Arkansas Electrical Contractor License

To get an electrical contractor license in Arkansas, apply to the Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners, show you are a licensed master electrician or employ a licensed master as the responsible manager, pay the $100 contractor license fee, and ensure any $50,000+ jobs also carry an Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board commercial license, required bonds, and workers’ compensation.

Requirements last verified: 2026-10-29

Requirement	Details
Licensing agency	Arkansas Department of Labor & Licensing — Board of Electrical Examiners (electrical contractor license); Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board for commercial work ≥ $50,000.
Core eligibility	Applicant is a licensed master electrician or employs a licensed master electrician as superintendent/manager (must disclose affiliations under oath).
Fees (Electrical Board)	$100 per year for the electrical contractor license; master exam fee $80; issuance/renewal for master $50/year, journeyman $25/year.
Experience (via master license)	Master requires either EE degree + 2 years construction experience, or 6 years construction experience including 2 years as a licensed journeyman; or approved equivalent. Journeyman requires completion of 4-year apprenticeship or 8 years (16,000 hours) qualifying experience.
Exam	No separate contractor exam; qualifying master must pass the state master electrician exam ($80 exam fee).
Commercial threshold	Any project ≥ $50,000 (labor and materials) also requires an ACLB commercial license.
Bonds/financials for ACLB	Commercial license requires a $10,000 surety bond filed with ACLB, plus financial statement or a bond in lieu of financials; Electrical classification in‑lieu bond is $200,000.
Insurance	Workers’ compensation coverage is required for ACLB licensing; no separate general liability requirement is stated by the Electrical Board.
Renewal	Electrical contractor license renews annually ($100). Individual master/journeyman licenses renew on the NEC cycle at $50/$25 per year respectively, with CE. Late renewal penalties apply after expiration.

How to get an electrical contractor license in Arkansas

1. Confirm your qualifier. You must be a licensed Arkansas master electrician or employ one as your responsible superintendent/manager. If you’re not the master, obtain the master’s sworn statement disclosing any other contractor affiliations.
2. Meet master/journeyman prerequisites. Ensure your master holds an Arkansas master license earned by exam and experience (or reciprocity) — typically 6 years’ experience including 2 as a licensed journeyman, or an EE degree plus 2 years construction experience.
3. Apply to the Board of Electrical Examiners. Submit the electrical contractor application on the Board-approved form, identifying your responsible master and business details. Pay the $100 annual contractor license fee.
4. Set up for commercial work (if applicable). If you will contract jobs of $50,000 or more, also apply to the Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board for a commercial license. File the mandatory $10,000 contractor bond and either provide required financials or post the $200,000 Electrical bond in lieu of financial statement.
5. Maintain insurance and compliance. Keep workers’ compensation in place for ACLB licensure, post your license number as required, and register/apprentice any trainees within 30 days per state rules.
6. Renew on time. Renew the electrical contractor license annually ($100). Keep your master/journeyman licenses current (fees per NEC cycle with continuing education) to preserve contractor eligibility.

Key authorities and forms: Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners rules (eligibility, exams, fees), electrical license fee statute, ACLB threshold and bond requirements, and the ACLB bond‑in‑lieu form for the $200,000 Electrical classification. See the linked official sources in each section below.

Arkansas electrical contractor license requirements (official specifics)

Agency and license class

Electrical contractor licensing is issued by the Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners. An applicant must either be a master electrician or employ a licensed master as superintendent/manager and submit the Board’s application form. Board of Electrical Examiners Rules (Apr. 2024), Rule 010.13-013(G). ([labor.arkansas.gov](https://www.labor.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/Electrical-Rules-April-2024.pdf))

Exact fees and renewal cycle

The electrical contractor license fee is $100 per year. Individual licenses associated with qualifying experience and exam renew per NEC cycle at $50/year for master and $25/year for journeyman; the master/journeyman exam fee is $80. Arkansas Legislative exhibit (2025) citing A.C.A. § 17‑28‑302; BEA Rules, 010.13‑013(D), 010.13‑011(C). ([arkleg.state.ar.us](https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Home/FTPDocument?path=%2FAssembly%2FMeeting+Attachments%2F049%2F27611%2FExhibit+C3+--+Arkansas+Board+of+Electrical+Examiners+Report.pdf&utm_source=openai))

Experience hours to qualify the business

There is no separate contractor exam; eligibility flows from the master license. To test as a master, candidates need either: EE degree + 2 years construction experience; or 6 years construction experience including 2 years as a licensed journeyman; or Board‑approved equivalent. Journeyman without an apprenticeship needs 8 years (16,000 hours). BEA Rules, 010.13‑012(D)–(E). ([labor.arkansas.gov](https://www.labor.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/Electrical-Rules-April-2024.pdf))

When a Contractors Licensing Board license is also required

For any project of $50,000 or more (labor and materials), you must also hold an ACLB commercial license. ACLB: Apply for Contractors License. ([labor.arkansas.gov](https://labor.arkansas.gov/licensing/arkansas-contractors-licensing-board/apply-for-contractors-license-registration/?utm_source=openai))

ACLB bonds, financials, and workers’ compensation

Commercial licensees must file a $10,000 surety bond with ACLB and either provide a financial statement or post a bond in lieu of financials. The in‑lieu bond amount for the Electrical classification is $200,000; bond must be continuous and in addition to any other required bonds. Workers’ compensation is required for ACLB licensing. Sources: ACLB Forms page (lists $10,000 Surety Bond and Bond‑in‑Lieu form); Bond in Lieu of Financial Statement (shows $200,000 Electrical); ACLB Renew a License (workers’ comp). ([labor.arkansas.gov](https://labor.arkansas.gov/licensing/arkansas-contractors-licensing-board/forms/?utm_source=openai))

Forms and where to apply

Submit the electrical contractor application to the Board of Electrical Examiners with your responsible master information. Individual master/journeyman licensing and examination are handled under the same rules and fee schedule. Refer to the Board’s published rules and application materials. BEA Rules. ([labor.arkansas.gov](https://www.labor.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/Electrical-Rules-April-2024.pdf))

Costs to budget for an Arkansas electrical contractor

Beyond the $100 annual electrical contractor license, plan for the master’s exam/renewal fees and, if you perform jobs ≥ $50,000, ACLB costs for the $10,000 contractor bond and either CPA financials or the $200,000 Electrical bond‑in‑lieu. For a deeper breakdown, see our analysis of Arkansas electrical contractor licensing costs, and compare with adjacent trades in our Arkansas HVAC contractor license cost guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a separate exam to become an Arkansas electrical contractor?

No. Arkansas does not require a stand‑alone contractor trade exam for electrical contracting. You must be a licensed master electrician or employ one as your responsible superintendent/manager; the master obtains licensure by passing the state master exam and meeting experience criteria. BEA Rules, 010.13‑013(G), 010.13‑011(C). ([labor.arkansas.gov](https://www.labor.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/Electrical-Rules-April-2024.pdf))

What bond or insurance is required?

The Electrical Board itself does not list a general liability requirement. For any commercial project ≥ $50,000, the ACLB requires a $10,000 contractor bond and workers’ compensation, plus financials or a bond in lieu (Electrical classification amount is $200,000). ACLB Forms; Bond‑in‑Lieu form; ACLB Renew. ([labor.arkansas.gov](https://labor.arkansas.gov/licensing/arkansas-contractors-licensing-board/forms/?utm_source=openai))

How much experience do I need?

Your company’s eligibility hinges on the master license. Masters typically need 6 years’ construction experience including 2 as a licensed journeyman (or an EE degree + 2 years), and journeymen typically complete a 4‑year apprenticeship or document 8 years (16,000 hours) of qualifying experience. BEA Rules, 010.13‑012(D)–(E). ([labor.arkansas.gov](https://www.labor.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/Electrical-Rules-April-2024.pdf))

How often do I renew the Arkansas electrical contractor license?

Annually. The contractor license fee is $100 per year. Keep the qualifying master/journeyman licenses current as well (renewal fees $50/$25 per year on the NEC cycle, with required continuing education). Legislative exhibit (fee); BEA Rules, 010.13‑013(D). ([arkleg.state.ar.us](https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Home/FTPDocument?path=%2FAssembly%2FMeeting+Attachments%2F049%2F27611%2FExhibit+C3+--+Arkansas+Board+of+Electrical+Examiners+Report.pdf&utm_source=openai))

When do I also need the ACLB commercial license?

Whenever the total value of a project (labor and materials) is $50,000 or more. This is separate from your electrical contractor license and triggers ACLB bond and financial requirements. ACLB: Apply. ([labor.arkansas.gov](https://labor.arkansas.gov/licensing/arkansas-contractors-licensing-board/apply-for-contractors-license-registration/?utm_source=openai))

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