Painter (Contractor) / Rhode Island
2026 data Rhode Island board official source

Rhode Island Painter (Contractor) License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Commercial and residential painting contractor.

What the Rhode Island data shows for Painter (Contractor)s

Rhode Island sets the entry bar for painter (contractor)s at board-approved training and a passing score on a state-approved exam. The credential is administered under Rhode Island's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Experience/Apprenticeship".

Budget $150 to get started on a 2-year cycle. There's no continuing-education mandate tied to this profession in Rhode Island, which keeps the long-run cost of staying licensed lighter than in CE-heavy states.

Rhode Island evaluates out-of-state credentials case-by-case rather than through a published reciprocity list.

Licensing Ease Score

C+
Licensing Ease Score
62/100
Painter (Contractor) · Rhode Island

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training A+
None required
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$150
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden N/A
N/A
Renewal fee annualized over the renewal cycle
Continuing Education N/A
N/A
Continuing-education hours annualized over the renewal cycle
Experience Required N/A
N/A
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Rhode Island

Education / Training Hours
Experience/Apprenticeship
Not specified
Exam Requirement
Required
Initial License Fee
$150
Renewal Fee
N/A
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Not Required

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Painter (Contractor) All Rhode Island licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Rhode Island licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Painter (Contractor) in Rhode Island? ▼
In Rhode Island, the license path calls for, a passing exam score, and a $150 initial fee.
How do I get certified as a Painter (Contractor) in Rhode Island? ▼
Rhode Island licenses painter (contractor)s who complete its requirements and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Rhode Island licensing board.
Can I transfer my Painter (Contractor) license to Rhode Island from another state? ▼
Rhode Island evaluates out-of-state painter (contractor) licenses on a case-by-case basis. Many professions are covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability. Contact the Rhode Island licensing board for specific reciprocity details.
Does Rhode Island require a background check for Painter (Contractor) licensing? ▼
There's no state-level background-check requirement for painter (contractor) licensing in Rhode Island; some employers choose to screen candidates anyway.

Related Guides

What to do with this painter (contractor) license

Painter (Contractor) in Rhode Island is one requirement row in a painter (contractor)-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Rhode Island licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.