Arkansas HVAC, Plumbing & Electrical License Requirements
Last updated 2026. Requirements may change — always verify with your state licensing board.
- Renewal
- Annual
- CE hours
- Varies — check with department
- Initial cost
- ~$290
- License types
- HVAC Technician, HVAC Contractor
- Experience
- 3 years for contractor
- Exam
- Trade exam required (70% passing)
- Bond
- Not required at state level
- Insurance
- General liability recommended; workers' comp with employees
- Reciprocity
- Reciprocity with Oklahoma for HVAC
- Board
- Arkansas Department of Health — HVAC/R Licensing
- Notes
- Arkansas HVAC licensing is handled by the Dept. of Health, not a contractors board.
- Renewal
- Annual
- CE hours
- 6 hours per annual renewal
- Initial cost
- ~$200–$350
- License types
- Apprentice, Journeyman Plumber, Master Plumber, Plumbing Contractor
- Experience
- 4 years (8,000 hours) for journeyman; additional time for master
- Exam
- Trade exam at each level
- Bond
- Not required at state level
- Insurance
- Workers' comp with employees
- Reciprocity
- Reciprocity with Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Mississippi
- Board
- Arkansas Dept. of Health — Plumbing & Natural Gas Division
- Notes
- Same department handles both plumbing and HVAC licensing.
- Renewal
- Annual
- CE hours
- 8–10 hours per renewal (verify current requirement)
- Initial cost
- ~$200–$300
- License types
- Journeyman Electrician, Master Electrician, Electrical Contractor
- Experience
- 4 years trade experience within past 10 years for contractor
- Exam
- Written exam required (NEC-based)
- Bond
- Not required at state level for electricians (may be required for general contractor classification)
- Insurance
- Workers' comp with employees
- Reciprocity
- Reciprocity with Alabama (master electrician, effective January 2026) and Oklahoma
- Board
- Arkansas State Board of Electrical Examiners
- Website
- www.arkansas.gov/asbee
- Notes
- Electrical licensing is separate from HVAC/plumbing — different board entirely.
Arkansas handles trade licensing through the Department of Health (HVAC and plumbing) and the State Board of Electrical Examiners (electrical). This split means trade contractors dealing with multiple licenses interact with different state agencies.
All three trades require examinations. HVAC contractors need 3 years of experience, plumbing journeymen need 4 years (8,000 hours), and electrical contractors need 4 years within the past 10. CE requirements vary by trade — plumbing requires 6 hours annually, electrical requires 8–10 hours, while HVAC CE requirements should be verified with the department.
Arkansas has reciprocity agreements with several neighboring states. HVAC and plumbing have agreements with Oklahoma. Electrical expanded reciprocity with Alabama for master electricians effective January 2026. These agreements typically waive the trade exam but still require passing business and law components.
If you hold a general contractor license through the Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board (ACLB), that's a separate credential from your trade-specific license. Many contractors need both.
TradesIQ tracks renewal dates across both Arkansas licensing agencies, monitors CE completion, and sends reminders before your licenses expire.
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Renewal cycles, CE hours, fees, and licensing board links.
Arkansas
Full Arkansas guide →- Renewal
- Annual
- CE
- Varies — check with department
- Cost
- ~$290
- Board
- Arkansas Department of Health — HVAC/R Licensing
- Renewal
- Annual
- CE
- 6 hours per annual renewal
- Cost
- ~$200–$350
- Board
- Arkansas Dept. of Health — Plumbing & Natural Gas Division
- Renewal
- Annual
- CE
- 8–10 hours per renewal (verify current requirement)
- Cost
- ~$200–$300
- Board
- Arkansas State Board of Electrical Examiners
- Website
- www.arkansas.gov/asbee
Requirements may change. Always verify with your state licensing board.