« Back to store
Choose a state

Construction Work Regulated?

Who Regulates Construction?

Requirements?

National Exams
National Exams

Construction Work Regulated?

Residential and Commercial construction and their appurtenances are regulated by the Rhode Island Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board at the state level through a registration process; commercial roofers are currently working on a separate registration and in mid 2018 will be converted to a license. Additionally, Underground Utility Contractors are currently licensed by the Board and in 2018 Home Inspectors as well as Well and Pump Installers and Filtration System Installers will be required to be licensed by the Board. All licenses issued by the Board will require candidates to take an examination administered by a third party testing agency.

Electrical, plumbing, mechanical, asbestos abatement, lead abatement, lead renovation, and radon mitigation require licenses issued by the state.

Prequalification is required in some instances for public works contracts.

Who Regulates Construction?

Physical Alteration Permits (PAP) for Commercial/Multi-Unit Residential, Single Family Residential may be obtained from:

Rhode Island Department of Transportation Contracts & Specifications Section
2 Capitol Hill, Room 108
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-2495/Fax (401) 222-6168
https://www.dot.ri.gov

Building contractors and subcontractors are required to be registered or licensed with the:

Rhode Island Department of Administration Division of Capital Asset Management & Maintenance
One Capitol Hill
Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-1268/Fax (401) 222-1940
https://www.crb.ri.gov

Lead, Asbestos and Radon contractors may obtain licensing information from:

Rhode Island Department of Health Center for Healthy Homes and Environment
3 Capitol Hill, Room 206
Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-7796
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

Plumbing, mechanical and electrical contractors may obtain licensing information from:

Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training Division of Professional Regulation
1511 Pontiac Avenue, Building 70
Post Office Box 20247
Cranston, RI 02920
(401) 462-8580/Fax (401) 462-8528
https://www.dlt.state.ri.us

Requirements?

Contractors:
Registering applicants must show workers compensation coverage when 1 or more employees are hired, as well as provide the Board as holder of a certificate of single limit liability coverage of at least $500,000. Out of state contractors must have an agent of service who is authorized to provide this service and located within the state. All contractors are required to sign an affidavit attesting to knowledge of the Board's Law as well as provisions in the Rules and Regulations. All new licenses issues will be required to pass an examination administered by a third party testing company; however, a pre-license application form is required to completed by a candidate prior to taking a licensing examination, at a cost of $50.

New registrants are now required to have obtained certification from an approved Board provider of having completed the required 5 core classes established by the Board. The pre-registration courses have to be instructor lead and are required currently only for those contractor's performing residential work or both residential and commercial construction contracts exceeding more than $500 (or any amount, if 1 advertises) require a certificate of registration. Contracts exceeding $1,000 must be in writing.

The initial 2 year renewal fees are $200 for contractors registration and will be the same for Home Inspectors, Well and Pump Installers, Filtration System Installers and Underground Utility Installers licenses. Commercial Roofers registration fee is $400 and will remain that amount when converted to a license; however, insurance coverage increases to $1,500,000. Currently the average processing time on contractors' applications for Registration is 24 hours and 30 days for commercial roofers. The Licensing Programs should all be implemented in 2018. A $20,000 bond is required for Underground Utility Installers .

Asbestos Abatement:
Contractors must complete a 40-hour course and course test with a passing score of 70%. Contractors must submit valid registration with the Rhode Is land Contractor's Registration Board, description of experience and performance bonding or other financial assurances, medical surveil lance and respiratory protection programs, as specified on the license application. The 2-year license fee is $1,950. Processing time on applications averages 2 weeks.

Lead Abatement:
Contractors must complete a 40-hour course and course test with a passing score of 70%. A passing score of 70% is also required on a separate state licensing examination. Contractors must submit valid registration with the Rhode
Island Contractor's Registration Board, medical surveillance and respiratory protection programs, as specified on the license application. The 2-year license fee is $400. Processing time on applications averages 2 weeks.

Education:
Contractors must complete 5 hours of continuing education to be maintained by a registrant over the 2 year period before renewal. License holders will also be required to obtain continuing education in the neat future and the hours which will be determined as set forth in the Rules and Regulations when developed.

Lead Renovation:
Construction-related trades who perform renovation, repair and painting (RRP) must complete an 8-hour Lead Renovator training course. ( Licensed Lead Supervisors and Lead Workers need only take a 4-hour Lead Renovator review training.) A certified Lead Renovator must work for a Rhode Island licensed Lead Renovation Firm. The 5-year license fee is $100 for the firm . Processing time on applications averages 2 weeks.

Radon Mitigation:
Contractors must complete a 24-hour course, pass the national radon contractor proficiency (RCP) examination, and be certified by the National Radon Safety Board (NRSB) or National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP). Contractors must submit valid registration with the Rhode Island Contractor's Registration Board and description of services offered as specified on the license application. The 1-year license fee is $200. Processing time on applications averages 2 weeks.

Education:
Contractors must complete 5 hours of approved continuing education to renew their registration. License holders are also required to obtain applicable review training as specified in the Rhode Island Code of Regulations, and Radon Contractors must maintain their NRSB or NRPP certification.

Other: State public works contracts (public road, bridge or state road) over $50,000 require a performance/payment bond for the contract value. Contracts under $50,000 may be exempted from the bond requirements. Contractors entering into public works contracts in excess of $1,000 with any city, town agency or committee shall post a performance/payment bond for not less than 50% of the contract price.

Bid security is required for all competitive sealed bidding for construction contracts over $50,000.

All public works contracts in excess of $50,000 requires a security bond of no less than 50% and no more than 100% of the contract price.

There are licensing requirements for lead contractors.

Electrical Contractors:
Applicants applying for all electrical contractor and master license are required to verify experience in their respective trade for at least 6 years and must possess a journeypersons' license. Electrical journeypersons license must be valid for at least 2 years prior to applying for a contractor's examination. All electrical journeypersons require verification of at least 4 years experience in their respective trade.

Effective January 2010, all licenses issued by the Division of Professional Regulation shall be renewed on a 2 year cycle. All licensed persons born in even years will renew every 2 years starting January 1, 2010 and all licensed persons born in odd years will renew every 2 years starting January 1, 2011. Licensing fees will be collected for 2 years at the time of renewal. The annual rate remains the same.

Electrical fees are as follows:

Type of License / Exam Fee / License & Renewal Fee

Electrical Contractor / $75 / $120
Electrical Corporation NIA / $100
Journeyperson Electrician / $75 / $36
Limited Electrician/Manufacturers / N/A / $120
Limited Electrician/Non-Manufacturers / N/A / $120
Limited Maintenance Journeyperson / $75 / $36
Oil Burner Contractor / $75 / $120
Oil Burner Corporation / N/A / $1200
Journeyperson Oil Burner Electrician / $75 / $36
Fire Alarm Contractor / $75 / $120
Fire Alarm Corporation / N/A / $100
Fire Alarm Installer / $75 / $36
Electric Sign Contractor / $75 / $120
Electric Sign Installer / $75 / $36
Electric Sign Corporation / N/A / $100
Lightning Protection Contractor / $75 / $120
Lightning Protection Installer / $75 / $36
Lightning Protection Corporation / N/A / $100
Apprentice (Oil Burner, Fire Alarm, Sign Installer and Lightning Protection) / N/A / $20

Mechanical Contractors:
All pipefitters, refrigeration technicians, sheet metal worker journeypersons and sprin klerfitter journeypersons require the completion of a State of Rhode Island approved apprenticeship program and general trade knowledge. An out of-state license in the above mentioned trades will allow the holder of the license to be tested in the trade in which the license is held.

Effective January 2010, all licenses issued by the Division of Professional Regulation shall be renewed on a 2 year cycle. All licensed persons born in even years will renew every 2 years starting January 1, 2010 and all licensed persons born in odd years will renew every 2 years starting January 1, 2011. Licensing fees will be collected for 2 years at the time of renewal. The annual rate remains the same.

Mechanical Contractor fees are as follows:

Type of License / Exam Fee / License & Renewal Fee
Master Mechanical Contractor / N/A / $240
Contractor Master(Pipefitter, Refrigeration and Sheet Metal) / $75 / $120
Refrigeration Master 1 / $75 / $120
Refrigeration Master 2 / $75 / $48
Pipefitter Master 1 / $75 / $120
Pipefitter Master 2 / $75 / $48
Sheet Metal Master 1 / $75 / $120
Sheet Metal Master 2 / $75 / $48
PJF/Natural Gas Service Master 2 / $75 / $120

PJF/ Natural Gas Serviceman Master 2(Propane Gas) / $75 / $120
Refrigeration Journeyman 1 / $75 / $36
Refrigeration Journeyman 2 / $75 / $30
Pipe fitter Journeyman 1 / $75 / $36
Pipe fitter Journeyman 2 / $75 / $30
Sheet Metal Journeyperson 1 / $75 / $36
Sheet Metal Journeyperson 2 / $75 / $30
Fire Suppression(Limited) / $75 / $30
Decorative Heating Appliances(Limited) / $75 / $30
Welding(Limited) / $75 / $30
Gas Serviceman(Natural Gas)(Limited) / $75 / $72
Gas Serviceman Journeyman 2(Propane Gas) / $75 / $72
0/B Serviceman Journeyman 2(Limited) / $75 / $72
Gas Station(Limited) / $75 / $30
Synthetic Exhaust Ducting(Limited) / $75 / $30
Fire Protection Master / $75 / $120
Fire Protection Journeyman / $75 / $36

RECIPROCAL AGREEMENTS
For Asbestos Licenses there are reciprocal agreements with the northeast states and EPA for supervisor and worker training. For Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) there is reciprocity for the renovator training. For Radon Licenses there is reciprocity for the training approved by NRSB and NRPP.