Moving to Rhode Island as a general contractor: every state's rule

1. 1Application fee. Pay the application fee ($150). Registration fee of $150 for a one-year certificate (R.I. Gen. Laws 5-65-9). The board does not accept cash: pay by credit or debit card through the OpenGov platform, or mail a check payable to RICRLB to 560 Jefferson Blvd., Suite 100, Warwick RI 02886. There is no separate license fee, bond or recovery fund charge..
2. 2Pre-license course. Complete the required pre-license course (if applicable). A board-approved five-hour pre-registration course taken in person within the 24 months before applying, required only if you will also work on residential structures. A contractor whose work will be exclusively on commercial structures is exempt..
3. 3Insurance. Carry the required insurance ($500,000). Public liability and property damage insurance of not less than $500,000 combined single limit for bodily injury and property damage, kept in force for the whole registration (R.I. Gen. Laws 5-65-7). File a certificate naming RICRLB as certificate holder with the application and at every renewal. If the certificate does not reach the board within ten business days, a violation may be issued with an administrative fine of $250 for a first offense and $500 for each later one, and letting the cover lapse invalidates the registration. This is the statutory floor for registration; commercial contracts usually call for higher limits..
4. 4Insurance. Carry the required insurance (if applicable). Workers' compensation insurance under R.I. Gen. Laws chapter 28-29 once the business has employees, with the certificate naming RICRLB as certificate holder. The board treats anyone paid on a 1099 as a subcontractor who needs a registration of their own, not as an employee..
5. 5Business license. Obtain a business license. An LLC, corporation or other incorporated entity must be registered with the Rhode Island Secretary of State, and its Business Identification Number goes on the application, with the names and business and residential addresses of the officers, or of the members and managers, and a copy of the articles of incorporation or organization. A partnership or joint venture lists each partner or venturer. A sole proprietor registering in their own name does not file with the Secretary of State..
6. 6Other. Applicants based outside Rhode Island must appoint a Rhode Island agent for service of process by filing a power of attorney with the board before a registration can be issued. The agent must be a Rhode Island resident or an entity qualified to do business in the state, with a staffed Rhode Island street address; post office boxes and shipping or postal company addresses are not accepted. (if applicable).
7. 7Other. Apply online through the board's Viewpoint Cloud e-licensing system with a clear copy of a government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport photo page or military ID), the workers' compensation, unemployment insurance and state withholding account numbers and federal employer identification number where they apply, and a signed board certification form acknowledging key provisions of chapter 5-65 and agreeing to take part in the board's complaint process. An incomplete application is rejected after three months and must be filed again..

Published fees on this path total $150, excluding exam-vendor fees, bonds, and insurance.