I've had my unrestricted pistol permit in RI since 96, and I've qualified plenty of people for theirs. I can tell you this: Unlike MA, your state of residence does NOT matter. The only difference between being a resident and a non-resident is that you are required to submit a copy of your home-state permit with the application. Everything else is the same. Few points I'd like to make to help you out with this:
1. You MUST appear in person to pick up your permit. They do not mail them out.
2. It takes about 90 days for them to process your first permit, sometimes longer. If you have an incorrect or incomplete application, it will take even longer.
3. Don't attempt to get a permit from a local PD. That's for residents only, and even then most PD's will turn you down.
4. Unless you have an iron-clad reason, expect your first permit or two to be restricted. You need to prove your worth to the AG before they'll give you a permit with "None" printed on the back.
5. Be careful what gun you qualify with. Regardless of actual power, size matters in RI. You may only carry the caliber you qualify with or smaller. That means if you qualify with a .44 magnum, you cannot carry a .45 ACP, even though the .44 is significantly more powerful. On the other hand, if you qualify with a .45, you can carry a .45 or a .44
6. Unlike Mass, the pistol permit is ONLY for carrying, and not for purchasing. You cannot purchase guns in RI if you are a non-resident. Well, you CAN, but they have to ship them to a dealer in MA, and the gun still needs to be Mass. compliant. If you ARE a resident, you need a blue card (issued by DEM) to purchase a handgun. The two cards are NOT interchangeable.
7. I think this goes without saying, but just in case, your MA LTC is NOT good in RI. You need a RI permit to carry a firearm in Rhode Island.
8. You must notify the AG within 7 days if you change your name or address. They'll want to reprint your permit, and it will cost you $5 to do so. You'll also have to send them another 1x1 picture or two.
9. An NRA instructor or police range instructor can qualify you. There is no safety course requirement (though I'd recommend it), but rather a live-fire qualification. It's 25 yards, using Army-L type targets. You shoot three rounds of 10 shots. You have 10 minutes to shoot each round of 10 shots. The maximum possible score is 300, and the minimum passing score is 190. (3 sets of 10 shots = 30 shots, highest score on the target is a 10-point bullseye). You may shoot one or two handed, and you may take breaks (as long as the instructor will allow) between sets. Most qualifying instructors will have a range that you can qualify at, but will likely insist that you bring your own firearm, ammo, and safety equipment. Very few instructors will rent or loan their guns out to qualifying students.
10. The qualifying instructor has EVERY RIGHT to refuse to qualify you if you show that you are not responsible or safe with a firearm, and no, there is nothing you can do about it.
11. The fee is $40 for 4 years. The AG only takes checks or money orders, don't show up with cash. Payment is required when you submit your application, but the check isn't cashed unless your permit is approved and you pick it up. Bounced checks = suspended permits.
12. The Attorney General is located at 150 South Main Street in Providence. You do not need an appointment to drop your application off. The BCI (Bureau of Criminal Identification) office processes applications. The phone number is 401-274-4400.
13. The application is located here:
http://www.riag.ri.gov/bci/forms.php
Any questions, I'll be glad to help you!