Minor Work — Rhode Island license requirements
01 The project
The starting point is the work itself — Minor Work in Rhode Island. The job determines which trades are involved, and the trades determine which license classifications may be required.
No project components are seeded for this project — we do not invent component lists without evidence.
02 Jurisdiction
This project is evaluated for Rhode Island — the universal-registration state. The CRLB general contractor / subcontractor registration (R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-65-3(a)) is required for residential or commercial work on a structure, with no examination and no surety bond; the conditions are a $500,000 combined single-limit insurance plus workers' compensation, a 5-hour pre-registration course, a 2.5-hour CE renewal and a $150 fee on a one-year term. The CRLB separately issues four regulated licences and DLT separately licenses electrical, HVAC and plumbing. Rhode Island jurisdiction page.
DLT trade-licence fees, hours and scope thresholds were not published on the pages read and remain NOT_VERIFIED. Permit fees, local construction rules and any municipal business-licence rate were not researched and remain LOCAL_AUTHORITY_REQUIRED. There is also an open question — CONFLICT-RI-002: the commercial-only exemption from the 5-hour course against the registration duty that covers commercial buildings — where the rule answers NOT_DETERMINED. State requirements are not the complete story for any locality.
03 Trade → license
Relations below are recorded per state — only this jurisdiction's classifications are shown.
Trades involved: no seeded components — trade resolution follows from the classification relations below.
- May require GENERAL-CONTRACTOR-REGISTRATION — General Contractor / Subcontractor Registration (CRLB) confirmed S-RI-5-65-3 rule RI-REGISTRATIONRhode Island has NO dollar threshold: § 5-65-3(a) requires a registration to do work as a contractor on a structure, and § 5-65-1(7)'s definition reaches a deck, fence, driveway or swimming pool. Handyman work is expressly listed by the CRLB as requiring registration (rule RI-REGISTRATION).
- Component basis GENERAL-CONTRACTOR-REGISTRATION — General Contractor / Subcontractor Registration (CRLB) confirmed S-RI-CRLB-REG rule RI-EXEMPTWhether the job needs registration turns on STATUS, not price: an employee of a registered contractor and a homeowner who resides in the residence do not register (rule RI-EXEMPT), while an independent subcontractor must (rule RI-SUBCONTRACTOR).
- Alternative path GENERAL-CONTRACTOR-REGISTRATION — General Contractor / Subcontractor Registration (CRLB) confirmed S-RI-CRLB-REG rule RI-NO-GC-LICENSENo exam-based statewide 'general contractor licence' exists, so routine minor work triggers a REGISTRATION rather than a licence (rules RI-NO-GC-LICENSE, RI-NO-BOND); a building permit may still be required (rule RI-PERMIT).
04 Scope
What the official sources say about the work involved — typed assertions, never a boolean "covers". Interpretations are marked as such.
- Officially excluded GENERAL-CONTRACTOR-REGISTRATION Employee Of A Registered Contractor Needs No Registration (may_not_perform) CRLB general-contractor-registration page S-RI-CRLB-REG The exemption turns on EMPLOYMENT — a hired sub who is not an employee must register (rule RI-EXEMPT).
- Officially included GENERAL-CONTRACTOR-REGISTRATION Building Permit Only With A Current Valid Registration (may_pull_permit) R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-65-3(c) S-RI-5-65-3 The enforcement mechanism: the permit counter gates on registration (rule RI-PERMIT).
- Requires another classification GENERAL-CONTRACTOR-REGISTRATION Insurance Instead Of A Bond (requires) R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-65-7 S-RI-5-65-7 Rhode Island's financial condition is insurance, not a bond (rules RI-INSURANCE, RI-NO-BOND).
- Officially included GENERAL-CONTRACTOR-REGISTRATION Residential Construction And Repair After Registration (may_perform) R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-65-3(a) S-RI-CRLB-REG The registered scope: any structure work for a registered contractor (rule RI-REGISTRATION).
- Officially excluded GENERAL-CONTRACTOR-REGISTRATION Homeowner Working On Their Own Residence Needs No Registration (may_not_perform) CRLB general-contractor-registration page S-RI-CRLB-REG A residence the owner does NOT occupy is outside the exemption — a homeowner flipping a second property for sale can be a 'contractor' under § 5-65-3(e).
- Officially excluded GENERAL-CONTRACTOR-REGISTRATION No City Or Town May Require Its Own Contractor Registration Or Fee (may_not_perform) R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-65-3(g) S-RI-5-65-3 A state registration that is EXCLUSIVE locally — the mirror image of Pennsylvania's § 517.12, which preserves municipal TRADE licences (rule RI-PREEMPTION).
- Requires another classification GENERAL-CONTRACTOR-REGISTRATION Each Named Subcontractor Must Hold Its Own Registration (requires) R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-65-3(i) S-RI-5-65-3 A separate CREDENTIAL obligation the state imposes on the sub, not a different licence class (rule RI-SUBCONTRACTOR).
- Not determined minor-work Registration Turns On Employee Or Homeowner Status (requires) CRLB general-contractor-registration page; R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-65-3 S-RI-CRLB-REG C_not_determined reflects that the answer depends on employment/homeowner status — there is NO dollar threshold in Rhode Island, unlike Pennsylvania's $500/$5,000 (rules RI-REGISTRATION, RI-EXEMPT, RI-NO-GC-LICENSE).
- Requires another classification GENERAL-CONTRACTOR-REGISTRATION Dlt Electrical Hvac Mechanical Plumbing Licence Where The Trade Applies (requires) RI DLT Professional Regulation; CRLB registration page S-RI-DLT-PROFREG A SEPARATE AGENCY the state does not own: the CRLB registration and the DLT trade licence stack (rules RI-ELECTRICAL, RI-MECHANICAL, RI-PLUMBING).
05 Requirements
| Requirement | Kind | Statement | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate of registration required to work as a contractor on a structure R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-65-3(a) + CRLB registration page (read 2026-10-05) | registration | R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-65-3(a) verbatim: 'A person shall not undertake, offer to undertake, or submit a bid to do work as a contractor on a structure unless that person has a current, valid certificate of registration for all construction work issued by the board.' A partnership, corporation, limited liability company or joint venture may do the work only if THAT entity is registered and a designated individual is jointly and severally liable for the fee and for compliance. The CRLB restates it (read 2026-10-05): 'Rhode Island General Laws require anyone doing residential or commercial construction work—like building, remodeling, or repairs—needs to be registered with the Rhode Island Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (RICRLB).' | S-RI-5-65-3Source S-RI-5-65-3 — Rhode Island General Assembly — Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board chapter (R.I. Gen. Laws title 5, ch. 65)R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-65-3 — Registration for work on a structure required; permits; duties of contractors (FindLaw mirror) — R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-65-3(a) + CRLB registration page (read 2026-10-05) https://codes.findlaw.com/ri/title-5-businesses-and-professions/ri-gen-laws-sect-5-65-3/ Retrieved 2026-10-05 · last verified 2026-10-05 Read in full 2026-10-05. (a) verbatim: 'A person shall not undertake, offer to undertake, or submit a bid to do work as a contractor on a structure unless that person has a current, valid certificate of registration for all construction work issued by the board.' A partnership/corporation/LLC/joint venture may do the work only if IT is registered and a designated individual is jointly and severally liable. (c) verbatim: 'A city, town, or the state shall not issue a building permit to anyone required to be registered under this chapter who does not have a current, valid registration or valid license' — each permit applicant must be registered and the registration number goes on the permit. (d) city/town business-license applicants must state their registration is in force. (g) verbatim: 'The provisions of this chapter shall be exclusive and no city or town shall require or shall issue any registrations or licenses nor charge any fee for the regulatory registration of any contractor registered with the board' — while a general and non-discriminatory municipal business licence fee and business tax survive. (h) every contractor must keep a subcontractor list (names, addresses, registration numbers) and deliver it within 24 hours of a board request or a $25 fine per offense. (i) the named subcontractors — carpenters (finish and framers), siding installers, roofers, foundation installers including concrete and form installers, drywall installers, plasterers, insulation installers, ceramic tile installers, floor covering installers and swimming-pool installers — who are not employees of a registered contractor must obtain a registration certificate. Backs REQ-RI-REGISTRATION-001, REQ-RI-SUBCONTRACTOR-001, REQ-RI-PERMIT-001, REQ-RI-PREEMPTION-001. |
| Scope — 'contractor', 'structure' and the enumerated appurtenances R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-65-1(7), (19) (FindLaw mirror, read 2026-10-05) | registration | R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-65-1(7)(i): 'contractor' is a person who, in the pursuit of an independent business, undertakes or offers to undertake or submits a bid, or for compensation constructs, alters, repairs, improves, moves over public highways/roads/streets or demolishes a structure, and the appurtenances thereto; 'appurtenances' expressly includes the installation, alteration or repair of wells connected to a structure (title 46 ch. 13.2), garage, carport, porch, patio, decks, docks, sheds, tents, gazebos, walkways, fencing, driveways, retaining walls, swimming pools, sidewalks, stone/masonry walls and parking lots. § 5-65-1(19): 'Structure' means any commercial building, or any building containing one or more residences and their appurtenances. | S-RI-5-65-1Source S-RI-5-65-1 — Rhode Island General Assembly — Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board chapter (R.I. Gen. Laws title 5, ch. 65)R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-65-1 — Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board definitions (FindLaw mirror) — R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-65-1(7), (19) (FindLaw mirror, read 2026-10-05) https://codes.findlaw.com/ri/title-5-businesses-and-professions/ri-gen-laws-sect-5-65-1/ Retrieved 2026-10-05 · last verified 2026-10-05 Read in full 2026-10-05 (FindLaw mirror; page states 'Current as of January 01, 2026'). (2) 'Board' = the contractors' registration and licensing board established by § 5-65-14. (7)(i) 'Contractor' = a person who, in the pursuit of an independent business, undertakes or offers to undertake or submits a bid, or for compensation constructs, alters, repairs, improves, moves over public highways/roads/streets or demolishes a structure, and the appurtenances thereto — expressly including wells (title 46 ch. 13.2), garages, carports, porches, patios, decks, docks, sheds, tents, gazebos, walkways, fencing, driveways, retaining walls, swimming pools, sidewalks, stone/masonry walls and parking lots. (7)(iii) a certificate of registration is necessary for EACH business entity even when owned by the same individual. (13) 'Office' = the state building office (§ 5-84-3.1). (19) 'Structure' = any commercial building, or any building containing one or more residences and their appurtenances. (6) 'Contract for construction' excludes a project containing 1–4 dwelling units. Backs REQ-RI-SCOPE-001, REQ-RI-ENTITY-001 and CONFLICT-RI-001. |
| Who does NOT need to register — employees and resident homeowners CRLB general-contractor-registration page, 'Who Does Not Need to Register?' (read 2026-10-05) | exemption | CRLB verbatim (page read 2026-10-05) — 'Who Does Not Need to Register?': employees of a registered contractor; homeowners who reside in their residence. The CRLB registration page likewise lists the work that does require registration (remodeling, alterations, repairs such as handyman work) so that the boundary is stated from both sides. | S-RI-CRLB-REGSource S-RI-CRLB-REG — Rhode Island Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (RICRLB) — State Building OfficeRI CRLB — General Contractor Registration (official) — CRLB general-contractor-registration page, 'Who Does Not Need to Register?' (read 2026-10-05) https://crb.ri.gov/general-contractor-registration Retrieved 2026-10-05 · last verified 2026-10-05 Read through a browser rendering 2026-10-05 (page states it was last updated 2025-09-08); crb.ri.gov returned HTTP 403 to the fetcher. Verbatim: 'Rhode Island General Laws require anyone doing residential or commercial construction work—like building, remodeling, or repairs—needs to be registered with the Rhode Island Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (RICRLB).' Who NEEDS to register: individuals or businesses working in residential or commercial construction; ALL subcontractors; those performing remodeling, alterations or repairs such as handyman work; contractors and subcontractors who perform, offer to perform or bid construction work for a structure or who coordinate such work. Who does NOT: employees of a registered contractor; homeowners who reside in their residence. Common registered work: ceramic tilers, drywall installers, fence/flooring/foundation/hardscape/insulation installers, masons, painters, paving installers, plasterers, power washers, roofers, sealcoaters, siding installers and swimming-pool installers. Verbatim: 'GENERAL GUIDANCE FOR CONTRACTORS WORKING IN RHODE ISLAND: Please contact Rhode Island Dept. of Labor & Training for the below License Trades: Electrical, HVAC, Mechanical, Plumbing.' Backs REQ-RI-REGISTRATION-001, REQ-RI-EXEMPT-001, REQ-RI-ELECTRICAL-001, REQ-RI-MECHANICAL-001 and REQ-RI-PLUMBING-001. |
| Every named subcontractor must hold its own registration; the 24-hour subcontractor list R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-65-3(i), (h) (FindLaw mirror, read 2026-10-05) | registration | R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-65-3(i): the following subcontractors 'who are not employees of a registered contractor must obtain a registration certificate prior to conducting any work' — carpenters (including finish carpenters and framers), siding installers, roofers, foundation installers (including concrete and form installers), drywall installers, plasterers, insulation installers, ceramic tile installers, floor covering installers and swimming-pool installers. § 5-65-3(h): every contractor must keep a list of each subcontractor's names, addresses and registration numbers and deliver it to the board within twenty-four hours of a request during reasonable working hours, or a fine of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) may be imposed for each offense. | S-RI-5-65-3Source S-RI-5-65-3 — Rhode Island General Assembly — Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board chapter (R.I. Gen. Laws title 5, ch. 65)R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-65-3 — Registration for work on a structure required; permits; duties of contractors (FindLaw mirror) — R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-65-3(i), (h) (FindLaw mirror, read 2026-10-05) https://codes.findlaw.com/ri/title-5-businesses-and-professions/ri-gen-laws-sect-5-65-3/ Retrieved 2026-10-05 · last verified 2026-10-05 Read in full 2026-10-05. (a) verbatim: 'A person shall not undertake, offer to undertake, or submit a bid to do work as a contractor on a structure unless that person has a current, valid certificate of registration for all construction work issued by the board.' A partnership/corporation/LLC/joint venture may do the work only if IT is registered and a designated individual is jointly and severally liable. (c) verbatim: 'A city, town, or the state shall not issue a building permit to anyone required to be registered under this chapter who does not have a current, valid registration or valid license' — each permit applicant must be registered and the registration number goes on the permit. (d) city/town business-license applicants must state their registration is in force. (g) verbatim: 'The provisions of this chapter shall be exclusive and no city or town shall require or shall issue any registrations or licenses nor charge any fee for the regulatory registration of any contractor registered with the board' — while a general and non-discriminatory municipal business licence fee and business tax survive. (h) every contractor must keep a subcontractor list (names, addresses, registration numbers) and deliver it within 24 hours of a board request or a $25 fine per offense. (i) the named subcontractors — carpenters (finish and framers), siding installers, roofers, foundation installers including concrete and form installers, drywall installers, plasterers, insulation installers, ceramic tile installers, floor covering installers and swimming-pool installers — who are not employees of a registered contractor must obtain a registration certificate. Backs REQ-RI-REGISTRATION-001, REQ-RI-SUBCONTRACTOR-001, REQ-RI-PERMIT-001, REQ-RI-PREEMPTION-001. |
| Verified absence — there is no exam-based statewide 'general contractor licence' CRLB general-contractor-registration page + § 5-65-3(a) (read 2026-10-05) | exemption | Rhode Island's mandatory statewide credential is the REGISTRATION of § 5-65-3(a); no examination, no experience test and no competency licence is imposed on general contractors by ch. 65. The CRLB's own menu separates 'General Contractor Registration' from the four 'Regulated Licenses', confirming that the registration is not a licence. | S-RI-CRLB-REGSource S-RI-CRLB-REG — Rhode Island Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (RICRLB) — State Building OfficeRI CRLB — General Contractor Registration (official) — CRLB general-contractor-registration page + § 5-65-3(a) (read 2026-10-05) https://crb.ri.gov/general-contractor-registration Retrieved 2026-10-05 · last verified 2026-10-05 Read through a browser rendering 2026-10-05 (page states it was last updated 2025-09-08); crb.ri.gov returned HTTP 403 to the fetcher. Verbatim: 'Rhode Island General Laws require anyone doing residential or commercial construction work—like building, remodeling, or repairs—needs to be registered with the Rhode Island Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (RICRLB).' Who NEEDS to register: individuals or businesses working in residential or commercial construction; ALL subcontractors; those performing remodeling, alterations or repairs such as handyman work; contractors and subcontractors who perform, offer to perform or bid construction work for a structure or who coordinate such work. Who does NOT: employees of a registered contractor; homeowners who reside in their residence. Common registered work: ceramic tilers, drywall installers, fence/flooring/foundation/hardscape/insulation installers, masons, painters, paving installers, plasterers, power washers, roofers, sealcoaters, siding installers and swimming-pool installers. Verbatim: 'GENERAL GUIDANCE FOR CONTRACTORS WORKING IN RHODE ISLAND: Please contact Rhode Island Dept. of Labor & Training for the below License Trades: Electrical, HVAC, Mechanical, Plumbing.' Backs REQ-RI-REGISTRATION-001, REQ-RI-EXEMPT-001, REQ-RI-ELECTRICAL-001, REQ-RI-MECHANICAL-001 and REQ-RI-PLUMBING-001. |
| Verified absence — no state contractor surety bond R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-65-7 + CRLB apply/renew pages (read 2026-10-05) | bond | Chapter 65 conditions the registration on INSURANCE (§ 5-65-7: $500,000 combined single-limit liability/property damage plus workers' compensation) and does not impose any surety bond as a condition of registration. The CRLB apply and renew pages likewise require only insurance certificates. No state bond requirement was found in the statute or the official pages read on 2026-10-05. | S-RI-5-65-7Source S-RI-5-65-7 — Rhode Island General Assembly — Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board chapter (R.I. Gen. Laws title 5, ch. 65)R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-65-7 — Insurance required of contractors (FindLaw mirror) — R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-65-7 + CRLB apply/renew pages (read 2026-10-05) https://codes.findlaw.com/ri/title-5-businesses-and-professions/ri-gen-laws-sect-5-65-7/ Retrieved 2026-10-05 · last verified 2026-10-05 Read in full 2026-10-05. (a) verbatim: 'Throughout the period of registration, the contractor shall have in effect public liability and property damage insurance covering the work of that contractor that shall be subject to this chapter in not less than the following amount: five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) combined single limit, bodily injury and property damage.' (b) in addition all contractors must carry workers' compensation insurance as required under title 28, ch. 29. (c) satisfactory evidence must be given at registration AND renewal; 'Failure to maintain insurance shall invalidate registration and may result in a fine to the registrant and/or suspension or revocation of the registration.' Backs REQ-RI-INSURANCE-001. |
| No building permit may issue to an unregistered contractor R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-65-3(c), (d) (FindLaw mirror, read 2026-10-05) | permit | R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-65-3(c) verbatim: 'A city, town, or the state shall not issue a building permit to anyone required to be registered under this chapter who does not have a current, valid registration or valid license.' Each permit applicant must state that the registration is in force (or list the basis for an exemption), and the city/town/state 'shall list the contractor's registration number on the permit obtained by that contractor'; where a homeowner pulls the permit, the building official must ascertain every contractor's registration number and report non-registered contractors to the board. | S-RI-5-65-3Source S-RI-5-65-3 — Rhode Island General Assembly — Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board chapter (R.I. Gen. Laws title 5, ch. 65)R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-65-3 — Registration for work on a structure required; permits; duties of contractors (FindLaw mirror) — R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-65-3(c), (d) (FindLaw mirror, read 2026-10-05) https://codes.findlaw.com/ri/title-5-businesses-and-professions/ri-gen-laws-sect-5-65-3/ Retrieved 2026-10-05 · last verified 2026-10-05 Read in full 2026-10-05. (a) verbatim: 'A person shall not undertake, offer to undertake, or submit a bid to do work as a contractor on a structure unless that person has a current, valid certificate of registration for all construction work issued by the board.' A partnership/corporation/LLC/joint venture may do the work only if IT is registered and a designated individual is jointly and severally liable. (c) verbatim: 'A city, town, or the state shall not issue a building permit to anyone required to be registered under this chapter who does not have a current, valid registration or valid license' — each permit applicant must be registered and the registration number goes on the permit. (d) city/town business-license applicants must state their registration is in force. (g) verbatim: 'The provisions of this chapter shall be exclusive and no city or town shall require or shall issue any registrations or licenses nor charge any fee for the regulatory registration of any contractor registered with the board' — while a general and non-discriminatory municipal business licence fee and business tax survive. (h) every contractor must keep a subcontractor list (names, addresses, registration numbers) and deliver it within 24 hours of a board request or a $25 fine per offense. (i) the named subcontractors — carpenters (finish and framers), siding installers, roofers, foundation installers including concrete and form installers, drywall installers, plasterers, insulation installers, ceramic tile installers, floor covering installers and swimming-pool installers — who are not employees of a registered contractor must obtain a registration certificate. Backs REQ-RI-REGISTRATION-001, REQ-RI-SUBCONTRACTOR-001, REQ-RI-PERMIT-001, REQ-RI-PREEMPTION-001. |
06 Rule: RI-REGISTRATION
R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-65-3(a): 'A person shall not undertake, offer to undertake, or submit a bid to do work as a contractor on a structure unless that person has a current, valid certificate of registration for all construction work issued by the board.' Residential AND commercial, and the duty reaches the contractor's subcontractors. No examination, no surety bond. Missing facts yield NOT_DETERMINED.
| Outcome | Conclusion | Caveats |
|---|---|---|
| registration-required | ri_registration_required |
|
| already-registered | registration_already_held | — |
| not-contractor | registration_not_triggered | — |
07 Rule: RI-EXEMPT
CRLB 'Who Does Not Need to Register?': employees of a registered contractor; homeowners who reside in their residence. The exemption turns on EMPLOYMENT and on actually residing in the residence — a hired subcontractor who is not an employee, and an owner who does not occupy the property, must register.
| Outcome | Conclusion | Caveats |
|---|---|---|
| resident-homeowner-exempt | ri_registration_exemption_applies | — |
| employee-exempt | ri_registration_exemption_applies | — |
| independent-contractor-not-exempt | no_exemption_available | — |
08 Rule: RI-NO-GC-LICENSE
VERIFIED ABSENCE: Rhode Island's mandatory statewide credential is the REGISTRATION of § 5-65-3(a); no examination, no experience test and no competency licence is imposed on general contractors by ch. 65. The CRLB's own menu separates 'General Contractor Registration' from the four 'Regulated Licenses'.
| Outcome | Conclusion | Caveats |
|---|---|---|
| license-question | ri_no_statewide_gc_license |
|
09 Rule: RI-SUBCONTRACTOR
R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-65-3(i): carpenters, siding installers, roofers, foundation installers, drywall installers, plasterers, insulation installers, ceramic tile installers, floor covering installers and swimming-pool installers 'who are not employees of a registered contractor must obtain a registration certificate prior to conducting any work'. § 5-65-3(h): the prime must keep each sub's registration numbers and deliver the list within 24 hours of a board request or a $25 fine per offense.
| Outcome | Conclusion | Caveats |
|---|---|---|
| named-subcontractor-must-register | ri_subcontractor_registration_required |
|
| employee-not-a-sub | employee_excluded | — |
| list-not-delivered | ri_subcontractor_list_fine | — |
10 Rule: RI-NO-BOND
VERIFIED ABSENCE: chapter 65 conditions the registration on INSURANCE (§ 5-65-7 — a $500,000 combined single limit plus workers' compensation) and imposes no surety bond. The CRLB apply/renew pages likewise require only insurance certificates. No state bond requirement was found in the statute or the official pages read on 2026-10-05.
| Outcome | Conclusion | Caveats |
|---|---|---|
| bond-question | ri_no_state_bond | — |
11 Rule: RI-PERMIT
R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-65-3(c): 'A city, town, or the state shall not issue a building permit to anyone required to be registered under this chapter who does not have a current, valid registration or valid license.' The registration number goes on the permit, and where a homeowner pulls it the building official must record every contractor's number and report non-registered contractors to the board.
| Outcome | Conclusion | Caveats |
|---|---|---|
| permit-refused | ri_permit_cannot_issue | — |
| permit-allowed | ri_permit_allowed | — |
12 No dollar threshold — status decides
| Question | Rhode Island answer | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Is there a price threshold? | no — § 5-65-1(7) reaches a deck, fence, driveway or pool with no dollar test (rule RI-SCOPE) | S-RI-5-65-1 |
| Does an employee need to register? | no — an employee of a registered contractor is exempt (rule RI-EXEMPT) | S-RI-CRLB-REG |
| Does an independent handyman need to register? | yes — handyman work is expressly listed by the CRLB (rule RI-REGISTRATION) | S-RI-5-65-3 |
| Is there a state bond? | none — insurance replaces it (rule RI-NO-BOND) | S-RI-5-65-7 |
13 Permit gate and fee
| Question | Rhode Island answer | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Can a building permit issue? | not without a current, valid registration — § 5-65-3(c), and the registration number goes on the permit (rule RI-PERMIT) | S-RI-5-65-3 |
| Registration fee | $150, plus a $50 late fee if expired (rule RI-FEE) | S-RI-CRLB-APPLY |
| Insurance condition | $500,000 combined single-limit liability/property damage plus workers' compensation — in place of any bond (rule RI-INSURANCE) | S-RI-5-65-7 |
| Is there a statewide general contractor licence? | no — the credential is a registration, not a licence (rule RI-NO-GC-LICENSE) | S-RI-CRLB-REG |
| Does a plumber need a separate licence? | yes — DLT licenses plumbing separately (rule RI-PLUMBING) | S-RI-DLT-PROFREG |