2026 data Rhode Island board official source

Rhode Island Professional Engineer (PE) License Requirements

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

Provides engineering services to the public. Requires FE + PE exams.

What the Rhode Island data shows for Professional Engineer (PE)s

To practice as a professional engineer (pe) in Rhode Island, the state licensing board requires board-approved training, a passing score on FE Exam then PE Exam, and 4 years of supervised work experience. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under Rhode Island's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Bachelors Degree in Engineering".

The initial price tag is $391, and renewal costs $317 every 2 years. The license also carries an ongoing 30-hour continuing-education requirement per 2-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

For professional engineer (pe)s, the reciprocity picture is: NCEES model law: recognized in most states.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
11/100
Professional Engineer (PE) · 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 N/A
N/A
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$391
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$159/yr
$317 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
15.0 hrs/yr
30 hours every 2 years
Experience Required F
4 years
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Rhode Island

Education / Training Hours
Bachelors Degree in Engineering
Not specified
Exam Requirement
FE Exam then PE Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$391
Renewal Fee
$317
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
30 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Not Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Work Experience Required
4 years
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 Professional Engineer (PE) in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island's requirements cover, the FE Exam then PE Exam exam, and an initial fee of $391.
How do I get certified as a Professional Engineer (PE) in Rhode Island?
Certification as a professional engineer (pe) in Rhode Island means clearing the state's checklist plus 4 years of work experience, and a passing exam score. The Rhode Island licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Professional Engineer (PE) license to Rhode Island from another state?
Reciprocity for professional engineer (pe)s nationally works like this: NCEES model law: recognized in most states. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into Rhode Island. Verify the specifics with the Rhode Island licensing board.
Does Rhode Island require a background check for Professional Engineer (PE) licensing?
There's no state-level background-check requirement for professional engineer (pe) licensing in Rhode Island; some employers choose to screen candidates anyway.
What are the continuing education requirements for Professional Engineer (PE) in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island ties continued professional engineer (pe) licensure to 30 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $317 renewal fee.

What to do with this professional engineer (pe) license

Professional Engineer (PE) in Rhode Island, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a professional engineer (pe)-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.