Real estate license in Massachusetts (MA) is not allowed in Rhode Island (RI).

In order to practice real estate performance in Rhode Island (RI), realtor needs apply for the reciprocal license.

Below is my application experience and I would like to share with you.

Find the application form at: https://dbr.ri.gov/documents/divisions/commlicensing/realestate/RE-Sales_Req_App_non-res-recip.pdf

RI has very good restriction on lead poisoning, a certificate of a 3hrs course in Lead Poisoning/Lead Hazard Mitigation is one of the basic requirements. McKissock Learning is on the real estate pre-licensing & continuing education course list from State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantation Department of Business Regulation. I gave McKissock Learning a call 877.277.5376. The tech support helped setup my account in a second and it allowed me to start my online Lead Hazard Awareness Seminar for Real Estate Professionals online course right away. The cost for the class is $29.95.

The whole process of learning is fully enjoyable. It has different sections with small checking test. Once you are done and pass 80% of the final testing, a certificate will be issued.

A criminal History Record (CHR) for both Rhode Island and Massachusetts is required.

CHR for MA can be obtained online through iCORI. After free registration and a new account setup, I add a request for Personal Report. It costs $25 with additional $0.59 convenient fee for credit card payment. The result is ready in a few minutes.

To obtain a copy of CHR from the Rhode Island Department of the Attorney General’s office, I drive over to where the office is located: 4 Howard Avenue Cranston, Rhode Island, 02920. Due to it was Wuhan Virus pandemic time, I had to use my phone to reserve the appointment after I arrived the parking lot. The waiting time (2-3min) wasn’t long on the day when I was there in the early morning (8:50am). A confirmed text message let me know that it was ready for me to get inside the building. The whole process to have a copy of CHR took about 3-5min, including driver license checking, credit card payment, record print out. The officer in there is really nice.

For the Certificate of Errors and Omissions Insurance (O&E), I submitted copies of both my own and my companies. My company (broker) has the O&E to cover my performance in MA but not in RI. I have to have my own O&E covered in RI. CRES insurance is my choice – $128/year.

A certificate of Licensure / Letter of Good Standing from home state’s licensing authority was obtained from ePLACE Portal

An irrevocable Power of Attorney Form for service was easily to get from a bank notarization service. It is free service as long as you have an open account with the bank. Same issue with Wuhan virus, an appointment had to be make before I could go to the bank and meet with notarization people. Please keep in mind, the notarization form must be kept blank and clean. It can only be filled in by the notary guy and signature signed face to face.

After checking the below listing, I was sure that I didn’t miss anything and all the forms are filled in and signed. I prepared two checks as the instruction mentioned: $140.00, payable to the “Rhode Island General Treasurer” AND, $25.00 payable to the “Real Estate Recovery Account”. Instead of mailing in the application form, I used the more traditional way – to drop off. The location is 1511 Pontiac Avenue, Bldg. 69-1 Cranston, Rhode Island 02920 – State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS REGULATION

When I arrived the place, not so many cars were on the parking lot. My feeling was great, because I was excited to submit my application and expected not so many people was ahead of me. So I quickly parked my car and went to the front door. Not even when I touched the door bar, a security guy went out and asked me what my plan was and what I would like to do today. After knowing my visiting purpose, he told me that he had several questions to ask before letting me in. Every question was related with Wuhan Virus, such as have you ever been out of state in the past 14 days; have you contact with any positive COVID-19 people; have you been tested COVID-19 positive; have you ever got fever, coughing symptom ect.. My answers were all negative and he allowed me to get inside the building. However, just when I passed the front door, two other security stopped me in the hallway and informed me that all the building was closed. If I wanted to do something, I had to dropped off all the materials in one of the three big green boxes located next to the window. My application envelope should be dropped at #3 (which possibly means 3rd floor – my guess) after I checked with them. OK… I saved some time for the mailing process, but I have to wait for them have a chance to pick up from the dropping off box which might be 1 time per week.

It has been a week now, I am still waiting for the updating process….

Below is the check list. AND GOOD LUCK.

1. A completed Real Estate Salesperson Application;
2. A Criminal History Record (CHR) from the Rhode Island Department of the Attorney General’s office, as well as a CHR from applicant’s home state law enforcement agency;
3. A Tax Payer Status Affidavit / Identity Verification;
4. A Certificate of a three hour course in Lead Poisoning/Lead Hazard Mitigation (See Real Estate Pre-Licensing and Continuing Education Course List at http://www.dbr.ri.gov/documents/divisions/commlicensing/realestate/RE-CE_Course_List.pdf;
5. A Certificate of Errors and Omissions Insurance;
6. A Certificate of Licensure/Letter of Good Standing from home state’s licensing authority.
7. An irrevocable Power of Attorney Form for service of process.