Welcome to the City of Providence’s Board of Licenses. We are pleased to announce that our office is modernizing to a quick and easy online application for all business licenses that applicants can complete anywhere, anytime.
New Licenses and Renewal Licenses
Apply online for your new license or renew your current license
Applications for business licenses are available online only. If you have questions or need accommodations regarding your application, please email licensing@providenceri.gov. Providence City Hall is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
The Office of the Board of Licenses is responsible for processing a range of business license applications as well as regulating businesses and enforcing local ordinances and state laws. Over 8,000 licenses are issued per year with over 400 liquor licenses.
Learn more about specific licenses
Once an application is received in our office via our online system, a staff member reviews the application and all supplemental documents.
Next, the staff determines whether the application is complete and a hearing is scheduled before the Board of License Commissioners.
Mobile Food License
Pursuant to the Rhode Island State Mobile Food Establishment Registration Act, the City of Providence will be issuing a Municipal Permit for Mobile Food Establishments (Providence MFE Permit), effective April 5, 2019. This permit is conditional upon the applicant’s enrollment in the State Mobile Food Establishment Registration (State MFE Registration), issued by the Department of Business Regulation. A copy of this registration is required for the City to issue a Providence MFE Permit.
Read More about Mobile Food Permitting
Hearings are open to the public
Find hearing dates, times, locations, agendas
Commissioners of the Board of Licenses
- Dylan Conley, Chair
- Delia Rodriguez-Masjoan, Vice Chair
- Adewole T. Akinbi
- Peter Mancini, Commissioner
- Sylvia Bernal, Commissioner
- Louis DeSimone, Attorney to the Board
- Stephany Lopes, License Administrator
- Jose Giusti, Deputy License Administrator
