Arkansas general contractor license & renewal
The requirements, the timing and the official sources. Everything we’ve verified, in one place.
License fee
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Not verified yet
Required hours
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Not verified yet
Exam
The individual or qualifying party must pass the committee's written examination unless exempt under Arkansas Code § 17-25-509.
Renewal
A renewal application will be considered timely filed if received by the Residential Contractors Committee by the expiration date.
Before you begin
Agency guidance
Residential building contractors must be licensed unless statutorily exempt. The definition covers managing or undertaking new residential construction of one to four units.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
A person shall not act as a residential building contractor after July 1, 2001, unless licensed by the Residential Contractors Committee or exempted from licensure under this subchapter. “Single family residence” means any project consisting of at least one (1) but no more than four (4) units of new construction for residential occupancy.Official source
Agency guidance
The $100 amount is the combined new application/licensing fee for a residential builder not already licensed by the Contractors Licensing Board.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
All new applications for residential builder by individuals or entities not currently licensed by the board must be accompanied by a one hundred-dollar application/licensing fee.Official source
Agency guidance
The statutory one-year expiration is subject to the Committee's otherwise-provided terms; the statute authorizes one-, two- or three-year renewal periods.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
All licenses issued by the Contractors Licensing Board shall expire one (1) year after the date of issuance unless otherwise provided by the Residential Contractors Committee. The Committee may provide by rule for renewal of license for a period of one (1) year, two (2) years, or three (3) yearsOfficial source
Agency guidance
A deadline falling on Saturday, Sunday or a proclaimed Arkansas holiday extends to the next business day.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
For any deadline that occurs on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday proclaimed by the State of Arkansas, the time to complete that event shall be extended until the next business day.Official source
How to get this license
Use the agency’s requirements below to plan your next steps. Missing details stay marked.
Start with the licensing authority
Licensing board
Residential Contractors Committee
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
The Residential Contractors Committee may: (1) Issue, modify, suspend, and revoke licenses issued by the committee;
Official sourceOfficial agency page
Check the qualifications
Experience
Residential building: four years of verifiable building-industry experience and three references, or passing the appropriate examination.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
(A) Proof of four (4) years of appropriate, verifiable experience in the building industry (commercial or residential) must be shown; (B) Three (3) verifiable references on the forms prescribed by the Residential Contractors Committee; or (C) Having passed the appropriate examination.
Official sourceExam
The individual or qualifying party must pass the committee's written examination unless exempt under Arkansas Code § 17-25-509.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Unless exempted by the provisions of Arkansas Code § 17-25-509, no person or entity shall licensed by the Residential Contractors Committee unless the individual, or a qualifying party for an entity, has passed the written examination required by the committee.
Official sourceInsurance
Maintain workers’ compensation coverage where required by Arkansas law.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
A contractor required to be licensed by the Residential Contractors Committee shall secure and maintain workers’ compensation coverage as required under § 11-9-401 et seq.
Official sourceReview fees and apply
Application fee
$100.00
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
All new applications for residential builder by individuals or entities not currently licensed by the board must be accompanied by a one hundred-dollar application/licensing fee.
Official sourceExam fee
Not verified yet
License fee
Not verified yet
Apply with the agency
Not verified yet
Reciprocity
A substantially equivalent license in good standing from another jurisdiction removes the experience-demonstration requirement.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Any applicant who holds in good standing a substantially equivalent license from another jurisdiction shall not be required to demonstrate experience.Official source
Official sources and verification (13)
Last verified 2026-10-24. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.
The Residential Contractors Committee may: (1) Issue, modify, suspend, and revoke licenses issued by the committee;Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
(A) Proof of four (4) years of appropriate, verifiable experience in the building industry (commercial or residential) must be shown; (B) Three (3) verifiable references on the forms prescribed by the Residential Contractors Committee; or (C) Having passed the appropriate examination.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Unless exempted by the provisions of Arkansas Code § 17-25-509, no person or entity shall licensed by the Residential Contractors Committee unless the individual, or a qualifying party for an entity, has passed the written examination required by the committee.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
A contractor required to be licensed by the Residential Contractors Committee shall secure and maintain workers’ compensation coverage as required under § 11-9-401 et seq.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
All new applications for residential builder by individuals or entities not currently licensed by the board must be accompanied by a one hundred-dollar application/licensing fee.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Any applicant who holds in good standing a substantially equivalent license from another jurisdiction shall not be required to demonstrate experience.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
A renewal application will be considered timely filed if received by the Residential Contractors Committee by the expiration date.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
A person shall not act as a residential building contractor after July 1, 2001, unless licensed by the Residential Contractors Committee or exempted from licensure under this subchapter. “Single family residence” means any project consisting of at least one (1) but no more than four (4) units of new construction for residential occupancy.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
All new applications for residential builder by individuals or entities not currently licensed by the board must be accompanied by a one hundred-dollar application/licensing fee.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
All licenses issued by the Contractors Licensing Board shall expire one (1) year after the date of issuance unless otherwise provided by the Residential Contractors Committee. The Committee may provide by rule for renewal of license for a period of one (1) year, two (2) years, or three (3) yearsOfficial source
Verified 2026-10-24
For any deadline that occurs on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday proclaimed by the State of Arkansas, the time to complete that event shall be extended until the next business day.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
All licenses issued by the Contractors Licensing Board shall expire one (1) year after the date of issuance unless otherwise provided by the Residential Contractors Committee.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
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Same license in other states
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Last verified 2026-10-24.
Official sources (1)
Not legal or tax advice. Confirm with the official agency before filing.