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General Contractor
Total cost: $134-$184
Yes
License Required?
5 years
Experience Required
Yes
Bonding Required?
$134-$184
Total Initial Fees
1 year
Renewal Period
0 hrs
CE Hours
Get the Arkansas General Contractor Roadmap — every step, fee, and deadline mapped out. — every step mapped out.
Get the Roadmap — $20Description
Residential Builder: $100 filing fee, compiled balance sheet, exam required. Residential Remodeler: $50 filing fee. Home Improvement Specialty: $50 filing fee, no exam required.
Project Limit
Residential: license required for projects ≥ $2,000. 'Single-family residence' includes buildings up to 4 units.
Additional Requirements
Description
Unrestricted Commercial: $100 filing fee, $10,000 surety bond, audited/reviewed financial statement, $50,000 net worth. Restricted Commercial (≤ $750,000): $100 filing fee, $10,000 surety bond, compiled financial statement. NASCLA state — accepts NASCLA exam for commercial classifications.
Project Limit
Commercial: license required for projects ≥ $50,000 (any work NOT a single-family residence)
Additional Requirements
Description
General contractor license/registration for Arkansas. Covers a broad range of construction activities.
Project Limit
Commercial ≥ $50,000; Residential ≥ $2,000. Commercial license includes residential for same classifications.
Additional Requirements
Description
Specialty contractor license for Arkansas. Covers specialized trades and construction activities. Categories: Building, residential, highway, mechanical, and roofing contractors.
Additional Requirements
Experience & Documentation
Verified5
Years Required
Required
Documented Project History
Journeyman/Trade Experience
Minimum 5 years of documented experience in the construction trade
Alternative Pathways (Education Substitutions)
Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
Trade Exam
Required
Business & Law Exam
Exam Provider
PSI
Passing Score
70%
Open Book
Yes
Trade Exam Details
Arkansas Business and Law Exam. Format: open book, computer-based, multiple choice. 50 questions, 2 hours, 70% passing score. Study material: NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management — Arkansas Edition. NOT required for Home Improvement Specialty License.
Business & Law Exam Details
Business and law examination covering contract law, lien law, and business management
Retake Policy
Candidates may retake the exam after a waiting period. Contact the board for specific retake policies.
Overall licensing difficulty: 14/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
Contractor Licensing Exam
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General Contractor Licensing Exam
Passing Score
70%
Administered By
PSI
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the General Contractor Licensing Exam.
Study Materials & Exam Prep — Contractor's License Exam
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Bonding Requirements
VerifiedSurety Bond Required
$10,000
Surety Bond Amount
Bond Types
Surety bonds protect consumers by providing financial recourse if a contractor fails to complete a project or violates licensing regulations. Bond costs are typically 1-3% of the bond amount annually.
Insurance & Workers' Comp
VerifiedRequired
General Liability
Required
Workers' Compensation
Minimum Coverage
General liability insurance required per state regulations
Additional Insurance Requirements
Workers' Comp Threshold
Required for employers with 3 or more employees
Workers' Comp Details
Arkansas requires workers' compensation insurance for employers with 3 or more employees. Sole proprietors may be exempt but coverage is recommended.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Home Improvement Specialty / Residential Remodeler: $50; Commercial / Residential Builder: $100 | $50-$100 |
Exam Fee $84 per attempt (PSI). Older figures of $75 and $80 are outdated. | $84 |
License Fee No separate license fee beyond the filing/application fee | Included in filing fee |
Renewal Fee Per 1 year | $150 |
Total Initial Fees Residential Remodeler: $50 filing + $84 exam = $134. Commercial: $100 filing + $84 exam = $184. Home Improvement Specialty: $50 filing, no exam. | $134-$184 |
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Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified1 year
Renewal Period
0 hrs
CE Hours Required
Renewal Fee
$150
Regulatory Board
Contractor licenses must be renewed on schedule. Many states require continuing education covering building codes, safety practices, business law, and energy efficiency standards.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
ICC Certification Accepted
Reciprocity Type
Reciprocity with select states
Transfer Details
Arkansas has reciprocity with Alabama (1 yr), Louisiana (current), Mississippi (1 yr), Tennessee (3 yrs). Reciprocal applicants may bypass Business & Law exam.
General contractor license reciprocity varies significantly by state. Some states recognize ICC certifications, while others require passing the state exam regardless of prior credentials. Always verify current policies with the state licensing board.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Arkansas with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Arkansas differentiates commercial ($50K threshold) from residential ($2K threshold). Getting a commercial license automatically qualifies you for residential work in the same classifications. Home Improvement Specialty requires only $50 and no exam. NASCLA state with reciprocity for AL, LA, MS, TN.
Commercial license: license required for projects ≥ $50,000 (non-residential). Residential: ≥ $2,000. 'Single-family residence' includes buildings up to 4 units.
By obtaining a commercial license you automatically qualify to do residential work in the same classification/specialty(s).
Arkansas is a NASCLA state — accepts NASCLA exam for commercial classifications.
Reciprocity with AL (1 yr), LA (current), MS (1 yr), TN (3 yrs). Reciprocal applicants may bypass Business & Law exam.
Home Improvement Specialty License: $50 filing fee, no exam required, no formal experience requirement.
Specialty net worth: $5,000 (half must be cash in bank). Sources citing $10,000 are incorrect per the official January 2025 application PDF.
Annual renewal. No CE required. Can renew up to 2 years after expiration.
Workers' comp required for employers with 3+ employees.
Lien Law Basics
Preliminary Notice: Not Required
Lien Deadline: 120 days after completion
Arkansas construction lien law: No preliminary notice required to preserve lien rights. Lien filing deadline: 120 days after completion.
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General Contractor requirements in Arkansas verified against Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board, March 2026.
Official ACLB website + Jan 2025 application PDF
Accessed 2026-03-22
General Contractor Schools in Arkansas
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.