How to become a contractor in Rhode Island

Licensing office Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (CRLB), State Building Office, Department of Business Regulation · (401) 921-1590 [6][13]

The license pathway in Rhode Island

1. 1

   Construction worker (employee)

   Employees of a registered contractor don't need their own registration. If you are paid on a 1099 instead, CRLB treats you as a subcontractor who must register. [1][7][8]

2. 2

   Registered contractor

   • 5-hour pre-registration course (not required for commercial-only work)
   • $150
   • Every year; $150; 2.5 hours CE

   Required to offer, bid on or do construction work on a residential or commercial structure, including handyman and subcontract work. You need to be 18, show insurance and pass the pre-registration course. Cities and towns can't issue building permits to unregistered contractors. [1][2][3][4][9][11]

3. 3

   Residential contractor license (from January 1, 2028)

   • Yes, an exam approved or given by CRLB (details not yet published)

   From January 1, 2028, you'll need a CRLB license to supervise construction of new homes or to structurally remodel homes of one to four units. CRLB lists a Home Builder License and a Structural Remodeler License. The license replaces registration for those contractors; nonstructural home improvement work stays under registration. [5][6][12]

4. 4

   Commercial roofing license

   • Yes, PSI (a testing company) exam

   A separate CRLB license for commercial or industrial roofing work. It doesn't cover homes with four or fewer units. [14][15]

Who must register

State law says no one may "undertake, offer to undertake, or submit a bid to do work as a contractor on a structure" without a current CRLB registration. CRLB says that includes all subcontractors and anyone doing remodeling, alterations or repairs such as handyman work. Common examples are tile setters, drywall and flooring installers, masons, painters, roofers, siding installers and pool installers.

You don't need to register if you are an employee of a registered contractor or a homeowner working on your own home. A job worth less than $500 in total that is casual or minor is exempt, but not if you advertise as a contractor. Licensed electricians, plumbers and mechanical tradespeople working within their DLT (Department of Labor and Training) license don't register with CRLB, though they must carry the same insurance. [1][3][7][8]

Registration requirements

• Age: at least 18.
• Education: a 5-hour pre-registration course for new applicants (not needed if you'll work only on commercial structures), and 2.5 hours of continuing education (CE) to renew.
• Insurance: $500,000 combined liability, and workers' compensation if you have employees. If CRLB doesn't get your insurance certificate within 10 business days, the fine is $250 for a first offense.
• Fee: $150. Registration lasts one year.

Cities and towns may not issue a building permit to a contractor who isn't registered. [2][3][4][9][10][11]

New residential licenses from 2028

A 2025 law (R.I. Gen. Laws chapter 5-65.4) creates a residential contractor license. Beginning January 1, 2028, no one may supervise construction of a new home of one to four units, or structurally remodel one, without a CRLB license. CRLB's page names two licenses, a Home Builder License and a Structural Remodeler License, and says details are coming.

The law requires applicants to pass an exam approved or given by CRLB, describe their skills, training and experience, show insurance and meet continuing education rules. CRLB must adopt the regulations by January 1, 2027. Contractors registered before 2027 may get a pathway to the license, but not one based only on having been registered. Nonstructural home improvement work stays under registration. [5][6][12]

Other licenses CRLB issues

CRLB also licenses commercial roofers, home inspectors, underground utility contractors, well drillers, pump installers and water-filtration installers. Commercial roofing contractors need a separate license for roofing on nonresidential buildings, which requires a PSI exam.

Electrical, plumbing, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) and other mechanical work is licensed by the Department of Labor and Training, not CRLB. See the Rhode Island electrician, plumber and HVAC pages. [1][8][13][14][15]

If you're a contractor from another state

There is no reciprocity for Rhode Island contractor registration: you must register with CRLB to work in the state. Out-of-state applicants need a registered agent with a Rhode Island street address to accept legal papers. See license reciprocity. [2][8]

Steps to get licensed in Rhode Island

1. Take the 5-hour pre-registration course

   Choose a course from CRLB's approved list. Contractors who will work only on commercial structures are exempt. [2]

2. Get insurance

   Buy at least $500,000 of general liability insurance naming RICRLB (Rhode Island Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board) as certificate holder, plus workers' compensation if you have employees. [2][10]

3. Register your business

   LLCs (short for limited liability company) and corporations must be registered with the Rhode Island Secretary of State and include the business ID number. Out-of-state contractors need a registered agent in Rhode Island. [2]

4. Apply online and pay $150

   Apply through CRLB's online portal with a government ID. Incomplete applications are rejected after three months. [2][4]

5. Renew every year

   Renewals need 2.5 hours of continuing education and current insurance. Watch for the new residential license rules before January 1, 2028. [5][9][11]

Where to get the hours

Programs that train general contractors in or for Rhode Island, from their own official pages. Listed by type, not ranked.

• Union

  North Atlantic States Carpenters Training Fund (carpenters union)

  The carpenters' union apprenticeship fund, listed on DLT's Become an Apprentice page. DLT's education provider list names UBC (United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America) Local 94 / New England Carpenters Training Fund in Warwick for carpenter apprentices. [16][17]

• Open shop

  Rhode Island Construction Training Academy (RICTA)

  A state-approved related-instruction school affiliated with Associated Builders and Contractors of Rhode Island, listed by DLT for carpenter apprentices. [17][18]

• Other

  Building Futures construction pre-apprenticeship

  A 5-week pre-apprenticeship in Providence that prepares people for and places them in registered apprenticeships in the building trades. [16][19]

• State program

  DLT Apprenticeship Office

  Registers apprenticeship programs, including carpenter apprenticeships. Apprenticeships are jobs: you apply directly to the employer or sponsor. [16][20]

Licensed in another state?

Questions people ask