Arkansas HVAC License Requirements (2026) | Official AR HVACR Board Guide

The Arkansas HVACR Licensing Board (within the Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing) licenses heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration contractors statewide under Arkansas Code Title 17 Chapter 33. Arkansas issues Class A (unlimited tonnage), Class B (limited to 25 tons cooling and 500,000 BTU heating), and specialty refrigeration categories. All HVACR applicants must pass a PSI trade examination and hold a current federal EPA Section 608 certification before touching any refrigerant. HVAC contracting businesses performing projects of $50,000 or more must also hold an Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board HVAC/Mechanical specialty license.

Governing Authority

This license is issued and enforced by Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board (ACLB) pursuant to 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

The HVACR Licensing Board conducts a fitness review on every applicant. Felony convictions are reviewed individually.

Background investigation

Mandatory criminal history disclosure on the application.

Experience & Education Matrix

The applicant must document and verify at least 2 years of Class B: two years (4,000 hours) of qualifying HVACR experience. Class A: four years (8,000 hours) of qualifying HVACR experience. Experience must be under a licensed HVACR contractor and documented on the Board affidavit. Keep payroll, tax, project, or supervisor records to support the claim, as the board can request proof for any period within its lookback window.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

Arkansas HVACR Licensing Board Experience Affidavit signed by each licensed HVACR contractor supervisor
W-2 statements, pay stubs, or 1099 records covering the qualifying period
Approved HVACR apprenticeship or trade school completion certificate (where applicable)

Education substitution

Completion of an accredited HVACR trade school or associate degree program may substitute for up to one year of the experience requirement.

Examination Structure

The licensing examination is delivered by PSI Services LLC (under contract to the Arkansas HVACR Licensing Board). All of the following parts must be cleared prior to issuance:

PSI Arkansas HVACR Class A or Class B Examination — International Mechanical Code, Arkansas HVACR law, theory, and calculations — 100 questions, 240 minutes, passing score 75%

Examination fee: $80 examination fee paid to PSI on the day of testing.

Retake policy: Failed examinations may be re-taken by paying a new $80 fee. Candidates must wait a minimum of 30 days between attempts.

Insurance & Financial Security

The cited materials impose no contractor license bond for this credential. Bear in mind that specific contracts, permits, or public works can still require their own bonds.

General liability

The HVACR Licensing Board requires proof of general liability insurance with minimum limits set by Board rule (typically $100,000 per occurrence).

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation insurance is mandatory in Arkansas under A.C.A. §11-9-101 et seq. for any HVACR contractor with three or more employees.

Additional financial requirements

The HVACR Licensing Board does not require a financial statement for individual HVACR licenses. HVAC contracting businesses performing work of $50,000 or more per project must obtain an ACLB HVAC/Mechanical specialty license, which does require a financial statement.

Application and License Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$100
Examination	$80
Initial license	$150
Renewal (every year)	$150

Maintenance & Renewal

Expect to renew the Arkansas HVACR Class A / Class B License every year. Renewal currently costs $150. Arkansas HVACR licenses renew annually. Proof of continued insurance required at each renewal.

Continuing education: Eight hours of Board-approved continuing education each renewal cycle, including code updates and refrigerant handling.

Downloadable Asset

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

Download the PDF roadmap →

Reciprocity and Endorsement

Arkansas does not accept the NASCLA Accredited Examination for this classification.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
Louisiana	Trade exam waived	Bilateral reciprocity for active Louisiana Mechanical Contractors in good standing.
Mississippi	Trade exam waived	Bilateral reciprocity for active Mississippi HVAC Contractors.
Tennessee	Trade exam waived	Bilateral reciprocity for active Tennessee Contractor Mechanical license holders.

Arkansas maintains bilateral HVACR reciprocity agreements with most neighboring states. Reciprocal applicants must hold a current license in the originating state and submit proof of EPA Section 608 certification.

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

Step-by-Step Application Roadmap

Choose the classification. Class A (unlimited tonnage) or Class B (up to 25 tons cooling and 500,000 BTU heating). Specialty refrigeration categories also available.
Document qualifying HVACR experience. Two years (4,000 hours) for Class B or four years (8,000 hours) for Class A under a licensed HVACR contractor.
Obtain EPA Section 608 certification. Federal refrigerant handling certification is required before licensure and before any work involving refrigerants.
Submit the HVACR Licensing Board application. File with the Board including the experience affidavit, EPA 608 certificate, proof of insurance, and exam fee.
Pass the PSI HVACR exam at 75%. Covers the International Mechanical Code, Arkansas HVACR law, theory, and calculations.
Receive the HVACR license. The Board issues the license after the exam is passed and all documentation is verified.
Obtain the ACLB HVAC/Mechanical specialty license (if self-employed). File a separate ACLB application if you plan to contract HVAC work of $50,000 or more per project.

Common Filing Mistakes

Based on the board's own instructions and the sources cited here, the problems below are what most often stall a Arkansas HVAC application.

Skipping EPA 608

EPA Section 608 is federal and required before licensure. The Board will reject applications without the certificate attached.

Choosing Class B and outgrowing it

Class B caps at 25 tons cooling and 500,000 BTU heating per unit. Larger jobs require Class A, which means another full application and exam.

Forgetting general liability proof

Unlike individual electrician or plumber credentials, the HVACR Board requires proof of general liability insurance at application and renewal.

Confusing individual license with contractor license

The HVACR license authorizes you as an individual. Operating a contracting business for projects of $50,000 or more also requires an ACLB HVAC/Mechanical specialty license.

Missing continuing education

Eight hours of Board-approved CE per year is mandatory. Missing CE blocks renewal and can force re-examination if the license lapses.

Study and Reference Materials

The references below are either cited by the board, used during the application, or standard preparation for the trade. They are listed purely for convenience — CLR earns no commission on any of them.

International Mechanical Code (Arkansas-adopted edition) — International Code Council. Primary technical reference. Open-book at the PSI test center.
International Fuel Gas Code (Arkansas-adopted edition) — International Code Council. Required for gas-fired equipment questions.
Arkansas Code Title 17 Chapter 33 and HVACR Licensing Board Rules — State of Arkansas. Licensing law and rules.

Pre-Submission Checklist

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

☐ Documentation of qualifying HVACR experience (4,000 hours Class B; 8,000 hours Class A)
☐ EPA Section 608 certification
☐ Proof of general liability insurance meeting Board minimums
☐ HVACR Licensing Board application with fee
☐ PSI Arkansas HVACR exam pass certificate at 75%+
☐ Workers compensation coverage certificate for any contractor with three or more employees
☐ ACLB HVAC/Mechanical specialty license (if self-employed and projects $50,000+)

Other Arkansas Trade Licenses

CLR covers other Arkansas trades as well — the published guides below may be more relevant:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Arkansas HVACR Class A and Class B?

Class A has no tonnage or BTU limit and authorizes any HVACR work. Class B is limited to 25 tons cooling capacity and 500,000 BTU heating capacity per unit.

How many hours of experience does Arkansas require for HVACR licensure?

Class B requires 4,000 hours (two years) and Class A requires 8,000 hours (four years) of qualifying HVACR experience under a licensed contractor.

Is EPA Section 608 required?

Yes. Federal Section 608 certification is required before licensure and for any work involving refrigerants. The Board will not issue a license without proof of EPA 608.

Do I need both an HVACR license and an ACLB license?

Yes if you operate a self-employed HVAC contracting business with projects of $50,000 or more. The HVACR license authorizes you as an individual; the ACLB HVAC/Mechanical specialty license authorizes the business.

How often does the Arkansas HVACR license renew?

Annually. Renewal requires payment of the renewal fee, proof of continued insurance, and completion of Board-approved continuing education.

Primary Sources

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

Verified 2026-06-15 · Next scheduled review 2026-09-13