Arkansas Carpentry License Requirements (2026)

Arkansas does not issue a stand-alone carpentry license. Residential carpentry on jobs of $2,000 or more requires a Residential Builder license from the Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board (ACLB) Residential Builders Committee. Commercial carpentry on projects of $50,000 or more requires a Commercial Contractor license from ACLB under Ark. Code Ann. §17-25-101 et seq. Sub-tier carpentry to a licensed prime is exempt below those thresholds. Both license tracks require a NASCLA-accepted Business and Law exam (PSI) plus a financial statement.

Federal requirement: EPA Lead RRP Rule

Independent of Arkansas licensing, federal law (the EPA Lead RRP Rule) governs any paint-disturbing renovation, repair, or painting in pre-1978 housing. See our complete EPA RRP Lead Certification guide for who needs firm and renovator certification, what it costs, and how renewal works.

Governing Authority

Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board (ACLB) administers and enforces this credential under the authority of Arkansas Code Title 17 Chapter 25 (Contractors) and Title 17 Chapter 38 (Residential Building); ACLB Rules and Regulations. The Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board (ACLB) licenses Commercial Contractors, Residential Builders, and Residential Remodelers statewide, sets financial responsibility standards, administers PSI examinations, and conducts disciplinary proceedings. ACLB enforces the $50,000 single-project threshold above which contracting work requires a state license.

Official portal: https://aclb.arkansas.gov/
Address: 4100 Richards Road, North Little Rock, AR 72117
Phone: (501) 372-4661

Eligibility Requirements

An applicant qualifies only after meeting the age floor of 18 and producing a valid Social Security Number. No Arkansas residency requirement.

Good moral character

Criminal history is reviewed case-by-case by the licensing authority.

Background investigation

Criminal history disclosure required on the application.

Experience & Education Matrix

Eligibility here is not measured in years of experience but by No minimum experience years are codified. The applicant must demonstrate trade competence through references and a passing trade exam., per the cited materials.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

Notarized experience affidavits from licensed supervising contractors
W-2s, 1099s, or payroll records covering the qualifying period
Apprenticeship completion certificate where applicable

Education substitution

Approved carpentry apprenticeship or accredited trade school coursework may substitute for part of the experience requirement.

Examination Structure

PSI Services LLC for the ACLB Business and Law exam runs the examination for this credential. Issuance is contingent on passing every part below:

Arkansas Business and Law — 50 questions, 130 minutes, passing score 70%
Building / Carpentry trade exam — 90 questions, 240 minutes, passing score 70%

Examination fee: $80 PSI fee per part plus the ACLB application fee.

Retake policy: Failed parts may be retaken after paying a new exam fee. Applications remain valid for one year.

Insurance & Financial Security

The ACLB requires a $10,000 contractor license surety bond to be on file before the license will issue.

General liability

ACLB requires proof of general liability insurance with minimum $100,000 limits for Residential Builders. Commercial owners typically require $1,000,000/$2,000,000.

Workers' compensation

Workers compensation is mandatory under Ark. Code Ann. §11-9-401 for any contractor with three or more employees.

Additional financial requirements

Commercial Contractor applicants must submit a CPA-reviewed financial statement showing net worth at least equal to 10 percent of the requested bid limit (minimum $10,000).

Application and License Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$100
Examination	$160
Initial license	$100
Renewal (every year)	$100

Maintenance & Renewal

Expect to renew the Arkansas Residential Builder or Commercial Contractor (Carpentry under Building) every year. Renewal currently costs $100. Annual renewal on the anniversary of issuance. Late renewal incurs a $25 reinstatement fee.

Continuing education: No statutory continuing education for ACLB carpentry licenses.

Downloadable Asset

2026 Arkansas Carpentry License Roadmap (PDF) — a printable step-by-step checklist for the application process.

Download the PDF roadmap →

Reciprocity and Endorsement

The NASCLA Accredited Examination is accepted by Arkansas for this classification.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
Louisiana	Trade exam waived	Reciprocal commercial GC agreement with LSLBC.
Mississippi	Trade exam waived	Reciprocal commercial GC agreement with MSBOC.
Tennessee	Trade exam waived	Reciprocal Building (BC) agreement with TBLC.

ACLB accepts the NASCLA Accredited Examination in lieu of the Arkansas commercial trade exam.

Weighing more than one jurisdiction? The national hub compares Carpentry license requirements in every state — exam, bond, fee, and experience thresholds side by side.

Step-by-Step Application Roadmap

Determine residential vs. commercial track. Residential Builder for jobs $2,000+, Commercial Contractor for jobs $50,000+.
Prepare a CPA-reviewed financial statement. Required for the Commercial Contractor track; minimum $10,000 net worth.
Submit the ACLB application. File with the $100 fee, references, and bond commitment.
Pass the PSI Business and Law and trade exams. Score 70 percent or better on each part.
Post the surety bond and insurance. File the $10,000 bond and certificate of GL.
Receive the ACLB license number. Issued at the next monthly board meeting.
Obtain local privilege licenses. Each Arkansas city requires its own business license.
Renew annually. Submit the renewal fee, current bond, and insurance certificate.

Pre-Submission Checklist

The most critical documents or confirmations the applicant should have in hand before filing with ACLB:

☐ ACLB application with $100 fee
☐ CPA-reviewed financial statement (commercial)
☐ PSI Business and Law and trade exam pass certificates
☐ $10,000 surety bond
☐ Certificate of general liability insurance
☐ Workers compensation certificate (if 3+ employees)
☐ Local business privilege license(s)

Study and Reference Materials

These are the preparation and reference materials tied to this credential — cited by the regulator or widely used by applicants. CLR earns nothing from listing them.

NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management — Arkansas Edition — NASCLA. Primary Business and Law reference.
International Residential Code (Arkansas-adopted edition) — International Code Council. Open-book at the PSI test center.
Arkansas Code Title 17 Chapter 25 — State of Arkansas. Contractor licensing statutes.

Common Filing Mistakes

Working from the cited board instructions, here are the snags most likely to trip up a Arkansas Carpentry filing.

Missing the $2,000 residential threshold

Arkansas applies residential licensing to jobs as small as $2,000 — far lower than most states. Splitting invoices to dodge it violates §17-25-103.

No financial statement

Commercial applicants without a CPA-reviewed financial statement are denied. The statement must be no older than 12 months.

Lead RRP for pre-1978 trim

EPA RRP certification is federally required for any carpentry that disturbs painted surfaces in pre-1978 housing.

Local privilege license

Most Arkansas cities require a separate business privilege license on top of the state ACLB license.

Letting the bond lapse

A lapsed bond automatically suspends the ACLB license until reinstated.

Other Arkansas Trade Licenses

If the Carpentry license is not the right fit, the following published Arkansas trade guides are also covered by CLR:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the project value threshold for an Arkansas carpentry license?

Residential jobs of $2,000 or more require a Residential Builder license. Commercial jobs of $50,000 or more require a Commercial Contractor license.

Is the NASCLA exam accepted?

Yes. ACLB accepts the NASCLA Accredited Examination for the commercial trade exam. The Arkansas Business and Law exam is still required.

What bond does Arkansas require?

Residential Builders post a $10,000 surety bond. Commercial Contractors post a bond at the discretion of the board, typically $10,000 minimum.

Do I need workers compensation?

Yes, for any contractor with three or more employees under Ark. Code Ann. §11-9-401.

How often does the license renew?

Annually on the anniversary of issuance with current insurance, bond, and renewal fee.

Primary Sources

Regulatory requirements on this page are drawn from the official board, statute, and exam-provider materials listed below.

Verified 2026-05-10 · Next scheduled review 2026-08-08