R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-12-8

(a) It is unlawful to move, carry, transport, or ship bees, bees on comb, combs, or used beekeeping equipment into the state unless accompanied by a valid permit issued by the director of environmental management. Applications for a permit to transport bees or used beekeeping equipment into the state shall be submitted on a form approved by the director. This application form shall be accompanied by a certificate of health issued by the authorized official of the state from which the bees are to be moved, certifying that the bees and used beekeeping equipment have been inspected by an authorized official during a period of active brood rearing, within fifteen (15) days prior to the proposed date of movement, and that these bees and used beekeeping equipment were found apparently free from any diseases or pests. Each application shall disclose the number of colonies of bees to be transported and a description of the location or locations where the bees are to be kept. Upon receipt of an application for a permit to move bees or used beekeeping equipment into the state, accompanied by a proper certificate of health, the director shall issue the desired permit. This shall not apply to honey bees from quarantined areas outside the state. These quarantines shall include all federal, state, or Rhode Island exterior quarantines. Importation of honey bees from quarantined areas shall be in accordance with regulations made pursuant to this law.

(b) Regardless of the provisions in subsection (a) of this section, the director has the authority to issue a permit without inspection to the person or persons owning these bees and equipment providing these bees and beekeeping equipment were certified and moved from the state within fifteen (15) days prior to the desired date of reentry and if the director is satisfied these bees and equipment have not been exposed to diseased bees, pests, or equipment. This section shall not apply to bees or beekeeping equipment returning from quarantined areas.

(c) A verbal authorization may be allowed by the director if the written permit outlined above has been submitted and received in a timely manner but has not been returned by the time the bees are to be moved.

(d) Combless packages of bees or queens, or both, may be admitted into Rhode Island without a Rhode Island permit, when accompanied by a valid certificate of inspection from the state of origin stating that they are free of diseases and pests. This shall not apply to honey bees from quarantined areas outside the state. These quarantines shall include all federal, state, or Rhode Island exterior quarantines. Importation of honey bees from quarantined areas shall be in accordance with regulations made pursuant to this law.