Regulations / State
Rhode Island asbestos regulations.
Who licenses asbestos work in Rhode Island, who takes the notification, and how long before the job you have to file. Plus how the federal rules layer on top.
State licensing & accreditation
Asbestos abatement work in Rhode Island is licensed/accredited through the Rhode Island Dept. of Health (RIDOH), Division of Occupational & Radiological Health under 216-RICR-50-15-1; R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-24.5.
Credentials the state issues:
- Asbestos Contractor
- Supervisor
- Worker
- Competent Person
- Consultant (Inspector, Management Planner, Project Designer)
- Analytical Services
- Training Course provider
Notification
Notifications go to the Rhode Island Dept. of Health (RIDOH) under 216-RICR-50-15-1 (Form ASB-22).
- Advance notice: 10 working days.
- Notification details / form.
How the federal rules layer in
No matter the state, federal OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1101 (asbestos in construction), EPA NESHAP (40 CFR 61, Subpart M), and AHERA worker accreditation still apply. A state program layers its own licensing and notification on top of — not instead of — these. Where Rhode Island has no state license, the federal accreditation and NESHAP notification requirements are the floor.
Rhode Island-specific notes
- Licensing and notification both handled by RIDOH (single agency).
- An abatement plan must be approved by the director before work begins.
- Contractor must also notify local firefighting authorities in writing before starting.
- Emergency projects: notify RIDOH no later than 1 working day after start.
Official sources
Related
- All asbestos regulations by state
- OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1101 — Asbestos in Construction
- EPA NESHAP — 40 CFR 61, Subpart M
- Asbestos abatement software
- Compliance reporting in Nexus
Items we could not fully verify against a primary source: Notification form is RIDOH Form ASB-22; direct DOH page for the form not separately fetched.
Last reviewed against the published rules: 2026-05-28. This is a summary, not legal advice. Asbestos rules — and the agencies that run them — change; confirm the current requirements with the Rhode Island Dept. of Health (RIDOH) and read the actual rule before making a compliance decision.
Rhode Island asbestos: common questions
Do I need a license to do asbestos abatement in Rhode Island?
Yes — Rhode Island regulates who can perform asbestos abatement. Rhode Island Dept. of Health (RIDOH), Division of Occupational & Radiological Health. Relevant credentials include Asbestos Contractor, Supervisor, Worker, and others.
Who do I notify before asbestos work in Rhode Island, and how far in advance?
Notifications go to the Rhode Island Dept. of Health (RIDOH) (216-RICR-50-15-1 (Form ASB-22)). Required advance notice: 10 working days.
Do the federal OSHA and EPA asbestos rules still apply in Rhode Island?
Yes. Federal OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1101, EPA NESHAP (40 CFR 61, Subpart M), and AHERA worker accreditation apply nationwide — Rhode Island's rules layer on top of them, not instead of them.
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