Arkansas Contractor License Types
| License Type | Application Fee | Annual Renewal | Bond |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Contractor (Unrestricted) Required for commercial projects of $50,000 or more with no upper limit. Applicants must pass the Arkansas Business & Law exam, submit three references, a CPA-prepared financial statement, and a $10,000 surety bond. A commercial license automatically qualifies the holder to perform residential work in the same classification. | $100 | $50 | $10,000 surety bond |
| Commercial Contractor (Restricted) For commercial projects under $750,000 (labor plus materials). Same exam and reference requirements as the Unrestricted license; a lower financial-statement threshold applies. A Bond in Lieu of Financial Statement may be filed in addition to the $10,000 surety bond. | $100 | $50 | $10,000 surety bond |
| Residential Builder Required for new single-family residential construction of $2,000 or more. Administered by the Residential Contractors Committee. Requires the Arkansas Business & Law exam, a Residential Builder trade exam, three references, and a financial statement. | $100 | $50 | No bond required |
| Residential Remodeler For remodeling, alterations, and repairs to existing residential structures where the project value is $2,000 or more. Requires the Business & Law exam, a trade exam, references, and a positive-net-worth balance sheet. | $50 | $50 | No bond required |
| Home Improvement For residential improvement projects valued between $2,000 and $50,000 (labor plus materials). Requires a $10,000 contractor bond, a CPA-prepared financial statement showing at least $10,000 net worth, and passing the Business & Law exam. | $50 | $50 | $10,000 contractor bond |
| Residential Roofer Registration Effective January 1, 2022, anyone performing residential roofing, roof decks, or roofing sheet metal work over $2,000 must register with the Residential Contractors Committee. Registration — not a full license — issued under Ark. Code Ann. § 17-25-604. Contractors who hold a Residential Builder or Residential Remodeler license do not need this registration. | $20 | Annual renewal (fee per ACLB schedule — contact board to confirm) | $15,000 residential roofing registrant surety bond |
| Specialty Subcontractor Registration Specialty subcontractors working under a licensed general contractor must register with the ACLB but do not need their own full contractor license. | $100 | $50 on-time / $100 late (commercial subcontractor schedule per ACLB rule 224-25-6) | No bond required |
Processing time: approximately 3 months (applications must be in the ACLB office three weeks before a scheduled board meeting and must be complete within 90 days of receipt) from application submission to license issuance.
Arkansas (AR) contractor licensing is administered by the Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board (ACLB), created in 1939 and now housed under the Department of Labor and Licensing. Arkansas uses a split-threshold system: any residential project costing $2,000 or more (labor plus materials) requires a license, certificate, or registration from the ACLB, while commercial projects trigger a full Commercial Contractor license at $50,000 or more. The Board issues separate credentials for Commercial Contractors (Restricted or Unrestricted), Residential Builders, Residential Remodelers, Home Improvement contractors, Residential Roofers, and Specialty Subcontractors. Commercial contractors must post a $10,000 surety bond; residential roofers must post a $15,000 bond. Consumers can verify any Arkansas contractor through the Arkansas.gov Licensed Contractor Search portal before signing a contract.
Step 1: Get the Contractor's License or Registration Number
Ask the contractor for their Arkansas license or registration number before signing anything. Arkansas contractors often print it on their bid, invoice, or business card. If a contractor cannot produce a number for a project that clearly exceeds the $2,000 residential or $50,000 commercial threshold, treat it as a red flag and verify the name and business address instead.
Step 2: Search the Arkansas.gov Licensed Contractor Portal
Use the state's Licensed Contractor Search at portal.arkansas.gov to verify the contractor's credential status, classification, and expiration date. You can search by contractor name or license number. The Department of Labor and Licensing also publishes a direct link from the ACLB site.
Search licenses on Arkansas.gov →
Step 3: Confirm the Credential Matches Your Project
Arkansas uses distinct credentials for distinct work. A Residential Builder license covers new home construction but not commercial work. A Home Improvement license only covers residential projects between $2,000 and $50,000. Residential roofing requires a Roofer Registration. Make sure the contractor's credential type and classification match the scope and dollar value of your project.
Step 4: Verify Bond and Workers' Comp Coverage
Commercial contractors must carry a $10,000 surety bond; Home Improvement contractors a $10,000 bond; Residential Roofers a $15,000 bond. Under Arkansas Code § 11-9-102, contractors performing building or building-repair work with two or more employees must carry workers' compensation insurance — and any contractor who subcontracts any part of their work must carry coverage with even one employee. Ask for current bond and workers' comp certificates.
- Commercial contractor bond: $10,000
- Residential roofer bond: $15,000
- Home Improvement bond: $10,000
- Workers' comp: required for building/repair work with 2+ employees, or 1+ employees if the contractor subcontracts any portion
Step 5: Check for Complaints
The ACLB investigates licensing-law violations. Call the board at (501) 372-4661 or email contractors.licensing.board@arkansas.gov to ask about complaints or disciplinary action on a specific license. The Arkansas Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division also tracks home-improvement complaints and can be reached at (501) 682-2007.
Arkansas Contractor Insurance Requirements
| Insurance Type | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Surety Bond | Commercial Contractors: $10,000. Residential Roofers: $15,000 (Ark. Code § 17-25-604). Home Improvement: $10,000. Residential Builders and Remodelers: no state-required bond. |
| Workers' Compensation | Under Ark. Code § 11-9-102, contractors engaged in building or building-repair work must carry workers' comp with two or more employees. Any contractor who subcontracts part of their work — or any subcontractor — must carry coverage with one or more employees. The standard Arkansas threshold for other industries is three or more employees. |
| General Liability | Not mandated by the ACLB, but strongly recommended and frequently required by general contractors and project owners. |
Arkansas Contractor Bond Requirements
Arkansas does not require a universal contractor bond. Commercial Contractors must file a $10,000 surety bond with the ACLB. Residential Roofers must file a $15,000 surety bond under Ark. Code § 17-25-604. Home Improvement contractors must file a $10,000 bond. Residential Builders and Remodelers have no state bond requirement but must meet financial-statement and net-worth thresholds.
Arkansas Consumer Protections for Home Improvement
Arkansas law provides several important protections for homeowners hiring contractors:
- Any residential project of $2,000 or more (labor plus materials) must be performed by a licensed, certified, or registered Arkansas contractor.
- Commercial projects of $50,000 or more require a Commercial Contractor license.
- Residential roofing work over $2,000 requires a Residential Roofer Registration with a $15,000 bond (effective January 1, 2022).
- The ACLB can issue fines, suspend or revoke licenses, and refer cases for prosecution for violations of the licensing law.
- The Arkansas Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division (501-682-2007) investigates deceptive home-improvement practices under the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
- Contractors must file current bond and (if applicable) workers' comp certificates with the Board to keep a credential active.
What Happens if You Hire an Unlicensed Contractor?
Hiring an unlicensed contractor in Arkansas puts you at risk:
- An unlicensed contractor cannot legally perform residential work of $2,000 or more, or commercial work of $50,000 or more, in Arkansas.
- The ACLB may pursue fines and injunctive relief against unlicensed contractors.
- Homeowner's insurance may deny claims for damage arising from work performed by an unlicensed contractor.
- A contract with an unlicensed contractor may be unenforceable in Arkansas courts.
- You lose access to the contractor's surety bond as a source of recovery — there is no bond to claim against.
How to Report an Unlicensed Contractor in Arkansas
Report unlicensed contracting activity to the Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board. For deceptive practices or home-improvement fraud, also contact the Arkansas Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division.
- ACLB phone: (501) 372-4661
- ACLB email: contractors.licensing.board@arkansas.gov
- ACLB mail: 4100 Richards Road, North Little Rock, AR 72117
- AR Attorney General Consumer Protection: (501) 682-2007
How to File a Complaint Against a Registered Contractor in Arkansas
The Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board investigates complaints about violations of Arkansas contractor licensing law — including unlicensed contracting and violations of bond, financial, or advertising rules. The Board does not arbitrate contractual or payment disputes between homeowners and contractors.
You can file a complaint by:
- Call the board at (501) 372-4661
- Email a complaint form to contractors.licensing.board@arkansas.gov
- Mail a complaint form to Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board, 4100 Richards Road, North Little Rock, AR 72117
- Download the complaint form from the ACLB website under Forms
For contractual disputes over work quality or payment, you may need to pursue small claims court, civil court, or a claim against the contractor's surety bond. The Arkansas Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division at (501) 682-2007 also handles home-improvement fraud complaints.
Arkansas Contractor Bond Schedule
Arkansas sets bond requirements by credential type. Not every licensed Arkansas contractor is required to carry a surety bond, so consumers should verify the correct bond for the project type.
| License Type | Bond Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Contractor | $10,000 | Required for both Restricted and Unrestricted Commercial licenses |
| Residential Roofer Registration | $15,000 | Required for every residential roofing registrant under Ark. Code § 17-25-604 |
| Home Improvement | $10,000 | Required for the Home Improvement license ($2,000–$50,000 range) |
| Residential Builder / Residential Remodeler | No bond required | No state-mandated bond; applicants must instead show a qualifying financial statement or positive-net-worth balance sheet |
What Makes Arkansas Contractor Licensing Unique
Split $2,000 / $50,000 Thresholds
Arkansas uses two licensing thresholds: $2,000 for residential work and $50,000 for commercial work (both figures include labor and materials). Residential work between $2,000 and $50,000 falls under the Home Improvement license category.
Workers' Comp at 2+ Employees for Construction
Under Ark. Code § 11-9-102, contractors engaged in building or building-repair work must carry workers' comp with two or more employees — stricter than the three-employee rule that applies to most other Arkansas industries. Any contractor who subcontracts any part of their work must carry coverage with even one employee.
Residential Roofer Registration (2022)
Effective January 1, 2022, residential roofing, roof decks, and roofing sheet metal work is governed by a separate Residential Roofer Registration instead of a Home Improvement Roofing license. The registration requires a $15,000 surety bond under Ark. Code § 17-25-604.
Military & Veteran Expedited Licensure
Under the Arkansas Occupational Licensing of Uniformed Service Members, Veterans, and Spouses Act of 2021 (Ark. Code § 17-4-101 et seq.), the ACLB expedites applications from active-duty service members, veterans, and military spouses and issues a 90-day temporary license to qualified applicants holding a substantially equivalent license from another jurisdiction.
Lifetime License at 65+
Under Ark. Code § 17-25-317, a contractor who is at least 65 years old and has held a commercial contractor's license in Arkansas for at least 12 years may apply for a lifetime certificate of license for a one-time fee of $65. Annual renewal fees are waived, though bond and other requirements must be maintained for any active work.
Workforce Expansion Act Fee Waiver
Under Act 725 of 2021 (the Workforce Expansion Act), the ACLB waives the initial licensing fee for applicants receiving Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, TANF, or Lifeline Assistance, applicants approved for unemployment within the past 12 months, and applicants whose income does not exceed 200% of the federal poverty guidelines.
Arkansas Contractor License Fees
Frequently Asked Questions: Arkansas Contractor Licensing
How do I check a contractor's license in Arkansas?
Use the Licensed Contractor Search at portal.arkansas.gov/service/licensed-contractor-search/ to verify any Arkansas contractor by name or license number. You can also call the Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board at (501) 372-4661 or email contractors.licensing.board@arkansas.gov. The lookup shows credential status, classification, and expiration.
What project size requires a contractor's license in Arkansas?
Any residential project of $2,000 or more (labor plus materials) requires a licensed, certified, or registered Arkansas contractor. Commercial projects of $50,000 or more require a full Commercial Contractor license. Residential work between $2,000 and $50,000 falls under the Home Improvement license; new residential construction falls under the Residential Builder license.
Do Arkansas residential builders need a surety bond?
No. Residential Builders and Residential Remodelers are not required by the state to post a surety bond, though they must show a qualifying financial statement or positive-net-worth balance sheet. Commercial Contractors must post a $10,000 bond, Home Improvement contractors a $10,000 bond, and Residential Roofers a $15,000 bond under Ark. Code § 17-25-604.
Does Arkansas require workers' compensation insurance for contractors?
Yes, in many cases. Under Ark. Code § 11-9-102, any contractor engaged in building or building-repair work must carry workers' comp with two or more employees — stricter than the general three-employee rule. Any contractor who subcontracts any portion of their work must carry coverage with one or more employees. Sole proprietors with no employees are not required to carry workers' comp.
How much does an Arkansas contractor license cost?
Commercial Contractor and Residential Builder application fees are $100. Residential Remodeler and Home Improvement application fees are $50. Residential Roofer Registration is $20. Specialty Subcontractor Registration filing fee is $100. Annual renewal is generally $50. The Arkansas Business & Law exam fee is $84. Under Act 725 of 2021, qualifying low-income applicants can have their initial fee waived.
How long does it take to get an Arkansas contractor license?
Approximately three months. Completed applications must be in the ACLB office three weeks before a scheduled board or committee meeting to be reviewed, and the full application must be completed within 90 days of receipt. Military members, veterans, and military spouses can receive a 90-day temporary license on an expedited basis.
How do I file a complaint against an Arkansas contractor?
File a complaint with the Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board by calling (501) 372-4661, emailing contractors.licensing.board@arkansas.gov, or mailing a complaint form to 4100 Richards Road, North Little Rock, AR 72117. The ACLB investigates licensing-law violations. For deceptive home-improvement practices, also contact the Arkansas Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division at (501) 682-2007.
Sources
Facts on this page were verified against the following primary sources on April 20, 2026. Licensing laws, fees, and bond amounts change — always confirm with the official board before acting.
- Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board — Department of Labor and Licensing — Official ACLB home page with licensing overview, forms, and contact information (retrieved 2026-04-20)
- ACLB Contact Us — Verified address, phone, fax, and email for the Contractors Licensing Board (retrieved 2026-04-20)
- Licensed Contractor Search (Arkansas.gov) — Official state portal for verifying Arkansas contractor licenses and registrations (retrieved 2026-04-20)
- Apply for Contractors License/Registration — ACLB — Fee schedule, application forms, and Workforce Expansion Act fee waiver details (retrieved 2026-04-20)
- Arkansas State Licensing Law for Commercial Contractors (Rules & Regs, Jan 2025) — Commercial licensing statute text including $10,000 bond, $100 filing fee, and Ark. Code § 17-25-317 lifetime license (retrieved 2026-04-20)
- Residential Contractors Licensing Law (revised July 2025) — Residential Committee statute covering Residential Builder, Remodeler, Home Improvement, and Roofer Registration (retrieved 2026-04-20)
- Renew a License — ACLB — Renewal fees, Bond in Lieu of Financial option, and Residential Roofer registration notice (effective Jan 1, 2022) (retrieved 2026-04-20)
- Arkansas Residential Roofing Registrant Surety Bond (application packet) — Residential roofer new-application packet confirming $15,000 registrant surety bond requirement and ACLB mailing address (retrieved 2026-04-20)
- Arkansas Attorney General — Home Improvements — Confirms $2,000 residential threshold and ACLB verification phone (501) 372-4661 (retrieved 2026-04-20)
- Arkansas Contractors Online License Renewal System — Official online renewal portal operated by Arkansas.gov for ACLB (retrieved 2026-04-20)
Other States
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