50-State Guide
Rhode Island
Last updated June 2026
At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| IMLC Member | Yes |
| FCVS | Required |
| NP Independent Practice | Yes |
| PA Independent Practice | Yes |
| Physician-Owned PC Allowed | Yes |
| Max NPs per Physician | No Limit (FPA) |
| Max PAs per Physician | No Limit |
Licensure
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Initial License | $1,090 |
| Renewal Fee | $570 |
| Renewal Cycle | Biennial |
| Annualized Cost | $285.00 |
| Controlled Substance Registration | Yes ($200/2yr) |
In-State Physician Requirement
MD must be licensed in RI.
APC Supervision
Nurse Practitioners
NPs can practice independently in Rhode Island.
- Maximum NPs per physician: No Limit (FPA)
Physician Assistants
PAs can practice independently in Rhode Island.
- Maximum PAs per physician: No Limit
CME & Training Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Total CME | Contact board |
| Category 1 Minimum | 40 hours |
| Cycle | Biennial |
| Opioid/Pain Mgmt | 8 hrs/cycle |
| Human Trafficking | Not required |
| Implicit Bias | Not required |
| Suicide Prevention | Not required |
| DEA MATE Act | 8 hrs one-time (federal) |
| Jurisprudence Exam | Required (recurring) |
Fingerprint Requirements
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Required | No |
| FBI Check | N/A |
| Method | N/A |
| Out-of-State Options | N/A |
| Timing | N/A |
Quirks & Gotchas
- Initial licensure routes exclusively through FCVS (Federation Credentialing Verification Service) - you cannot submit directly to RI. FCVS has its own separate fee (~$395 for a new profile) and timeline on top of the state fee.
- Incomplete applications are automatically withdrawn after 1 year with no refund path described.
- Reactivating a lapsed RI license requires a separate reactivation/reinstatement application - not the standard new app. Contact the Board separately.
- Initial MD or DO license: $1,090
- Renewal: $1,090 (every 2 years)
- Renewal with approved training program (residency/fellowship): $870
- Late renewal penalty: +$170 on top of base renewal
- Controlled Substance Registration (CSR): +$200/year (separate from license fee, billed annually)
- Academic Faculty Limited License: $600 initial / $170 renewal
- Hospital Medical Officer Limited: $65 initial and renewal
- Volunteer physician license: no fee
- No formal jurisprudence exam required by RI regulations. The Board-approved USMLE/COMLEX/NBME/LMCC satisfies examination requirements. All step/level scores must be 75 or above, and each section must pass within 3 attempts - failure beyond that triggers additional Board review.
- No fingerprinting requirement in current regulations. Character fitness is assessed through application questions and board history disclosure, not a formal biometric check.
- Minimum 40 hours AMA PRA Category 1 or AOA Category 1a credits, due by June 1 of even-numbered years.
- For the 2026 cycle: any ACCME-accredited content in any topic qualifies - no specific topic mandated this cycle.
- ABMS or AOA Maintenance of Certification satisfies the entire CME requirement.
- Board committee participation counts toward CME hours.
- The Board audits CME compliance - a formal audit procedure exists.
- PDMP Registration: Mandatory. Must check Rhode Island’s PDMP (rhodeisland.pmpaware.net) every time** dispensing or prescribing a controlled substance - not just at renewal, at every prescription event.
- RIVERS Training:** Required for death certificate completion; must be trained in the RI Vital Events Registration System.
Researched from state board websites and regulatory sources. Verify with the board directly before applying.
Resources
- Rhode Island Board of Medical Licensure
- FSMB State Licensure Directory
- Interstate Medical Licensure Compact
Sources
Data compiled from state medical board websites, FSMB, and regulatory filings. Last updated June 2026.
Have a correction or update? Let us know.