Catering Business Permit Requirements in Providence, RI

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Rhode Island Division of Taxation — Sales Tax Permit

   Required for all businesses selling tangible personal property or taxable services in Rhode Island. Rhode Island charges a 7% state sales tax with no local sales taxes. Register with the RI Division of Taxation online via the RI Tax Portal.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online)

   Free

   Immediate (online)

2. Rhode Island Department of Health - Certified Food Safety Manager

   Under the Rhode Island Food Code (FDA Food Code 2022, section 2-102.12), the person in charge of a food establishment must be a certified food protection manager who has passed a test forming part of an accredited program, so a catering operation needs at least one. RIDOH issues the Certified Food Safety Manager credential and only trained, certified people may use that title. Certification runs five years, and renewal requires 8 professional development units - eight hours of approved food safety and sanitation training - within the period.

   Official government source

   $50.00 RIDOH Certified Food Safety Manager certification fee and $50.00 at each renewal under fee regulation 216-RICR-10-05-2, plus the private provider's course and national examination fees.·Not published by RIDOH; certification lasts five years and renewal notices are sent 60 days before the expiration date.

   $50.00 RIDOH Certified Food Safety Manager certification fee and $50.00 at each renewal under fee regulation 216-RICR-10-05-2, plus the private provider's course and national examination fees.

   Not published by RIDOH; certification lasts five years and renewal notices are sent 60 days before the expiration date.

1. Rhode Island Department of Health - Caterer / Food Service Establishment License

   Catering businesses in Rhode Island are licensed by the RI Department of Health's Center for Food Protection. There is no county health department - Rhode Island counties have no government - and the state has no municipal health departments either, so licensing is entirely at state level. The business must work from a licensed commercial kitchen or commissary, pass a pre-operational inspection, and have the required number of Certified Food Safety Managers. City zoning approval comes first, and DEM or Drinking Water Quality approval is needed where the site has an on-site septic system or well.

   Official government source

   $280.00 per year for a Caterer or Commissary license, prorated to $210.00 or $140.00 depending on when in the license year you register. A restaurant-style Food Service Establishment license is $160.00 under 50 seats or $240.00 at 50 seats or more. New construction, or a renovation costing more than 50% of the establishment's value, adds a plan review fee equal to the license fee.·Submit the application package and fees at least two weeks before the proposed opening date for an existing facility, or at least one month before construction for a new or renovated facility.

   $280.00 per year for a Caterer or Commissary license, prorated to $210.00 or $140.00 depending on when in the license year you register. A restaurant-style Food Service Establishment license is $160.00 under 50 seats or $240.00 at 50 seats or more. New construction, or a renovation costing more than 50% of the establishment's value, adds a plan review fee equal to the license fee.

   Submit the application package and fees at least two weeks before the proposed opening date for an existing facility, or at least one month before construction for a new or renovated facility.

2. No Providence General Business License

   Providence does not require a general business license or a fee based on gross revenue. The city's Board of Licenses issues licenses only for specific regulated activities - liquor, entertainment, food establishment, body works, second-hand dealer and second-hand auto, motor vehicle repair, vendor, private detective, pawnbroker, valet, trash hauling and similar. Photography, tutoring and wedding planning are not licensed categories. Check the Board's online licensing portal to see whether your specific activity appears on the list.

   Official government source

   Not applicable - no general Providence business license exists. Fees for the specific regulated categories are set per license type in the Board of Licenses portal.·Not applicable; applications for the specific licenses are scheduled for a hearing before the Board of License Commissioners.

   Not applicable - no general Providence business license exists. Fees for the specific regulated categories are set per license type in the Board of Licenses portal.

   Not applicable; applications for the specific licenses are scheduled for a hearing before the Board of License Commissioners.

Official Sources

• Providence County Health Department
• Rhode Island Division of Taxation — Sales Tax Permit

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