Arkansas contractor license lookup: how to check and get a license
Arkansas contractor license lookup: who issues home improvement contractor licenses (Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board (Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing)), how to check one online, the license types, and 594 residential remodelers by county.
Do home improvement contractors need a license in Arkansas?
| Who licenses them | Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board (Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing) |
|---|---|
| License types | Residential Builder, Residential Remodeler, Home Improvement Specialty, Residential Registration (roofing), Commercial |
| When a license is required | Residential builder, remodeler, home improvement specialty license or roofing registration required for residential projects over $2,000; commercial license required for projects of $50,000 or more |
For home jobs over $2,000, ask which license the contractor holds: home improvement specialty covers trades like painting, windows and flooring but not building or structural remodeling, and roofers need at least a residential registration. Written contract and deposit rules were not confirmed.
How do you look up a home improvement contractor's license in Arkansas?
- Ask the home improvement contractor for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the Arkansas contractor license lookup run by Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board (Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing).
- Search by license number first. A name search can return several people or companies with similar names.
- Check that the status is active or current, that the license type covers your job, and that the name matches the company on your contract.
- If something doesn't match, ask the home improvement contractor about it before you sign or pay a deposit, or contact Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board (Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing).
What contractor licenses does Arkansas issue?
- Residential Builder
- Residential Remodeler
- Home Improvement Specialty
- Residential Registration (roofing)
- Commercial
How do you get a contractor license in Arkansas?
Licenses are issued by the Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board (Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing). Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board (Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing) source before you apply. Already licensed? List your business on Expert Helper to get matched with customers.
How many home improvement contractors are there in Arkansas?
The Census Bureau counted 594 residential remodelers with employees in Arkansas in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Benton County | 111 |
|---|---|
| Pulaski County | 94 |
| Washington County | 75 |
| Garland County | 46 |
| Faulkner County | 38 |
| Saline County | 34 |
| Sebastian County | 22 |
| Craighead County | 22 |
What do Arkansas homes mean for home improvement work?
The median home in Arkansas was built in 1987, 34% of households rent and 72% of homes are single-family houses. 37% of homes heat with utility gas and 53% with electricity.
How do you choose a home improvement contractor in Arkansas?
- Check the contractor's license with the state or city. Many places require a home improvement license for residential work over a few hundred dollars.
- Get a written contract with the scope, materials, schedule, total price and payment schedule. Don't pay most of it upfront.
- Ask who pulls the permits. If the contractor suggests skipping a permit that the job needs, find another contractor.
- Ask for proof of liability insurance and workers' compensation, and make sure the policy is current.
- Ask for two or three recent jobs like yours that you can see or call about.
Home Improvement Contractors in other states
Sources: Arkansas licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.