Yes, he should have some government-issued work permit.

I am currently a sophomore in college and plan to be ready right when I graduate. 

When I’ve had inspections out to close permits they’ve always been sticklers for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Less permits, less building materials, and more OPM!

I also have a property in Beacon Hill and want to add a front porch, which requires drawings to submit for permitting so I believe I need an architect as well. 

Just to name a few there is OSU college which is a real estate super power that develops land and buildings at a crazy pace, L Brands (Victoria Secret and Bath and Body Works), and Battelle a well-known large government research facility. 

I would definitely recommend investing in real estate at a young age over college.

You will need a plat map drawn by an expert to get permits but to start have a title company pull the existing maps and blow them up and draw out what you are thinking.

Is there a resource I can use to find out what in Rhode Island requires a permit and/or license to do on a home?

Here is what I’m concerned about, i did all the work myself/ paid cash to get it done.Here are the upgrades(I’m sure some of these might not need a permit but I’m new So idk)-Added central heating and air -tore down two walls to make an open living concept (non load bearing)-renovated kitchen/moved gas line-replaced some of the foundation 2x6 floods became they where damaged by termites -add/move electrical sockets-new floating floor-replace pluming with pex/ pbc-painted inside-replaced a window- maybe more but you get the big picture.Will the appraiser report me to the city?