Licensed jobs in Rhode Island
Rhode Island: 10 occupations, 8 licensing agencies. For each one: the board, the main credential, its training, application fee and renewal cycle, from the boards' own pages.
On this page
Occupations we cover in Rhode Island
Rhode Island licenses 9 of the 10 occupations below at the state level; for general contractors the state credential we show is a registration, not a license. Insurance agents have the most levels here (4 credentials); each occupation page covers every level.
| Occupation | Main license | Board | Training or experience | Application fee | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | Hairdresser/Cosmetician (RIDOH license type "Hairdresser/Cosmetologist") 2 credentials in all | RIDOH | Training 1,000 clock hours1 | $252 | Every 2 years1 |
| Notary public | Notary Public 2 credentials in all | Rhode Island Department of State, Business Services Division | – | $803 | Every 4 years4 |
| Registered nurse (RN) | Professional (Registered) Nurse – single state license 2 credentials in all | RIDOH | – | $1352 | Every 2 years6 |
| Insurance agent | Insurance Producer License (Rhode Island resident individual) 4 credentials in all | Rhode Island Insurance Division | – | $1208 | Every 2 years8 |
| Plumber | Journeyperson Plumber 4 credentials in all | Professional Regulation | Experience 8,000 hours10 | – | Every 2 years10 |
| Certified nursing assistant (CNA) | Nursing Assistant (N.A.) license, Rhode Island Department of Health 2 credentials in all | RIDOH | Training 120 clock hours11 | $3511 | Every 2 years11 |
| Security guard | Security guard employee registration (employee's registration statement) with the Department of Attorney General 2 credentials in all | Department of Attorney General | – | – | – |
| Massage therapist | Massage Therapist | RIDOH | Training 650 clock hours12 | $6512 | Every year12 |
| Real estate agent | Real Estate Salesperson 2 credentials in all | DBR | Training 45 clock hours13 | – | Every 2 years13 |
| General contractor | Contractors' Registration | CRLB | Training 5 credit hours14 | $15015 | Every 2 years15 |
Licensing boards
8 agencies issue the Rhode Island licenses we cover:
- Department of Health (RIDOH): cosmetologists, registered nurses and massage therapists
- Rhode Island Insurance Division: insurance agents
- Professional Regulation: plumbers
- Rhode Island Department of State, Business Services Division: notaries
- Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH): nursing assistants
- Department of Attorney General: security guards
- Department of Business Regulation (DBR): real estate agents
- Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (CRLB): general contractors
Moving to Rhode Island with a license
No Rhode Island board we cover publishes a list of accepted states for the main license. The boards for notaries, security guards, real estate agents and general contractors publish no transfer route, so you apply as a new applicant. Conditions, fees and forms are on each occupation page.
| Occupation | Routes the board publishes |
|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | License by endorsement, Temporary license or permit and Exam waiver1 |
| Notary public | No reciprocity route5 |
| Registered nurse (RN) | License by endorsement, Interstate compact privilege, Temporary license or permit and Military service members and spouses72 |
| Insurance agent | Exam waiver9 |
| Plumber | License by endorsement10 |
| Certified nursing assistant (CNA) | License by endorsement11 |
| Security guard | – |
| Massage therapist | License by endorsement and Interstate compact privilege12 |
| Real estate agent | – |
| General contractor | No reciprocity route16 |
Check a license
Every board above runs its own license search. The Rhode Island license lookup page lists them in one place, with the links to report an unlicensed or problem provider.
Sources
Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.
- Barbers, Hairdressers/Cosmeticians, Manicurists, Estheticians, and Instructors (216-RICR-40-05-4)Rhode Island Department of State (RICR); rule of the Rhode Island Department of HealthDated May 30, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- 216-RICR-10-05-2 Fee Structure for Licensing, Laboratory and Administrative Services Provided by the…Rhode Island Department of State (RI Code of Regulations); rule of the RI Department of HealthDated March 25, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Apply for a New CommissionRhode Island Department of StateChecked November 7, 2026
- Rhode Island Notary Public ManualRhode Island Department of StateChecked November 7, 2026
- Notary Public Application / Renewal FormRhode Island Department of StateChecked November 7, 2026
- 216-RICR-40-05-3 Licensing of Nurses and Standards for the Approval of Basic Nursing Education ProgramsRhode Island Department of Health (RI Code of Regulations, Secretary of State)Dated January 4, 2022Checked November 8, 2026
- Nursing Online Initial Application RequirementsRhode Island Department of HealthChecked November 8, 2026
- 230-RICR-20-50-5 Licensing and Renewal FeesRhode Island Department of State (RI Code of Regulations); rule of the Department of Business RegulationDated November 25, 2024Checked November 8, 2026
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 27-2.4-11State of Rhode Island General AssemblyChecked November 7, 2026
- Licensing of Plumbers, Irrigators and Water System Installers (260-RICR-30-15-9)Rhode Island Department of State (RI Code of Regulations)Dated January 4, 2022Checked November 7, 2026
- 216-RICR-40-05-22 Nursing Assistants, Medication Aides, and the Approval of Nursing Assistant and…Rhode Island Department of State (RI Code of Regulations); rule of the RI Department of HealthDated February 1, 2023Checked November 7, 2026
- 216-RICR-40-05-10 Massage TherapistsRhode Island Department of State, RI Code of Regulations (Rhode Island Department of Health rule)Dated March 20, 2024Checked November 8, 2026
- 230-RICR-30-20-2 Real Estate Brokers and SalespersonsRhode Island Department of State (Department of Business Regulation real estate rules)Dated February 21, 2022Checked November 6, 2026
- 440-RICR-10-00-2 Contractors and SubcontractorsRhode Island Department of State (Contractors' Registration & Licensing Board rules)Dated January 4, 2022Checked November 6, 2026
- 440-RICR-10-00-1 General Administrative ProvisionsRhode Island Department of State (Contractors' Registration & Licensing Board rules)Dated January 4, 2022Checked November 6, 2026
- Contractor Registration - ApplyRhode Island Contractors' Registration and Licensing BoardDated December 20, 2024Checked November 6, 2026