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Rhode Island · 14 statewide requirements covered

Business licences and permits in Rhode Island

Rhode Island eliminated its $10 sales tax permit fee in 2022 but still requires the permit renewed every year for free. It licenses auto body and collision shops by statute, but leaves purely mechanical repair shops unaddressed.

What applies everywhere in Rhode Island

14 requirements are set by Rhode Island itself and apply whichever city you open in. Local permits sit on top of them.

Requirements set by Rhode Island that apply in every jurisdiction in the state, with the issuing agency, the published fee and the date each was last checked against its source
Annual ReportRhode Island Department of State, Business Services Division$50 a year; missing 31 May adds a further $25Only in some cases2026-09-04
Articles of IncorporationRhode Island Department of State, Business Services Division$230 minimum one-time filing, for up to 75 million authorised sharesOnly in some cases2026-09-04
Articles of Organization (LLC)Rhode Island Department of State, Business Services Division$150 one-time filingOnly in some cases2026-09-04
Automobile Body Repair Shop LicenceRhode Island Department of Business Regulation, Division of Commercial Licensing$300 a year, purchasable up to three years at once; a salvage vehicle repair endorsement is a further $300 a yearOnly in some cases2026-09-04
Barbering or Hairdressing Shop LicenceRhode Island Department of Health, Board of Hairdressing and Barbering$170 to open; renewal is $170 a yearTo every business2026-09-04
Certified Food Protection ManagerRhode Island Department of Health, Center for Food Protection$50 to apply; renewal is $50To every business2026-09-04
Child Care LicenceRhode Island Department of Human Services, Office of Child Care Licensing$500 for a child daycare centre; a group family daycare home is $250 and a family daycare home is $100To every business2026-09-04
Electrician LicenceRhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Division of Professional Regulation$240 to renew a master electrician's licence; a journeyman's renewal is $72, and both add a $6 processing feeOnly in some cases2026-09-04
Food Establishment LicenceRhode Island Department of Health, Center for Food Protection$160–$240 a year for a restaurant, banded by seatingTo every business2026-09-04
General Business Licence (not required by Rhode Island)Rhode Island Department of State, Business Services DivisionNo feeOnly in some cases2026-09-04
General Contractor RegistrationRhode Island Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board$150 a year; an expired registration adds a $50 late feeOnly in some cases2026-09-04
Plumbing LicenceRhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Division of Professional Regulation$240 to renew a master plumber's or contract master's licence; a journeyperson's renewal is $72, and both add a $6 processing feeOnly in some cases2026-09-04
Sales Tax PermitRhode Island Division of TaxationNo feeTo every business2026-09-04
Veterinary Facility Permit (not required by Rhode Island)Rhode Island Department of Health, Board of Veterinary MedicineNo feeOnly in some cases2026-09-04

Which Rhode Island city are you opening in?

We do not yet publish a Rhode Island city. The statewide requirements above are verified as far as they go, but a city or county adds its own — a local business tax receipt, a food permit, a building sign-off — and we will not guess at those. The jurisdictions we do cover are listed in full.

Is there a single Rhode Island business licence?

No. Rhode Island has no single licence that covers every business. What you need depends on your industry, your city and your county, and most of the obligations that matter are issued locally rather than at state level.

The state-level registrations that do apply to nearly everyone are tax accounts rather than licences — which is why they are easy to miss.

Who issues permits in Rhode Island?

By industry

Commercial Compliance Hub publishes information, not legal advice. Requirements change — confirm anything you rely on with the issuing agency before you file.