PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management announces that the State's Pistol Revolver Test and Certification, otherwise known as the "Blue Card", will now be available at the Office of Customer and Technical Assistance, DEM Headquarters, 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI. The office is located on the second floor at the Beach Street entrance, Suite 260.
Possession of a Blue Card Certification is required in order to purchase a handgun in Rhode Island. Booklets, testing and certification are offered free of charge. Valid photo identification is required. Tests will be given on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 AM to 3 PM.
DEM provides the following guidance for requirements and exemptions:
Any citizen of the United States and/or lawful resident of Rhode Island who is twenty-one years of age or older and any non-resident member of the armed forces of the United States who is stationed in Rhode Island and is twenty-one years of age or older, may apply to purchase a pistol or revolver with proof of completing a pistol/revolver safety course to be presented to the seller. A Blue Card issued by the Department or a DEM Hunter Safety Certificate, which is considered equivalent to a Blue Card, fulfills this requirement.
Persons exempt from the Blue Card Certification requirement are active military, active military reserve, or persons on active duty paid status in the RI National Guard as long as they remain in active status.
Law enforcement professionals, such as sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, state police, prison wardens or their deputies, city or town police, environmental police officers, airport police and officers of the United States government authorized by law to carry a concealed firearm shall be issued a Blue Card Certification without taking the test. At the Department's discretion, persons who can satisfactorily establish that he or she formerly held one of these offices or were so authorized shall also be issued a Blue Card Certification without taking the test. Proof of current or prior employment must be accompanied by a photo ID to obtain a Blue Card.
Blue Card booklets and testing will also remain available at several gun shops statewide. For more information, please contact DEM Office of Customer and Technical Assistance at 222-4700 or by emailing PAC@dem.ri.gov.