Rhode Island general contractor license & renewal
The requirements, the timing and the official sources. Everything we’ve verified, in one place.
License fee
$150.00
Required hours
5
Exam
—
Not verified yet
Renewal
All registrations are valid for one year.
Before you begin
Agency guidance
Contractors and subcontractors building or repairing structures, or moving or demolishing residential or commercial structures, must register; the FAQ lists exemptions.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Every contractor and subcontractor in the business of building or repairing structures must register with the CRLB. Anyone who demolishes or moves a residential/commercial structure must also register.Official source
Agency guidance
The 2.5-hour renewal course is not required for exclusively commercial work.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Course Exemption: Exemption from the 2.5-hour course if working exclusively on commercial structures.Official source
Agency guidance
From January 1, 2028, separate residential licenses will be required to build new homes or perform structural remodeling to existing residential structures. These new requirements do not apply to nonstructural home improvements or commercial construction.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
According to the new law, a license will be required as of January 1, 2028, to either build new homes and/or perform structural remodeling to existing residential structures. These new license requirements do not apply to contractors who perform nonstructural home improvements or commercial construction.Official source
How to get this license
Use the agency’s requirements below to plan your next steps. Missing details stay marked.
Start with the licensing authority
Licensing board
Rhode Island Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board
Official sourceOfficial agency page
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
General Contractor Registration: First-Time Applicants
Official sourceCheck the qualifications
Age
18
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
An applicant must be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
Official sourceRequired hours
5
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Submit proof of completing a state-approved, 5-hour pre-registration course.
Official sourceEducation
State-approved five-hour preregistration course; exclusively commercial work is exempt.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Submit proof of completing a state-approved, 5-hour pre-registration course. Course Exemption: Exemption from the 5-hour pre-registration course if work will be exclusively on commercial structures.
Official sourceInsurance
At least $500,000 general liability; workers' compensation if the contractor has employees. Name RICRLB as certificate holder.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Provide a Certificate of General Liability Insurance with a minimum coverage of $500,000, naming RICRLB as the certificate holder. If you have employees, submit a Certificate of Workers' Compensation Insurance, also naming RICRLB as the certificate holder.
Official sourceReview fees and apply
Application fee
Not verified yet
Exam fee
Not verified yet
License fee
$150.00
Apply with the agency
Reciprocity
No reciprocity for general contractor registration.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Reciprocity is unavailable for a General Contractors' RegistrationOfficial source
Official sources and verification (15)
Last verified 2026-10-24. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.
General Contractor Registration: First-Time ApplicantsOfficial source
Verified 2026-10-24
Every contractor and subcontractor in the business of building or repairing structures must register with the CRLB. Anyone who demolishes or moves a residential/commercial structure must also register.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Course Exemption: Exemption from the 2.5-hour course if working exclusively on commercial structures.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
According to the new law, a license will be required as of January 1, 2028, to either build new homes and/or perform structural remodeling to existing residential structures. These new license requirements do not apply to contractors who perform nonstructural home improvements or commercial construction.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
An applicant must be at least eighteen (18) years of age.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Submit proof of completing a state-approved, 5-hour pre-registration course.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Submit proof of completing a state-approved, 5-hour pre-registration course. Course Exemption: Exemption from the 5-hour pre-registration course if work will be exclusively on commercial structures.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Provide a Certificate of General Liability Insurance with a minimum coverage of $500,000, naming RICRLB as the certificate holder. If you have employees, submit a Certificate of Workers' Compensation Insurance, also naming RICRLB as the certificate holder.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Submit proof of completing a state-approved, 2.5 hour continuing education course.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Reciprocity is unavailable for a General Contractors' RegistrationOfficial source
Verified 2026-10-24
Keep exploring.
Same license in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Last verified 2026-10-24.
Official sources (4)
Not legal or tax advice. Confirm with the official agency before filing.