Construction Work Regulated:

Commercial and industrial construction work exceeding $20,000 as well as heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration work and electrical specialties are regulated at the state level. Asbestos abatement also requires a state license. Residential construction may be regulated at the local level.

Public works construction requires prequalification prior to bidding or performing highway work.

License Requirements

Highway Prequalifications:

• Requires the submission of CPA prepared financial statements. The prequalification period is for one year. The average processing time for an application is one week.

Contractors:

• Applicants are required to pass an open book examination for commercial and industrial work pertaining to business and law and the responsibilities of a contractor in the state of Arkansas with a minimum score of 70%. Applicants must have five years of experience in their trade, submit CPA or RPA financial statements, including a credit report. The average processing time for new applications is 40 days. Licenses are issued for a one year period.
• Contractors must file a surety or cash bond for not less than $10,000 (payable to the state of Arkansas) with the Contractors Licensing Board prior to licensing.
• Licensing requirements may be waived on bids and contracts for the federal government on government land and for builders of single-family dwellings.
• There were 5,000 licensees as of October 1997.

Electricians:

• Applicants are required to pass a business law and a trade examination with a score of 70%. Applicants must be a master electrician to qualify for a contractor license, have six years of experience. The average processing time for a new application is 1 week. Licenses are issued for a one year period. There were 200 licensees as of October 1, 1994.

HVAC Contractors:

• Applicants are required to pass a trade examination with a score of 70%. The applicant must have 2 years of experience. There were 10,397 licensees as of October 19, 1994.

Reciprocal Agreements

Arkansas does not have reciprocity with other states.

License Types

General Contractor:

• Heavy Construction
• Marine (Wharves, Docks, Harbor Improvements, Terminals)
• Tunnel Shaft
• Energy and Power Plants
• Dams, Dikes, Levees, Canals
• Mining, Surface and Underground
• Oil Field Construction
• Oil Refineries

Highway, Railroad, Airport Construction:

• Grading, Drainage
• Base, Paving
• Bridges, Culverts
• Railroad Construction, Related Items
• Miscellaneous and Specialty Items

Municipal & Utility Construction:

• Underground Piping & Cable
• Water & Sewer Plants, Sewer Disposal
• Grading, Drainage, Streets & Roads
• Base & Paving

Building Construction:

• Acoustical Treatments
• Carpentry, Framing, Millwork
• Drywall
• Floor Covering
• Foundations
• Glass, Window, Door Construction
• Institutional & Recreational Equipment
• Lathe, Plaster, Stucco
• Masonry
• Ornamental & Miscellaneous Metal
• Painting, Interior Decorating
• Roof Decks
• Site & Subdivision Development
• Special Coatings, Waterproofing
• Tile, Terrazzo, Marble
• Insulation
• Elevators, Escalators, Dumbwaiters
• Erection, Fabrication of Structural Steel
• Concrete
• Sheet Metal
• Roofing
• Conveyors
• Sandblasting
• Golf Courses
• Swimming Pools
• Outdoor Advertising
• Excavation
• Landscaping
• Fencing
• Demolition
• Millwright

Mechanical Contracting:

• Plumbing
• Process Piping
• Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration
• Sprinklers, Fire Protection
• Pollution Control
• Temperature Controls (Pneumatic)
• Boiler Construction & Repair

Electrical Contracting:

• Electrical Transmission Lines
• Electrical Work for Building & Structures
• Underground Electrical Conduit Installation
• Sound & Intercom Systems, Fire detection Systems, Signal & Burglar Alarm
• Systems
• Electrical Signs
• Telephone Lines, Ducts
• Cable T.V.
• Substations
• Electrical Temperature Control

Every contractor is required to pass the OSHA exam.