Plumbing Contractor Permit Requirements in Providence, RI

Complete permit and license guide for starting a plumbing contractor in Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island.

Verified 2026-09-06 5 stops $400–$1,200 est. 4–10 weeks to obtain all licenses
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Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. Key agencies and fees on this page were re-checked against official government sources on .

Federal — start here

1 stop

  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

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

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online application)

State of Rhode Island

1 stop

  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

    FreeImmediate (online)

City of Providence / Providence County

3 stops

  1. Rhode Island DLT Board of Examiners of Plumbers - Master Plumber License

    Plumbing contractors in Rhode Island must hold a Master Plumber license issued by the RI Department of Labor and Training's Professional Regulation unit (Board of Examiners of Plumbers and Irrigators). RI DOH does not license plumbers, and the Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board directs plumbing applicants to DLT. Requires documented apprenticeship hours and passing the state exam.

    Official government source

    $75 non-refundable application/exam processing fee, plus a $240 two-year license fee for Master Plumber, invoiced after a passing score of 70 or better. Journeyperson Plumber is $75 plus a $72 one-year fee.Not published by DLT; the license fee is invoiced after the exam is passed.

  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.

  3. City of Providence - Plumbing Permit (per project)

    A plumbing permit must be pulled from the City of Providence Department of Inspection and Standards for each job, filed through the city's e-Permitting system. Rhode Island counties have no government, so there is no Providence County plumbing department. Inspections are required upon job completion.

    Official government source

    Valuation-based; Providence publishes a Permit Fee Calculator on its e-Permitting page rather than a flat per-project fee.Not published by the city.

Terminus

Open for business — est. $400–$1,200 · 4–10 weeks to obtain all licenses

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Official Sources

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