Real Estate License from Rhode Island to Delaware: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Delaware Real Estate Commission (Division of Professional Regulation) ↗
Yes — Delaware recognizes real estate licenses from all states, including Rhode Island. Apply to the Delaware Real Estate Commission (Division of Professional Regulation) for a reciprocal license; you will not repeat the full exam or education.
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Verdict
Full reciprocity
Delaware honors licenses from every state, so your Rhode Island license clears the threshold automatically. The work that remains is Delaware-side mechanics: the application, the background check, the state-law exam where required, and affiliating with a Delaware brokerage to activate the license. None of it is difficult; all of it is sequential — start the license-history certification first, it has the longest lead time.
What changes, Rhode Island → Delaware
| Rhode Island (current) | Delaware (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Training hours | 45 | 99 |
| Application fee | $165 ($140 to the 'RI General Treasurer' + $25 to the 'Real Estate Recovery Account' (two separate checks/money orders); excludes BCI background-check and E&O insurance costs.) | $149 (Salesperson initial application fee (DELPROS); a $25 Guaranty Fund fee and a criminal background check/fingerprint fee also apply) |
| Processing time | 1–2 weeks (Application states to allow 7-10 business days for processing.) | No board-stated timeframe; application, fees, and third-party verifications are submitted and processed through DELPROS |
| Licensing authority | Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation (DBR), Division of Commercial Licensing - Real Estate Section | Delaware Real Estate Commission (Division of Professional Regulation) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Delaware sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Delaware's current requirements on the Delaware Real Estate Commission (Division of Professional Regulation) website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Delaware Real Estate Commission (Division of Professional Regulation) (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Hold an active salesperson license in another U.S. jurisdiction.
- Pass the Delaware Law portion of the salesperson examination.
- Provide one of: a Delaware law pre-licensing course certificate, a certificate for a >=99-hour pre-licensing salesperson course from another jurisdiction, OR proof of 3 years continuous licensure plus a list of 20 completed sales/lease transactions.
- Submit a Certificate of Licensure History from your current jurisdiction.
- Pay the fees ($149 (Salesperson initial application fee (DELPROS); a $25 Guaranty Fund fee and a criminal background check/fingerprint fee also apply)) and allow No board-stated timeframe; application, fees, and third-party verifications are submitted and processed through DELPROS.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Delaware accept a Rhode Island real estate license?
Yes — Delaware recognizes real estate licenses from all states, including Rhode Island. Apply to the Delaware Real Estate Commission (Division of Professional Regulation) for a reciprocal license; you will not repeat the full exam or education.
Which exams will I take moving from Rhode Island to Delaware?
Reciprocity applicants skip the general/national portion of the salesperson exam but must pass the Delaware Law portion of the examination (Pearson VUE).
What does the move cost?
$149 (Salesperson initial application fee (DELPROS); a $25 Guaranty Fund fee and a criminal background check/fingerprint fee also apply) (Salesperson initial application fee (DELPROS); a $25 Guaranty Fund fee and a criminal background check/fingerprint fee also apply).
Can I keep selling in Rhode Island after I'm licensed in Delaware?
Yes — real estate licenses stack. Keep the Rhode Island license active (renewals and CE continue separately) and you hold both; many border-market agents do exactly this.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- Delaware Real Estate Commission — Salesperson Licensure (reciprocity requirements) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Delaware Real Estate Commission — Fee Schedule (Salesperson $149; Guaranty Fund $25) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- RI DBR - Reciprocal Real Estate Salesperson Application (Rev. 11/2023; CT/MA reciprocity, FL mutual recognition, fees) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- RI DBR - Real Estate Salesperson Application (45-hour pre-license education, fees) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- RI DBR - Real Estate section (applications and regulation 230-RICR-30-20-2) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]