How to get a Residential Builders license in Arkansas

Arkansas general contractor licenses

Arkansas issues 12 general contractor credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for several of the Arkansas general contractor 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 (all 12)

Renewal

How often

Every year¹⁷⁶

Renew online

labor.arkansas.gov⁸

2. Every license level except Registration

Fees

Fee waivers and reductions:

• Sole proprietors on listed public benefits, approved for unemployment in the last 12 months, or with income at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines can have the initial licensure fee waived.¹⁶

How to apply

Application form

Form (PDF, labor.arkansas.gov)²⁴⁵⁷

3. Every license level except Home Improvement Specialty (Limited), Home Improvement Specialty (Unlimited) and Registration

Requirements

Exam

Arkansas Business and Law exam²⁵⁷
Given by: PSI²⁵⁷
Retakes: A person who fails can be re-examined on paying the fee again.¹⁶
Exam waived: Not required for reciprocal applicants or for service members, veterans and spouses holding a similar license elsewhere.¹⁶

Fees

4. Every license level except Home Improvement Specialty (Limited), Home Improvement Specialty (Unlimited), Residential Remodeler (Limited), Residential Remodeler (Unlimited) and Registration

Fees

From another state

5. Every license level except Residential Builders, Home Improvement Specialty (Limited), Home Improvement Specialty (Unlimited), Residential Remodeler (Limited) and Residential Remodeler (Unlimited)

Requirements

Background check

Background check required⁶
Disqualifying offenses can be waived on a written request, considering age, circumstances, time passed, work history and references.⁶
You can ask the board to review your record before you apply⁶

Renewal

When it expires

Expires at midnight the day before the anniversary of issue unless the board sets another date.⁶

If it expires

A license can be renewed up to two years after expiry. After that a new application is needed, and requalification by exam can apply.⁶
Inactive status can be chosen at renewal; renewal fees continue but no financial information is due.⁶
At 65 or older, after at least 12 years licensed, an individual can apply for a lifetime certificate for a one-time $65 fee.⁶

6. Building (commercial contractor classification), Heavy Construction (commercial contractor classification), Highway, Railroad & Airport (commercial contractor classification), Light Building (commercial contractor classification), Municipal & Utility (commercial contractor classification) and Specialty (commercial contractor classification)

Requirements

Surety bond

$10,000⁶

Insurance

Workers' compensation is required if the applicant has one or more employees.⁷

Business requirements

Entities attach their filings from the Secretary of State.⁷

Also required

New applicants must hold half of the minimum net worth in cash and show positive working capital.⁶

Also required

Financial statement: reviewed or audited for an unrestricted license; compiled by a CPA or public accountant for a restricted license.⁶

Also required

A surety bond of ten times the required net worth can replace the financial statement. It does not replace the $10,000 bond.⁷

Also required

A commercial license also covers residential work in the same classification.⁷

How to apply

1. Choose the restricted or unrestricted license and the classifications.⁷
2. Pass the Arkansas Business and Law exam through PSI, with the qualifying party taking it.⁷
3. Get three references, the $10,000 contractor bond and the required financial statement or bond in lieu.⁷
4. Mail the application and $100 fee at least three weeks before a board meeting. It must be complete within 90 days.⁷ Form (PDF, labor.arkansas.gov)⁷

Temporary or provisional license

90-day temporary license for holders of a substantially equivalent license elsewhere, or applicants from a jurisdiction without one who show competence. The form says it cannot be renewed; the rule allows extension for good cause.⁶

Renewal

Renewal fee

$50⁶

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $100⁶ (within 30 days after expiration)
Late renewal fee: $100⁶ (more than 30 days after expiration)

From another state

Military service members, veterans and spouses: Applications from uniformed service members, veterans and spouses are expedited; a 90-day temporary license is issued if they hold a similar license elsewhere, and experience and the exam are not required. Licenses do not expire until 180 days after return from deployment.⁶

7. Residential Builders, Home Improvement Specialty (Limited), Home Improvement Specialty (Unlimited), Residential Remodeler (Limited) and Residential Remodeler (Unlimited)

Requirements

Background check

Background check required¹
Disqualifying offenses can be waived on a written request.¹
You can ask the board to review your record before you apply¹

Business requirements

The license is issued under the name on the application; entities file as corporation, LLC, partnership or LLP.¹

How to apply

Temporary or provisional license

90-day temporary license for holders of a substantially equivalent license elsewhere, or those showing competence.¹

Renewal

When it expires

One year from issue unless the committee provides otherwise; rules may allow one, two or three year renewal.¹

If it expires

A license can be renewed up to two years after expiry; after that a new application is needed.¹

From another state

Military service members, veterans and spouses: Applications from uniformed service members, veterans and spouses are expedited; a 90-day temporary license is issued if they hold a similar license elsewhere, and experience and the exam are not required.¹

8. Building (commercial contractor classification), Heavy Construction (commercial contractor classification), Highway, Railroad & Airport (commercial contractor classification), Light Building (commercial contractor classification) and Municipal & Utility (commercial contractor classification)

Requirements

Experience

At least 5 years⁶
Five years of appropriate experience, or having passed the appropriate examination.⁶
Substitute: Not required for a holder of a substantially equivalent license elsewhere in good standing.⁶

9. Residential Builders, Home Improvement Specialty (Unlimited), Residential Remodeler (Limited) and Residential Remodeler (Unlimited)

Requirements

Insurance

Workers' compensation proof is required for those who must carry it.¹

10. Home Improvement Specialty (Limited), Home Improvement Specialty (Unlimited), Residential Remodeler (Limited) and Residential Remodeler (Unlimited)

Fees

How to apply

1. Mail the application and $50 filing fee at least three weeks before a committee meeting.⁴⁵ Form (PDF, labor.arkansas.gov)⁴⁵

Renewal

Renewal fee

$25¹

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $50¹

From another state

11. Building (commercial contractor classification), Heavy Construction (commercial contractor classification), Highway, Railroad & Airport (commercial contractor classification) and Municipal & Utility (commercial contractor classification)

Requirements

Also required

Minimum business-related net worth for this classification: $50,000.⁶

12. Residential Builders, Home Improvement Specialty (Unlimited) and Residential Remodeler (Unlimited)

Requirements

Also required

Compiled financial statement showing positive net worth, excluding homestead and retirement accounts.¹

13. Residential Builders, Residential Remodeler (Limited) and Residential Remodeler (Unlimited)

How to apply

1. Pass the Arkansas Business and Law exam through PSI.²⁵
2. Get three references on the board's forms and any required balance sheet.²⁵

14. Home Improvement Specialty (Limited) and Home Improvement Specialty (Unlimited)

Requirements

Experience

Verifiable experience in the specialty area; the rule sets no fixed period.¹
Substitute: Not required for a holder of a substantially equivalent license elsewhere in good standing.¹

How to apply

1. Choose the specialties and document project experience for each one.⁴
2. Add a compiled balance sheet if applying for the unlimited license.⁴

15. Home Improvement Specialty (Limited) and Residential Remodeler (Limited)

Requirements

Also required

No financial statement is required; projects of $50,000 or more are not allowed.¹

16. Residential Remodeler (Limited) and Residential Remodeler (Unlimited)

Requirements

Experience

At least 2 years¹
Two years of verifiable remodeling experience.¹
Substitute: Not required for a holder of a substantially equivalent license elsewhere in good standing.¹

Who needs a Residential Builders license

Build a new single-family residence of one to four units, for a fixed price, fee or wage.¹

Exemptions and dollar thresholds:

• No license for a project costing $2,000 or less, unless work is split into smaller contracts.¹
• Exempt: owners on their own residence (one per calendar year for new building), subcontractors of a licensed contractor, and holders of another Arkansas license working within it.¹

Requirements for a Residential Builders license

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4, group 7, group 9, group 12 and group 13 under Applies to every license level.

Experience

At least 4 years¹
Four years of verifiable building industry experience.¹
Substitute: Not required for a holder of a substantially equivalent license elsewhere in good standing.¹

How to apply

1. Mail the application and $100 filing fee at least three weeks before a committee meeting.² Form (PDF, labor.arkansas.gov)²

Renewal and continuing education

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $100¹

Moving to Arkansas with a license from another state

These are the routes CLB publishes for the Residential Builders license.

Home Improvement Specialty (Limited)

Residential home improvement projects under $50,000 in the listed specialties.⁴

Requirements

Insurance

No proof of workers' compensation is needed to get a Limited license, but the workers' compensation law may still require coverage.⁴

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 7, group 10, group 14 and group 15 under Applies to every license level.

Home Improvement Specialty (Unlimited)

Residential home improvement projects of any size in the listed specialties.⁴

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 7, group 9, group 10, group 12 and group 14 under Applies to every license level.

Residential Remodeler (Limited)

Residential remodeling projects under $50,000.⁵

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 7, group 9, group 10, group 13, group 15 and group 16 under Applies to every license level.

Residential Remodeler (Unlimited)

Residential remodeling projects of any size.⁵

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 7, group 9, group 10, group 12, group 13 and group 16 under Applies to every license level.

Building

A building classification holder can take general contracts for building construction and sublet specialty work.⁶

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4, group 5, group 6, group 8 and group 11 under Applies to every license level.

Heavy Construction

Heavy construction and the specialty classes listed under it in 17 CAR 255-301.⁶

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4, group 5, group 6, group 8 and group 11 under Applies to every license level.

Highway, Railroad & Airport

Highway, railroad and airport construction and the specialty classes listed under it.⁶

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4, group 5, group 6, group 8 and group 11 under Applies to every license level.

Light Building

New commercial construction under $1,500,000 per project, up to two stories.⁶

Requirements

Also required

Minimum business-related net worth for this classification: $20,000.⁶

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4, group 5, group 6 and group 8 under Applies to every license level.

Municipal & Utility

Municipal and utility construction and the specialty classes listed under it.⁶

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4, group 5, group 6, group 8 and group 11 under Applies to every license level.

Registration

Lets a subcontractor of a licensed subcontractor work in a registered specialty classification instead of holding a license.⁶

Requirements

Also required

The contractor certifies its competence and financial ability.⁶

Fees

How to apply

1. Complete the board's registration form and pay the fee.⁶

Renewal

Renewal fee

$100⁶

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 5 under Applies to every license level.

Specialty

Only the specific specialty for which the license is held.⁶

Requirements

Experience

At least 1 year⁶
One year of appropriate experience, or having passed the appropriate examination.⁶
Substitute: Not required for a holder of a substantially equivalent license elsewhere in good standing.⁶

Also required

Minimum business-related net worth for this classification: $5,000.⁶

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4, group 5 and group 6 under Applies to every license level.

City and county rules

Building (commercial contractor classification)Before issuing a permit for work of $50,000 or more, a city building inspector must see proof of a state license or exemption.⁶

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire a general contractor 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.gov⁸

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• Ark. Code 17-25-501 to 17-25-515 (as compiled by the board, revised April 2026)
• 17 CAR ch. 295 (same compilation)
• Ark. Code 17-25-101 to 17-25-317 (as compiled by the board, revised April 2026)
• Ark. Code 17-25-401 to 17-25-409 (bond law, same compilation)
• 17 CAR ch. 255 (same compilation)

Common questions

General contractor licenses in other states

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