Rhode Island contractor license requirements

Licenses and registrations

Contractor Registration

Individuals and businesses doing residential or commercial construction, including building, remodeling, repairs and handyman work, and all subcontractors.

• Good to know: Exempt: employees of a registered contractor and homeowners working on the residence they live in. The 5-hour pre-registration course and 2.5-hour CE do not apply to contractors working exclusively on commercial structures.

Home Builder License (starting January 1, 2028)

Contractors who build new homes.

• Good to know: Created by R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 5-65.4 (enacted July 2, 2025). Rules (440-RICR-10-00-7) were proposed, with public comments due November 1, 2026.

Structural Remodeler License (starting January 1, 2028)

Contractors who do structural remodeling of existing residential structures.

• Good to know: Does not apply to nonstructural home improvements or commercial construction. Requirements were still in proposed rules as of this review.

Commercial Roofing License

Contractors doing commercial roofing.

• Good to know: Separate CRLB license; details not reviewed.

What you need to qualify

• Insurance: Public liability and property damage insurance of $500,000 combined single limit, naming RICRLB as certificate holder, plus workers' compensation if you have employees (R.I. Gen. Laws 5-65-7). Missing insurance certificates can bring a $250 fine (first offense) and $500 for each later offense.
• Business registration: LLCs, corporations and other entities must register with the Rhode Island Secretary of State and give their Business Identification Number. Out-of-state applicants need a Rhode Island registered agent with a Rhode Island street address.
• Also required: First-time applicants must complete a state-approved 5-hour pre-registration course and provide a government-issued photo ID. Reciprocity is not available. The registration number must appear in advertising and on building permits, and contractors may not hire unregistered subcontractors.

Fees, renewal and continuing education

• Fees: Registration fee: $150.00 (new and renewal). Additional $50.00 late fee for an expired registration.
• Renewal: A certificate of registration is valid for one year from issuance (R.I. Gen. Laws 5-65-8). If expired more than one year, the 5-hour pre-registration course is required again.
• Continuing education: 2.5 hours of state-approved continuing education per renewal for residential contractors (R.I. Gen. Laws 5-65-5). Contractors working exclusively on commercial structures are exempt.

Contracts and homeowner protections

All work over $1,000 (labor and materials) must be under a written contract that includes the consumer disclosures required by Board rules and a mechanic's lien notice; failing to give the lien notice can bring a $1,000 fine. Contracts must include notice of any right of rescission and state whether proper insurance is in effect for the job (R.I. Gen. Laws 5-65-3). For in-home solicitations of an elderly person that the consumer did not initiate, the consumer has three days to cancel, absent an emergency (5-65-27). The contractor must secure required permits before starting work.

Electrical, plumbing and HVAC work

Electrical, HVAC, mechanical and plumbing work is licensed by the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, not the CRLB.

City and county rules

Cities and towns may not issue building permits to unregistered or unlicensed contractors and must list the contractor's registration number on the permit (R.I. Gen. Laws 5-65-3).

Working without a license

The Board may fine up to $5,000 for a first violation and up to $10,000 for later violations, including unregistered work (R.I. Gen. Laws 5-65-10). Failing to register after a final Board order is a misdemeanor for a first or second offense (up to one year in prison and/or up to $1,000 fine) and a felony for a third or later offense (up to two years and/or up to $2,000) (5-65-19). An unregistered contractor may not file a lien, file a Board claim, or sue for compensation (5-65-4).

What to confirm with the state

We couldn't confirm these on an official page when we checked. Ask the licensing office before you rely on them:

• Requirements, fees and grandfathering for the 2028 Home Builder and Structural Remodeler licenses (rules still proposed).
• The statute says registration is valid one year; CRLB pages we checked did not state the term.
• Lead-safe remodeler/renovator certification requirements for pre-1978 homes.
• Specific consumer disclosures required in contracts by Board regulation (440-RICR-10-00-2 not checked).
• Age that defines an 'elderly person' for the three-day cancellation right (set in R.I. Gen. Laws 42-66-4.1, not checked).

Sources

1. Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board - Home
2. General Contractor Registration - CRLB
3. Apply - General Contractor Registration - CRLB
4. Renew - General Contractor Registration - CRLB
5. Residential Contractor Licensing - CRLB
6. Continuing Education - CRLB
7. Laws, Rules and Regulations - CRLB
8. R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 5-65 index
9. R.I. Gen. Laws 5-65-3 - Registration and contractor duties
10. R.I. Gen. Laws 5-65-4 - Registration required for remedies
11. R.I. Gen. Laws 5-65-5 - Application and continuing education
12. R.I. Gen. Laws 5-65-7 - Insurance
13. R.I. Gen. Laws 5-65-8 - Term of registration
14. R.I. Gen. Laws 5-65-10 - Grounds for discipline and fines
15. R.I. Gen. Laws 5-65-19 - Penalty for operating without registration
16. R.I. Gen. Laws 5-65-27 - Elderly in-home solicitation right to cancel