Requires all general contractors to register with the CRLB and licenses several specialty trades (roofers, well drillers, and more). Verify a registrant on the board's 'Search a Registrant/Licensee' lookup.
1. Get the license number + legal business name
Ask the contractor for their Rhode Island license or registration number and the exact legal name it's held under. A real contractor gives this without hesitation — it's on their truck, estimates, and contract.
2. Look it up at the Contractors' Registration & Licensing Board (CRLB)
Use the official Rhode Island authority directly — not a third-party aggregator — so you're reading the source of truth. Requires all general contractors to register with the CRLB and licenses several specialty trades (roofers, well drillers, and more). Verify a registrant on the board's 'Search a Registrant/Licensee' lookup.
3. Confirm the status is ACTIVE
Only an active (or current) status means they're licensed today. Expired, suspended, or revoked is a hard stop — and a contractor who let it lapse is telling you something.
4. Check the classification matches your job
Licenses are scoped to specific trades. Confirm the classification covers the work you're hiring for, and that the name on the license matches the name on your contract.
5. Check bond, insurance, and complaints where shown
Many boards also show bond amount, workers' compensation, and complaint or disciplinary history. A bond and active workers' comp protect you; an open complaint is worth a direct conversation before you sign.
Rhode Island contractor-license FAQ
How do I check if a contractor is licensed in Rhode Island?
Get the contractor's license number and legal business name, then look it up at the Contractors' Registration & Licensing Board (CRLB) — the free official public lookup, not a third-party site. Confirm the status is ACTIVE, the classification covers the work you're hiring for, and the name matches your contract. Requires all general contractors to register with the CRLB and licenses several specialty trades (roofers, well drillers, and more). Verify a registrant on the board's 'Search a Registrant/Licensee' lookup.
Who licenses contractors in Rhode Island?
The Contractors' Registration & Licensing Board (CRLB) is the official Rhode Island authority. Requires all general contractors to register with the CRLB and licenses several specialty trades (roofers, well drillers, and more). Verify a registrant on the board's 'Search a Registrant/Licensee' lookup.
Does ProFix verify Rhode Island contractor licenses?
We link the official Contractors' Registration & Licensing Board (CRLB) lookup on every Rhode Island contractor's profile so you can confirm the license at the source. We never invent or imply a credential a contractor doesn't hold.
Couldn't verify them — or want a vetted second option?
The Contractors' Registration & Licensing Board (CRLB) is always the system of record — confirm status there first. If a contractor won't share a license number, the status comes back inactive, or you just want another quote, get matched with license-checked Rhode Island pros.
Find a verified Rhode Island contractor
Browse Rhode Island home-services pros — many with a board-verified license you can confirm in one click.