Arkansas contractor license lookup
Arkansas commercial jobs of $50,000 or more need an ACLB commercial license. Residential building, remodeling or home improvement over $2,000 needs a residential license; roofers register. (source: ACLB: Apply for Contractors License/Registration (opens in a new tab), source: Arkansas Residential Licensing Law (rev. 04.2026) (opens in a new tab), source: Arkansas Commercial Licensing Law (Jan 2025) (opens in a new tab), source: ACLB: Find a Licensed Contractor (opens in a new tab))
Check a license on the ACLB website (official site, opens in a new tab)
How: Use the ACLB Find a Licensed Contractor page. If the search is down, call the board at 501-372-4661. (source: ACLB: Find a Licensed Contractor (opens in a new tab))
Checked against official Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board sources. See sources.
1. Who needs a license
$2,000 or more for a job (labor and materials) means a license is needed. (source: ACLB: Apply for Contractors License/Registration (opens in a new tab), source: Arkansas Residential Licensing Law (rev. 04.2026) (opens in a new tab), source: Arkansas Commercial Licensing Law (Jan 2025) (opens in a new tab))
Commercial (non-single-family) projects of $50,000 or more need a commercial license. Residential building, remodeling or home improvement over $2,000 needs a residential license. (source: ACLB: Apply for Contractors License/Registration (opens in a new tab), source: Arkansas Residential Licensing Law (rev. 04.2026) (opens in a new tab), source: Arkansas Commercial Licensing Law (Jan 2025) (opens in a new tab))
- Splitting a job into smaller contracts doesn't avoid the rules. (source: Arkansas Commercial Licensing Law (Jan 2025) (opens in a new tab))
- Owners working on their own home are exempt. (source: Arkansas Residential Licensing Law (rev. 04.2026) (opens in a new tab))
2. License types and classes
| Class | Name | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial | Commercial License | Non-single-family projects of $50,000 or more (source: ACLB: Apply for Contractors License/Registration (opens in a new tab)) |
| Sub Reg | Subcontractor Registration | Registration for subcontractors (source: ACLB: Apply for Contractors License/Registration (opens in a new tab)) |
| Res Builder | Residential Builder | Building homes, over $2,000 (source: ACLB: Apply for Contractors License/Registration (opens in a new tab)) |
| Res Remodeler | Residential Remodeler | Remodeling, over $2,000 (source: ACLB: Apply for Contractors License/Registration (opens in a new tab)) |
| Home Improvement | Home Improvement | Specialty residential work only, over $2,000 (source: ACLB: Apply for Contractors License/Registration (opens in a new tab)) |
| Roofer Reg | Residential Roofer Registration | Residential roofing over $2,000 (source: ACLB: Apply for Contractors License/Registration (opens in a new tab)) |
3. Required insurance and bonds
Bond
No bond is required. Residential roofer registration needs a $15,000 surety bond. (source: Arkansas Residential Licensing Law (rev. 04.2026) (opens in a new tab))
Ask for proof of insurance and check the bond on the official lookup before work starts.
4. How to look up a contractor
Check a license on the ACLB website (official site, opens in a new tab)
How: Use the ACLB Find a Licensed Contractor page. If the search is down, call the board at 501-372-4661. (source: ACLB: Find a Licensed Contractor (opens in a new tab))
5. Red flags when hiring
- A big job split into contracts under $2,000 or $50,000. (source: Arkansas Commercial Licensing Law (Jan 2025) (opens in a new tab))
- A Home Improvement licensee offering to build or structurally remodel a home. (source: ACLB: Apply for Contractors License/Registration (opens in a new tab))
6. Consumer protections and complaints
We're still verifying this, check the official board: ACLB website (opens in a new tab).
7. Sources and last verified
Last verified: . Next check due: . Every fact on this page links to one of these official pages. How we verify.
- ACLB: Apply for Contractors License/Registration (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- ACLB: Find a Licensed Contractor (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- Arkansas Residential Licensing Law (rev. 04.2026) (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- Arkansas Commercial Licensing Law (Jan 2025) (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
Spot something out of date? Email [email protected].
Common questions
What is the penalty for unlicensed residential work?
A Class A misdemeanor, each day a separate offense, plus civil penalties of $100 to $400 a day. (source: Arkansas Residential Licensing Law (rev. 04.2026) (opens in a new tab))