Rhode Island General Contractor License Requirements

Official classification: General Contractor Registration · Issued by the Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board.

🏗️ General ContractorRI ✔ Verified 2026-07-11

In Rhode Island, general contractors must hold the General Contractor Registration, issued by the Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board, and no state surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed general contractor in Rhode Island

Follow these steps to earn your General Contractor Registration. Every figure is verified against the Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board; full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. No specific years required; registration-based credential
Confirm exam requirements. Rhode Island sets no state trade exam for this license, though your city or county may require one.
Check the insurance rules. Liability: $500,000 combined single limit. Property damage: Included in liability limit. Workers' compensation: Required if contractors employ any individuals.
Clear the background check. Applicants attest to any unsatisfied or outstanding judgments from arbitration, bankruptcy, courts or administrative agencies relating to their work as a contractor; registration may be refused, revoked or suspended on that basis (R.I. Gen. Laws 5-65-5).
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board — $150 (R.I. Gen. Laws 5-65-9) application fee, plus a Included in application fee license fee. Processing time: 10-14 business days.
Keep the license active. Renewal: 1 year (R.I. Gen. Laws 5-65-8). Continuing education: 2.5 hours per annual renewal for residential contractors (R.I. Gen. Laws 5-65-5(f)); commercial-only contractors exempt.

For the general path in every state, see the General Contractor guide →

Rhode Island general contractor license lookup

To confirm a general contractor is properly licensed in Rhode Island — or to check the status of your own license — search the issuing agency's official license database. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Verify a license now: Search the official crb.ri.gov database →

License types

Residential Contractor — Residential construction, remodeling, and repairs; requires 5-hour pre-registration course
Commercial Contractor — Commercial construction work; exempt from pre-registration course and continuing education requirements

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	No specific years required; registration-based credential
Application fee	$150 (R.I. Gen. Laws 5-65-9)
License fee	Included in application fee
Renewal fee	$150 per year; $50 late fee for an expired registration
Renewal period	1 year (R.I. Gen. Laws 5-65-8)
Continuing education	2.5 hours per annual renewal for residential contractors (R.I. Gen. Laws 5-65-5(f)); commercial-only contractors exempt
Bond required	None required
Liability insurance	$500,000 combined single limit
Property damage	Included in liability limit
Workers' comp	Required if contractors employ any individuals
Background check	Applicants attest to any unsatisfied or outstanding judgments from arbitration, bankruptcy, courts or administrative agencies relating to their work as a contractor; registration may be refused, revoked or suspended on that basis (R.I. Gen. Laws 5-65-5).
Credit requirement	—
Reciprocity	None. Per the Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board's FAQ, there is no reciprocity for a contractor's registration. · other states' agreements
Processing time	10-14 business days

What a Rhode Island general contractor license costs

Application fee	$150 (R.I. Gen. Laws 5-65-9).
License fee	Included in application fee.
Surety bond	None required.
Renewal fee	$150 per year; $50 late fee for an expired registration.
Renewal period	1 year (R.I. Gen. Laws 5-65-8).

Exams

No state trade exam is required — the General Contractor Registration is a registration, not an examined license. Local jurisdictions may set their own exam requirements.

Renewing a Rhode Island general contractor license

The General Contractor Registration renews on a fixed cycle set by the Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board. Finish the continuing-education requirement before you file — boards generally will not process a renewal without it. Late and lapsed renewals are handled differently by every board, so check the renewal page linked below before the deadline passes.

Renewal period	1 year (R.I. Gen. Laws 5-65-8)
Renewal fee	$150 per year; $50 late fee for an expired registration
Continuing education	2.5 hours per annual renewal for residential contractors (R.I. Gen. Laws 5-65-5(f)); commercial-only contractors exempt
Where to renew	Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board

Local / municipal notes

Commercial contractors are exempt from the 5-hour pre-registration course requirement and continuing education requirements. All contractors must maintain valid liability and property damage insurance naming RICRLB as certificate holder.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Rhode Island general contractor license cost?

Application: $150 (R.I. Gen. Laws 5-65-9). License: Included in application fee. Renewal: $150 per year; $50 late fee for an expired registration.

How do I look up a general contractor license in Rhode Island?

Search the official license database at crb.ri.gov. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Do general contractors in Rhode Island need a surety bond?

None required

What experience is required for a Rhode Island general contractor license?

No specific years required; registration-based credential

Is insurance required for general contractors in Rhode Island?

Liability: $500,000 combined single limit. Property damage: Included in liability limit. Workers' compensation: Required if contractors employ any individuals.

How long does it take to get a Rhode Island general contractor license?

Processing time: 10-14 business days.

Is a background check required for general contractors in Rhode Island?

Background check: Applicants attest to any unsatisfied or outstanding judgments from arbitration, bankruptcy, courts or administrative agencies relating to their work as a contractor; registration may be refused, revoked or suspended on that basis (R.I. Gen. Laws 5-65-5).

How often must a Rhode Island general contractor license be renewed?

1 year (R.I. Gen. Laws 5-65-8). Continuing education: 2.5 hours per annual renewal for residential contractors (R.I. Gen. Laws 5-65-5(f)); commercial-only contractors exempt.

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-07-11 — always confirm current requirements directly with the Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board before applying. This is not legal advice.