Arkansas contractor license lookup
Arkansas requires state registration for roofing contractors. It issues state licenses for general contractors, electrical contractors, plumbing contractors and HVAC contractors. commercial and residential licensees lists 17,912 active contractor registrations and licenses as of October 6, 2026.
Look up a license
| Trade | Credential | Board | Official lookup |
|---|---|---|---|
| General contractor | State license | Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board (Department of Labor and Licensing) | Search general contractor licenses |
| Electrical | State license | Board of Electrical Examiners of the State of Arkansas (Department of Labor and Licensing) | Search electrical licenses |
| Plumbing | State license | Arkansas Department of Health, Plumbing and Natural Gas Section (Committee of Plumbing Examiners) | Search plumbing licenses |
| HVAC | State license | HVACR Licensing Board, Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing | Search HVAC licenses |
| Roofing | State registration (no competency license) | Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board (Department of Labor and Licensing) | Search roofing licenses |
Verify a contractor
For homeowners hiring in Arkansas.
- Open the official Arkansas lookup run by Department of Labor and Licensing and search the contractor by name or number.
- For electrical work, also check the electrical contractor lookup from Department of Labor and Licensing.
- For plumbing work, also check the plumbing contractor lookup from Committee of Plumbing Examiners.
- For HVAC work, also check the HVAC contractor lookup from HVACR Licensing Board.
- The Contractors Licensing Board search finds commercial and residential licensees by name, ID or license number; call the Board if a contractor is not found. source The Board publishes a complete roster file that is regenerated nightly. source An HVACR license holder must carry the license on the job site for inspection. source
- Confirm the record is active and the class matches the job (Commercial (Unrestricted) or Commercial (Restricted, projects under $750,000) or Residential Builder or Residential Remodeler or Residential Home Improvement (Limited or Unlimited) or Commercial Subcontractor Registration). The board's own record governs. A license is required for jobs above Commercial contractor license required when the cost of the work, including labor and materials, is $50,000 or more (single-family residences excepted). source
- Check the bond and insurance on the record against the state minimums: Commercial license requires a $10,000 contractor's surety bond. source Workers' compensation insurance required if the applicant has one or more employees; no general liability minimum found for the commercial license. source
- Complaints to the Contractors Licensing Board must be in writing and identify the job site; the process is not for settling disputes. source
Homeowner protections in Arkansas
- Residential contract work of $2,000 or more, including labor and materials, requires a residential license from the Board. source
- A limited home improvement license only covers projects under $50,000. source
- A residential roofing registrant is not a licensed contractor and may not take on work that needs a license. source
Get licensed
For a general contractor working in Arkansas.
- Apply to Department of Labor and Licensing as a Commercial (Unrestricted) or Commercial (Restricted, projects under $750,000) or Residential Builder or Residential Remodeler or Residential Home Improvement (Limited or Unlimited) or Commercial Subcontractor Registration.
- Arkansas Business and Law exam required for the commercial license (waived for qualifying military applicants licensed in another state). source
- Experience: 5 years (Five years of experience for major commercial classifications such as Building or Mechanical; one year for specialty classification). source
- Post a commercial license requires a $10,000 contractor's surety bond. source
- Carry workers' compensation insurance required if the applicant has one or more employees; no general liability minimum found for the commercial license. source
- Pay the commercial license filing fee, non-refundable: $100. source
- Licenses expire the day before the anniversary of issuance; registrations may be renewed for one, two or three years. source
Other trades
- Electrical: state license, $80 fee. Requirements
- Plumbing: state license, $125 fee. Requirements
- HVAC: state license, $200 fee. Requirements
- Roofing: state registration, $15,000 bond, $20 fee. Requirements
Requirements by trade
| Exam | Arkansas Business and Law exam required for the commercial license (waived for qualifying military applicants licensed in another state). source |
|---|---|
| Experience | 5 years (Five years of experience for major commercial classifications such as Building or Mechanical; one year for specialty classification). source |
| Bond | Commercial license requires a $10,000 contractor's surety bond. source |
| Insurance | Workers' compensation insurance required if the applicant has one or more employees; no general liability minimum found for the commercial license. source |
| Renewal | Licenses expire the day before the anniversary of issuance; registrations may be renewed for one, two or three year. source |
| Reciprocity | The Board may make reciprocal agreements with states that have similar licensing; no list of current agreements was found. source |
| Fees |
|
| Exam | Exam required for each electrician license cla. source |
|---|---|
| Experience | 6 years (Master electrician: six years in the construction industry, including two years as a licensed journeyman (or an electrical engineering degree plus two years)). source |
| Bond | Not found on an official source. On an official source. |
| Insurance | Not found on an official source. On an official source. |
| Renewal | Electrician licenses renew every year and expire on the last day of the month one year after issue. source |
| Reciprocity | Licenses issued to holders of equivalent licenses in states that have a reciprocity agreement with Arkansa. source |
| Fees |
| Exam | Exam required before a plumber license is issued. source |
|---|---|
| Experience | 5 years (Master plumber exam: five years of experience (journeyman: four years)). source |
| Bond | Not found on an official source. On an official source. |
| Insurance | Not found on an official source. On an official source. |
| Renewal | Plumber licenses renew annually. source |
| Reciprocity | The Committee may make reciprocal agreements with other states; the Department of Health posts agreements with Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Ohio. source |
| Fees |
| Exam | Exam required for Class A, B, D and E HVACR license. source |
|---|---|
| Experience | 2 years (Two years of experience as an HVACR contractor or an HVACR contractor's employee for applicants with no licensing background). source |
| Bond | Not found on an official source. On an official source. |
| Insurance | Class A, B, D and E license holders must carry liability insurance of $250,000 (or $250,000 per licensed employee under an employer policy). source |
| Renewal | HVACR licenses expire at the end of the month one year after issue. source |
| Reciprocity | The HVACR Board may make reciprocal agreements; applicants under reciprocity skip the exam. source |
| Fees |
| Exam | Not found on an official source. On an official source. |
|---|---|
| Experience | Not found on an official source. On an official source. |
| Bond | Residential roofing registration requires a $15,000 surety bond. source |
| Insurance | Workers' compensation insurance required if the registrant has one or more employees; no liability minimum found. source |
| Renewal | Residential roofing registrations renew every year. source |
| Reciprocity | Not found on an official source. On an official source. |
| Fees |
|
Licenses on record
17,912 active records in Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board, CLB Roster Export (latestroster.csv), commercial and residential licensees, as of October 6, 2026. 17,186 expire within the next year.
| Trade | Active |
|---|---|
| General contractor (business) | 6,041 |
| Electrical (business) | 840 |
| Plumbing (business) | 378 |
| HVAC (business) | 509 |
| Roofing (business) | 1,151 |
| License type | Active |
|---|---|
| Commercial License (business) | 7,899 |
| Subcontractor Registration Certificate (business) | 1,157 |
| Temporary Commercial License (business) | 19 |
| Residential Builders License (business) | 2,813 |
| Home improvement, remodeler and roofer licenses and registrations (business) | 6,024 |
| Specialty | Active |
|---|---|
| Carpentry, Framing, Millwork, Cabinets (Commercial or Residential) | 2,499 |
| Painting, Wallcovering (Commercial or Residential) | 2,046 |
| Floors, Floor Covering (Commercial or Residential) | 1,712 |
| Drywall (Commercial or Residential) | 1,672 |
| Concrete (Commercial or Residential) | 1,621 |
| Residential Remodeler (Residential Only) | 1,516 |
| Siding, Soffit, Facia, Gutters (Commercial or Residential) | 1,501 |
| Grading & Drainage, Excavation (Commercial or Residential) | 1,284 |
| Tile, Terrazzo, Marble, Countertops (Commercial or Residential) | 1,237 |
| Fencing, Gates (Commercial or Residential) | 1,158 |
| Roofing, Roof Decks, Roofing Sheet Metal (Commercial or Residential) | 1,151 |
| Special Coatings or Applications, Caulking, Waterproofing (Commercial or Residential) | 1,145 |
| Glass, Glazing, Doors, Windows, Hardware (Residential Only) | 1,098 |
| Kitchen and Bathroom Renovations (Residential Only) | 1,070 |
| Demolition (Residential Only) | 1,016 |
Show all specialties
| Specialty | Active |
|---|---|
| Remodeling, Renovations, Restoration, Alterations (Commercial Only) | 869 |
| Insulation (Commercial or Residential) | 847 |
| Landscaping, Irrigation, Lawn Sprinklers, Streams (Commercial or Residential) | 753 |
| Masonry (Commercial or Residential) | 623 |
| Underground Piping, Cable, Trenching, Boring (Commercial Only) | 614 |
| Steel, Alloy, Ornamental, Metal Fabrication, Welding (Commercial or Residential) | 604 |
| Retaining Walls (Commercial or Residential) | 586 |
| Detached Garage, Storage Building, Detached Structures, Metal Buildings (Residential Only) | 557 |
| Foundation Construction or Drilling, Pile Driving, Stabilization (Commercial or Residential) | 533 |
| Base & Paving (Commercial or Residential) | 498 |
| Ceilings, Wall Systems, Acoustical Treatments (Commercial or Residential) | 491 |
| Communication, Computer or Sound Systems, Cabling (Commercial or Residential) | 386 |
| Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration (Commercial Only) | 377 |
| Countertops (Residential Only) | 368 |
| Rebar (Commercial or Residential) | 337 |
| Category | Active |
|---|---|
| Residential Builder | 2,813 |
| Building (Commercial & Residential) | 2,758 |
| Electrical | 840 |
| Municipal & Utility Construction | 748 |
| Heavy Construction | 587 |
| Highway, Railroad, Airport Construction | 499 |
| Light Building (Commercial & Residential) | 470 |
| Mechanical (Allows Plumb & HVAC) | 132 |
| Category | Active |
|---|---|
| Restricted to projects under $750,000 | 1,462 |
| No project size restriction | 6,437 |
| City | Active |
|---|---|
| Little Rock | 890 |
| Jonesboro | 447 |
| Hot Springs | 440 |
| Fayetteville | 417 |
| Springdale | 414 |
| Rogers | 386 |
| Conway | 383 |
| North Little Rock | 353 |
| Fort Smith | 316 |
| Benton | 311 |
| Bentonville | 301 |
| Cabot | 181 |
| Paragould | 166 |
| Russellville | 164 |
| Van Buren | 157 |
| Mountain Home | 156 |
| Harrison | 145 |
| Searcy | 144 |
| Bella Vista | 143 |
| Sherwood | 142 |
Show more cities
| City | Active |
|---|---|
| Greenbrier | 135 |
| Alexander | 120 |
| Jacksonville | 105 |
| Lowell | 105 |
| Pine Bluff | 105 |
| Siloam Springs | 103 |
| Bryant | 97 |
| Batesville | 96 |
| Malvern | 96 |
| El Dorado | 91 |
| Mabelvale | 87 |
| Beebe | 82 |
| Alma | 79 |
| Maumelle | 76 |
| Texarkana | 75 |
| Gentry | 70 |
| Pea Ridge | 70 |
| Greenwood | 69 |
| Farmington | 66 |
| Heber Springs | 66 |
| Hot Springs Village | 66 |
| Sheridan | 64 |
| Vilonia | 64 |
| Mena | 62 |
| Centerton | 61 |
| Berryville | 59 |
| Prairie Grove | 59 |
| Austin | 57 |
| Lonoke | 57 |
| Monticello | 54 |
- A snapshot of the Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board, CLB Roster Export (latestroster.csv), commercial and residential licensees as of October 6, 2026. The board's live lookup may differ.
- Counts come from the nightly roster the Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board offers as a free download on its license search page. It covers commercial contractors, commercial subcontractor registrations and residential builders, remodelers, home improvement contractors and roofers. Individual electrician, plumber and heating and air licenses, issued by other Arkansas agencies, are not in it.
- The roster has no status column. A license counts as active when its expiration date is on or after the snapshot date; all 17,912 licenses in the roster meet that test, so the roster appears to list current licenses only.
- Licenses are counted once each. The roster has 18,078 rows because a few licenses appear on two rows.
- The roster does not name its home improvement, residential remodeler and residential roofer record types separately, so they are shown together.
- Trade counts are commercial classifications and specialties matched by their exact names. The mechanical classification is counted under both plumbing and heating and air because the board describes it as allowing both, so trades overlap. Roofing counts every license or registration that lists the roofing specialty, commercial or residential.
- Cities come from the address on file, not where the contractor works. 5,313 active licenses with an address outside Arkansas are left out of the city table.
- The board rebuilds the roster nightly; the counts are a snapshot as of October 6, 2026.
How these counts are defined
- Licenses by classification
- Active licenses by each commercial or residential builder classification on the license, as the board names it. A license can hold several, so these overlap.
- Commercial licenses by project size restriction
- Active commercial licenses, not counting subcontractor registrations or temporary licenses, by whether the board limits them to projects under $750,000.
- Rows Total
- Every row in the board's roster. A few licenses appear on two rows; every other count is of licenses, each counted once.
- Active
- The roster has no status column. A license counts as active when its expiration date is on or after the snapshot date.
- Active by license type
- Active licenses by license type as the board names them on its application page. Home improvement, remodeler and roofer types are not told apart in the roster and are shown together. Each license is one type.
- Active by specialty
- Active licenses by each specialty listed on the license. A license can list several, so these overlap. Shows the largest 30 with at least 10 licenses.
- Active by trade
- Active licenses that hold a classification or specialty whose board name matches the trade. Mechanical counts under both plumbing and heating and air, so trades overlap.
- Cities
- Active licenses by the city on file, Arkansas addresses only. Shows the largest 50 cities with at least 10 licenses.
- Active Out Of State
- Active licenses with an address outside Arkansas. They are left out of the city table.
- Expiring within the next year
- Active licenses whose expiration date falls on or before October 6, 2027.
- As Of
- The date printed on the board's nightly roster.
Counts only, no personal data. Small groups are left out. Rows marked business, individual or mixed count different holders and are never added together.
- Source: Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board, CLB Roster Export (latestroster.csv), commercial and residential licensees, as of October 6, 2026. Data license: no reuse terms stated. Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board, Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing.
Questions
- Does Arkansas require a contractor license?
- Yes, in most cases Arkansas requires a state license for general contractors. Commercial contractor license required when the cost of the work, including labor and materials, is $50,000 or more (single-family residences excepted). The Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board (Department of Labor and Licensing) issues it as one of several credentials, such as Commercial (Unrestricted), Commercial (Restricted, projects under $750,000) or Residential Builder.
- How do I look up a contractor license in Arkansas?
- The Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board (Department of Labor and Licensing) keeps the record for general contractors in Arkansas. Use the official lookup linked in the Look up a license table, and treat the board's own record as final.
- How do I look up an electrician license in Arkansas?
- The Board of Electrical Examiners of the State of Arkansas (Department of Labor and Licensing) keeps the record for electrical contractors in Arkansas.
- How do I look up a plumbing license in Arkansas?
- The Arkansas Department of Health, Plumbing and Natural Gas Section (Committee of Plumbing Examiners) keeps the record for plumbing contractors in Arkansas.
- Does Arkansas have an HVAC license?
- The HVACR Licensing Board, Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing keeps the record for HVAC contractors in Arkansas.
- Do roofers need a license in Arkansas?
- The Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board (Department of Labor and Licensing) keeps the record for roofing contractors in Arkansas.
- How many contractors are registered or licensed in Arkansas?
- The Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board, CLB Roster Export (latestroster.csv), commercial and residential licensees lists 17,912 active records as of October 6, 2026.
Sources
- https://labor.arkansas.gov/licensing/arkansas-contractors-licensing-board/
- http://aclb2.arkansas.gov/clbsearch.php
- https://labor.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/Commercial-Contractors-Law-revised-04.2026.pdf
- https://labor.arkansas.gov/labor/code-enforcement/electrical-inspection-and-licensing/
- https://portal.arkansas.gov/service/state-board-of-electrical-examiners-roster-search/
- https://labor.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/BOEE-2025-Statutes.pdf
- https://healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/licensing-military-member-licensure-permits-plan-reviews/plumbing-natural-gas-health-code/
- https://adhplumbinghvacrlookup.arkansas.gov/
- https://healthy.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/PLUMBING_LAW_2022.pdf
- https://labor.arkansas.gov/labor/code-enforcement/hvac-r/
- https://portal.arkansas.gov/service/hvac-roster-search/
- https://labor.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/HVAC-law-2025.pdf
- https://labor.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/NEW-RReg-App-9-2026.pdf
- https://labor.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/NEW-Comm-App-10-2026.pdf
- https://labor.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/NEW-Resid-Bldr-App-10-2026-.pdf
- https://labor.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/NEW-Home-Imp-App-1-2025.pdf
- https://labor.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/17CARpt-210-Final.pdf
- https://healthy.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/Plumbing-Licensing-Rules.pdf
- https://labor.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/17CARpt.261.pdf
- https://labor.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/Out_Of_State_Licensure.pdf
This is not a government site. The licensing board's own record governs; always confirm on the official lookup. Information as of October 6, 2026.