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Licensing in Rhode Island
In Rhode Island, beauty, massage, nursing and nursing assistant licenses are issued by the Department of Health (RIDOH). Contractors register with the Contractors’ Registration and Licensing Board, and electricians and plumbers are licensed by the Department of Labor and Training.
State licenses
License names are official, as they appear in state documents. Choose a field.
| License | Training | Renewal |
|---|---|---|
| Hairdresser/Cosmetician | 1,000 hours | Every 2 years, by September 30 |
| Barber | 1,000 hours + 840-hour apprenticeship | Every 2 years, by September 30 |
| Esthetician | 600 hours | Every 2 years, by September 30 |
| Manicurist | Per board rules | Every 2 years, by September 30 |
- Licenses are issued by the Board of Barbering and Hairdressing under RIDOH. Exams are written and practical, 70% minimum on each; the NIC exam is accepted.
- The barber apprenticeship lasts at least 6 months.
| License | Training | Exam | CE hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massage Therapist | 800 hours | MBLEx | 24 per cycle |
- 800 hours applies to first-time applications filed on or after January 1, 2026. The current renewal cycle runs July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2027.
| License | Issued by | Exam |
|---|---|---|
| Registered NurseRN | RIDOH | NCLEX-RN |
| Licensed Practical NurseLPN | RIDOH | NCLEX-PN |
| Nursing AssistantCNA | RIDOH | Credentia exam |
| Medical Assistant | No state license | Optional certification |
- Since January 2024, Rhode Island is back in the Nurse Licensure Compact: residents get multistate licenses.
- RNs and LPNs renew every 2 years with 10 CE hours. Medical assistants are not licensed in the state.
| License | Issued by | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Contractor Registration | Contractors’ Registration and Licensing Board | $150 for 1 year; 5-hour course; no exam |
| Electrical Contractor, Journeyperson Electrician | Department of Labor and Training | Journeyperson — 8,000 apprenticeship hours |
| Master, Journeyperson Plumber | Department of Labor and Training | Journeyperson — 8,000 on-the-job hours |
- Registration is required for residential and commercial work, including subcontractors and handymen. $500,000 liability insurance is required.
| What | Issued by | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| LLC | Rhode Island Secretary of State | Articles of Organization — $150; annual report — $50 |
- The minimum annual LLC tax is $400 (Division of Taxation).
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Rhode Island specifics
- Cosmetology — 1,000 hours. Esthetician — 600 hours.
- Barber — school plus apprenticeship. 1,000 hours plus 840 hours of practice.
- Massage — 800 hours. For new applications from 2026.
- Contractors register without an exam. $150 a year and a 5-hour course.
- No license for medical assistants. RIDOH does not license them.
- In the Nurse Licensure Compact. A multistate nursing license is valid here.
What professionals earn in Rhode Island
Median annual wage statewide, excluding tips. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Frequently asked questions
Does a medical assistant need a license?
No. RIDOH classifies them as unlicensed workers.
How often do beauty licenses renew?
Every 2 years; licenses expire September 30.
Do contractors take an exam?
No. They register ($150 for a year) and complete a 5-hour course.
How much does an LLC cost?
$150 to file and $50 a year for the report, plus a $400 minimum tax.
*Current as of September 30, 2026. The information on this page is not official and is for general reference only. Requirements are set by state and local authorities and may change — always check the official websites: Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), Rhode Island Code of Regulations, Rhode Island Contractors’ Registration and Licensing Board, Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Rhode Island Secretary of State. Wage data — BLS.