Rhode Island insurancelicense requirements
Rhode Island insurance license at a glance
- Prelicensing course
- None required
- Exam provider
- Pearson VUE
- Passing score
- 70 (scaled score)
- Exam fee
- $80 per exam
- License fee
- $120
- Continuing education
- 24 hours every 2 years
How to become an insurance agent in Rhode Island
Below, you'll find the steps to a Rhode Island insurance license, the exams for each line, and what it takes to keep your license active.
Requirements for Rhode Island insurance producers
Contact the Rhode Island insurance department
How much do insurance agents make in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island average insurance agent salary (all lines): $95,270
That is the mean annual wage for insurance sales agents in Rhode Island in the Bureau of Labor Statistics' May 2025 survey.
Estimates by line, from Achievable's May 2026 salary research (not BLS figures):
- Life insurance agent: $87,128
- Health insurance agent: $54,010
- Property and casualty insurance agent: $48,257
Please note that salaries will vary based on experience level and local demand.
Does Rhode Island require prelicensing education?
No, Rhode Island does not require any insurance pre-licensing education. We highly recommend taking a course on your own to prepare for the state's licensing exam.
How do I get my insurance license in Rhode Island?
Becoming an insurance producer in Rhode Island requires passing a state-mandated insurance exam in the specific line or lines you wish to specialize in, as well as completing the following steps:
- Step 1: (optional) Complete an optional prelicensing course to help prepare for your licensing exam.
- Step 2: Schedule your exam through Pearson VUE at https://www.pearsonvue.com/us/en/ri/insurance.html or by calling (800) 274-3739. Exams are taken at a Pearson VUE test center. Payment is required at the time of reservation by credit card, debit card, or voucher. Payments are not accepted at the test center. To reschedule or cancel, call at least 48 hours before your appointment; otherwise, you will forfeit your fee.
- Step 3: On exam day, bring two forms of ID: a primary government-issued ID with your photo and signature (driver’s license, passport, military ID) and a secondary ID that bears your signature. You must also bring your score report: it will be provided at the test center. You have up to one year after passing the exam to apply for your license.
- Step 4: Apply for your license at NIPR at https://nipr.com/ and review additional information at the Rhode Island Department of Insurance website at https://dbr.ri.gov/insurance/insurance-professionals#producers. Rhode Island requires fingerprinting and a background check. Schedule your fingerprinting at https://riag.ri.gov/i-want/get-background-check. Contact bcifingerprints@riag.ri.gov for fingerprinting questions and BCIstate@riag.ri.gov for state background check inquiries.
If you need assistance with any of these steps or have questions about specific requirements, contact the Rhode Island insurance department for the most current information.
Rhode Island insurance exam information
Rhode Island Life Insurance Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 90 Total Questions (80 scored, 10 pretest) |
| Time limit | 2 Hours |
| Passing score | 70 (scaled score) |
| Pass rate | 63.3% (417 of 659 first-time test takers, 2025) |
Rhode Island Accident and Health Insurance Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 90 Total Questions (80 scored, 10 pretest) |
| Time limit | 2 hours |
| Passing score | 70 (scaled score) |
| Pass rate | 59.5% (234 of 393 first-time test takers, 2025) |
Rhode Island Property Insurance
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 87 Total Questions (76 scored, 11 pretests) |
| Time limit | 2 Hours |
| Passing score | 70 (scaled score) |
| Pass rate | 74.8% (89 of 119 first-time test takers, 2025) |
Rhode Island Casualty Insurance Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 93 Total Questions (82 scored, 11 pretest) |
| Time limit | 2 Hours |
| Passing score | 70 (scaled score) |
| Pass rate | 75.6% (93 of 123 first-time test takers, 2025) |
Rhode Island Personal Lines Insurance Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 110 Total Questions (100 scored, 10 pretest) |
| Time limit | 2.5 Hours |
| Passing score | 70 (scaled score) |
| Pass rate | 66.9% (113 of 169 first-time test takers, 2025) |
Pass rates are for first-time test takers, from the NAIC's state exam reports. Each rate shows its year, and it is the most recent NAIC figure we have for that exam.
Additional requirements
Rhode Island insurance licensing fees
- Resident new license: Insurance Producer $120, Surplus-Lines Broker $100
- Nonresident new license: Insurance Producer $130, Surplus-Lines Broker $100
- Renewal fees: Resident Insurance Producer $120; Surplus-Lines Broker $100; Nonresident Insurance Producer $130; Surplus-Lines Broker $100
Rhode Island insurance license citizenship requirements
Non-citizens must send proof of U.S. work authorization (visa/work permit/green card) to the state licensing office
Where can I apply for a resident insurance license in Rhode Island?
Apply through NIPR
How can I apply for a non-resident insurance license in Rhode Island?
- 1. Must be at least 18 years old.
- 2. Must hold an active resident license.
- 3. Must provide a valid business email address. Must answer background questions.
- 4. Surplus requires P&C.
- 5. Apply via NIPR and pay $130 plus NIPR processing fees.
Rhode Island carrier appointments and insurance license terminations
- Required to report appointments: Yes
- Permits JIT appointments: Yes
- A P&C producer doesn’t need a carrier appointment to sell/solicit/negotiate travel insurance
- Initial appointment deadlines: Within 15 days of first business submission
- Initial appointment deadline rule: RI ST § 27-2.4-14.1(a-c) - notice must be filed through NIPR within 15 days of first application
Rhode Island insurance license termination details
- Terminations processed via NIPR: Yes
- Termination reasons: Voluntary; inadequate production; death; company defunct/liquidation; indebtedness; poor service; agent moved; appointed in error; company merger; regulatory review request
- Allows carriers to terminate appointment if license expired: No
- Not-for-cause notices must be mailed
Rhode Island insurance license renewals
Resident renewal period begins 90 days before expiration ; Renewal date: Last day of birth month every 2 years based on first license issue date ; Late renewal allowed: 30 days after expiration; reinstatement allowed up to one year after expiration
Rhode Island insurance license continuing education (CE) requirements
- CE total hours per period: 24 every 2 years
- Ethics requirement: 3 hours
- Flood: 3 hours NFIP (for P/C licensees)
- LTC: 8-hour initial + 4 hours every 2 years
- Annuity: one-time 4-hour
- CE instructors get credit; rollover up to 12 hours general credit
- Missed renewal: eligible for reinstatement within one year, subject to fees and CE
Rhode Island insurance license FAQs
There is no set timeline: most of it depends on how long you study and how soon you can book an exam. Rhode Island requires no prelicensing course, so you can book your exam as soon as you are ready.
No. Rhode Island insurance exams are taken in person at Pearson VUE test centers.
Expect to pay $80 per exam for the exam and $120 for the license. Any exam prep is extra.
No. Rhode Island does not require a prelicensing course, though a course helps you prepare for the exam.
The passing score is 70 (scaled score). In 2025, 63.3% of first-time test takers passed the Rhode Island life exam, according to the NAIC.
Apply through NIPR after you pass your exam.
Rhode Island requires 24 hours every 2 years to keep your license active.
For what an agent does, the types of insurance and how multi-state licensing works, see our guide to insurance licensing by state.
Sources
- Prelicensing, continuing education and where to apply: dbr.ri.gov
- Exam provider, exam fee and passing score: pearsonvue.com
- License fee: nipr.com
- Online exams: pearsonvue.com
- Pass rates: NAIC state exam reports
- Average salary: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025
Compiled from official Rhode Island and exam provider sources as of . Licensing rules and fees change, so confirm them with the Rhode Island insurance department before you apply.
Conclusion
If you're ready to start your journey toward becoming a licensed insurance agent in Rhode Island, Achievable's license exam prep covers each major line: Life & Health insurance license exam prep, Property & Casualty license exam prep, and Personal Lines license exam prep. Our comprehensive study materials and practice exams are designed to help you pass your licensing exam on the first attempt.
Interested in insurance licensing in other states?
