Licensing Guides
State Contractor License: How to Become a General Contractor in Rhode Island
Contractor, RI
Table of Contents
Why Do You Need a Contractor License in Rhode Island?
How Can You Get a Contractor License in Rhode Island?
Types of Roofing Licenses in Rhode Island
What Are the Requirements of a Rhode Island Contractor License?
How Long Does It Take to Get a Contractor License in Rhode Island?
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Contractor License in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island Contractor License Training Programs and Schools
Does Rhode Island Reciprocate Contractor Licenses?
Do I Need to Renew my Contractor License in Rhode Island?
Are There Any Penalties for Contracting Without a License in Rhode Island?
We all need a place to live and work, and those buildings require upkeep and repair. They’re often the biggest investments we make in our lives, and keeping them in good condition is essential. We count on professionals to know how to fix damage to or wear and tear on our homes and businesses. General contractors are typically the experts we rely on to help us with these repairs, and we need these men and women to know what they’re doing.
Many states require contractors to be licensed. Others simply require solid insurance to back up the essential work they perform. There are 520,900 construction managers and 1,599,800 construction laborers and helpers nationwide according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Rhode Island employs 360 managers and 2,140 laborers and helpers. The national number for managers is projected to grow 9% from 2023 to 2033; laborers and helpers, 8%. In Rhode Island, according to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, the projected growth rate for laborers is higher than the national number at 12%, and for managers it’s higher at 15%. If you’re thinking about becoming a contractor or you want a job in the field, you need to know the license requirements in your state or local jurisdiction. This guide will help you determine what you need before you get started.
Why Do You Need a Contractor License in Rhode Island?
The state of Rhode Island doesn’t require a license for general contractors. Instead, all contractors and subcontractors must register with the Rhode Island Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (CRLB). According to the RI CRLB, “Rhode Island law requires that any person or entity in the business of residential and/or commercial construction, including alterations, remodeling, or repairs be registered with the Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board.”
Additionally, the CRLB states, “Contractors and subcontractors who do not have a valid registration are prohibited from performing contracting work or obtaining a building permit in any of Rhode Island's 39 cities or towns.”
Rhode Island does license some specific trades, including electricians, plumbers, roofers, underground utility contractors, and HVAC workers. These licenses are issued by the Rhode Island Department of Labor & Training.
How Can You Get a Contractor License in Rhode Island?
There is a process for registering as a contractor in Rhode Island. It is all spelled out on the state website.
You must be at least 18 years of age. You must have either a Social Security number or an individual taxpayer identification number. If your company is a corporation or limited liability company, you must possess a valid business registration with the Rhode Island Secretary of State. All contractors must designate a registered agent.
You must provide documentation of completion of an approved, five-hour pre-registration course. Click here for a list of approved courses. Otherwise, there are no additional experience or educational requirements to register as a contractor in Rhode Island.
All candidates must also obtain a certificate of liability insurance and a certificate of worker’s compensation insurance.
Finally, you must complete the online registration application and pay the $150 registration fee. Once your application is approved, you’ll receive a printable Contractor Registration certificate.
Types of Licenses in Rhode Island
Instead of requiring licensure, the state of Rhode Island requires any person who works under one contract where labor, materials, and all other items exceed $500 to register as a contractor. Rhode Island also offers trade-specific licenses for electricians and plumbers. If you seek one of these licenses, you still need to register as a contractor with the CRLB.
A Rhode Island Contractor Registration allows the holder to legally perform residential and/or commercial construction, including alterations, remodeling, or repairs.
Registering as a contractor
The bottom line is that you need to be registered to do any kind of residential or commercial construction, repair, or maintenance valuing more than $500 in the state of Rhode Island. Here’s how you go about getting registered.
COMPLETE PRE-REGISTRATION COURSE: All candidates must provide documentation of the completion of an approved, 5-hour pre-registration course. The course covers building codes, construction rules and regulations, contracts, business principles and practices, and workplace health and safety. Courses are offered in person by the Contractor Training Institute and the Rhode Island Builders Association (RIBA). According to the CRLB, “Applicants who will be working exclusively on commercial structures and applicants who have graduated from an accredited, technical, or vocational high school or college within the prior 24 months may be exempt.”
APPLY FOR REGISTRATION: Once you’ve fulfilled the pre-registration course requirements, you may fill out the online application to register as a contractor.
PAY APPLICATION REGISTRATION FEE: The contractor registration fee is $150. You may pay the fee via credit card, debit card, or e-check using the Viewpoint Cloud platform. If you choose to pay by check, it must be made payable to "RICRLB" and mailed to: RICRLB, 560 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, RI 02886.
OBTAIN A BUSINESS ID: Corporations and LLCs must obtain a business ID from the Rhode Island Secretary of State.
PROVIDE PROOF OF INSURANCE: All applicants must obtain a certificate of liability insurance of at least $500,000 and indicate CRLB as the certificate holder. If you have employees, you must also obtain a certificate of workers’ compensation insurance and indicate CRLB as the certificate holder.
Getting a trade-specific license
Trade-specific licenses in Rhode Island typically require more stringent licensing requirements, including demonstrating several years of experience combined with classroom training. For example, to be eligible for the Rhode Island journeyman electrician exam, you need to complete four years of on-the-job experience as well as 576 hours of classroom training. You need to work an additional two years as a journeyman to apply for an electrical contractor license.
Similarly, a plumbing license in Rhode Island requires five years of work experience and 576 hours of classroom training. To move on to the next level and become a master plumber, you must hold a journeyman license for a minimum of one year.
Anyone in the state of Rhode Island who pursues a trade-specific license must also register as a contractor with the CRLB.
To learn more, consult our guides to getting your HVAC license, plumbing license, or electrical license in Rhode Island.
What Are the Requirements of a Rhode Island Contractor Registration?
The requirements for registration as a contractor in Rhode Island are all intended to demonstrate that an individual who will be serving the public is properly prepared to do the job right. To that end there are age, knowledge, and financial prerequisites.
You must be at least 18 years of age.
You must have either a Social Security number or an individual taxpayer identification number.
Pass the five-hour pre-registration course.
Apply for a Contractor Registration.
Corporations and LLCs must obtain a business ID from the Rhode Island Secretary of State.
Designate an agent of service.
Obtain a certificate of liability insurance in the amount of $500,000 or more and a certificate of workers’ compensation insurance if you have employees.
Pay the $150 registration fee.
How Long Does It Take to Register as a Contractor in Rhode Island?
The process to register as a contractor in Rhode Island is relatively straightforward and should only take a couple of weeks. You only need to complete a five-hour pre-registration course to become eligible for the registration. The course can be completed in one day.
What Business Owners Need to Know
Being efficient in the contracting world takes work. ServiceTitan’s cloud-based, all-in-one contracting software gives workers and business owners in residential field service, commercial contracting, or new construction the technology they need to do the work efficiently, and the data they need to do it effectively.
ServiceTitan features:
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Location-specific service history, including recorded calls, accessible from the mobile app.
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Sales presentations that make conversations with customers easier and drive the average ticket.
Mobile payment acceptance, eliminating lost checks and increasing cash flow.
To learn more, schedule a demo with a product expert today.
How Much Does It Cost to Register as a Contractor in Rhode Island?
The fee for a RI Contractor Registration is $150. The renewal fee is also $150, with a $50 penalty for late renewals.
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Rhode Island Contractor Training Programs and Schools
The only education requirement in Rhode Island involves completing the five-hour pre-registration course. However, there are training programs throughout the state that can help you prepare for a career in construction. The Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training offers a Registered Apprenticeship program to prepare candidates for a career in the trades.
If you choose to start your career path at a college or university, you can pursue a degree in construction management or construction engineering. There are many higher education options throughout the Ocean State that offer these types of programs. Each of the following schools offers a Construction Management Bachelor of Science degree.
There are also many Rhode Island Community Colleges throughout the state that offer Construction Management programs and Associate degree and certificate options.
Does Rhode Island Reciprocate Contractor Registration?
Rhode Island doesn’t offer reciprocity with any other states. All contractors and subcontractors who work under one contract where labor, materials, and all other items exceed $500 need to register as a contractor.
Do I Need to Renew my Contractor Registration in Rhode Island?
You must renew your Rhode Island Contractor Registration annually and pay the $150 renewal fee. There’s a $50 late fee if you miss the renewal date. To renew, you must meet all of the same requirements needed for initial registration, such as obtaining a certificate of liability insurance of at least $500,000 and a certificate of workers’ compensation insurance. You must complete 2.5 hours of continuing education unless you work entirely on commercial properties. If your registration lapses for more than one year, you need to retake the five-hour pre-registration course.
Are There Any Penalties for Contracting Without Registration in Rhode Island?
Yes. There are fines, misdemeanor charges, and even possible jail time for contracting for a construction project valued at $500 or more without registration. According to the Contractors’ Registration and Licensing Board, a fine of up to $5,000 can be imposed for a first offense and $10,000 for subsequent offenses. Contracting under another person’s registration also results in a fine up to $10,000.
Additionally, registered contractors face penalties for violating local regulations. “In any decision following a hearing, the hearing officer, board, or office may require the registrant, in addition to or in lieu of a fine, to attend continuing education courses as appropriate. Failure to adhere to the requirement may result in immediate revocation of the registration,” according to the CRLB.
National Certifications
Other certifications can help you demonstrate your proficiency to potential employers and clients. There are many professional organizations that offer certification. These certifications are not required but can add to your marketability and therefore increase your opportunity to make more money.
Some of the top construction certifications are:
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Safety Certificate
Construction Management Association of America Certified Construction Manager (CCM)
National Association of Safety Professionals (NASP) Certified Safety Manager (CSM) certification
National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER)
Continuing Education
Rhode Island’s continuing education requirements specify that you must complete 2.5 hours annually in order to qualify for renewal. Applicants who will be working exclusively on commercial structures don’t need to complete continuing education. Click here for a list of approved courses.
Resources
You can stay up to date on contracting industry news several ways:
Check top blogs, including ServiceTitan’s blog.
Read about the latest industry trends, and discover ideas on how to grow your business.
Listen to top podcasts like ServiceTitan’s “Toolbox for the Trades” podcast.
ServiceTitan is a comprehensive business software solution built specifically to help service companies streamline their operations, boost revenue, and achieve growth. Our award-winning, cloud-based platform is trusted by more than 100,000 contractors across the country.
Ready to learn more about what ServiceTitan can do for your business? Contact our team to schedule a demo today.
