50-State Engineering Licensing Compliance Guide
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Rhode Island Engineering Industry Licensing

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Licensing requirements for engineering industry firms and individuals in Rhode Island.

This page provides an overview of engineering industry licensing in Rhode Island for individuals and firms. You will find state requirements, application fees, filing instructions, and more. For assistance with licensing, please contact us to learn about our software and managed license services.

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Company Licenses

Rhode Island Engineering Company Licenses

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 Geology Firm License

Not required



Geoscience Firm licensure is not required on the State level in Rhode Island.

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.

Individual Licenses

Rhode Island Individual Engineering Licenses

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 Geologist License

Not required



Professional Geoscientist licensure is not required on the State level in Rhode Island.

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.

Notarization Required?:Required

Renewal Not Required

Not required



Rhode Island Professional Engineer Registration

Agency:Rhode Island Division of Building, Design, and Fire Professionals
Exam Required?Yes
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

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100

Reciprocal Registration

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.

Notarization Required?:Required

Reciprocal Registration

Registration Renewal

Form:

Biennial Renewal Application

Agency Fee:

$250

Due:

By June 30 of odd-numbered years.

Learn about engineering licensing in other states:

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho
Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri
Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania
Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Design Firm - Engineering firm registration is sometimes grouped with architecture and land surveying on a single “design firm” application form.

EI (Engineering Intern) - A term also used to describe an Engineer in Training.

EIT (Engineer in Training) - A professional designation granted upon having completed at least 3 years of school at an ABET-accredited university and having passed the FE exam.

FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) - An exam testing on basic engineering principles that is required to become an engineer in training.

PE (Professional Engineer or 'Principles and Practice in Engineering') - Means either Professional Engineer or refers to the Principles and Practice in Engineering exam that is a prerequisite for an engineering license.

Reciprocity - When a licensed engineer in one state can provide documentation (often an NCEES Record) to more easily apply for a license in another jurisdiction.

Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
Accrediting board that sets standards for university programs in a variety of applied science disciplines.

American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC)
Engineering, architecture, and land surveying advocacy group.

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Organization that provides continuing education, professional conferences, and advocacy efforts to the civil engineering community.

American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
Mechanical engineering organization that focuses on education and professional development.

Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC)
Reviews accreditation requirements and makes final decisions regarding the accreditation process.

National Council of Examiners for Engineering & Surveying (NCEES)
Develops, administers, and scores the exams used for engineering licenses.

National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)
NSPE is an advocacy group for professional engineers.

Revised February 20, 2023. Complete data last reviewed February 20, 2023.
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