R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-5-4

Any person engaged as a private detective prior to January 1, 1988, and who continues to be engaged as of January 1, 1988, may apply for a private detective license with the local licensing authority where his or her principal place of business is located. Persons presently licensed shall be granted private detective licenses from the local licensing authority upon application and verification that he or she has not been convicted in any jurisdiction of a felony. This initial application will be treated as a renewal of a license. Subsequent applications for renewal of his or her license are governed by § 5-5-6.