Electrical Contractors in the State of Rhode Island are required to obtain a license from the Professional Regulation Unit of the Department of Labor and Training. No person or business may engage in the work of an Electrician without a license.
The Department regulates contractors to ensure that all work is in compliance with National Electric Code, in addition to state and local codes. As part of the licensing process, contractors are required to meet a work experience and education requirement, as well as pass a qualifying exam.
License Classifications for Electrical Contractors in Rhode Island
The Department of Labor and Training offers the following license classifications to Electrical Contractors upon passing a license examination:
- Electrical Contractor (A)
- Journeyperson Electrician (B)
- Limited Maintenance Electrician (M)
- Oil Burner Contractor (E)
- Oil Burner Person (F)
- Fire Alarm Contractors (AF)
- Fire Alarm Installer (BF)
- Electrical Sign Contractor (SCF)
- Electrical Sign Installer (CF)
- Lighting Protection Contractor (LPC)
- Lighting Protection Installer (LPI)
The remaining license classifications do not require an exam in order to become licensed:
- Corporation Electrical Contractor (AC)
- Limited Electrician/ Manufacturers (C)
- Limited Electricians/ Non-Manufacturers (D)
- Corporation Oil Burner Contractor (EC)
- Corporation Fire Alarm Contractor (AFC)
- Corporation Electrical Sign Contractor
Additionally the Department offers the following registration options to individuals wanting to work and gain experience as an Apprentice:
- Oil Burner
- Fire Alarm
- Sign Installer
- Lighting Protection
Process to Obtain an Electrical Contractor License in Rhode Island
- Contractors must meet the Department’s requirement for work experience and education based on their chosen license classification
- Contractors must prepare and submit an application to the Department, including all required documents and fees, in order to receive a license or gain approval to take the exam
- Contractors must pass an exam, related to National Electric Code, with a score of 70% or higher
- Contractors must pay the initial licensing fee
- Contractors must attend 15 mandatory hours of continuing education courses every 2 years upon renewal
Age, Work Experience and Education Requirements
In order to receive a license or gain approval take the exam, contractors must submit an application, proving that they meet the following requirements:
Contractors applying for classifications: A; E; AF; LPC; or SCF– must be at least 21 years of age or older.
Contractors applying for all other license classifications must be at least 18 years of age or older.
The following license classifications must prove that they meet a number of years of experience and/or education:
- Class A- contractors must prove at least 6 years (12,000 hours) of work experience within the trade. They must also prove that they have held a Journeyperson (B) license for at least 2 years prior to submitting their application.
- Class B- contractors must prove at least 4 years (8,000 hours) of work experience within the trade, in addition to 576 hours of related instruction, approved by the Department.
- Class BF; F or CF- contractors must have at least 2 years (4,000 hours) of apprenticeship experience
- Class LPI- must have at least 2 years (4,000 hours) of work experience for a recognized lighting protection company.
Those applying for Apprentice Registration must submit a notarized letter, on company letterhead, from their employer giving a description of their job and the date of hire. The Master Electrician who is in-charge of supervising all work must complete and sign the ratio sheet on their behalf.
For more information about age, work experience and education requirements, contact the Department at:
401-462-8580
OR
Refer to the Department Rules and Regulations
Preparing and Submitting an Application
Download a copy of the license application from the Department of Labor and Training website.
Be sure to read all instructions in the application packet. The Department does not process applications with missing or incomplete information. Incomplete applications will be returned.
Along with the application, contractors are required to submit:
- Passport-style photo of themselves; or a legible photocopy of their driver’s license
- Certified documentation from the Rhode Island Secretary of State stating that the license will be issued to the duly elected officer of a the corporation, if the contractor is applying for license classes: A; E; AF; LPC or SCF
- Certificate from the Division of Professional Regulation if the contractor is planning to conduct business under a firm or corporation name, and the contractor is applying for license classes: A; AF; E; LPC; SCF. There is an additional $100 fee for this certificate.
- Notarized letter/statement, on company letterhead, from the contractor’s current/former employer proving and detailing all work-related experience. It is important that these letters provide thorough detail.
All applications must be signed and notarized.
There is a non-refundable application fee of $75 for all contractors who are required to pass an exam.
*The initial licensing fee will be charged at the time the contractor passes the exam.
Applicants who are not required to pass an exam must pay the initial licensing fee at the time they submit their application:
- Corporation Electrical Contractor (AC)- $200
- Limited Electrician/ Manufacturers (C)- $240
- Limited Electrician/ Non-Manufacturers (D)- $240
- Corporation Oil Burner Contractor (EC)- $200
- Corporation Fire Alarm Contractor- $200
- Corporation Electrical Sign Contractor- $200
The cost to apply for Apprenticeship Registration is $20 for all registration classes.
The Department accepts payments in the form of check or money order, made payable to, “RI Department of Labor and Training.”
Submit the completed application, along with all the required documents and fees to:
Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training
Division of Workforce Regulation and Safety
Professional Regulation Unit
1511 Pontiac Avenue, P.O. Box 20247
Cranston, RI 02920-0943
In order to be scheduled for the next available exam, applications are due at least 15 business days for next scheduled exam date. For a list of exam dates, please visit the Department of Labor and Training website.
Upon reviewing and accepting the contractor’s application, the Department will grant the contractor permission to take the exam.
The Department will send a letter with the date, time and location of the test.
For more information about the completing the application or the application process, contact the Department at:
401-462-8580
Contractors may check the status of the application, as well as exam results by visiting the state of Rhode Island’s website.
The Examination
All required license classifications must take and pass an exam through the Department. Examinations are based on:
- Most current National Electric Code
- General trade knowledge
The Department recommends using the latest State Approved Edition of the Current National Electric Codebook to study and prepare for the exam. A copy of this codebook may be obtained from:
1 Capitol Hill
Providence, RI
OR
By calling: 401-222-3032
Additionally, if contractors need help preparing for the exam, Learning Express offers test preparation courses.
The test is primarily a written exam, but may also include a practical/demonstration portion.
Contractors must pass the exam with a minimum score of 70%.
The exam is given on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays on scheduled dates in Building #73 of the Department of Labor and Training. For more information and scheduled exam dates, please visit the Department of Labor and Training website.
*Exams are given on a first-come, first-served basis. Space may be limited.
At the time that the contractor passes the examination, they will be given instructions to pay the licensing fee. Licensing fees are as follows:
- Electrical Contractor (A)- $240
- Journeyperson Electrician (B)- $72
- Limited Maintenance Electrician (M)- $72
- Oil Burner Contractor (E)- $240
- Oil Burner Person (F)- $72
- Fire Alarm Contractor (AF)- $240
- Fire Alarm Installer (BF)-$72
- Electrical Sign Contractor (SCF)- $240
- Electrical Sign Installer (CF)- $72
- Lighting Protection Contractor (LPC)- $200
- Lighting Protection Installer (LPI)- $72
Upon paying the license fee, the Department will issue the contractor’s license. Contractors may only engage in business under the name printed on their license.
For questions concerning the examination or the exam process, please contact the Department at:
401-462-8580
How Long is a Rhode Island Electrical Contractor License Valid?
All electrical license classifications are good for a period of 2 years in the State of Rhode Island. Apprenticeship Registration must be renewed each year.
Licenses expire every 2 years on the contractor’s birthday. It is the contractor’s responsibility to renew their license prior to expiration to avoid late fees.
The cost to renew a license is the same as the initial licensing fee.
Contractors may access the Department’s online renewal system by entering their date of birth and last 4 digits of their Social Security Number.
The Department also requires that all contractors attend 15 mandatory hours of continuing education courses upon renewal to stay up to date with National Electric Code.
For more information, and for a list of approved continuing education course providers, please visit the Department of Labor and Training website.
For more information about license renewal or continuing education, contact the Department at:
401-462-8580
Table of Fees
| Fee | What is it For? | When is it Due? |
| $75 | Application Fee for all Class A; B; M; E; F; AF; BF; SCF; CF; LPC; LPI applicants who are required to pass an exam | Upon submitting the license application |
| $100 | Cost to obtain a certificate from the Department if using a corporation or firm name and applying for license classes: A; AF; E; LPC; SCF | Prior to submitting the license application |
| $72 | Initial License Fee and Renewal Fee for all Class: B; M; F; BF; LPI applicants | Upon submitting the license application or passing the exam; and every 2 years upon renewal |
| $200 | Initial License Fee and Renewal Fee for all Class: LPC; AC; EC; AFC and Electrical Sign Contractor applicants | Upon submitting the license application or passing the exam; and every 2 years upon renewal |
| $240 | Initial License Fee and Renewal Fee for all Class: A; E; AF; SCF; C; D applicants | Upon submitting the license application or passing the exam; and every 2 years upon renewal |