How to check if a contractor is licensed in Arkansas
Edited by John Voll. Last verified .
In Arkansas, the state keeps license or registration records for general contractors, electrical contractors, plumbing contractors, HVAC contractors and roofing contractors, and each has an official lookup or board listed below. Check the record before you sign a contract or pay a deposit, and treat the board's own record as final.
Which board covers which trade
| Trade | Who keeps the record | Official lookup |
|---|---|---|
| General contractor | Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board (Department of Labor and Licensing) | Search general contractor licenses |
| Electrical | Board of Electrical Examiners of the State of Arkansas (Department of Labor and Licensing) | Search electrical licenses |
| Plumbing | Arkansas Department of Health, Plumbing and Natural Gas Section (Committee of Plumbing Examiners) | Search plumbing licenses |
| HVAC | HVACR Licensing Board, Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing | Search HVAC licenses |
| Roofing | Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board (Department of Labor and Licensing) | Search roofing licenses |
Step by step
- 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
If the contractor is not licensed, or you have a complaint
- 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
Questions
- How do I check if a contractor is licensed in Arkansas?
- Search the contractor by name or license number on the official Arkansas lookup run by Department of Labor and Licensing, then confirm the record is active and covers the type of work. For electrical, plumbing, HVAC or roofing work, use that trade's lookup in the table on this page.
- What can I do if a contractor in Arkansas is not licensed?
- Complaints to the Contractors Licensing Board must be in writing and identify the job site; the process is not for settling disputes.
All Arkansas licensing rules by trade
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.