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How to become a licensed general contractor in Arkansas. State-level licensing required. Experience: 5 years. Total initial fees: $134-$184. Verified 2026-03-22. Data verified 2026-03-22. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
General Contractor
Yes
License Required?
5 years
Experience Required
Yes
Bonding Required?
$134-$184
Total Initial Fees
1 year
Renewal Period
0 hrs
CE Hours
Description
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.
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 |
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.
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.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Arkansas.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#50 of 51
Salary
#51 of 51
Cost
#19 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (SOC 47-1011)
Entry Level
$50,780
25th percentile
Median
$62,200
-21% vs. national avg ($78,690)Experienced
$76,460
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
6,390 employed in this state
Note: BLS category "First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades" is broader than general contractors specifically. It includes supervisors across all construction specialties.
Source: BLS OEWS – First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+5.5%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+40,500
over 10 years
Annual Openings
55,200
per year (avg.)
729,900 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Electrical Career Ladder+26% salary growth potential
You are here
Electrical Contractor
$62,200
Master electrician license + contractor license
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
$49,420
You are here
Electrical Contractor
Master electrician license + contractor license
$62,200
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 268–282 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Arkansas Contractor Licensing
4–12 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Arkansas Contractor Licensing
Study guides and practice tests for the general contractor licensing exam.
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Official ACLB website + Jan 2025 application PDF
Accessed 2026-03-22
Arkansas requires state-level contractor licensing. 5 years of experience is required. All licensing is managed through the Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board.
Requirements vary by state and local jurisdiction. Always verify current requirements with your state or local licensing authority.