R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-9-7: Qualifications for original license.

Every person who shall apply for an original license to act as a pilot in the waters of this state north of a line drawn from Point Judith to Sakonnet Point shall be a citizen or legal resident of the United States; shall possess a master’s license of unlimited tonnage, (any oceans) issued by a duly constituted authority of the United States; shall possess a federal first-class pilot’s endorsement covering the section of the waters of this state required by commission rules; shall possess a state’s pilot’s license for the waters of Block Island Sound; shall have completed training in his or her duties as a pilot over the route under the supervision of the board of state licensed pilots appointed by the commission for this purpose pursuant to commission rules; and shall conform to physical and mental standards and possess professional experience and qualifications as the commission shall, from time to time, establish and require.