Plumber licenses in
Rhode Island
Rhode Island licenses plumbers statewide.
Official search run by Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Division of Professional Regulation at dltweb.dlt.ri.gov.
What the license should say
In Rhode Island you'll see one of these on a plumber's card, bid or truck:
- Master plumber
- Individual who may run a plumbing business, employ journeypersons and apprentices, and sign plumbing contracts.
- Journeyperson plumber
- Individual who performs plumbing work under a master plumber.
- Plumbing contractor's license
- Business entity with a licensed master plumber as an officer or principal or continuously employed.
Hiring a company, not a person?
A firm or corporation may not engage in the plumbing business unless a licensed master plumber who is an officer or partner supervises its work or the entity holds a DLT plumbing contractor's license.
Doing it yourself
State law has no owner exemption for plumbing; the chapter's exemptions cover only fire sprinkler work, utility employees and farm irrigation, so a permit and a licensed plumber are required even in your own home (RIGL 5-20-35).
Before you hire
- Contractor licensing in Rhode Island (small-job limits, bonds, permits)
- How to check a license in Rhode Island, step by step
- Before-you-hire checklist (one page, free PDF)
- File a complaint about a plumber (opens official site)
Keep this handy
We'll email you the one-page before-you-hire checklist, plus occasional tips on hiring safely.