Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation (DBR)

What Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation (DBR) does

The Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation (DBR) is a state government regulatory agency established under R.I. Gen. Laws Title 42, Chapter 14, headquartered at 1511 Pontiac Avenue in Cranston, Rhode Island, with a secondary office at 560 Jefferson Blvd in Warwick. The agency exercises statutory regulatory authority over a broad portfolio of industries, organized into divisions covering Insurance, Banking, Securities and Charitable Organizations, Commercial Licensing (real estate, auto body, auto wrecking/salvage, liquor, mobile food establishments, short-term rentals, solar retailers, health clubs, constables), Building/Design/Fire Professionals and the Board of Accountancy, and Gaming and Athletics (including oversight of Bally's Twin River Lincoln Casino Resort and Bally's Tiverton Casino & Hotel). Its Insurance Division has held continuous National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) accreditation since June 1993, with six consecutive maximum five-year re-accreditations through March 2020.

DBR delivers its services through a combination of digital and in-person channels: the state's eLicensing portal (elicensing.ri.gov), the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR), the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS) for banking/mortgage licensees, Pearson VUE testing centers for insurance licensing examinations, and State Based Systems (SBS) for continuing-education tracking. The Securities Division alone processes approximately 60,584 licenses and 7,412 registrations annually, alongside on-site examinations of broker-dealers and investment advisers. Core functional activities include issuing and renewing licenses and registrations, conducting financial and market-conduct examinations of regulated entities, reviewing rate and form filings, investigating consumer complaints, and pursuing enforcement actions (consent agreements, cease-and-desist orders, and formal decisions) across all divisions.

The agency's funding model is government appropriations rather than commercial revenue generation; licensing fees are statutorily set under Regulation 230-RICR-20-50-5 (e.g., $120–$250 biennially for most insurance professional classes, $250 for third-party administrator certificates, $50 reinstatement, $25 returned check) and are deposited into state accounts. DBR is led by a Director and a Deputy Director/Superintendent of Financial Services (Elizabeth Kelleher Dwyer), with division-level leadership including a State Chief Bank Examiner, General Counsel, Associate Director, and division administrators. The agency employs approximately 44 staff and serves Rhode Island residents, businesses, and regulated entities as its primary constituencies.

Name

Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation (DBR)

Legal name

Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation

Website

https://dbr.ri.gov

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation is a state government regulatory agency headquartered in Cranston, Rhode Island, exercising statutory authority over insurance, banking, securities, commercial licensing, building/fire professionals, and gaming industries, and serving the state's regulated entities and consumers through licensing, examinations, and enforcement.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

State Regulatory Services

NAICS

Regulation, Licensing, and Inspection of Miscellaneous Commercial Sectors (92615), Direct Title Insurance Carriers (524127)

akta.pro primary industry

Gambling, Alcohol & Controlled Substances Regulators (BPAIAOAN)

Keywords

• Business regulation services
• Insurance licensing
• Banking supervision
• Securities registration
• Commercial licensing

Headquarters

HQ city

Cranston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Regulatory Licensing Fees: DBR collects fees for various business licenses and registrations including insurance producer licenses, adjuster licenses, real estate licenses, auto body shop licenses, liquor licenses, and various other commercial licenses. Fees vary by license type and residency status.
2. Insurance Producer and Adjuster Fees: Biennial licenses for insurance producers ($120 resident, $130 non-resident), adjusters ($250), title insurance ($120-$130), surplus line brokers ($100), and various other insurance professional licenses. Annual certificates for third party administrators ($250).
3. Regulatory Enforcement and Compliance: Department conducts financial examinations of domestic insurance companies and market conduct examinations to ensure compliance with state statutes and regulations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation (DBR) is a state government regulatory agency that exercises regulatory authority over specific industries through Rhode Island Statute. DBR provides centralized oversight across multiple divisions: Insurance (producer/adjuster licensing, financial and market conduct examinations, rate and form filings review), Banking (supervision of banks, credit unions, and financial institutions), Securities and Charitable Organizations (broker-dealer, investment adviser, franchise and charity registration), Commercial Licensing (real estate, auto body, liquor, mobile food, solar retailers, short-term rentals), Building/Design/Fire Professionals and Board of Accountancy, and Gaming and Athletics. Services are delivered through electronic licensing portals, online complaint submission, and two physical office locations.

Product overview

The Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation (DBR) is a state regulatory agency that provides regulatory services across multiple divisions rather than a single product. DBR operates as a platform-plus-divisions structure offering: Insurance Division services (company/producer/adapter licensing, examinations, rate filings, consumer complaints); Banking Division services (financial institution supervision); Securities and Charities Division (securities registration, broker-dealer regulation, charity oversight); Commercial Licensing Division (real estate, auto body, liquor, mobile food establishments, solar retailers, short-term rentals); and Building/Design/Fire Professionals and Board of Accountancy. These services are delivered through online portals including the e-licensing system (elicensing.ri.gov) and the online inquiry/complaint system, with the department's divisions providing licensing, enforcement, and consumer protection functions across Rhode Island's regulated industries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Insurance Division Regulatory Services Regulatory oversight of insurance companies, producers, adjusters, and appraisers, including licensing, market conduct examinations, financial examinations, rate and form filings review, and consumer complaint resolution. Serves insurers, insurance professionals, and consumers in Rhode Island.
• Banking Division Regulatory Services Regulation and supervision of banks, credit unions, and financial institutions chartered in Rhode Island, including consumer complaint handling and enforcement actions. Coordinates with the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS) for mortgage industry oversight.
• Securities and Charitable Organizations Division Services Registration and regulation of securities, broker-dealers, sales representatives, investment advisers, franchises, charitable organizations, fund-raising groups, and time-share entities. Processes approximately 60,584 licenses and 7,412 registrations annually and conducts on-site examinations of broker-dealers and investment advisers.
• Commercial Licensing Division Services Licensing and regulation of real estate agents, brokers, and appraisers, auto body shops, auto wrecking yards, upholsterers, liquor wholesalers, breweries, wineries, mobile food establishments, health clubs, constables, bedding and upholstered furniture retailers, motor vehicle glass repair, mobile/manufactured home parks, and unit pricing.
• Building, Design, Fire Professionals & Board of Accountancy Services Oversight of building codes, design professionals, contractors, fire safety, rehabilitation code, and licensing of certified public accountants and public accounting firms. Coordinates with the Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board, Building Code Commission, Office of the State Fire Marshal, Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and Review, and Board of Accountancy.
• Gaming and Athletics Regulatory Services Regulatory oversight of casinos (Bally's Twin River Lincoln Casino Resort, Bally's Tiverton Casino & Hotel), gaming operators, and professional athletic events requiring state licensing.
• Online License Application and Renewal Portal (eLicensing) Electronic licensing system for online applications and renewals handling real estate licenses, short-term rental registrations, solar retailer registrations, and various commercial licenses. Self-service portal available 24/7.
• Online Inquiry and Complaint System Web-based system for submitting questions and complaints to the department across all divisions, with 24/7 availability. Channel for regulated entities and consumers to submit complaints, questions, and requests electronically.
• Short-Term Rental Registration System Registration system for short-term rental properties listed on hosting platforms, required under R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-63.1-14. Includes mandatory human trafficking reporting under Bulletin 2025-1.
• Solar Retailer Registration Registration system for solar retailers selling, leasing, or soliciting residential solar energy systems under R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-93-4.

Quantifiable outcome

• Approximately 60,584 licenses and 7,412 registrations processed annually by the Securities Division alone
• +1 more outcomes

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDBR's Insurance Division participates in NAIC which establishes national standards and best practices for insurance regulation. Through NAIC, insurance regulators coordinate oversight to protect consumers while ensuring a strong, viable insurance marketplace. DBR Insurance Division maintains NAIC accreditation (received June 1993, re-accredited 1998, 2003, 2009, 2014, and 2020 for maximum 5-year periods).
• National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR)coreTechnology or IntegrationNIPR provides the electronic licensing platform for insurance producers, adjusters, surplus lines brokers, and other insurance professionals to apply for and renew Rhode Island licenses. All resident and non-resident applicants can apply or renew insurance licenses online through NIPR.
• Pearson VUEcoreTechnology or IntegrationPearson VUE administers the Rhode Island insurance licensing examinations at their testing centers. Candidates must pass RI licensing exams for independent adjusters, public adjusters, and motor vehicle damage appraisers before applying for licenses through NIPR.
• State Based Systems (SBS)coreTechnology or IntegrationSBS provides the State Based Systems platform allowing licensees and licensing administrators to access notifications about CE requirements, renewal dates, and license changes. Also provides continuing education course search and provider management tools.
• Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS)coreTechnology or IntegrationNMLS is used for banking and mortgage industry licensing lookups. DBR Banking Division utilizes this system for licensee verification and regulatory oversight of mortgage professionals.
• International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDBR participates in IAIS through NAIC involvement, working with fellow regulators from around the world to supervise cross-border insurers, identify systemic risk in the insurance sector, and create international best practices.
• RI Commerce CorporationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRelated state agency for business development and commerce. Listed as a related site for businesses seeking to start or grow operations in Rhode Island.
• Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner (OHIC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRelated state agency responsible for health insurance regulation in Rhode Island. Listed as a related site for consumers seeking health insurance information.
• Rhode Island Attorney General's OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agency for law enforcement coordination. Required for background checks (BCI) for various license applicants including insurance adjusters and motor vehicle damage appraisers.
• Department of Labor and TrainingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRelated state agency for workers' compensation insurance matters. DBR refers consumers to DLT for workers' compensation universal coverage questions and fraud reporting.
• RI Division of TaxationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDBR coordinates with the Division of Taxation for tax clearance verification on various license renewals, particularly for surplus lines broker renewals and liquor licensees. Required for Certificate of Compliance renewals.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Others

• State Based Systems (SBS): Vendor that provides CE tracking, renewal reminders, and license management tools for DBR licensees. Adjacent service provider supporting DBR's regulatory workflow.
• Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS): National licensing infrastructure for banking and mortgage professionals used by DBR's Banking Division. Enabling technology partner rather than a peer regulator, but operationally essential.
• National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR): Technology infrastructure provider that powers DBR's online insurance producer licensing. NIPR is a key enabling partner rather than a competitor, but is critical to DBR's operational model.

Regional players

• California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI): California's state financial regulator combining banking, securities, lending, and fintech oversight. Same cross-sector regulatory mandate as DBR but serving a much larger economy.
• New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance: New Jersey's combined banking and insurance regulator mirrors DBR's integrated approach to financial regulation, also serving as a cross-sector state agency with licensing, examination, and enforcement authority.
• Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR): Florida's state insurance regulator performs carrier financial examinations, rate reviews, and producer licensing analogous to DBR's Insurance Division, though Florida's market is much larger.
• Massachusetts Division of Insurance: Neighboring New England state insurance regulator with the same producer, adjuster, and carrier oversight responsibilities as DBR's Insurance Division, allowing direct comparability of regulatory intensity.
• New York State Department of Financial Services (NYS DFS): New York's integrated state financial regulator overseeing insurance, banking, and securities—directly comparable to DBR's Insurance, Banking, and Securities divisions but operating at a much larger scale in a different state.
• Texas Department of Insurance: Texas state insurance regulator that, like DBR's Insurance Division, performs carrier oversight, market conduct examinations, and producer licensing—but at significant scale and in a different state.
• Connecticut Insurance Department: Another neighboring New England insurance regulator with comparable mandate: licensing producers/adjusters, financial examinations of domestic insurers, and consumer protection—all functions DBR performs.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/RIDBR
• Facebookfacebook.com/RIDepartmentofBusinessRegulation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rhode-island-department-of-business-regulation

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation (DBR)