How do you check a contractor registration in Rhode Island?

Key facts

• Rhode Island statutes, section 5-65-3 reads: "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."

  Source: Rhode Island statutes, section 5-65-3, read 22 October 2026.

• Rhode Island statutes, section 5-65-22 reads: "All contractors subject to the provisions of this chapter must include their certificate of registration number on all advertising proposals, contracts, and invoices displayed in a conspicuous manner."

  Source: Rhode Island statutes, section 5-65-22, read 22 October 2026.

• Rhode Island statutes, section 5-65-23 reads: "A space on the bid form, quotation, proposal, or other document shall indicate the bid price to perform the particular work involved and shall also indicate the registration and/or license number of the contractor, as issued by the state of Rhode Island, to perform that work."

  Source: Rhode Island statutes, section 5-65-23, read 22 October 2026.

Who has to register as a contractor in Rhode Island?

Section 5-65-3 of Rhode Island's statutes reads: "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."

Source: Rhode Island statutes, section 5-65-3, read 22 October 2026.

The same section names subcontractors who must register on their own: "The following subcontractors who are not employees of a registered contractor must obtain a registration certificate prior to conducting any work: (1) Carpenters, including finish carpenters and framers; (2) Siding installers; (3) Roofers; (4) Foundation installers, including concrete installers and form installers; (5) Drywall installers; (6) Plasterers; (7) Insulation installers; (8) Ceramic tile installers; (9) Floor covering installers; (10) Swimming pool installers, both above ground and in ground; (11) Masons, including chimney installers, fireplace installers, and general masonry erectors; (12) Hardscape installers; (13) Power washers who perform work on structures; and (14) Painters."

Source: Rhode Island statutes, section 5-65-3, read 22 October 2026.

It goes on: "This list is not all inclusive and shall not be limited to the above-referenced contractors."

Source: Rhode Island statutes, section 5-65-3, read 22 October 2026.

Which Rhode Island jobs and trades are outside the registration?

One exemption in section 5-65-2 reads: "A person working on one structure or project, under one or more contracts when the price of all of that person’s contracts for labor, materials, and all other items is less than five hundred dollars ($500) and the work is of a casual, minor, or inconsequential nature."

Source: Rhode Island statutes, section 5-65-2, read 22 October 2026.

That small-job exemption ends: "This subsection does not apply to a person who advertises or puts out any sign or card or other device that might indicate to the public that the person is a contractor."

Source: Rhode Island statutes, section 5-65-2, read 22 October 2026.

Another exemption covers owners and residents: "A person performing work on a single-dwelling-unit property that person owns, whether occupied by that person or not, or a person performing work on that person’s residence, whether or not that person owns the residence."

Source: Rhode Island statutes, section 5-65-2, read 22 October 2026.

For trades with their own state licence, section 5-65-3 adds: "No subcontractor licensed by another in-state agency pursuant to § 5-65-2 shall be required to register, provided that said work is performed under the purview of that license."

Source: Rhode Island statutes, section 5-65-3, read 22 October 2026.

Where should a Rhode Island contractor's registration number appear?

For proposals, contracts and invoices, section 5-65-22 reads: "All contractors subject to the provisions of this chapter must include their certificate of registration number on all advertising proposals, contracts, and invoices displayed in a conspicuous manner."

Source: Rhode Island statutes, section 5-65-22, read 22 October 2026.

On bids, section 5-65-23 reads: "A space on the bid form, quotation, proposal, or other document shall indicate the bid price to perform the particular work involved and shall also indicate the registration and/or license number of the contractor, as issued by the state of Rhode Island, to perform that work."

Source: Rhode Island statutes, section 5-65-23, read 22 October 2026.

On advertising, section 5-65-3 reads: "The registration number of each contractor shall appear in any advertising by that contractor."

Source: Rhode Island statutes, section 5-65-3, read 22 October 2026.

On permits, the same section reads: "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."

Source: Rhode Island statutes, section 5-65-3, read 22 October 2026.

And later: "The contractor’s registration number must be affixed to the permit as required by the state building code."

Source: Rhode Island statutes, section 5-65-3, read 22 October 2026.

On contracts, section 5-65-3 reads: "All work performed, including labor and materials, in excess of one thousand dollars ($1,000) shall be accompanied by a contract in writing."

Source: Rhode Island statutes, section 5-65-3, read 22 October 2026.

The same section also reads: "The contractor must stipulate whether or not all the proper insurances are in effect for each job contracted."

Source: Rhode Island statutes, section 5-65-3, read 22 October 2026.

Where can a Rhode Island homeowner take a complaint about a contractor?

To the Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board. Section 5-65-12 reads: "Any person having a complaint against a contractor of the type referred to in § 5-65-11, may file with the board a statement of the complaint in a form and with any fee that the board prescribes."

Source: Rhode Island statutes, section 5-65-12, read 22 October 2026.

On what the board does with a complaint, section 5-65-11 reads: "While the board and office will accept complaints for purposes of determining violations and taking enforcement action against registrants and other persons pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, the board and office will not adjudicate any complainant claims, causes of action, or rights or remedies, contractual or otherwise, or order payment of monetary damages, other monetary relief, specific performance, or other contractual or equitable remedies or relief to or for a complainant."

Source: Rhode Island statutes, section 5-65-11, read 22 October 2026.

There is a time limit. For work on an existing home, section 5-65-12 reads: "If the owner of an existing structure files the complaint, the board must receive the complaint not later than one year after the date the work was substantially completed as determined by the certificate of occupancy, or the date that work ceased."

Source: Rhode Island statutes, section 5-65-12, read 22 October 2026.

What should you ask a Rhode Island contractor before you sign?

Ask for a written bid with the registration number on it, compare that number across the contractor's papers, and, if you want to check it, take it to the board that issues the certificates. These are practical suggestions, not rules from the statutes.

Source: Rhode Island statutes, section 5-65-3, read 22 October 2026.
Source: Rhode Island statutes, section 5-65-22, read 22 October 2026.
Source: Rhode Island statutes, section 5-65-23, read 22 October 2026.

1. Ask for a written bid, and note the registration number on it.

   Source: Rhode Island statutes, section 5-65-23, read 22 October 2026.

2. Look for the same number on the contractor's advertising, contract and invoices.

   Source: Rhode Island statutes, section 5-65-22, read 22 October 2026.
   Source: Rhode Island statutes, section 5-65-3, read 22 October 2026.

3. If the job needs a building permit, look for the contractor's registration number on the permit.

   Source: Rhode Island statutes, section 5-65-3, read 22 October 2026.

4. If you want to check the number, ask the Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board, which issues the certificates of registration.

   Source: Rhode Island statutes, section 5-65-3, read 22 October 2026.

5. If you are told no registration is needed, ask which exemption applies, and whether the contractor holds a licence from another state agency for the work.

   Source: Rhode Island statutes, section 5-65-2, read 22 October 2026.
   Source: Rhode Island statutes, section 5-65-3, read 22 October 2026.

6. For a larger job, ask for a written contract that says whether the proper insurances are in effect.

   Source: Rhode Island statutes, section 5-65-3, read 22 October 2026.

7. Keep the bid, the contract and the permit together, in case you need them for a complaint later.

Who sees your contact details when you post a job on InstaBids?

One point about InstaBids follows. Contact details stay hidden until the homeowner picks a contractor and they confirm the connection.

Source: InstaBids process and privacy, live-page excerpts, read 22 October 2026.

Sources for the facts on this page

• Rhode Island statutes, section 5-65-3, read 22 October 2026
• Rhode Island statutes, section 5-65-2, read 22 October 2026
• Rhode Island statutes, section 5-65-22, read 22 October 2026
• Rhode Island statutes, section 5-65-23, read 22 October 2026
• Rhode Island statutes, section 5-65-11, read 22 October 2026
• Rhode Island statutes, section 5-65-12, read 22 October 2026
• InstaBids process and privacy, live-page excerpts reviewed 22 October 2026.