Bathroom Remodel Contractor Requirements in Arkansas
Arkansas bathroom remodel runs both statutes at once: the plumbing/mechanical side of commercial work needs the Mechanical classification PINNED to a full-time master plumber and Class A/B HVACR licensee (17 CAR 255-208(e)) above the $50,000 threshold, while the residential side answers the $2,000 line — remodeler licence for structural work, home improvement only for defined pre-existing pieces (never plumbing rough-ins on a remodel), builder absorbing either above the Limited/Unlimited $50,000 line. Workers' compensation proof is required before issue/renewal in both chapters. Every claim sourced and dated.
Eight commercial classifications on one licence; restricted vs unrestricted ceiling (CONFLICT-AR-001) — 17 CAR 255 Subpart 3 outlines the classifications: Heavy (255-301), Highway/Railroad/Airport (255-302), Municipal & Utility (255-303), Building (255-304), Light Building (255-305), Mechanical (255-306), Electrical (255-307) and Specialties (255-308 — 124 named sub-classifications). 255-208(a)(2): the holder of HC, HRA, MU, B, LB, M or E 'is authorized to perform any of the specialties associated with the classification in question'; (a)(3) a specialty holder 'is authorized to only perform the functions of the specific specialty for which a license is held'; (i)(2) 'Performing work not listed under the classification may constitute a violation.' The current form (Eff. 10/2026) offers a Restricted Commercial licence that 'can ONLY do Commercial projects that are less than $750,000' or an Unrestricted licence for projects 'of any size', while 17 CAR 255-401(a)(2)(C) defines a restricted licence as one authorizing 'a total cost of work … of less than one million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000) for a single commercial project' — the two official ceilings conflict: CONFLICT-AR-001 (open, both figures published, no winner chosen). S-AR-COMM-LAW
Residential licence required above $2,000 — builder since 7/1/2001, home improvement since 1/1/2012 — § 17-25-505(a): '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.' (b) the same for a home improvement contractor after January 1, 2012. (c) failure to procure the licence 'shall be deemed guilty of a Class A misdemeanor with each day in violation of the requirement to constitute a separate offense.' § 17-25-513(3)(A): exempt 'when the cost of the work done or to be done does not exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000)'; (B) the exemption 'shall not apply to a project in which the construction work necessary to complete the project is divided into separate contracts of amounts less than two thousand dollars ($2,000)'. The apply page repeats the trigger for each licence type ('more than $2,000, including, but not limited to, labor and material'). S-AR-RES-LAW
Residential builder licence — 1–4 unit single-family construction, 4 years' experience, exam, positive net worth — § 17-25-502(2): 'residential building contractor' means one that '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.' Entry: four years' verifiable experience + three references OR the exam (17 CAR 295-107(a)); the written examination (§ 17-25-509); a compiled financial statement showing 'positive net worth excluding the applicant's homestead and retirement accounts' (295-109(a)); proof of workers' compensation (§ 17-25-514); the $10,000 contractor's bond is NOT on the builder form — the financial statement carries the security role (S-AR-RB-APP checklist). Fees $100 new / $50 timely / $100 late (295-105(a),(d)). S-AR-RB-APP
Home improvement licence — pre-existing single-family specialty work only; may not build or remodel homes — § 17-25-502(1): 'home improvement contractor' means one that attempts or contracts for 'the reconstruction, alteration, renovation, repair, modification, improvement, removal, demolition, or addition to any preexisting single family residence or the property and structures appurtenant thereto.' 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 of work) or Unlimited. § 17-25-514(c): a home improvement contractor whose work is under $50,000 'shall not be required to secure the payment of workers' compensation … or provide proof of coverage to the committee'. S-AR-HI-APP
The $10,000 contractor's bond is a condition of licensure (not a fee) and follows the licensee into every project; the roofing registration adds its own $15,000 bond. Every city/county fee is LOCAL_AUTHORITY_REQUIRED and is not published here.