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S 3138Licensing & Accreditation

Labor and Labor Relations - Division of Professional Regulation

Allows professionals over 65 to hold a non-working "retired" license status for a $20 fee.

Signed into law63 Yea0 Nay12 Not voting
Population
Affected
15
Email Legislator
Introduced Mar 20, 2026Committee Senate Labor & Gaming

Plain-English Summary

This legislation creates a new "retirement status" license for individuals regulated by the Division of Professional Regulation. To qualify, a professional must generally be at least 65 years old. Applicants must surrender their active license and agree not to practice their trade while holding this status. The fee for the retirement license is $20.00. The original license is returned to the holder marked "Retired." If the individual wishes to return to work later, they may reinstate their active license by paying current fees and meeting continuing education requirements.

For younger readers

This bill is for people who have jobs that require a special permission slip from the state, called a license. When these workers get older (65) and want to retire, they can trade their work license for a "retired" license. It costs $20. This lets them keep their title to show they achieved that level of work, but they have to promise not to do the job for money anymore. If they ever want to go back to work, they can pay the full price and show they still know how to do the job safely.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups
Licensed Professionals over 65Division of Professional Regulation StaffRetired TradespeopleContinuing Education ProvidersConsumers of Professional Services
Impacted communities
All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost
None
Estimated revenue
$20/license

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints
For Progressives
  • Provides a dignified way for aging workers to maintain their professional identity and status without the financial burden of full licensure fees, respecting their lifetime of labor.
  • Creates a structured pathway for retirees to re-enter the workforce if they face financial hardship, ensuring they are not permanently locked out of their trade due to a lapsed license.
  • Maintains consumer safety standards by strictly prohibiting practice while in retirement status and requiring proof of competency (continuing education) before reinstatement.
  • The reinstatement process requires paying the "then-current annual fee," which could still serve as a financial barrier for low-income seniors needing to return to work.
  • The "good cause" provision allowing exceptions to the age requirement is vague and could potentially be applied inequitably or favor those with connections.
  • Imposes a $20 fee on seniors simply to be recognized as retired, which some may view as an unnecessary cost for those on fixed incomes.
For Conservatives
  • Significantly reduces the financial burden on retired professionals by replacing expensive annual renewal fees with a nominal one-time or low-cost $20 fee.
  • Honors the career achievements of individuals by allowing them to retain their professional title and designation, rather than stripping it away the moment they stop paying the state.
  • Offers flexibility by allowing professionals to pause their practice without navigating the complex bureaucratic nightmare of reapplying for a brand new license if they choose to return.
  • Expands government bureaucracy by creating a new licensing category, a new form, and more administrative processing within the Division of Professional Regulation.
  • Requires citizens to pay a fee to the government ($20) simply to say they are no longer working; the state should not charge people for the privilege of retiring.
  • Maintains state control over retired individuals by threatening penalties and investigations if they perform work, interfering with a person's right to use their skills privately.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 27 additions

SECTION 1. Chapter 28-22 of the General Laws entitled "Division of Professional Regulation" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 28-22-4. Retirement status license.

(a) Any person currently holding a license issued or overseen by the division of professional regulation who has attained the age of sixty-five (65) may renew their license as a retirement status license subject and pursuant to subsections (b) through (d) of this section.

(b) An applicant for a retirement status license shall submit their original license to the division of professional regulation, along with a form, to be provided by the division of professional regulation, for such classification, which shall contain a statement expressing the licensee’s status as retired and acknowledging that the applicant shall not actively engage in the practice of the occupation or trade for which a license was originally issued, while possessing a retirement status license.

(c) A licensee issued a retirement status license shall not practice or offer to practice the occupation or trade for which a license was originally issued. The division of professional regulation and any licensing boards associated therewith are authorized to investigate violations of this provision in the same manner and bearing the same penalties as the unauthorized or unlicensed practice of a regulated occupation or trade.

(d) If the division of professional regulation issues a retirement status license pursuant to this section, it shall return the original license submitted pursuant to subsection (b) of this section to the applicant. Such original license shall bear a designation or be stamped “Retired”.

(e) The fee for a retirement status license shall be twenty dollars ($20.00).

(f) A licensee issued a retirement status license may restore such licensee’s original license by submitting a form, to be provided by the division of professional regulation, requesting reinstatement by paying the then-current annual fee for such license, and demonstrating completion of the most recent continuing education requirements or any other continuing or ongoing training requirements applicable to the license, as though the licensee had remained in active status during the year immediately preceding reinstatement.

(g) The division or professional regulation may, for good cause shown, grant a retirement status license to a person who does not meet the requirements of subsection (a) of this section.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2027.