Payday loans in Rhode Island
Payday loans are legal in Rhode Island. A licensed lender may lend up to $500 and charge no more than 10% of amount advanced. Every figure on this page was checked against Rhode Island law on November 10, 2026.
- Status
- Legal
- Maximum loan
- $500
- APR, 14-day loan
- 261%
Rhode Island payday loan rules at a glance
- Legal status
- Legal
- Maximum loan
- $500
- Loan term
- (At least 13 days)
- Maximum fee
- 10% of amount advanced
- APR on a 14-day $100 loan
- 261%
- Loans at one time
- $500 per lender, max of 3 separate loans.
- Rollovers
- 1 Permitted per loan.
- Governing law
- R.I. Stat. Ann. 19-14.4-1
Checked against Rhode Island law on November 10, 2026.
What a $300 payday loan costs in Rhode Island
- You borrow
- $300.00
- Fee
- $30.00
- You repay in 14 days
- $330.00
Based on Rhode Island's maximum fee, repaid in one payment. Your lender's price may differ.
The short version
- Payday loans are legal in Rhode Island and lenders must hold a state license.
- The most you can borrow on one loan is $500.
- The legal maximum on a $100, 14-day loan is $10, which is 261% APR.
- Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation handles licensing questions and complaints.
On this page
Are payday loans legal in Rhode Island?
Payday loans are legal in Rhode Island. A licensed lender may lend up to $500 and charge no more than 10% of amount advanced.
The governing law is R.I. Stat. Ann. 19-14.4-1. Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation licenses lenders and takes complaints.
Loan limits in Rhode Island
- Loan size: up to $500
- Loan term: At least 13 days
- Loans at one time: $500 per lender, max of 3 separate loans.
- Rollovers: 1 Permitted per loan.
What a payday loan costs in Rhode Island
State law sets the price rule: 10% of amount advanced.
On a $100 loan repaid after 14 days, the most a lender may charge is $10. You would repay $110, an APR of 261%. For comparison, most credit cards charge between 20% and 30% APR.
Before you deal with an online lender
- Look the company up with Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation. No license, no loan.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan. That is the mark of an advance-fee scam.
- Read the agreement for the finance charge, the APR and the due date before you give out bank details.
If you cannot repay a loan in Rhode Island
Contact the lender before the due date and ask for a payment plan in writing. If a lender or collector breaks the rules, file a complaint with Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation and with the CFPB. Our guide to what happens if you don’t pay covers each step.
Lower-cost options in Rhode Island
- Credit union payday alternative loans (PALs): $200 to $2,000 at no more than 28% APR.
- A payment plan with the landlord, utility or hospital you owe often costs nothing.
- Local assistance: dial 211 for rent, utility and food programs near you.
See all payday loan alternatives or work out a loan’s price with the cost calculator.
Recent change to Rhode Island law
A 36% APR cap on payday lenders is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027, which will end loans at the current 10% fee. (source)
Free help in Rhode Island
- 211Free, confidential referrals to local help with rent, utilities and food. Call 211.
- USA.gov: help paying billsGovernment programs for rent, energy, phone and medical bills.
- National Foundation for Credit CounselingNonprofit credit counselors who can set up a debt management plan. Call 800-388-2227.
- CFPB complaint portalFile a federal complaint about a lender or a debt collector.
Common questions
Are payday loans legal in Rhode Island?
Yes. Payday loans are legal in Rhode Island under R.I. Stat. Ann. 19-14.4-1, and lenders need a state license.
How much can I borrow with a payday loan in Rhode Island?
Up to $500 on a single loan.
What does a payday loan cost in Rhode Island?
At the legal maximum, a $100 loan for 14 days costs $10. That equals an APR of 261%. A lender may charge less, so compare before you sign.
Can I roll over a payday loan in Rhode Island?
State rule on rollovers: 1 Permitted per loan. A rollover adds a new fee without reducing what you owe.
Can I be arrested for not repaying a payday loan in Rhode Island?
No. Not paying a loan is a civil matter, not a crime. A lender can still sue you in civil court, so never ignore a court summons.
Where do I complain about a lender in Rhode Island?
Contact Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation. You can also file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Does Northlight lend money?
No. Northlight is an information site. We explain the rules and the costs; we do not make loans or credit decisions.
Sources
Keep reading
- South CarolinaPayday loans are legal in South Carolina. A $100 two-week loan can cost up to $15 (391% APR). See the loan limits, the rules lenders must follow and where to co
- PennsylvaniaPayday loans are not legal in Pennsylvania. Learn what the law says, why online offers are risky and which lower-cost options you can use instead.
- South DakotaSouth Dakota caps small loans at 36% APR, so high-cost payday loans are not offered. See what is allowed, what it costs and the alternatives.
- OregonPayday loans are legal in Oregon. See the loan limits, the rules lenders must follow and where to complain. Checked against state law in November 2026.
- TennesseePayday loans are legal in Tennessee. A $100 two-week loan can cost up to $15 (391% APR). See the loan limits, the rules lenders must follow and where to complai
- OklahomaPayday loans are legal in Oklahoma. See the loan limits, the rules lenders must follow and where to complain. Checked against state law in November 2026.