Rhode Island Business License: Who Needs One & How to Apply (2025)

What Is a Business License in Rhode Island?

A business license is a permit issued by a local, state, or federal body in order to allow businesses to perform a specific business activity and/or operate legitimately. 

So, if there isn’t a “general business license” in Rhode Island, what exactly is there?

Well, Rhode Island — like the vast majority of states — imposes different requirements depending on where you’re located and what you actually do. 

For example:

• A restaurant in Providence will need a Food Service License from the Rhode Island Department of Health, along with local permits from the City of Providence.
• A hair salon in Newport will need licensed cosmetologists through the Rhode Island Department of Health Board of Hairdressing and Barbering and a business license from the Newport Division of Business Licenses.
• A retail clothing store in Warwick will need a Sales Tax Permit from the Rhode Island Division of Taxation and a zoning permit from the Warwick Building Department.
• A real estate agency in Smithfield will need agents licensed through the Rhode Island Real Estate Commission, as well as zoning approval from the Town of Smithfield.

It all depends on what you do, and where you’re located. There is no “business license” that you will need to obtain just to operate no matter what, and while most businesses will need some form of business license to operate, this will not be the case for everyone.

Do I Need a Rhode Island Business License? 

Well, the answer to this will ultimately depend on your business’s situation. You can have a look at our table below in order to get a general idea:

Rhode Island Business Licensing at a Glance

Jurisdiction	Business Licenses	Who Needs It & Where to Apply
Local	Health Permits, Zoning Permits, Occupancy Certificates, Industry-Specific Permits, etc.	Varies by location. Contact your local municipality to determine your business’s unique requirements.
State	Sales Tax Permit	Businesses selling taxable goods or services, or purchasing items for resale. Apply through the Rhode Island Division of Taxation.
	Professional Licenses	Required for professions (e.g., insurance agents, contractors, healthcare providers, etc). Apply through the relevant Rhode Island licensing board.
	Industry-Specific State Licenses	Businesses in regulated industries (e.g., food, liquor, environmental, vehicle dealers)  Apply through the relevant Rhode Island agency.
Federal	Industry-Specific Licenses	Businesses involved in federally regulated activities such as agriculture, aviation, firearms, alcohol, broadcasting, or wildlife. Apply through the relevant federal agency (e.g., USDA, FAA, ATF, FCC, FWS)

*While this table is meant to give you a general idea, it’s by no means exhaustive. For all your licensing needs, we suggest either going with a professional licensing service or consulting with a business attorney. 

How to Get a Business License in Rhode Island

The process of obtaining a business license in Rhode Island will depend on the permit in question, but generally involves completing the following steps:

1. Form a Business Structure & Obtain an EIN

We recommend formalizing your business before acquiring a business license in order to avoid potentially having to repeat this process again later down the line. 

This also gives other benefits depending on the business model, such as:

• Personal liability protection
• Improved legitimacy 
• Larger access to loans and corporate finance

Note: You should obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) after forming your LLC. You can have a look at our How to Get an EIN overview for more information. 

2. Apply for the Right Business License in Rhode Island

This step will depend on the business license in question.

Rhode Island Local Business Licenses

Many Rhode Island cities and counties require local business licenses or permits to be obtained. This can be in addition to the common state-wide licenses talked about above.

Here are some common local permits you may need:

• General Business License: Some Rhode Island municipalities require a general business license or certificate to legally operate within city or town limits. For example, businesses based in Providence must apply through the Providence City Clerk’s Office to register and obtain approval to operate locally.
• Health Permits: Required for restaurants, food trucks, cafes, and any business handling food products. While the state issues the main food establishment license, local health departments conduct inspections and issue operating permits (e.g., if your mobile food truck is based in East Providence, you would need permits from the City of East Providence).
• Zoning Permits: Before opening, you must verify your business location is properly zoned for your intended use. This ensures your business type is allowed in that specific area of the city or town (e.g., if you’re opening a retail store in Newport, you would obtain zoning approval from the Newport Zoning Office).
• Sign Permits: Required before installing any exterior business signage, whether it’s a wall sign, projecting sign, or freestanding sign. Each municipality has specific size and placement requirements (e.g., if your business is in Cranston and needs signage, you would apply for a sign permit through the Cranston Building Inspections Department).
• Certificate of Occupancy – Required before any business can legally occupy a commercial space. This certificate verifies the building meets all safety codes and is suitable for your specific business use (e.g., if your business is moving into a space in Pawtucket, you would obtain a Certificate of Occupancy from the Pawtucket Zoning Department).

You can have a look at the official Rhode Island Cities & Towns website to find your local municipality’s contact information and website.

Rhode Island State Business Licenses

Below we’ve included the most common business licenses that are required on a state level. 

Rhode Island Sales Tax License

If you’re interested in obtaining a Rhode Island Sales Tax License (also known as a Retail Sales Permit), you can do this either online or via mail free of charge. 

OPTION 1: Apply Online With the Rhode Island Division of Taxation

Apply Online

– OR –

OPTION 2: Apply by Mail

Download Form

Mailing Address:

State of Rhode Island
Division of Taxation
One Capitol Hill
Providence, RI 02908

Keep in mind that you’ll need a NAICS code in order to apply. For more information on this, you can have a look at our Rhode Island Sales Tax guide.

Tip: Your business does not need to pay sales and use tax when purchasing goods for resale. To make tax-exempt purchases for resale, you will need to provide your vendor with a Rhode Island Resale Certificate.

Rhode Island Professional Licenses

If you’re interested in a professional license, you’ll need to head over to the relevant state commission, as this is not handled on a local level. We’ve provided the licensing boards of a few of the most common professions below to get you started:

• Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline: Licenses physicians, physician assistants, acupuncturists, and other medical professionals.
• Rhode Island Board of Nursing: Regulates registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, advanced practice registered nurses, and nursing assistants.
• Rhode Island Real Estate Division: Oversees real estate brokers, salespersons, and appraisers operating in Rhode Island.
• Contractors’ Registration and Licensing Board: Regulates general contractors, subcontractors, and residential contractors performing work over $1,000.
• Rhode Island Board of Hairdressing and Barbering: Licenses barbers, hairdressers, cosmetologists, estheticians, and manicurists.
• Rhode Island Board of Accountancy: Oversees certified public accountants (CPAs) and public accountancy firms.
• Supreme Court of Rhode Island: Handles admission and regulation of attorneys practicing law in Rhode Island.

For more information on how to go about getting licensed, you can have a look at StateRequirement’s in-depth licensing guides. 

Industry-Specific State Licenses

Some Rhode Island businesses may need additional licenses based on the sector they will operate in. These industry-specific state licenses are issued by different agencies depending on the business activity, such as:

• Motor Vehicle Dealer License: Required for businesses buying, selling, or exchanging five or more vehicles per year (includes new car dealers, used car dealers, and motorcycle dealers). Regulated by the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
• Child Care License: Required for facilities caring for four or more children who are not related to the provider. Regulated by the Department of Human Services. Includes child care centers, family child care homes, and school-age programs.
• Mobile Food Establishment Registration: Required for food trucks and mobile food vendors operating in Rhode Island. Regulated by the Department of Business Regulation. Applicants must first obtain a Fire Safety Permit from the State Fire Marshal before applying.
• Cannabis Retail License: Required for businesses selling marijuana products for adult recreational use. Applications submitted through the Rhode Island Cannabis Licensing Portal.

Rhode Island Environmental Permits

If your business’s industry will mean that it could negatively impact the environment, there’s a good chance you’ll need some sort of license or permit from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.

Examples of industries regulated here include:

• Underground Storage Tank Registration: Required for businesses operating underground tanks storing petroleum products or hazardous substances over 1,100 gallons. Includes gas stations, heating oil distributors, and industrial facilities.
• Air Pollution Control Permits: Required for facilities that emit air pollutants, including auto body shops, dry cleaners, gas stations, and manufacturing plants. Different permit levels based on emission quantities.
• Water Pollution Discharge Elimination System Permits: Required for any facility discharging wastewater or stormwater into state waters. Includes car washes, industrial facilities, and construction sites over one acre.
• Hazardous Waste Generator Registration: Required for businesses generating hazardous waste, with categories for small quantity generators (less than 220 lbs/month) and large quantity generators. Includes auto repair shops, hospitals, and manufacturers.
• Wetlands Permits: Required for any construction, excavation, or filling activities within or near wetlands, rivers, ponds, or coastal areas. Includes residential and commercial development projects.
• Septic System Permits: Required for businesses installing or modifying on-site wastewater treatment systems. Includes restaurants, hotels, and any commercial property not connected to municipal sewer.
• Solid Waste Facility License: Required for facilities handling, processing, or disposing of solid waste. Includes recycling centers, composting facilities, and transfer stations.
• Marine Discharge Permits: Required for marinas, boatyards, and vessels discharging into Rhode Island waters. Includes pump-out facilities and marine sanitation devices.

Federal Business Licenses for Rhode Island LLCs

If your business is in a federally regulated industry (which is uncommon), it’ll need to acquire the appropriate business license from the right body before starting to operate. 

A full list of industries regulated at a federal level can be found below:

• Agriculture: Overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture
• Alcoholic Beverages: Overseen by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau and the Local Alcohol Beverage Control Board
• Aviation: Overseen by the Federal Aviation Administration.
• Firearms, Ammunitions, and Explosives: Overseen by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
• Fish and Wildlife: Overseen by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Commercial Fishing: Overseen by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Service.
• Maritime Transportation: Overseen by the Federal Maritime Commission.
• Mining and Drilling: Overseen by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement.
• Radio and Television Broadcasting: Overseen by the Federal Communications Commission.
• Transportation and Logistics: Overseen by the U.S. Department of Transportation

Rhode Island Business License Renewal

Depending on your business license, you may need to renew it periodically — usually within one or two years. 

For example, your sales tax permit must be renewed every year by February 1, while most professional and occupational licenses follow an annual or biennial renewal schedule.

Several of the local permits will also need to be renewed annually; this includes health department permits, signage permits, and fire department permits (though this will depend on both your location and the license in question).

Rhode Island Business License FAQs

Quick Resources

• Rhode Island Division of Taxation
• Rhode Island Secretary of State
• Department of Business Regulation
• Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns