50-State Employment Services Industry Licensing Guide
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Rhode Island Employment Agency

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Licensing requirements for Rhode Island employment, staffing and talent agencies.

This page provides an overview of employment services licensing in Rhode Island for individuals and agencies. You will find state requirements, application fees, filing instructions, and more. For assistance with licensing, please contact us to learn about our software and managed license services.

Companies that provide employment services in Rhode Island must apply for a license prior to doing business. Depending on the services offered, businesses may need to apply for more than one license type, and in some cases, an individual license will be required as well.

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Company Licenses

Rhode Island Employment and Business Support Services Company Licenses

Rhode Island Employee Leasing Companies and/or Temporary Help Service Company Certificate

Agency:Rhode Island Department of Revenue - Division of Taxation
Law:

RI Gen Laws § 44-30-71.4

Eligible Entity Types:

  • Sole Owner
  • Partnership
  • Corporation
Bond Requirements:

Employee leasing companies and/or temporary help service companies that have not been certified by the Rhode Island Division of Taxation for at least two (2) years are required to post a bond in the amount of $50,000 each year with surety to insure that all withholding and other taxes due to the state are paid.

Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Rhode Island Employment Agency License

Not required



Employment Agency licensure is not required on the State level in Rhode Island.

Rhode Island Nursing Service Agency License

Agency:Rhode Island Department of Health - Licensing Unit
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Yes

Initial Registration

Form:

Nursing Service Agency Registration

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

$1,000

Registration Renewal

Form:

Nursing Service Agency Registration (Renewal)

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

$1,000

Due:

Annually by December 31.

Rhode Island Talent Agency License

Not required



Talent Agency licensure is not required on the State level in Rhode Island.

Employee Leasing Company - Enter into leasing contracts with other businesses that require labor. The leasing company loans its workers to the lessee while still providing specified responsibilities, such as workers compensation insurance, to the employees. This includes long term (6 months or more) temporary arrangements but often excludes temporary help arrangements. Unlike professional employer organizations, employee leasing companies are contracted when an employer needs to hire staff and does not want to handle human resources responsibilities.

Employment Agency - An entity that, for compensation, procures or attempts to procure employment for a person.

Professional Employer Organization - PEOs take on the human resources role for businesses and act as a co-employer in the sense that the client company's workers are administratively employees of the PEO but functionally these employees are controlled by the client company. Unlike employee leasing companies, PEOs are contracted when an employer already has staff and does not want to handle human resources responsibilities.

Staffing Agency - An entity that procures temporary or part-time employment for a person who then works under the supervision of a worksite employer.

Talent Agency - An entity that, for compensation, procures or attempts to procure employment or placement for an artist. (Certain art forms are excluded)

American Staffing Association
Staffing, recruiting, and workforce solution industry advocacy group.

National Association of Personnel Services (NAPS)
Education and training oriented association for personnel services providers.

National Association of Professional Employer Organizations (NAPEO)
Provides advocacy efforts, information, and other services to members of the employment industry.