Do you need a license to do electrical work in Rhode Island?
Yes. In Rhode Island, a person or business must hold a license and certificate from the state board of examiners of electricians to install, maintain, service or test electrical wiring, fixtures and equipment. The board sits in the division of professional regulation of the department of labor and training. The licensee must put the contractor’s license number on advertisements, contracts, bids and permits. The section states that, apart from its rule on removing and reattaching electric meters, it does not apply to owner-occupied, single-family homes. This is R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-6-2.
| What | Rhode Island |
|---|---|
| Electrician license | State electrical license (board of electricians) |
Source
R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-6-2
Read the statute in the Rhode Island General Laws (Rhode Island General Assembly): webserver.rilegislature.gov.
Checked against the statute on November 13, 2026.
This is a summary of a published statute, not legal advice. Rules change, local ordinances can add to them, and the terms of a specific lease may differ. Check the citation and speak to a lawyer before acting.
How Seayora uses this rule
A contractor on Seayora keeps each license with its issuing state, its expiry date and the last four digits of its number, and the business is warned before one lapses — on the website and both phone apps. A customer finding a pro on Seayora sees whether a license is on file.
Guides on this rule
- Contractor License Requirements by State: Every Trade — Which states require a state license for electricians, plumbers, HVAC, general and home improvement contractors, with the statute for each.
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The same question in other states
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