How to get a Journeyman Electrician license in Arkansas

Arkansas electrician licenses

Arkansas issues 9 electrician credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

Rules shared by several license levels

These rules are the same for several of the Arkansas electrician licenses on this page, so they are shown once here, with the licenses they apply to. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

1. Every license level except Commercial contractor license, Electrical classification (Contractors Licensing Board)

Requirements

Residency or citizenship

No residency requirement found; the board must license otherwise-qualified holders of a federal Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766).²

Social Security number

The application collects a Social Security number (shared with the Office of Child Support Enforcement).³

Renewal

Renew online

labor.arkansas.gov⁷

2. Every license level except Restricted Lifetime Master or Journeyman Electrician License and Commercial contractor license, Electrical classification (Contractors Licensing Board)

Renewal

How often

Every year²

3. Every license level except Electrical Apprentice (certificate of registration) and Commercial contractor license, Electrical classification (Contractors Licensing Board)

Requirements

Also required

Carry the license and photo ID while doing electrical work and show them to inspectors on request.²

How to apply

Apply online

apps.lnpweb.com⁷

4. Every license level except Electrical Apprentice (certificate of registration) and Restricted Lifetime Master or Journeyman Electrician License

How to apply

Application form

Form (PDF, labor.arkansas.gov)³⁶

5. Every license level except Electrical Apprentice (certificate of registration), Restricted Lifetime Master or Journeyman Electrician License and Commercial contractor license, Electrical classification (Contractors Licensing Board)

Requirements

Background check

Background check required³
Conviction question on the application; the board may waive disqualification for listed offenses after weighing age at offense, time since, work history, references and relevance.³
You can ask the board to review your record before you apply²

How to apply

1. Gather proof of experience: the board's Electrician Employment Verification form, signed by the contracting master electrician and notarized, for each employer (hours capped at 2,000 a year), plus transcripts or an apprenticeship "Released for Test" form.⁸
2. Apply online through the board's ELP portal ("Apply to take the Electrical Exam") and attach the verification forms; the application must reach the board 5 business days before a board meeting.² apps.lnpweb.com⁷
3. After the board approves you, pay the exam fee and take the exam (offered at least every six months).²
4. Pay the license fee within six months of passing, or you must retest.²

Renewal

When it expires

Annual: the license expires on the last day of the month one year after issue.²

Late renewal

Reinstatement fee: $1,000² (renewal more than 36 months after expiration (plus renewal fee and re-examination))

From another state

6. Every license level except Electrical Apprentice (certificate of registration), Industrial Maintenance Electrician, Specialist Sign Electrician and Commercial contractor license, Electrical classification (Contractors Licensing Board)

Renewal

Continuing education

At least 8 hours each renewal period²

Required topics

Instruction relating specifically to the National Electrical Code; Arkansas has adopted the 2026 NEC.²

Approved courses

Only board-approved courses count. Course completions are reported through StateReporting.com, which also holds the only list of board-approved courses.²

Exemptions

A licensee who also holds an Arkansas electrical inspector license is exempt from the renewal fee and CE.¹
A new journeyman who completed an apprenticeship and passed the exam needs no further CE in that NEC cycle.²

7. Journeyman Electrician, Residential Journeyman Electrician, Master Electrician and Residential Master Electrician

Renewal

If it expires

Renewable within 36 months of expiry with late fees; after 36 months, re-examination plus a $1,000 penalty.²
Former licensees in good standing can apply for reinstatement without apprenticeship training.²
A licensee who misses CE cannot renew until the hours are completed and all fees and penalties are paid.²

8. Electrical Apprentice (certificate of registration) and Restricted Lifetime Master or Journeyman Electrician License

Requirements

Exam

Not required¹

From another state

9. Industrial Maintenance Electrician and Specialist Sign Electrician

Renewal

If it expires

Renewable within 36 months of expiry with late fees; after 36 months, re-examination plus a $1,000 penalty.²
Former licensees in good standing can apply for reinstatement without apprenticeship training.²

From another state

10. Residential Journeyman Electrician and Residential Master Electrician

From another state

Who needs a Journeyman Electrician license

Install, maintain and extend electrical conductors and equipment; may not contract with the public without employing a full-time master electrician.²

Work that does not need this license:

• No license is needed for electrical work on your own primary residence (an unattached single-family home), unless state law or a local ordinance requires one; a city or county may require a competency demonstration.¹
• Exempt: utilities, rural electric cooperatives and municipal utilities working on their lines; industry employees working on their own facilities; low-voltage telecom and data work; nonresidential farm buildings; HUD-code manufactured homes.¹

Requirements for a Journeyman Electrician license

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4, group 5, group 6 and group 7 under Rules shared by several license levels.

Experience

At least 16,000 hours of on-the-job training²
Complete a four-year electrical construction apprenticeship approved by the U.S. Department of Labor (with a "Released for Test/Completion" notice), or have eight years (16,000 hours, at most 2,000 credited per year) of electrical construction experience or training approved by the board.²
Supervision: Experience gained while working unlicensed in violation of Arkansas law (after July 1, 1998) or another state's law does not count.²
Substitute: Four-year USDOL-approved apprenticeship: 8,000 hours of practical work plus related classroom instruction (8 periods of 72 hours).⁴
Substitute: Electrical experience gained in the military may count.²

Exam

Journeyman Electrician examination²
When you can take it: Applications are reviewed by the Chief Electrical Inspector, then the board issues a list of approved applicants eligible for examination; applications must arrive 5 business days before a board meeting.²
Retakes: Applicants who completed an apprenticeship stay approved for later exams of the same class; others may be required to complete up to two years of apprenticeship first.²
Time limit: If you pass but do not obtain the license within six months after the end of the exam month, you must retest.²

Also required

A journeyman may not contract with the public to plan, lay out or supervise electrical work without employing at least one full-time master electrician.²

How much a Journeyman Electrician license costs

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

Temporary or provisional license

Temporary journeyman license for industry projects: 6 months, $25, renewable once (more with director approval); requires a current same-class license from another state or the experience qualifications.²

Renewal and continuing education

Renewal fee

$25² (Journeyman electrician)

Moving to Arkansas with a license from another state

These are the routes the Board of Electrical Examiners publishes for the Journeyman Electrician license. The other electrician licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

Electrical Apprentice registration

Learn and assist with electrical work under the supervision of a licensed journeyman or master electrician (at most 3 apprentices per supervisor on a job).¹

Requirements

Minimum age

16 years old⁴

Education or training

At least 144 clock hours⁴
Enrollment in a school or training course for electrical apprentices certified by the U.S. Office of Apprenticeship; related classroom instruction of at least 144 hours a year.⁴
Who may teach it: School must be certified by the USDOL Office of Apprenticeship; the Office of Skills Development oversees classroom study.²

Also required

The employing contractor/master must register a new apprentice within 30 days with the board, the Office of Skills Development and the USDOL Office of Apprenticeship; school must start by the first full semester after hire.²

Also required

Supervision: direct, continuous supervision in the first 90 days on homes (first year on other work), then observation at set intervals that loosen each year; the supervisor must stay in line of sight or at the same address.²

Also required

After release for testing, the apprentice must take the exam within 12 months; if the journeyman exam is not passed within 12 months the apprentice is supervised like a third-year apprentice.²

Fees

How to apply

1. Get hired by an electrical contractor/master electrician and enroll in a USDOL Office of Apprenticeship–certified school or training course.¹
2. The school submits the board application, the $10 registration fee and proof of enrollment; the employer registers you within 30 days of hire.¹

Renewal

When it expires

Valid one year; expires on the last day of the month one year from issue; the school renews it with proof of continued enrollment.²

Renewal fee

$10² (Paid by the school)

If it expires

The board may revoke a registration for cause, including leaving the training program or working unsupervised or outside the sponsoring employer.²

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 8 under Rules shared by several license levels.

Industrial Maintenance Electrician

Repair, maintain, alter and extend electrical power and control systems in industrial, manufacturing or similar facilities. Employees of industrial facilities working on their own facility do not need this or any license.²

Requirements

Experience

At least 2 years²
Two years of experience under an engineer, master, journeyman or industrial maintenance electrician maintaining electrical conductors and equipment, or a board-approved equivalent (apprenticeship, OJT, military, college or vo-tech training).²

Exam

Industrial Maintenance Electrician examination²
When you can take it: Applications are reviewed by the Chief Electrical Inspector, then the board issues a list of approved applicants eligible for examination; applications must arrive 5 business days before a board meeting.²
Retakes: Applicants who completed an apprenticeship stay approved for later exams of the same class; others may be required to complete up to two years of apprenticeship first.²
Time limit: If you pass but do not obtain the license within six months after the end of the exam month, you must retest.²

Fees

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

Renewal

Renewal fee

$25² (Industrial maintenance electrician)

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4, group 5 and group 9 under Rules shared by several license levels.

Residential Journeyman Electrician

Install, alter, repair, maintain or renovate electrical facilities for one- to four-family dwellings under the general supervision of a residential master or master electrician; on commercial jobs may work only like an apprentice.²

Requirements

Experience

At least 2 years²
Two years of experience wiring family dwellings (up to a quadruplex), a two-year board-approved training/experience combination such as an approved apprenticeship, and a signed letter from the school verifying classroom and on-the-job hours.²
Substitute: Form wording: 2 years of USDOL apprenticeship and 4,000 hours of qualifying OJT.⁸

Exam

Residential Journeyman Electrician examination²
When you can take it: Applications are reviewed by the Chief Electrical Inspector, then the board issues a list of approved applicants eligible for examination; applications must arrive 5 business days before a board meeting.²
Retakes: Applicants who completed an apprenticeship stay approved for later exams of the same class; others may be required to complete up to two years of apprenticeship first.²
Time limit: If you pass but do not obtain the license within six months after the end of the exam month, you must retest.²

Fees

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

Renewal

Renewal fee

$25² (Residential journeyman electrician)

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4, group 5, group 6, group 7 and group 10 under Rules shared by several license levels.

Specialist Sign Electrician

Install, maintain and repair illuminated or electrically operated signs and gaseous tubing, connecting to an approved outlet within 25 feet of the sign; maintaining parking-lot lights needs a separate exam and endorsement.¹

Requirements

Experience

At least 1 year²
One year of experience with an electrical sign company or electrical licensee installing, maintaining and repairing illuminated signs and gaseous tubing, or a board-approved equivalent.²

Exam

Specialist sign electrician examination (parking-lot light endorsement exam)²
Not required²
When you can take it: Applications are reviewed by the Chief Electrical Inspector, then the board issues a list of approved applicants eligible for examination; applications must arrive 5 business days before a board meeting.²
Retakes: Applicants who completed an apprenticeship stay approved for later exams of the same class; others may be required to complete up to two years of apprenticeship first.²
Time limit: If you pass but do not obtain the license within six months after the end of the exam month, you must retest.²
Exam waived: Applicants qualified by the experience requirement are exempt from the examination requirement of Ark. Code 17-28-203; the parking-lot light endorsement still needs its own exam.²

Also required

Employees doing sign work must work under direct supervision of a licensed sign electrician or other authorized licensee, and the licensee must give the department a list of them.²

Fees

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

Renewal

Renewal fee

$25² (Specialist sign electrician)

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4, group 5 and group 9 under Rules shared by several license levels.

Master Electrician

Unlimited license: plan, lay out and supervise the installation, maintenance and extension of electrical conductors and equipment. A commercial electrical contractor (Contractors Licensing Board) must employ a full-time master electrician.²

Requirements

Experience

Six years of construction-industry experience (residential and commercial), including two years as a licensed journeyman electrician; or an electrical engineering degree plus two years of construction-related experience; or a board-approved combination.²
License you must hold first: Two years as a licensed journeyman electrician (on the six-year route).²
Substitute: Electrical engineering degree plus two years of construction-related experience.²
Substitute: Board-approved apprenticeship programs, on-the-job training, or an equivalent combination.²

Exam

Master Electrician examination²
When you can take it: Applications are reviewed by the Chief Electrical Inspector, then the board issues a list of approved applicants eligible for examination; applications must arrive 5 business days before a board meeting.²
Retakes: Applicants who completed an apprenticeship stay approved for later exams of the same class; others may be required to complete up to two years of apprenticeship first.²
Time limit: If you pass but do not obtain the license within six months after the end of the exam month, you must retest.²

Also required

The responsible master's license number and company name must be posted on a sign at job sites that have no city or county permit.²

Fees

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

Temporary or provisional license

Temporary master license for industry projects: 6 months, $50, renewable once (more with director approval); requires a current same-class license from another state or the experience qualifications.²

Renewal

Renewal fee

$50² (Master electrician)

From another state

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4, group 5, group 6 and group 7 under Rules shared by several license levels.

Residential Master Electrician

Electrical work, including planning and supervising, for one- to four-family dwellings; on commercial jobs may work only like an apprentice under a journeyman or master.²

Requirements

Experience

Three years of experience wiring family dwellings (up to a quadruplex), including one year as a licensed residential journeyman, or a board-approved equivalent.²
License you must hold first: One year as a licensed residential journeyman.²

Exam

Residential Master Electrician examination²
When you can take it: Applications are reviewed by the Chief Electrical Inspector, then the board issues a list of approved applicants eligible for examination; applications must arrive 5 business days before a board meeting.²
Retakes: Applicants who completed an apprenticeship stay approved for later exams of the same class; others may be required to complete up to two years of apprenticeship first.²
Time limit: If you pass but do not obtain the license within six months after the end of the exam month, you must retest.²

Fees

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

Renewal

Renewal fee

$50² (Residential master electrician)

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4, group 5, group 6, group 7 and group 10 under Rules shared by several license levels.

Restricted Lifetime Master or Journeyman Electrician License

Same work as a master or journeyman electrician; license is for life unless suspended or revoked.²

Requirements

Minimum age

65 years old¹

Experience

At least 12 years¹
Licensed by the Arkansas board as a master or journeyman electrician for at least 12 years, and hold a current license with no unpaid fees, fines or penalties.²

Fees

How to apply

1. Apply on the board form (online "Lifetime Master Application" or "Lifetime Journeyman Application") with proof of age (birth certificate, passport, driver's license or similar) and the $50 fee.²

From another state

Military service members, veterans and spouses: Military electrical training and experience can be credited toward the experience requirement (DD214 and service record); automatic licensure for military members, veterans and spouses with a similar out-of-state license.⁸

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 3, group 6 and group 8 under Rules shared by several license levels.

Commercial contractor license, Electrical classification

Commercial electrical contracting, including all specialty classes: building wiring, signs, transmission lines, control systems, communication and data cabling, underground conduit, alarms (separate alarm license may be needed).⁵

Requirements

Experience

At least 5 years⁶
Five years of experience for major classifications, including Electrical, shown on each reference.⁶

Exam

Arkansas Contractor Business and Law Exam⁶
Given by: PSI⁶

Surety bond

$10,000⁶

Business requirements

Must keep at least one full-time employee holding an Arkansas master electrician license.⁵

Business requirements

Minimum business-related net worth of $20,000 for the Electrical classification; new applicants must have half in cash.⁵

Business requirements

Attach a copy of the Arkansas electrical trade license.⁶

Fees

You pay CLB (application fee) and PSI (exam fee).

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

1. Hold (or employ) an Arkansas master electrician, pass the PSI Business and Law exam, get the $10,000 contractor's bond and a CPA financial statement, and file the commercial application with the $100 filing fee at least three weeks before a board meeting.⁶

Renewal

Renewal fee

$50⁵

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 4 under Rules shared by several license levels.

City and county rules

Electrical Apprentice (certificate of registration)Electrician licensing in Arkansas is statewide. A person licensed or registered by the Board of Electrical Examiners cannot be required to take a city or county exam or hold a city/county license to do electrical work. Cities and counties may adopt permit and inspection systems and material standards that do not conflict with the board, and may require a homeowner to demonstrate competency before wiring their own primary residence.¹

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire an electrician in Arkansas, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Arkansas is on the Arkansas license lookup page.

Look up a license

labor.arkansas.gov⁷

File a complaint

labor.arkansas.gov⁷

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• Ark. Code Ann. §§ 17-28-101 to 17-28-314 (Board of Electrical Examiners; board compilation "EFF 2025")
• 17 CAR pt. 210, Rules of the Board of Electrical Examiners of the State of Arkansas
• Ark. Code Ann. § 17-1-103 (criminal offenders; same compilation)
• Rules and Regulations for Electrician Apprenticeship Programs (Career Education and Workforce Development Board, Sept. 15, 2015)
• Ark. Code 17-25-101 et seq. and 17 CAR ch. 255 (board compilation revised April 2026)

Common questions

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