Rhode Island Electrician License Types

Rhode Island does not issue a single "electrician license." The DLT Board of Examiners of Electricians administers a lettered certificate system with over a dozen license types, each carrying different work scopes, hour requirements, and fees. Picking the wrong one — or assuming your Certificate B lets you do what a Certificate A authorizes — creates real legal exposure.

The Core Licenses: Certificate B and Certificate A

Certificate B (Journeyperson Electrician) is the standard individual trade license. It authorizes you to install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, conduits, devices, and fixtures. The critical limitation: you cannot contract for work, bid on projects, solicit clients, or pull permits. You must work under the direct employment and supervision of a licensed Certificate A contractor.

Requirements: 8,000 hours of supervised on-the-job training as a registered DLT apprentice, plus 576 hours of Related Technical Instruction. You pass an 80-question closed-book exam with a 70% minimum score. Fees: $75 exam application + $72 license fee.

Certificate A (Electrical Contractor / Master Electrician) is the highest general trade license. It authorizes system design, job-site supervision, apprentice training, and permit pulling. To offer services to the public, you must pair it with a Corporate Certificate (Certificate AC). If the business acts as a prime or general contractor on residential or commercial construction projects exceeding $500 in contract value, it must also register with the CRLB.

Requirements: 12,000 total hours of trade experience, an active Certificate B held for at least two consecutive years. You pass a 100-question closed-book exam. Fees: $75 exam application + $240 license fee.

Specialty and Limited Licenses

Beyond the core certificates, Rhode Island issues several specialty licenses for specific trade scopes:

Certificate C (Limited Premises) — Authorizes electrical repair and maintenance of existing equipment at a single designated address. No written exam required. Useful for in-house maintenance staff at factories, hospitals, or large commercial properties. Fee: $240.

Certificate D (Limited Maintenance) — Similar to Certificate C but limited to existing wiring and appliances on a single commercial property. Also no written exam. Fee: $240.

Certificate M (Limited Maintenance Journeyperson) — Performs maintenance and repair of electrical equipment under a licensed master. Requires a written exam. Fee: $75 application + $72 license.

Certificate E (Burner Contractor) and Certificate F (Burner Person) — For electrical work on domestic oil and gas central heating plants. Certificate F requires 4,000 hours and an exam ($75 + $72). Certificate E requires two years holding Certificate F ($75 + $240). See the oil burner license details for the full breakdown.

Certificate AF (Fire Alarm Contractor) and Certificate BF (Fire Alarm Installer) — For fire alarm system installation and maintenance. Certificate BF requires 4,000 hours as a registered limited apprentice ($75 + $72). Certificate AF requires two years holding BF ($75 + $240).

Certificate SCF (Sign Contractor) and Certificate CF (Sign Installer) — For electric sign installation and wiring. Same progression: CF requires 4,000 hours ($75 + $72), SCF requires two years holding CF ($75 + $240).

Certificate LPC (Lightning Protection Contractor) and Certificate LPI (Lightning Protection Installer) — For lightning protection systems. LPI requires 4,000 hours ($75 + $72). LPC requires two years holding LPI. No written exam for LPC ($200 fee).

Certificate REP (Renewable Energy Professional) — For solar PV and wind system installations. Requires a qualifying renewable energy certificate or associate degree (NABCEP, UL, or accredited college completion). No written exam if already licensed; a limited REP license is available.

Corporate Certificate (AC)

If you hold a Certificate A and want to operate under a business entity — LLC, corporation, or partnership — you need a Corporate Certificate (Certificate AC). You must be an officer of the corporation or principal partner. Fee: $100. You can hold only one corporate certificate at a time, and your individual license is restricted to that entity while the corporate certificate is active.

How to Figure Out Which One You Need

If you are doing general electrical installation work for an employer: Certificate B.

If you want to run your own electrical contracting business: Certificate A + Certificate AC + CRLB registration if the business acts as a prime or general contractor on residential or commercial construction projects exceeding $500 in contract value.

If you maintain equipment at a single facility and your employer wants you credentialed: Certificate C or D (no exam) or Certificate M (with exam).

If you work exclusively on fire alarms, signs, oil burners, or lightning protection: the matching specialty certificate pair.

The Rhode Island Electrician License Guide maps each certificate type to its application forms, hour tracking requirements, and exam logistics — so you know exactly which path applies to your situation.

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