Rhode Island Solar Contractor License Requirements (2026)

Rhode Island does not issue a standalone solar contractor license. Solar PV installation is regulated as electrical work under R.I. Gen. Laws §5-6 and is administered by the Rhode Island Division of Professional Regulation (DPR). Any solar business must hold an Electrical Contractor (A) license and employ a Master Electrician (Class A) as the qualifying party. Solar thermal water heating requires a Rhode Island Master Plumber license. NABCEP PV Installation Professional certification is the industry standard but is voluntary in Rhode Island.

Regulatory Body Profile

Authority over this credential rests with Rhode Island Contractors Registration and Licensing Board / Department of Labor and Training Professional Regulation (CRLB / DLT), which issues and polices it under R.I. General Laws Title 5 Chapter 65 (Contractors Registration); Title 5 Chapter 6 (Electricians); Title 5 Chapter 20 (Plumbers); Title 28 Chapter 27 (Pipefitters and Refrigeration). The Contractors Registration and Licensing Board (CRLB) registers residential contractors and licenses commercial roofers. The Department of Labor and Training (DLT) Division of Professional Regulation licenses electricians, plumbers, pipefitters, refrigeration technicians, and sheet metal workers — the trade licenses required for HVAC work in Rhode Island.

Official portal: https://www.crb.ri.gov/
Address: Contractors Registration and Licensing Board, 1511 Pontiac Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920
Phone: (401) 921-1500

The Eligibility Audit

Eligibility begins with two baseline checks: the applicant must be 18 or older and must provide a valid Social Security Number. No Rhode Island residency requirement.

Good moral character

DPR reviews criminal history.

Background investigation

Mandatory criminal history disclosure on the application.

Experience and Education Standards

At least two years as a Rhode Island Journeyman Electrician (B) on top of 8,000 hours of apprenticeship has to be evidenced and confirmed. Retain payroll, tax, project, or supervisor records, since the board may audit the experience claimed.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

DPR experience affidavits signed by RI Master Electricians
Certified payroll covering the qualifying period
RI-registered apprenticeship completion certificate

Education substitution

RI-registered apprenticeship satisfies the apprenticeship hours.

The Exam Syllabus

Prov Inc. (under contract to the DPR) administers the required examination. Each part below must be passed before the license will issue:

Rhode Island Master Electrician (Class A) Examination — NEC, RI amendments, business and law — 100 questions, 240 minutes, passing score 75%

Examination fee: $95 examination fee.

Retake policy: Failed exams may be retaken after 30 days.

Bonding, Insurance & Financial Security

No statewide contractor license surety bond is required for this credential in the cited sources. Project-specific, permit, or public-works bonds may still apply, so confirm bonding before bidding a given job.

General liability

DPR requires $500,000 commercial general liability minimum.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation insurance is mandatory under R.I. Gen. Laws §28-29 for any business with employees.

Additional financial requirements

No financial statement required.

Schedule of Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$120
Examination	$95
Initial license	$120
Renewal (every 2 years)	$120

Renewal and Continuing Obligations

The Rhode Island Division of Professional Regulation Electrical Contractor License (A) runs on a 2 years renewal cycle. The current renewal fee is $120. RI Electrical Contractor licenses renew every two years.

Continuing education: Ten hours of DPR-approved CE every two years.

Downloadable Asset

2026 Rhode Island Solar License Roadmap (PDF) — a printable step-by-step checklist for the application process.

Download the PDF roadmap →

Out-of-State Reciprocity

For this classification, Rhode Island does not recognize the NASCLA Accredited Examination.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
Massachusetts	Trade exam waived	Limited reciprocity (verify with the board; solar-specific reciprocity is rare).
Connecticut	Trade exam waived	Limited reciprocity (verify with the board; solar-specific reciprocity is rare).

Rhode Island DPR maintains limited reciprocity (verify directly with the board; solar-specific reciprocity is rare) with Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Weighing more than one jurisdiction? The national hub compares Solar license requirements in every state — exam, bond, fee, and experience thresholds side by side.

The Application Roadmap

Complete a RI electrical apprenticeship. 8,000 hours under a RI Master Electrician.
Pass the Journeyman Electrician (B) exam. Prerequisite to the Master credential.
Document two years as a Journeyman. Required for the Master Electrician exam.
Pass the Master Electrician (A) exam at 75%. Prov administers the exam.
Apply for the Electrical Contractor (A) license. Designate the Master Electrician as the qualifying party.
File the certificate of insurance. $500K CGL minimum.
Pull local building and electrical permits per project. Each RI jurisdiction requires local permits.

Where Applications Stall

The errors below are the ones that most frequently cost Rhode Island Solar applicants time, drawn from the cited board guidance.

Missing the 10-hour CE

Mandatory every two years.

Letting workers compensation lapse

Mandatory for any business with employees.

Forgetting solar thermal is plumbing

Solar hot water requires the Master Plumber license.

Skipping local permits

State licensure does not exempt you from city permits.

Underestimating the journeyman time

Two full years as a Journeyman are required before the Master exam.

Pre-Application Checklist

Ahead of submission to CRLB / DLT, confirm every item on this short list:

☐ 8,000 hours of electrical apprenticeship
☐ Rhode Island Journeyman Electrician (B) credential
☐ Two years as a Journeyman
☐ Master Electrician (A) examination pass
☐ DPR Electrical Contractor (A) license
☐ $500K commercial general liability insurance
☐ Workers' compensation coverage

Recommended Study Materials

The list below collects the board's cited references and the materials applicants typically study from. CLR is not paid to recommend any of them.

NEC Article 690 — Solar Photovoltaic Systems — NFPA. Primary technical reference.
R.I. Gen. Laws §5-6 — State of Rhode Island. Statutory framework.
Prov Rhode Island Master Electrician Candidate Information Bulletin — Prov. Free PDF outlining exam content.

Other Rhode Island Trade Licenses

CLR maintains guides for additional Rhode Island trades; the published ones are listed here:

Common Questions

Does Rhode Island have a solar license?

No. Solar PV is regulated as electrical work under the Electrical Contractor (A) license.

Is NABCEP required?

No. NABCEP is voluntary in Rhode Island.

How many hours does Rhode Island require?

8,000 hours of apprenticeship plus two years as a Journeyman.

What about solar thermal?

Solar hot water requires a Rhode Island Master Plumber license.

Does Rhode Island reciprocate?

Yes. DPR maintains limited reciprocity (verify directly with the board; solar-specific reciprocity is rare) with Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Primary Sources

Regulatory requirements on this page are drawn from the official board, statute, and exam-provider materials listed below.

Verified 2026-05-30 · Next scheduled review 2026-08-28