Licensed jobs in Arkansas
Arkansas: 11 occupations, 10 licensing agencies. For each one: the board, the main credential, its training, application fee and renewal cycle, from the boards' own pages.
On this page
Occupations we cover in Arkansas
Arkansas licenses 11 of the 11 occupations below at the state level. General contractors have the most levels here (12 credentials); each occupation page covers every level.
| Occupation | Main license | Board | Training or experience | Application fee | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | Cosmetologist 2 credentials in all | Arkansas Department of Health | – | – | Every 2 years1 |
| Notary public | Notary Public 2 credentials in all | SOS | – | $203 | Every 10 years4 |
| Registered nurse (RN) | Registered Nurse (RN) - single-state license 2 credentials in all | Nursing, Arkansas State Board | – | $1005 | Every 2 years6 |
| Insurance agent | Insurance producer (resident) 3 credentials in all | AID | Training 20 clock hours11 | $2012 | Every 2 years13 |
| Plumber | Journeyman Plumber 5 credentials in all | Arkansas Department of Health, Plumbing & Natural Gas Section | Experience 4 years15 | $7515 | Every year15 |
| Certified nursing assistant (CNA) | Certified Nursing Assistant (listed on the Certified Nursing Assistant/Employment Clearance Registry) | Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Provider Services and Quality Assurance | Training 91 clock hours16 | – | Every 24 months16 |
| Electrician | Journeyman Electrician 9 credentials in all | Board of Electrical Examiners | Experience 16,000 hours17 | $2518 | Every year17 |
| Security guard | Private Security Officer (PSO) credential 4 credentials in all | Division of Arkansas State Police, Department of Public Safety | Training 8 clock hours19 | $4020 | Every 2 years20 |
| Massage therapist | Massage Therapist (LMT) 4 credentials in all | Arkansas Department of Health | Training 500 clock hours21 | $8022 | Every 2 years23 |
| Real estate agent | Real Estate Salesperson 2 credentials in all | AREC | Training 60 classroom hours24 | $5024 | Every year25 |
| General contractor | Residential Builders 12 credentials in all | CLB | Experience 4 years28 | $10029 | Every year28 |
Licensing boards
10 agencies issue the Arkansas licenses we cover:
- Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board (CLB): electricians and general contractors
- Board of Electrical Examiners: electricians
- Arkansas Department of Health: cosmetologists and massage therapists
- Arkansas Department of Health, Plumbing & Natural Gas Section: plumbers
- Division of Arkansas State Police, Department of Public Safety: security guards
- Arkansas Insurance Department (AID): insurance agents
- Arkansas Secretary of State (SOS): notaries
- Nursing, Arkansas State Board: registered nurses
- Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC): real estate agents
- Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Provider Services and Quality Assurance: nursing assistants
Moving to Arkansas with a license
For plumbers, electricians, real estate agents and general contractors, the Arkansas board names the states whose licenses it accepts. Conditions, fees and forms are on each occupation page.
| Occupation | Routes the board publishes |
|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | License by endorsement, Universal license recognition and Military service members and spouses12 |
| Notary public | Military service members and spouses4 |
| Registered nurse (RN) | License by endorsement, Temporary license or permit, Interstate compact privilege, Universal license recognition and Military service members and spouses678910 |
| Insurance agent | Exam waiver and Military service members and spouses1114 |
| Plumber | Reciprocity agreements, Universal license recognition and Military service members and spouses15 |
| Certified nursing assistant (CNA) | License by endorsement, Universal license recognition and Military service members and spouses16 |
| Electrician | Reciprocity agreements and Military service members and spouses1817 |
| Security guard | License by endorsement and Temporary license or permit19 |
| Massage therapist | License by endorsement, Temporary license or permit, Exam waiver and Military service members and spouses23 |
| Real estate agent | Reciprocity agreements, License by endorsement, Exam waiver and Military service members and spouses2627 |
| General contractor | Reciprocity agreements and Temporary license or permit3028 |
Check a license
Every board above runs its own license search. The Arkansas license lookup page lists them in one place, with the links to report an unlicensed or problem provider.
Sources
Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.
- Cosmetology and Body Art Law (2025)Arkansas Department of HealthChecked November 7, 2026
- 17 CAR Part 54 (Cosmetology and Body Art rules), sections 54-101 to 54-207 and 54-401Arkansas Department of Health (Code of Arkansas Rules)Checked November 7, 2026
- eNotary Public FAQ (December 2020 Edition)Arkansas Secretary of StateChecked November 6, 2026
- Notary Public and Enotary Public Handbook (2025)Arkansas Secretary of StateChecked November 6, 2026
- ASBN FeesArkansas State Board of Nursing (Arkansas Department of Health)Checked November 7, 2026
- Arkansas Nurse Practice Act (Ark. Code 17-87) Subchapter 3 - Licensing (after 2025 legislation)Arkansas State Board of Nursing (Arkansas Department of Health)Checked November 7, 2026
- RN EndorsementArkansas State Board of Nursing (Arkansas Department of Health)Checked November 7, 2026
- Nurse Licensure CompactArkansas State Board of Nursing (Arkansas Department of Health)Checked November 7, 2026
- Stricken language would be deleted from and underlined language would be added to present law.Arkansas General AssemblyChecked November 7, 2026
- Military SpouseArkansas State Board of Nursing (Arkansas Department of Health)Checked November 7, 2026
- 23 CAR pt. 14 Prelicense Education for Insurance Producers and AdjustersCode of Arkansas RulesChecked November 7, 2026
- Arkansas Insurance Department Licensure Candidate Information Bulletin (PSI) (PDF)Arkansas Insurance DepartmentDated June 25, 2019Checked November 7, 2026
- 23 CAR pt. 22 State Insurance Department Administrative and Regulatory Fees (selected sections)Code of Arkansas RulesChecked November 8, 2026
- 23 CAR pt. 44 Automatic and Expedited Licensure for Military Service Members, Veterans, and SpousesCode of Arkansas RulesChecked November 7, 2026
- Rules Pertaining to Master, Journeyman, and Restricted Plumber Licenses (Plumbing Licensing Rules)Arkansas Department of HealthDated September 5, 2024Checked November 7, 2026
- 20 CAR Part 403. Rules for the Arkansas Long-Term Care Facility Nursing Assistant Training ProgramArkansas Secretary of State, Code of Arkansas Rules (rules of the Department of Human Services, Office of Long-Term Care)Checked November 7, 2026
- 17 CAR pt. 210 Rules of the Board of Electrical Examiners (final)Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing, Board of Electrical ExaminersChecked November 7, 2026
- Board of Electrical Examiners statutes (Ark. Code Ann. 17-28), 2025 compilationArkansas Department of Labor and Licensing, Board of Electrical ExaminersChecked November 7, 2026
- 17 CAR pt. 350Arkansas Secretary of State, Code of Arkansas Rules (rules of the Division of Arkansas State Police)Checked November 7, 2026
- Act 393 of 2015 (SB 164): private security licenses, PI credentials, security officer commissionsArkansas General Assembly (Arkansas State Legislature)Dated March 12, 2015Checked November 7, 2026
- Certificate of Training and Initial LicensureArkansas Department of HealthChecked November 7, 2026
- Arkansas State Board of Health Massage Therapy Laws 2025 (Ark. Code 17-86)Arkansas Department of HealthChecked November 7, 2026
- Rules for Massage Therapy in ArkansasArkansas Department of HealthDated September 5, 2024Checked November 8, 2026
- Real Estate Applicants - Arkansas Real Estate CommissionArkansas Real Estate CommissionChecked November 6, 2026
- Frequently Asked Questions - Arkansas Real Estate CommissionArkansas Real Estate CommissionChecked November 6, 2026
- Non-Resident Application Packet (GA IA KS LA MS NE PA)Arkansas Real Estate CommissionChecked November 6, 2026
- AREC Commission Rules 17 CAR 220Arkansas Real Estate CommissionChecked November 6, 2026
- Arkansas Residential Contractors Licensing Law, Statutes and Rules (revised 04.2026)Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board, Arkansas Department of Labor and LicensingChecked November 6, 2026
- Residential Builder application (02/24)Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board, Arkansas Department of Labor and LicensingChecked November 6, 2026
- Reciprocal form (revised 3/2025)Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board, Arkansas Department of Labor and LicensingChecked November 6, 2026