broker application ^[7] (January 2024). For licenses issued on or after May 1 of odd-numbered years, the fee is prorated to reflect the shorter license term before the next renewal cycle.

Broker licenses expire every two calendar years on the anniversary date of issuance, per the DBR Salesperson Application ^[2].

Brokers currently licensed in Connecticut or Massachusetts can apply for a Rhode Island broker license through the reciprocal broker application ^[7] without retaking the full exam. Florida brokers can apply through a Mutual Recognition Agreement but must first pass the Rhode Island state portion of the exam. Reciprocal broker application processing takes 7-10 business days.

After you get your broker license

With a broker license, you can operate your own brokerage, work as an associate broker under another broker, or take on a managing broker role supervising agents and daily operations. The National Association of REALTORS®^[3] describes three common broker roles: associate broker (works under a managing or principal broker), managing broker (oversees transactions and daily operations), and principal or designated broker (supervises agents for compliance). Obtaining a broker license does not require starting your own brokerage immediately.

How do you become a REALTOR®?: To become a REALTOR®, a licensed real estate agent must join a local REALTOR® association and pay membership dues. The principals of a real estate firm must join a REALTOR® association before any non-principal agents can join, and each firm appoints one principal as the designated REALTOR®. For 2027, National Association of Realtors (NAR) national dues are $156 per member plus a $45 special assessment for the Consumer Advertising Campaign, billed through the member's primary local association.
Answered for Rhode IslandView answer for 48 other states

Broker licenses must be renewed every two years on the anniversary date of issuance. Renewal requires 24 hours of DBR-approved continuing education per cycle, including 9 hours of CORE instruction with 3 hours in Fair Housing, the same CE requirement that applies to salespersons, per the DBR Renewal Application ^[8].

Your next step is to decide whether to start your own brokerage or work under an existing principal broker. If you plan to open a brokerage, the NAR recommends writing a business plan, determining your monetization strategy, and planning for limited income during the first year.

Sources

RI DBR — Real Estate Licensing
GovernmentAugust 2026
RI DBR — RE Salesperson Application
GovernmentAugust 2026
NAR Magazine — How to Become a Broker
EducationMay 2026
BLS OOH — Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents
GovernmentMay 2026
RI Realtors — Broker Licensing
GovernmentAugust 2026
Pearson VUE — RI Real Estate Exam
GovernmentAugust 2026
RI DBR — Reciprocal Broker Application
GovernmentAugust 2026
RI DBR — RE Renewal Application
GovernmentAugust 2026