Free links to official Rhode Island state and county government records — courts, criminal histories, vital records, property, voter, business, and licenses across all 5 counties.
How to Search Rhode Island Professional Licenses (Start Here)
Professional and occupational licenses in Rhode Island are issued by state licensing boards — each profession has its own board with its own search tool. There is no single database of all licenses in Rhode Island.
What this page covers: Rhode Island professional license verification databases — medical, legal, real estate, contractor, financial, and other regulated professions. What it does not cover: Business entity filings (those are with the Secretary of State) or association memberships (those are private organizations).
Where to start: Identify the profession, then go to the specific licensing board for Rhode Island. For attorneys, go to the state bar. For doctors, the medical board. For contractors, the contractor licensing authority. The databases below are organized by profession.
Common mistake: A professional license and a business registration are different. A license authorizes a person to practice a profession. A business registration authorizes a company to operate. They are filed with different agencies.
Edited by Sam Rokni — Editor & Owner, SearchSystems.net. Public records professional since 1999. NAPBS founding member. Full bio & credentials.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: Rhode Island professional & occupational licenses URL verified against the official state publisher at dbr.ri.gov on the review date. 4 primary .gov sources cited below.
Rhode Island Professional & Occupational Licenses — Key Facts (2026)
Doctors, lawyers, contractors, nurses, real estate agents in Rhode Island — who's licensed and how to verify in 2026.
State-only
License jurisdiction
Not federal
~22%
U.S. workforce licensed
Up from 5% in 1950
1,100+
Licensed occupations
NCSL national database
Free
Official verification
Never pay 3rd parties
Compacts
Cross-state reciprocity
Nursing/medical/PT
Active license ≠ clean record (verify both)
Active license
100%
Continuing-ed current
70%
No disciplinary actions
30%
No complaint history
20%
Criminal background
10%
Unit: % verified by 'active license' alone.
What Changed in 2026 — Rhode Island Professional & Occupational Licenses
2026
Rhode Island professional & occupational licenses portal active
The official Rhode Island portal at dbr.ri.gov continues to serve as the canonical entry point for professional & occupational licenses in 2026.
For 2026, Rhode Island continues to publish professional & occupational licenses information through state-authorized portals; check dbr.ri.gov for current fees and processing times.
Federal record types (federal liens, federal land, federal vital statistics) continue to live OUTSIDE Rhode Island's state portal — see the Primary Sources below for additional official portals.
Apostilles are a form of legalization on public and private documents certifying the signature and stamp/seal of an RI official or notary public. To be eligible for an apostille from the State of Rhode Island, your document must be issued by a RI official or properly notarized by a RI notary public.
Appraisal Foundation Grants · Resources · ASC Governance · ASC Operating Guidance · Frequently Asked Questions · Public Records · Rhode Island · State Name · Rhode Island · Appraiser State · Rhode Island · Appraiser Date of Review · August 2024 ·
State of Rhode Island, Department of Business Regulation , Nicholas Sammartino -- Chairperson · Certified Residential Appraiser · NAS Appraisal Service · 20 Janet Drive · Johnston, RI 02919 · (401) 232-3278 · · Term Expires: 12/31/23 ·
DBR is the regulator for a wide variety of businesses in the state. DBR does not however, regulate every type of business in Rhode Island. We have regulatory authority over specific industries through Rhode Island Statute. Below is a directory of our major divisions and some popular sub divisions.
The Division of Commercial Licensing and Regulation is responsible for creating standards and procedures for the issuance of a salvage rebuilder's license to licensed automobile repair shop facilities so that such facilities may repair total loss salvage vehicles.
Licensees include mortgage loan. mortgage servicers. Additionally, The Banking Division enforces statutes relating to maximum interest charges and state usury laws and conducts administrative hearings when required.
State of Rhode Island, Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board , State Building Office · Agency Announcements Alerts · Check out our new Contractor "How To" page! This includes how to renew a Registration/License, how to submit a payment, how to upload attachments, and how to print a Registration/License Certificate.
2007-6 Notification to All State of Rhode Island Licensed Lenders and Loan Brokers Concerning Changes of Rhode Island Licensing Laws Relating to Recently Enacted Article 16 Substitute A of the 2008 Budget and Companion Senate Bill 2007 S 104 Substitute A PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes
Violations against individual licenses are posted here. Information includes the date the action/order was entered and the full text of the decision. Actions/orders that are under investigation are not posted. Additionally, actions taken prior to December 09, 2014 may not be posted.
This search tool can be used to verify that a Notary Public or JP has an active commission or to find a notary to perform notarial services. If you have questions about your search results, contact us at [email protected] · Looking for a notary? Select your preferred type of notary service
Official State of Rhode Island website · This list includes: Pharmacists, Pharmacy-Non-Residential, Pharmacy-Retail, Limited 'Pharmacists (Intern), Pharmacist Tech Trainee-In Training, Pharmacist Technician, Pharmacist Tech 1, and Pharmacist Tech 2
Non-disciplinary letter with no decision: acknowledgment from BMLD, may offer advice to physician · Administratively Close: may be revisited later when new information appears · Unprofessional Conduct: there appears to be a violation of law; findings of fact and recommended sanctions are determined · If the full Board approves the IC's recommendation, any administrative action.
This section of Commercial Licensing issues licenses to candidates who meet the regulatory requirements for real estate brokers and salespersons. It also regulates real estate schools' curriculum and contracts with a testing vendor to provide licensing exams.
Register an Account. License & Registration Lookup. Online Rosters. News Feed. New E-licensing System. Our E-licensing system has changed on November 3rd 2025.
Real Estate Licensee Verification Database · ARELLO.ORG · Home · Search · API · Learn more about what the services does. See which plan works best for your company. Find documentation and login credentials to test service. Learn more about the service ·
Explore a special brochure honoring the history of Rhode Island’s IOLTA program and those who made it possible. Click Here to View the Brochure · Attorney Directory · Latest News · RI Bar Journal · Need a Lawyer? } All Events
Where do I verify a Rhode Island professional license?▼
Most Rhode Island professional and occupational licenses (medical, legal, contracting, real estate, cosmetology, etc.) can be verified through the Official Rhode Island Professional & Occupational Licenses at dbr.ri.gov. Look for the 'License Lookup' or 'Verify a Licensee' tool — searches are typically by name or license number and return active/inactive status.
How do I apply for a Rhode Island business license?▼
Rhode Island business licensing combines state, county, and city permits depending on activity. The Official Rhode Island Professional & Occupational Licenses at dbr.ri.gov is the primary state portal; local business-tax certificates are issued by the city or county where you operate. The federal usa.gov permits guide is a helpful starting overview.
Is a Rhode Island license required to work in my profession?▼
That depends on the profession. Rhode Island, like most states, licenses regulated occupations such as healthcare, legal, construction, real estate, cosmetology, security, and many trades. The Official Rhode Island Professional & Occupational Licenses publishes the full list and exemption criteria at dbr.ri.gov.
How do I report a complaint against a Rhode Island licensee?▼
Complaints against licensed professionals in Rhode Island are filed with the issuing board or division under the Official Rhode Island Professional & Occupational Licenses. Most boards accept online complaint submissions at dbr.ri.gov, plus mail-in forms. Each board reviews complaints under the standards in Rhode Island's occupational code.
Does Rhode Island recognize licenses from other states?▼
Many Rhode Island boards offer license-by-reciprocity, license-by-endorsement, or expedited pathways for applicants already licensed in another U.S. jurisdiction. The Official Rhode Island Professional & Occupational Licenses at dbr.ri.gov publishes the reciprocity rules per profession; some require additional Rhode Island-specific exams or jurisprudence tests.
