You’re handy and you’ve always wanted to own a business. Being a RI contractor seems like a natural fit.
But how do you get started in the Ocean State? Do you need a Rhode Island contractors license? What about handymen? Fortunately, I’ve done the research for you. Take a look at this helpful guide, and you’ll be official before you know it.
Rhode Island is unique (but you probably already knew that). It’s one of the few states that doesn’t require a license. Instead, you need to register as a contractor.
According to the State of Rhode Island Contractors’ Registration and Licensing Board, “anyone who is in the business of commercial construction, home construction, alterations, remodeling, or repair to residents to be registered with the State of Rhode Island Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board.”
The process is similar to getting a license, but less stringent. And, just like a license, it has many benefits for contractors:
This is a good thing. Business insurance protects you, your employees, and your business’s property if there’s an accident, injury, or loss. In the construction industry, anything can happen. You want to expect the best, but be prepared in the event of the worst.
Now you know the benefits, let’s talk about how to register as a contractor.
If you’re a new contractor and have never registered in Rhode Island, the state requires you to take five hours of pre-education courses before you start the application. You can check out the list of approved classes here.
Then when you’re ready to register, you’ll need:
You can get a business certificate with the Rhode Island Secretary of State by filling out an online form.
Before you fill out the application form, investigate getting business insurance. Rhode Island requires that you carry at least $500,000 in general liability insurance. This is a good thing—insurance will help protect you and your employees if there’s an accident or injury.
Let's dive into that a little bit more.
Carrying a $500,000 policy doesn't mean you have to pay that much. Instead, it just means your general liability policy limit, at a minimum, covers $500,000 or more of claims in a given year.
Most GL policies with a $500,000 (or even a $1 million) limit start at just $19.58 per month.* If you need to get insured so you can meet your licensing requirements, check out our free quote comparison tool. It takes just ten minutes to fill out, plus you'll see quotes from the nation's most trusted insurance providers.
If you have employees, consider buying workers’ compensation insurance too. It’s important to protect your team if they’re injured on the job. With the right plan, they can heal and get back to work sooner.
You may need to show proof of business insurance to get your license.
That’s where we come in. Compare free insurance quotes for policies as low as $19.58/month.*
Start Here >While you may not need a Rhode Island contractors license for most work, if you’re an underground utility contractor, Rhode Island requires that you get an official license—not a registration.
First, you’ll need to fill out the pre-license application form. Then, you’ll receive a “pending” license number so you can obtain a bond for two years. In addition, you’ll need:
Before you know it, you’ll have your Rhode Island contractor’s license in your hands!
You’ve proofread your licensing paperwork and you’re ready to send it in. Get a large mailer and address your packet to:
Contractors’ Registration and Licensing Board 560 Jefferson Blvd, Suite 204 Warwick, RI 02886-1371
No. However, you will need to register your business, much the same way you would need to do if you were working as a contractor.
Visit Rhode Island’s Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board online. Their search tool is easy way to check on the status of your registration or to find out if a particular contractor is registered.
Next up? Get ready to advertise your new registration status. Once you’re official in Rhode Island, you can promote it on your website, business cards, contracts, and other marketing materials. It’s attractive to homeowners.
You can also advertise your new business insurance plan. It’ll give homeowners peace of mind knowing you have insurance in case anything goes wrong. If you’re not happy with your plan now, it’s never too late to make a change. Get a quote and make sure you have the right insurance for your business.
*Monthly payment calculations (i) do not include initial premium down payment and (ii) may vary by state, insurance provider, and nature of your business. Averages based on January - March 2023 data of 10% of our total policies sold.
Written by
Emily Thompson
I earned a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin at Madison (go Bucky). After realizing my first job might involve carrying a police scanner at 2 am in pursuit of “newsworthy” crimes, I decided I was better suited for freelance blogging and marketing writing. Since 2010, I’ve owned my freelance writing business, EST Creative. When I’m not penning, doodling ideas, or chatting with clients, you’ll find me hiking with my husband, baby boy, and 2 mischievous mutts.
Emily writes on a number of topics such as entrepreneurship, small business networking, and budgeting.
This content is for general, informational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal, tax, accounting, or financial advice. Please obtain expert advice from industry specific professionals who may better understand your business’s needs. Read our full disclaimer
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