Rhode Island Contractor License Lookup

Rhode Island requires contractors who work on structures to register with the Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board. Electricians, plumbers and mechanical (HVAC) trades need separate state licenses. Search contractors on the official site of the Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (CRLB), and see the rules for trades and the job price where each applies. Runs in your browser; nothing is stored.

Search Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (CRLB)

Rhode Island rules checked against official sources on October 25, 2026.

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Labor and materials together, in dollars. Leave it blank to see the state's dollar limits.

Rhode Island: Remodel, repair or home improvement

  • This state rule applies to jobs of $500 or more. Credential: contractor registration.

    Contractors working on a structure must hold a CRLB registration. The only dollar exemption is for casual, minor work where all of the person's contracts on the job total less than $500. Source: R.I. Gen. Laws 5-65-2(a)(4); 5-65-3(a)

    Conditions and exceptions for this rule:

    • The under-$500 exemption does not apply to anyone who advertises or holds themselves out as a contractor.
    • People working on their own property or residence, and employees of a contractor, are exempt from registration.
    • Starting January 1, 2028, building a new home or structurally remodeling an existing home will also require a new CRLB residential license (R.I. Gen. Laws 5-65.4-3). Nonstructural home improvement stays under registration.

Look up a contractor on the official site

Search Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (CRLB)

What to check on the board's record

  • The name or business on the record matches the name on your contract or estimate.
  • The status is active, not expired, suspended or revoked.
  • The license type or class covers your kind of job.
  • The license number in the contractor's ads and contract is the same one.

This summarises state rules from official sources. Only the board's own record can confirm one contractor's license. Checked October 25, 2026.

How Rhode Island licenses contractors

Rhode Island requires contractors who work on structures to register with the Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board. Electricians, plumbers and mechanical (HVAC) trades need separate state licenses. R.I. Gen. Laws 5-65-3(a)

A contractor who was not registered when it bid or signed the contract cannot file a lien, file a board claim, or sue for payment for the work, though a court may make an exception to avoid substantial injustice. R.I. Gen. Laws 5-65-4

Rules by type of work

Home improvement and new homes

  • contractor registration: Contractors working on a structure must hold a CRLB registration. The only dollar exemption is for casual, minor work where all of the person's contracts on the job total less than $500. Issued by Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (CRLB). R.I. Gen. Laws 5-65-2(a)(4); 5-65-3(a)
    • The under-$500 exemption does not apply to anyone who advertises or holds themselves out as a contractor.
    • People working on their own property or residence, and employees of a contractor, are exempt from registration.
    • Starting January 1, 2028, building a new home or structurally remodeling an existing home will also require a new CRLB residential license (R.I. Gen. Laws 5-65.4-3). Nonstructural home improvement stays under registration.

Electrical work

  • electrical contractor license: Electrical installation and service work needs a license from the state Board of Examiners of Electricians at the Department of Labor and Training. The statute sets no dollar minimum. Issued by RI Department of Labor and Training, Professional Regulation (electricians, plumbers, mechanical trades). R.I. Gen. Laws 5-6-2(a)(1)
    • The rule that permit work must be done by a licensed electrician (5-6-2(b)) does not apply to owner-occupied, single-family homes, except for removing and reattaching electrical meters.

Plumbing

  • master plumber license: Contracting to install, maintain or repair plumbing requires a master plumber license from the Department of Labor and Training. The statute sets no dollar minimum. Issued by RI Department of Labor and Training, Professional Regulation (electricians, plumbers, mechanical trades). R.I. Gen. Laws 5-20-8

Heating and air conditioning (HVAC)

  • mechanical trades (master) license: Contracting for pipefitting, refrigeration and air conditioning, or air distribution (HVAC) work requires a mechanical trades license from the Department of Labor and Training. The statute sets no dollar minimum. Issued by RI Department of Labor and Training, Professional Regulation (electricians, plumbers, mechanical trades). R.I. Gen. Laws 28-27-5(a)

Roofing

  • contractor registration: Contractors working on a structure must hold a CRLB registration. The only dollar exemption is for casual, minor work where all of the person's contracts on the job total less than $500. Issued by Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (CRLB). R.I. Gen. Laws 5-65-2(a)(4); 5-65-3(a)
    • The under-$500 exemption does not apply to anyone who advertises or holds themselves out as a contractor.
    • People working on their own property or residence, and employees of a contractor, are exempt from registration.
    • Starting January 1, 2028, building a new home or structurally remodeling an existing home will also require a new CRLB residential license (R.I. Gen. Laws 5-65.4-3). Nonstructural home improvement stays under registration.
  • commercial roofing license (commercial): Roofing contractors working on commercial or industrial buildings need a CRLB roofing license in addition to contractor registration. The statute sets no dollar minimum. Issued by Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (CRLB). R.I. Gen. Laws 5-73-1, 5-73-3(a), (b)
    • Roofers who apply shingles only do not need the roofing license.
    • Residential buildings of four or fewer dwelling units are not covered by the roofing license; contractor registration still applies to them.

Where to look up contractors in Rhode Island

  • Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (CRLB): official license search
  • RI Department of Labor and Training, Professional Regulation (electricians, plumbers, mechanical trades): official license search. Search for a trade license by trade, license number, name, city/state, or telephone number.

On the record, check that the name matches your contract, the status is active (not expired, suspended or revoked), the license type covers your job, and the license number matches the one the contractor gave you.

What this tool does not do

  • It does not check any one contractor. Only the board's own record shows whether a license is active and what it covers.
  • It covers state rules. Cities and counties can add their own licenses and permits, and the tool cannot list every local rule.
  • It does not decide whether a contractor broke the law or what you can recover. For a dispute, contact the board or a lawyer.
  • It does not cover every specialty trade a state licenses (for example pest control, elevators or well drilling).

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Use the official online license search from the Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (CRLB). Search by the contractor's name, business name or license number, and check that the status is active and the license type covers your job. Other state boards on this page: the RI Department of Labor and Training, Professional Regulation (electricians, plumbers, mechanical trades).

Do you need a contractor license for a small job in Rhode Island?

Contractors working on a structure must hold a CRLB registration. The only dollar exemption is for casual, minor work where all of the person's contracts on the job total less than $500. For jobs under $500, this state rule generally does not apply, but the conditions and exceptions listed on this page can change that, and a city or county can require its own license.

Which trades need a state license in Rhode Island?

Electrical: electrical contractor license from the RI Department of Labor and Training, Professional Regulation (electricians, plumbers, mechanical trades). Plumbing: master plumber license from the RI Department of Labor and Training, Professional Regulation (electricians, plumbers, mechanical trades). HVAC: mechanical trades (master) license from the RI Department of Labor and Training, Professional Regulation (electricians, plumbers, mechanical trades).

What happens if a Rhode Island contractor works without a required license?

A contractor who was not registered when it bid or signed the contract cannot file a lien, file a board claim, or sue for payment for the work, though a court may make an exception to avoid substantial injustice.

Sources

Checked against official Rhode Island sources on October 25, 2026.

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