Rhode Island Electrical Contractor License (Certificate A / Class A): Requirements and How to Apply

Rhode Island's electrical contractor license, officially Certificate A and widely called the Class A license, is issued by the Department of Labor and Training (DLT), Division of Professional Regulation, with the Board of Examiners of Electricians, which also writes and gives the exam. Everything below comes from R.I. Gen. Laws chapter 5-6, the Board's rules (260-RICR-30-15-7) and DLT's electrician application.

What a Certificate A license allows

A Certificate A lets a person, firm or corporation carry on the business of installing, maintaining, servicing and testing electrical wiring, equipment, fire alarm and safety communication systems and other electrical apparatus (R.I. Gen. Laws 5-6-8). On its own it does not let the holder personally do the work; that is what the Class B journeyperson license is for, and every Certificate A applicant already holds one. A firm or corporation is licensed through the member or officer who passed the exam, and renewals must be signed by that same person.

Experience and license requirements

Requirement	Details
Experience	At least 12,000 hours (six years) in the trade, verified by a notarized employer letter listing your work
License	A Rhode Island Certificate B (Class B) journeyperson license held for at least two years before you apply
Out-of-state contractors	Same route: hold a Rhode Island journeyperson license for two years and have six years of experience

Source: 260-RICR-30-15-7 §7.6 and DLT's electrician application.

How to apply

Complete DLT's electrician application for the contractor exam and have it notarized.
Attach a government ID, the employer experience letter and your Rhode Island journeyperson license details.
Pay the $75 non-refundable application and processing fee by check or money order to the R.I. Department of Labor & Training (cards are accepted in person only).
Mail it so it arrives at least 15 working days before an exam date. DLT mails your exam time and place once you are approved.
Pass the exam (70%). DLT then invoices you for the $240 two-year license fee.

The exam in brief

Item	Rhode Island Certificate A (Class A) Electrical Contractor
Given by	DLT Professional Regulation and the Board of Examiners of Electricians
Format	Written, answered in ink; practical demonstrations are allowed by rule
Books	Closed book by rule, unless the Board permits otherwise
Questions and time	80 questions, 4 hours
Passing score	70% (60% or more earns a review with the Board)
Code	The 2023 NEC, the Rhode Island Electrical Code since December 1, 2025

See what is on the Contractor exam for the topics, and exam day for the logistics.

Licensed in another state?

Rhode Island has no electrician reciprocity. An out-of-state contractor or journeyperson first takes the Rhode Island journeyperson exam, holds that license for two years, and then applies for the contractor exam.

Renewal and continuing education

Licenses expire on the licensee's birthday and renew for two years at the license fee ($240 for Certificate A). Each renewal needs 15 clock hours of Board-approved continuing education covering the currently adopted NEC and ICC codes (R.I. Gen. Laws 5-6-20.1). A late renewal adds $12 for each month late, and a license not renewed within two years of expiring is forfeited: you would apply and test again (5-6-20).

Practice for the exam

Our Rhode Island Electrical Contractor practice test is built on the 2023 NEC, and every question cites the section you would look up. Starting out? See the journeyperson requirements.

Rhode Island Electrical Contractor License (Certificate A / Class A): Requirements and How to Apply