What This License Is
A Rhode Island Casualty license lets you sell coverage protecting against legal liability — auto liability, commercial general liability, workers compensation, and umbrella lines in Rhode Island. It is issued by the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation, Insurance Division.
Licensing runs through the same process as every Rhode Island producer line — the difference is the focused Casualty exam.
Exam Options & Format
The Casualty exam is Casualty Producer (Exam 04, Pearson VUE, two-part): 93 total (82 scored: 50 general + 32 Rhode Island; 11 pretest) questions, 2 hr (general 1:15 + state 0:45), $80 per attempt. Passing standard: 70 (scaled).
Rhode Island does not offer a combined exam for these lines — each line of authority is its own exam, so producers who want both simply take both exams.
Prelicensing: not required
Rhode Island requires no prelicensing course for a resident P&C license - you can test as soon as you're ready.
Because the exams test detailed policy mechanics and Rhode Island statute, a prep course is still a smart move; optional courses run roughly $150-$400 per line.
Fingerprints and BCI background check
Rhode Island requires a fingerprint-based state and national criminal background check through the RI Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI), separate from Pearson VUE.
The fee is $40 total ($5 state + $35 national), scheduled directly with the AG's BCI.
The BCI report is valid only 30 days and must be submitted with your NIPR transaction number to dbr.inslic@dbr.ri.gov within that window - so don't get printed before you're ready to apply.
Applying for the license
Wait 3-5 days after passing, then apply at NIPR.com. The resident producer license is a flat $120 (covering all major lines and including the CE tracking fee) plus NIPR's ~$5.60 fee.
You must be 18+, an RI resident (or maintain an RI office) with proof of residency, and you have up to one year from passing to apply before a retest is required.
Attach your BCI background report within its 30-day validity window.
Continuing education and renewal
RI producers complete 24 CE hours every two years, including at least 3 hours of ethics and a minimum of 5 hours in each line of authority held.
Licenses renew biennially before the last day of your birth month, and a course can't be repeated for credit within a single term.
A 30-day grace period follows expiration; after that, reinstatement applies (a $50 fee on top of renewal, $170 total for residents).
Rhode Island-specific P&C rules worth knowing
Auto is the highest-yield state topic. Memorize the 25/50/25 minimums, that Rhode Island is an at-fault (tort) state with no mandatory PIP, and that UM/UIM bodily injury must be offered at the policy's BI limits (rejectable in writing only at the 25/50 minimum), with UM property damage offered at $25,000.
Coastal exposure drives the RI Joint Reinsurance Association (RIJRA, the property residual market) and statutory hurricane/windstorm deductible rules (RIGL 27-76) - both reliably tested.
Know the RI Property & Casualty Insurance Guaranty Association (RIGL 27-34) for insurer insolvencies, and the RI Automobile Insurance Plan (assigned risk via AIPSO) for hard-to-place drivers.
Round it out with Workers' Compensation (RIGL Title 28 - benefits, exclusive remedy, occupational disease), the Medical Malpractice Joint Underwriting Association, lead-poisoning coverage, aftermarket/OEM parts rules, premium financing, and cancellation/nonrenewal timelines.
Quick Reference
Official Links
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