Arkansas Contractor Classifications
Arkansas's credential surface is two ladders and two registrations: the eight commercial classifications riding ONE licence (set by the work, gated by the $50,000 threshold that excludes single-family residences), the four residential licence classes gated by $2,000 — builder, remodeler, home improvement, specialty — and the two registration paths for subcontractors and roofers. One examination serves every licence: PSI's Arkansas Business and Law ($84); registrations need none.
01 Two statutes, one credential surface
- One licence, any specialty of the class — a Building licence holder may perform every specialty listed under Building (17 CAR 255-208(a)(2)); a Specialty holder only the one named specialty (255-208(a)(3)). (Rule AR-COMMERCIAL-CLASSIFICATION.) S-AR-COMM-LAW
- The threshold picks the STATUTE, the work picks the classification — ≥ $50,000 (excluding single-family residences) enters subch. 2; > $2,000 single-family work enters subch. 5. (Rules AR-COMMERCIAL-THRESHOLD / AR-RESIDENTIAL-THRESHOLD.) S-AR-COMM-LAWS-AR-RES-LAW
- Trade licences are PINS, not CLB exams — Electrical requires a full-time master electrician; Mechanical a full-time master plumber AND Class A/B HVACR licensee (17 CAR 255-208(d)–(e)); gated specialties (plumbing, HVACR, gas fitter, boilers, lead, water wells …) require the other authority's licence first (255-208(h)). (Requirement REQ-AR-COMMERCIAL-CLASSIFICATIONS-001.)
- The 80% rule lets a trade bid as prime — if electrical (or mechanical, or any single classification) is ≥ 80% of the total project, it may bid the advertised project as prime contractor (17 CAR 255-402(b)). (Scope assertion SCOPE-AR-ELEC-80-PRIME.)
02 Commercial — eight classifications on ONE licence (17 CAR 255-301–.308, $50,000 threshold)
17 CAR 255-305: light building — '(a) This classification includes all of the specialty classes below' with a limitation: '(b)(1) However, contractors holding a light building classification are limited as follows.' Five years' experience or the exam (255-208(b)(1)(A)); net worth **$20,000**, half in cash for new applicants (255-401(b)).
17 CAR 255-303: municipal and utility construction (water and sewer lines, lift stations, meter installation, substations, underground piping and cable). Five years' appropriate experience or the exam (255-208(b)(1)(A)); net worth $50,000, half in cash when new (255-401(b)); a holder may perform any specialty associated with the class (255-208(a)(2)).
17 CAR 255-308(a): 'A contractor may obtain any subclassification as a specialty by request and proper qualifications shown. Example: Base and paving, plumbing, drywall, insulation, etc.' (b) lists **124 specialty sub-classifications** — above ground tanks, asbestos, awnings, base and paving, boat docks, boiler construction, car washes, carpentry, ceilings, chimneys, communication cabling, concrete, control systems, conveyors, cooling towers, demolition/blasting, dredging, drywall, electrical transmission lines, elevators, energy pipelines, environmental, erosion control, fencing, fiberglass, fireproofing, floors, foundations, furnaces, gas fitter, generators, glass/glazing, golf courses, grading and drainage, grain bins, greenhouses, HVACR (Arkansas HVACR Class A or B trade licence required), hydraulics, incinerators, institutional equipment, insulation, interior work, kilns, landfills, landscaping, lathe/plaster/stucco, lead abatement (trade certificate), lift stations, lightning protection, liners, marine docks, masonry, mausoleums, metal buildings, millwright, oil and gas field construction, overhead doors, paint booths, painting, piping, plant maintenance, plumbing (trade license needed), pollution control, poultry houses, railroad construction, rebar, refrigeration, remediation, remodeling, retaining walls, right of way clearing, roofing, sandblasting, scaffolding, scales, septic tanks, sheet metal, siding, alarms, skylights, solar, special coatings, sport surfaces, sprinklers, steel/orchestral metal, storm shelters, substations, swimming pools, temperature controls, testing and balancing, tile/terrazzo, tuckpointing, tunnels, underground piping, underground storage tanks, water and sewer lines, water wells and wind turbines. 17 CAR 255-208(a)(3): a specialty holder 'is authorized to only perform the functions of the specific specialty'; one year's experience or the exam (255-208(b)(1)(B)); net worth **$5,000**, half ($2,500) in cash when new (255-401(b)).
17 CAR 255-301: 'This classification includes all of the specialty classes below' — heavy/civil work (dredging, cofferdams, tunnels, landfills, hydraulics and the HRA-adjacent civil specialties of 255-308(b)). 17 CAR 255-208(a)(2): a contractor licensed as heavy construction (HC) 'is authorized to perform any of the specialties associated with the classification in question'; 255-208(b)(1)(A): five years' appropriate experience or the appropriate examination. Net worth $50,000 with half in cash for a new applicant (255-401(b)); reviewed/audited financial statement for an unrestricted licence (255-401(a)(1)).
17 CAR 255-306: mechanical contracting — 'Note. Trade licenses required to obtain this classification are:' the master plumber and HVACR Class A/B licences. 17 CAR 255-208(e): a mechanical contractor must maintain '(4) at least one (1) full-time employee holding a master plumber license (issued by the Plumbing and Food Service Plan Review section of the Department of Health); and (5) at least one (1) full-time employee holding a Class A or Class B HVACR license issued by the HVACR Licensing Board.' Five years' experience or the exam (255-208(b)(1)(A)); net worth **$20,000**, half in cash when new (255-401(b)).
17 CAR 255-307: electrical contracting — 'Note. Trade license required to obtain this classification is the Arkansas master [electrician licence].' 17 CAR 255-208(d): an electrical contractor must maintain '(1) expertise; (2) proper facility; (3) financial ability; and (4) at least one (1) full-time employee holding a master electrician license (issued by the Board of Electrical Examiners of the State of Arkansas).' Five years' experience or the exam (255-208(b)(1)(A)); net worth **$20,000**, half in cash when new (255-401(b)).
17 CAR 255-302 (highway, railroad and airport construction) — includes the HRA miscellaneous and specialty items of 255-308(b)(47): traffic safety (pavement markers, signaling, guardrails, attenuators, roadway lighting), landscaping (seeding, sodding, chemical brush control), pavement rehabilitation (pressure grouting, grinding and grooving, concrete joints, underdrains) and miscellaneous concrete (sidewalks, driveways, curb and gutter, box culverts). Five years' experience or the exam (255-208(b)(1)(A)); net worth $50,000, half in cash when new (255-401(b)).
17 CAR 255-304: 'This classification includes all of the specialty classes below' — the building specialties of 255-308(b) (carpentry, ceilings, concrete, demolition, drywall, floors, glazing, insulation, masonry, painting, remodeling, roofing, siding, skylights, solar, swimming pools, tile …). 17 CAR 255-208(a)(2): a holder 'is authorized to perform any of the specialties associated with the classification'; five years' experience or the exam (255-208(b)(1)(A)). Net worth **$50,000**, 'one half (1/2) of the minimum net worth requirement in cash' for new applicants (255-401(b)-(1)-(2)) — the form's worked example: 'If asking for the Building classification, the net worth requirement is $50,000 [and] half of that $25,000 will need to be cash in the bank' (S-AR-COMM-APP).
03 Residential builder — new 1–4 unit single-family (4 years' experience)
§ 17-25-502(2) verbatim: 'Residential building contractor' means any person … 'which for a fixed price, commission, fee or wage, attempts to or submits a bid to construct or contract or undertakes to construct or assumes charge in a supervisory capacity or otherwise manages the construction of a single family residence or the property and structures appurtenant thereto'; § 17-25-502(3): '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.' Required to act after July 1, 2001 (§ 17-25-505(a)) for projects above $2,000 (§ 17-25-513(3)); Class A misdemeanor per day otherwise (§ 17-25-505(c)). Entry (17 CAR 295-107(a)): 'Proof of four (4) years of appropriate, verifiable experience in the building industry (commercial or residential)' plus three verifiable references, OR having passed the appropriate examination; § 17-25-509: no licence 'unless the person has passed a written examination prescribed by the Residential Contractors Committee' (the PSI Arkansas Business and Law test, $84). 17 CAR 295-111(a) lists 41 specialties the builder may perform (additions, new home construction, framing, roofs, pools, solar …). Fees $100 new / $50 timely renewal / $100 late (295-105(a),(d)); compiled financial statement showing positive net worth excluding homestead and retirement (295-109(a)).
04 Residential remodeler — structural changes and additions (2 years)
Apply page verbatim: 'A residential remodelers license is needed to make major structural changes to a single-family residence or to add on to an existing single-family residence, if the project is more than $2,000, including, but not limited to, labor and material. A business and law test is required.' 17 CAR 295-107(b): 'Proof of two (2) years of appropriate, verifiable experience in the remodeling industry (commercial or residential)' plus three references, OR the exam. 17 CAR 295-111(b) lists 40 remodeler specialties (additions, kitchens and baths, roofing, siding, floors, painting, solar …). Limited (< $50,000 projects) or Unlimited (form); fees $50 new / $25 timely renewal / $50 late (295-105(b),(e)).
05 Home improvement — pre-existing single-family specialty work only
§ 17-25-502(1) verbatim: 'Home improvement contractor' means any person … that attempts to or submits a bid, or contracts, undertakes, or assumes charge … 'the reconstruction, alteration, renovation, repair, modification, improvement, removal, demolition, or addition to any preexisting single family residence or the property and structures appurtenant thereto'. Required after January 1, 2012 (§ 17-25-505(b)) for projects above $2,000 (§ 17-25-513(3)); Class A misdemeanor per day otherwise (§ 17-25-505(c)). Apply page verbatim: 'A home improvement license is needed to do specialty work on a single-family residence, if the project is more than $2,000 … This license is for a contractor who is only responsible for certain types of work (painting, windows, flooring, etc.). This license does not allow you to build a home or remodel a home.' Form: $50 filing fee, Limited (< $50,000) or Unlimited. § 17-25-514(c): a home improvement contractor under $50,000 of work 'shall not be required to secure the payment of workers' compensation … or provide proof of coverage'.
06 Residential specialty — one named specialty only
17 CAR 295-110(a)(2) verbatim: 'A contractor licensed as a residential specialty contractor is authorized to only perform the functions of the specific specialty for which a license is held.' 17 CAR 295-107(c): 'Proof of appropriate verifiable experience in the specialty area (commercial or residential)' plus three references, OR the exam. 295-111(c) lists the residential specialty sub-classifications (awnings, base and paving, boat docks, carpentry, ceilings, chimneys, concrete, demolition, drywall, floors, foundations, glazing, grading, greenhouses, insulation, kitchens and baths, landscaping, masonry, metal buildings, overhead doors, painting, remodeling, retaining walls, roofs, siding, skylights, solar, coatings, steel, storm shelters, pools, tile …). Fees $50 new / $25 timely renewal / $50 late (295-105(b),(e)); Limited (< $50,000) or Unlimited (295-109(b)).
07 Subcontractor registration — the register-instead-of-licence path
§ 17-25-102(4)(A) exempts from the chapter 'Subcontractors of a licensed subcontractor who are properly registered with the board under this chapter'; (B) the board may set the registration process, application fees and civil penalties. 17 CAR 255-202(a): the contractor completes the board's form, pays the fee, 'may register for any of the specialty classifications listed in 17 CAR 255-308' and 'must certify its competence and financial ability'; (b) 'The registration fee, for both original and renewal, shall be one hundred dollars ($100).' The form (Eff. 09/2026): '$100.00 Filing Fee', 'A Registered Contractor will have to renew their registration yearly', still requires the '$10,000.00 Contractor's Bond' in principal name and EIN and any trade licence the specialty demands.
08 Residential roofing registration — subch. 6, since 2021-07-01
§ 17-25-601(4): 'Roofing contractor' means a person, including a subcontractor or nonresident, that in the ordinary course of business '(i) engages in the business of residential roofing services for a fee; or (ii) offers to engage in or solicits residential roofing-related services, including construction, installation, renovation, repair, maintenance, alteration, and waterproofing' — excluding demolition/cleanup crews and the roofing contractor's own employees or day laborers. § 17-25-603(a): 'A person shall not act as a roofing contractor after July 1, 2021' without a registration certificate or an exemption; (b) Class A misdemeanor per day. § 17-25-604: application under oath (18 years of age, name, address …). § 17-25-609(a): expires one year after issuance; (b) fee ≤ $100. 17 CAR 295-204: 'New and renewal registration fees shall be twenty dollars ($20.00) … nonrefundable.' Form: '$20.00 Filing Fee … A Residential Roofing Registrant is NOT a licensed contractor … will have to renew their registration yearly.'
09 Entry requirements compared
| Path | Trigger | PSI exam | Experience | Money | Entry fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial licence | ≥ $50,000 (excl. single-family) | $84 — required | 5 years (1 year specialty) | Net worth $50K / $20K / $5K + $10K bond | $100 |
| Residential builder | > $2,000, new 1–4 units | $84 — required | 4 years + 3 references | Positive net worth (unlimited) + $10K bond | $100 |
| Residential remodeler | > $2,000, existing home | $84 — required | 2 years or the exam | Statement if unlimited + $10K bond | $50 |
| Home improvement | > $2,000, pre-existing only | $84 — required | Appropriate experience or the exam | WC exempt under $50,000 + $10K bond | $50 |
| Subcontractor registration | Sub of a licensed contractor | none | Certified competence | $10,000 bond | $100/yr |
| Roofing registration | Residential roofing > $2,000 | none | none | $15,000 bond | $20/yr |