Rhode Island Division of Building, Design, and Fire Professionals

Please Note

We are a service company that can help you file with the Rhode Island Division of Building, Design, and Fire Professionals. We are not associated with this nor any other government agency. We offer paid services and software to help you file. You are not required to purchase our service to file - you may file directly with this agency without using our service.

Contact Information

Physical address:
1511 Pontiac Avenue
Cranston, RI 02857

Phone: (401) 462-9530
Fax: (401) 462-9532

Web: Home Name search

Licenses

We track the following licenses with the Rhode Island Division of Building, Design, and Fire Professionals in order to provide compliance services to our clients. As a client, you see this and other reference data in License Manager in-line with your licenses.

A laptop placed on a desk with our License Manager software on display

Rhode Island Architect License

Agency:Rhode Island Division of Building, Design, and Fire Professionals
NCARB Certificate:Required
Completion of CE/PDH:Required
Interview:Not required
NAAB-accredited degree:Required
NCARB IDP:Required
Additional Experience:Not required
State-specific exam:Not required

Initial Registration

This section applies to architects that are applying for a license in Rhode Island for the first time.

Form:For Paper, at NCARB’s website after logging into My Registration and follow the reciprocal instructions for RI. For online, at the Board’s website at the following link: https://elicensing.ri.gov/
Agency Fee:

$60 application fee. No exam fee.

Reciprocal Registration

This section applies to architects licensed in another state that are looking for reciprocal licensure in Rhode Island.

Agency Fee:

$60

Registration Renewal

This section applies to architects that are already licensed in Rhode Island and need to renew their license.

Agency Fee:

$120 Biennially

Due:

By December 31 of odd-numbered years.

Rhode Island Architecture Certificate of Authorization

Agency:Rhode Island Division of Building, Design, and Fire Professionals
Law:

RI Gen L § 5-1-15.1

Eligible Entity Types:
  • Business Corporations
  • Professional Corporations
  • Limited Liability Companies
  • Partnerships
  • Limited Liability Partnerships
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Yes
Ownership Requirements:

Business Corporations:

  • At least 2/3 of the directors (or shareholders if there are no directors) and officers must be licensed architects or engineers.
  • At least 1/3 of the directors (or shareholders if there are no directors) and officers must be licensed architects
  • At least 1 director (or shareholder if there are no directors) or officer must be a Rhode Island licensed architect.

Professional Corporations:

  • All officers, directors, and shareholders must be licensed in a professional service performed by the firm.

Limited Liability Companies:

  • At least 2/3 of the managers (or members if there are no managers) must be licensed architects or engineers.
  • At least 1/3 of the managers (or members if there are no managers) must be licensed architects.
  • At least 1 manager (or member if there are no managers) must be a Rhode Island licensed architect.

Partnerships:

  • At least 2/3 of the partners must be licensed architects or engineers.
  • At least 1/3 of the partners must be licensed architects.
  • At least 1 partner must be a Rhode Island licensed architect.

Limited Liability Partnerships:

  • At least 2/3 of the partners must be licensed architects or engineers.
  • At least 1/3 of the partners must be licensed architects.
  • At least 1 partner must be a Rhode Island licensed architect.

Initial Registration

This section applies to architectural firms that are applying for a license in Rhode Island for the first time. If you already have a license and are looking to renew it, please see the renewal section.

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$0

Before you Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  • Identify a Rhode Island licensed architect, who is a full-time employee, to be in responsible charge of the firm's architectural activities.
  • Ensure that your business entity will meet ownership requirements.

Foreign Applicants:

  • Identify a Rhode Island licensed architect, who is a full-time employee, to be in responsible charge of the firm's architectural activities.
  • Ensure that your Rhode Island entity will meet ownership requirements.
  • Obtain a certificate of good standing from your business entity's home state (to be filed during the foreign qualification process). The certificate cannot be more than 60 days old when filing foreign qualification documents.
How to Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  1. File entity formation documents with the Rhode Island Secretary of State.
  2. Obtain a certificate of good standing (to be filed with the license application) using the entity search feature on the Secretary of State's website. Find your entity then click on the request certificate button to order.
  3. Create an online account and complete the Certificate of Authorization application through the Rhode Island Division of Design Professionals.

Foreign Applicants:

  1. File foreign qualification documents with the Rhode Island Secretary of State.
  2. Obtain a certificate of good standing (to be filed with the license application) using the entity search feature on the Secretary of State's website. Find your entity then click on the request certificate button to order.
  3. Create an online account and complete the Certificate of Authorization application through the Rhode Island Division of Design Professionals.
Required Attachments:
  • List of directors, officers, managers, members, partners, and shareholders of the firm including addresses
  • List of licensees in responsible charge of the firm's professional services

Registration Renewal

This section applies to architectural firms that are already licensed in Rhode Island and need to renew their license.

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$120 ($0 for firms with no employees)

Due:

By December 31 of even-numbered years.

Original Ink:Not required
Notarize:Not required
Notes:

Renewal reminders are sent by email prior to the expiration date.

Required Attachments:
  • List of directors, officers, managers, members, partners, and shareholders of the firm including addresses
  • List of licensees in responsible charge of the firm's professional services

Amendment

Form:

Certificate of Authorization Amended Application Package

Agency Fee:

$0

Due:

Within 30 days of the effective date of the change.

Rhode Island Engineer-in-Training Certification

Agency:Rhode Island Division of Building, Design, and Fire Professionals

Initial Registration

Form:

Application for a Certificate as an Engineer-in-Training

Agency Fee:

$0

Renewal Not Required

Not required



Rhode Island Engineering Certificate of Authorization

Agency:Rhode Island Division of Building, Design, and Fire Professionals
Law:

R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-8-24

Eligible Entity Types:
  • Business Corporations
  • Professional Corporations
  • Limited Liability Companies
  • Partnerships
  • Limited Liability Partnerships
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Yes
Ownership Requirements:

Business Corporations:

  • Officers and directors need not be licensed, but the corporation must appoint a Rhode Island licensed engineer to be responsible for all engineering activities undertaken by the firm in Rhode Island.

Professional Corporations:

  • All officers, directors, and shareholders must be licensed in a professional service performed by the firm.

Limited Liability Companies:

  • Members and managers need not be licensed, but the LLC must appoint a Rhode Island licensed engineer to be responsible for all engineering activities undertaken by the firm in Rhode Island.

Partnerships:

  • Partners need not be licensed, but the partnership must appoint a Rhode Island licensed engineer to be responsible for all engineering activities undertaken by the firm in Rhode Island.

Limited Liability Partnerships:

  • Partners need not be licensed, but the partnership must appoint a Rhode Island licensed engineer to be responsible for all engineering activities undertaken by the firm in Rhode Island.

 

Initial Registration

This section applies to engineering firms that are applying for a license in Rhode Island for the first time. If you already have a license and are looking to renew it, please see the renewal section.

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$150 ($0 if the firm has no employees)

Notes:
  • Qualified Indivdual
    • For the purposes of this requirement, no person who is not an employee of the firm may be considered to be in responsible charge.
    • The engineer in responsible charge shall work not less than twenty (20) hours per week for the firm, provided however that the Board might waive such requirement upon
      written application to the Board for good cause shown. 
    • If you are a Sole Proprietorship, list your name
Before you Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  • Identify a Rhode Island licensed engineer, who is a full-time employee, to be in responsible charge of the firm's engineering activities.
  • Ensure that your business entity will meet ownership requirements.

Foreign Applicants:

  • Identify a Rhode Island licensed engineer, who is a full-time employee, to be in responsible charge of the firm's engineering activities.
  • Ensure that your Rhode Island entity will meet ownership requirements.
  • Obtain a certificate of good standing from your business entity's home state (to be filed during the foreign qualification process). The certificate cannot be more than 60 days old when filing foreign qualification documents.
How to Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  1. File entity formation documents with the Rhode Island Secretary of State.
  2. Obtain a certificate of good standing (to be filed with the license application) using the entity search feature on the Secretary of State's website. Find your entity then click on the request certificate button to order.
  3. Create an online account and complete the Certificate of Authorization application through the Rhode Island Division of Design Professionals.

Foreign Applicants:

  1. Create an online account and complete the Certificate of Authorization application through the Rhode Island Division of Design Professionals.
  2. File foreign qualification documents with the Rhode Island Secretary of State, including a copy of your engineering Certificate of Authorization.
Required Attachments:
  • List of licensees in responsible charge of the firm's professional services
  • Tax Payer Status Affidavit / Identity Verification (verifies that the state is not owed taxes)
  • Details about criminal convictions, plea bargains, or any offense which involves, fraud, professional negligence, moral turpitude, and any such charges now pending. 
    •  For each such offense, state the nature of the charge, the State in which the charge was brought and the person or persons convicted or has entered into a plea.  If any charges are pending, please briefly explain and attach supporting documentation.
  • Details about any prior license denial, revocation, or suspension in any state for all officers, majority shareholders, or members of the Board of Directors, or any registered P.E. employed by the firm

Registration Renewal

This section applies to engineering firms that are already licensed in Rhode Island and need to renew their license.

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$50

Due:

By June 30 of even-numbered years.

Notes:

Renewal reminders are sent by email prior to the expiration date.

Required Attachments:
  • List of licensees in responsible charge of the firm's professional services

Amendment

Form:

Amended Application Package

Agency Fee:

$50 for a business name change and $0 for all other changes.

Due:

Within 30 days of the effective date of the change.

Rhode Island Land Surveying Certificate of Authorization

Agency:Rhode Island Division of Building, Design, and Fire Professionals
Law:

R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-8-1 et. seq. 

Eligible Entity Types:

Rhode Island allows engineering and surveying firms to practice under most entity types, including corporations, professional corporations, LLCs, professional LLCs, and partnerships.

Initial Registration

Form:

Land Surveying Certificate of Authority

Agency Fee:

$100

How to Apply:
  1. Secretary of State: Foreign entity registration.
  2. Division of Design Professionals: Certificate of Authorization.

Registration Renewal

Agency Fee:

$100

Due:

By May 31 of even-numbered years.

Rhode Island Land Surveyor-in-Training Certification

Agency:Rhode Island Division of Building, Design, and Fire Professionals

Initial Registration

Form:

LSIT Application Package

Agency Fee:

$100 for residents and $150 for out-of-state applicants.

Notarize:Required

Renewal Not Required

Not required



Rhode Island Professional Engineer Registration

Agency:Rhode Island Division of Building, Design, and Fire Professionals
Allow Digital Signatures?Yes
Digital Signature Guidelines:

Electronic Signatures. The Board allows electronic signatures and/or seals on plans submitted to government agencies, such as municipalities and state agencies that accept electronic documentation and electronic signatures and seals as allowed by the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act adopted under R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-127.1-1, et seq. It is incumbent on the Professional Engineer to ensure their electronic signatures and seals are properly encoded to avoid misuse by other than the licensed engineer.

430 RICR 00-00-1.5

Allow Digital Sealing?Yes
Digital Sealing Guidelines:

See digital signing guidelines.

Initial Registration

Form:

Professional Engineering Application for Examination

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$100

Registration Renewal

Form:

Paper Renewal Application for Professional Engineers Biennial Renewal Application

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$300

Due:

By June 30 of odd-numbered years.

Rhode Island Professional Land Surveyor License

Agency:Rhode Island Division of Building, Design, and Fire Professionals

Initial Registration

Form:

PLS Application Package

Agency Fee:

$100 for residents and $150 for out-of-state applicants.

Notarize:Required

Registration Renewal

Form:

Biennial Renewal Application

Agency Fee:

$250

Due:

By June 30 of odd-numbered years.

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