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Rhode Island contractor registration (CRB)Requirements, cost, exam

Rhode Island requires contractors to register with the RI Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (CRB). You must register with the Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board before you bid on or do any construction work on a structure, residential or commercial, and all subcontractors must register too.1

Rhode Island · general contractor

State registration required

Experience
The registration law sets no experience requirement.2
Exam
There is no trade exam for registration.2
Bond
Rhode Island does not require a surety bond to register as a contractor.2
Insurance
You must carry public liability and property damage insurance of at least $500,000 combined single limit, and give the board proof of it at registration and at each renewal.3
Fees
The fee is $150 for an original registration and $150 for each renewal.4
Renewal
A registration is valid for one year from the date it is issued.5

RI Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (CRB)

How do you get a Rhode Island contractor registration?

  1. Check that you need to register

    You must register with the Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board before you bid on or do any construction work on a structure, residential or commercial, and all subcontractors must register too.1

  2. Meet the experience rule

    The registration law sets no experience requirement.2

  3. Apply to the CRB

    The fee is $150 for an original registration and $150 for each renewal.4

    CRB site
  4. File the bond and insurance

    Rhode Island does not require a surety bond to register as a contractor. You must carry public liability and property damage insurance of at least $500,000 combined single limit, and give the board proof of it at registration and at each renewal.2

    Rhode Island bond and insurance rules
  5. Get the registration, then renew$150 / year

    A registration is valid for one year from the date it is issued.5

    Renewal and CE

Electrical, plumbing and HVAC licenses in Rhode Island

Which license class do you need in Rhode Island?

Residential and commercial contractor registration.6

Do you need workers' comp?

You must carry workers' compensation insurance as required under chapter 29 of title 28 of the General Laws, and show the board evidence of it at registration and renewal.3

Rhode Island insurance and bonds

Sources

  1. RI Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (CRB): who needs a license (webserver.rilegislature.gov, 2026-10-27)
  2. RI Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (CRB): experience (webserver.rilegislature.gov, 2026-10-27)
  3. RI Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (CRB): insurance (webserver.rilegislature.gov, 2026-10-27)
  4. RI Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (CRB): fees (webserver.rilegislature.gov, 2026-10-27)
  5. RI Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (CRB): renewal (webserver.rilegislature.gov, 2026-10-27)
  6. RI Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (CRB): license classes (crb.ri.gov, 2026-10-27)
  7. RI Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (CRB): Renew (crb.ri.gov, 2026-10-27)
  8. RI Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (CRB): 440 10 00 2 (rules.sos.ri.gov, 2026-10-27)
  9. RI Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (CRB): 5 65 3 (webserver.rilegislature.gov, 2026-10-27)
  10. RI DBR - Division of Professional Regulation (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) (dbr.ri.gov, 2026-10-27)