R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-5-20: Exemptions.

(a) Nothing in this chapter includes the activities of any person employed by any federal or state agency or any city or town as an investigator. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require a detective’s license in order to interview parties and/or witnesses in legal matters.

(b) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require a detective’s license of any of the following:

(1) An agent, employee, or assistant to a licensed “detective” whose duties are in connection with the regular and customary business of his or her contracting agency;

(2) A person engaged in earning his or her livelihood by genealogical work and the compilation of family history while so engaged;

(3) An insurance investigator;

(4) A credit reporting bureau or agency whose business is principally the furnishing of information as to business and financial standing and credit responsibility; or

(5) An individual employed as a computer forensic specialist who holds professional certification as a computer examiner.