Official State of Rhode Island website

State of Rhode Island Department of Health

Contact Us - Center for Food Protection

We would like to remind you of the different ways we can support you when you have questions, forms, payments, or other business with us. These options are available so you can choose what works best for you and your schedule.

To make inquiries related to licenses, complaints, and applications, you can: 

Please expect replies during normal business hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).

If you are not sure who you need to contact, please call RIDOH's Health Information Line at 401-222-5960. Health Information Line staff will connect you to someone best suited to help you. The Health Information Line is available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The RIDOH website offers many resources that are accessible at any time. The following pages address common inquiries:

You may also consider subscribing to the Center for Food Protection e-newsletter for regular updates and reminders in your inbox.

There are two (2) ways to submit new applications and payments to our Center:

  • Mail applications and payments to the address on the application form.
  • Place completed applications and payments in a secure dropbox inside RIDOH's building at 3 Capitol Hill. These dropboxes are located in the lobby of the north entrance (Orms Street side). Dropboxes are available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (excluding holidays). Dropboxes are checked twice per day.

Did you know that many RIDOH licenses can be renewed online? View frequently asked questions to learn more.

Renew a License Online

Our Center is open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday (excluding holidays). Please note that our Center is closed for lunch from 12 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. daily.

To speak with someone in-person at RIDOH’s Cannon Building (3 Capitol Hill, Providence, RI), please note that all visitors will be asked to sign in and wear a visitor badge.

Once you arrive at the Cannon Building, please enter using the Orms Street entrance on the north side. Sign in at the security desk.

After signing in, staff from our Center will be contacted to send a staff member to the lobby to assist you. 

The staff member may be able to address your issue in the lobby. If the staff member needs to return to the Center to assist you further, they will escort you to the Center's office to fully resolve your request.

When your issue is resolved, the staff member will escort you from the Center's office to the lobby, where you can exit the building.

To ensure timely service when you arrive, we encourage you to please notify us in advance before visiting. You may call or email the Center sharing a specific date and time that you plan to stop by. That will help us arrange for staff to be available to help you.

Please note: Parking at the Cannon Building is limited. Before 3:00 p.m., visitors must park at the metered spaces close to the building. Parking lots are open to visitors after 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.