R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-63.2-4
The director of the department of health, with the approval of the governor, shall appoint nine (9) electors as members of the board. Three (3) shall be clinical mental health counselors, at least two (2) of whom shall meet the qualifications of § 5-63.2-9(b) and have at least five (5) years of private practice experience in mental health counseling; three (3) shall be marriage and family therapists, who shall be clinical marriage and family therapists who meet the qualifications of § 5-63.2-10(b) and have at least five (5) years of private practice experience in marriage and family therapy; three (3) shall be members of the public. Commencing September 1996, the director of the department of health shall appoint one clinical mental health counselor for one year; one clinical mental health counselor for two (2) years; one clinical mental health counselor for three (3) years; one marriage and family therapist for one year; one marriage and family therapist for two (2) years; one marriage and family therapist for three (3) years; one public member for two (2) years; and two (2) public members for three (3) years. After this, all terms of appointments shall be for three (3) years. In no instance shall a person serve more than six (6) consecutive years on the board.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-63.2-4