R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-53-9: Refusal to issue license.

The attorney general shall refuse to issue a license when the attorney general has found that the application for the license contains a false representation of a material fact; when investigation reveals that the person applying for the license has previously been guilty of a violation of this chapter or has been a partner of a partnership, member of an association, or an officer or director of a corporation that has previously been guilty of a violation of this chapter; or has a disqualifying criminal record as defined in § 6-53-13. The attorney general may, in his or her discretion, issue a license if the disqualifying criminal record is more than ten (10) years old.