Renovation permits and contractor licences in Arkansas

Trades that need a licence in Arkansas

• General contracting and renovation

  The Attorney General's office puts the rule plainly: a contractor building, repairing or doing improvements to a home costing more than the amount set in law must be bonded and licensed by the Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board. Verify the licence, when it was issued and whether complaints have been filed before you sign anything.

  Sources:Arkansas Attorney General – Home improvements⁠(opens in a new tab)

• Consumer protection

  The same office lists what belongs in the written contract: a complete and detailed description of the work and the materials, including grade, quality and quantity; a provision requiring your written approval before any price increase or expansion of scope; start and completion dates; a statement of the contractor's guarantee; and both signatures. It warns against limited-time offers, out-of-town door-to-door solicitors and anyone who wants the price settled later.

  Sources:Arkansas Attorney General – Home improvements⁠(opens in a new tab)Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board – Find a licensed contractor⁠(opens in a new tab)

• Electrical work

  Electricians hold one of six state licence classes, and a residential job may be done by someone holding a residential master or residential journeyman licence rather than the unrestricted one. Apprentices are registered rather than licensed, so ask who on the crew holds which.

  Sources:Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing – Electrical inspection and licensing⁠(opens in a new tab)

• Plumbing

  Plumbing is not with the labor department in Arkansas: plumbers, gas fitters and plumbing inspectors are licensed by the Department of Health, which also administers the Arkansas Plumbing and Fuel Gas Codes as the minimum standards for installation, alteration and repair. Licences are renewed annually, so check the current year.

  Sources:Arkansas Department of Health – Plumbing and Natural Gas⁠(opens in a new tab)

• Certified trades

  HVAC and refrigeration contractors are tested and licensed by the state HVAC/R board, and applicants have to be pre-approved by it. Because the board has no reciprocity with other states, a contractor licensed in a neighbouring state is not licensed here by that fact alone.

  Sources:Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing – HVAC/R⁠(opens in a new tab)

Before you hire a contractor in Arkansas

Practical checks you can do yourself, using official tools where they exist.

1. 1

   Check the contractor is licensed and bonded with the Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board before you sign.

   Official lookup: Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board – Find a licensed contractor⁠(opens in a new tab)

2. 2

   Put the grade, quality and quantity of materials in the contract, plus a clause requiring your written approval for any price increase.

   Official lookup: Arkansas Attorney General – Home improvements⁠(opens in a new tab)

3. 3

   For electrical work, ask which of the six licence classes the electrician holds and whether it covers residential jobs.

   Official lookup: Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing – Electrical inspection and licensing⁠(opens in a new tab)

4. 4

   For plumbing or gas work, check the licence with the Department of Health rather than the labor department.

   Official lookup: Arkansas Department of Health – Plumbing and Natural Gas⁠(opens in a new tab)

5. 5

   For heating and cooling, confirm the HVAC/R licence is an Arkansas one, since the board has no reciprocity.

   Official lookup: Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing – HVAC/R⁠(opens in a new tab)

6. 6

   Ask your city's building division which permits apply and which parts of the work are exempt.

   Official lookup: Fayetteville – Building Safety⁠(opens in a new tab)