Arkansas Low Voltage Contractor License Requirements (2026)

The Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing Board of Electrical Examiners issues a Limited Electrical License covering low-voltage scope under A.C.A. §17-28. Burglar alarm, monitored CCTV, and access control require an Alarm Systems License from the Arkansas Department of Public Safety, Regulatory Services Division, under A.C.A. §17-40. Fire alarm work additionally requires registration with the Arkansas Fire Marshal's Office and conformance to NFPA 72. Pure structured cabling under 50 V is generally exempt from electrical licensing.

The Licensing Authority

Authority over this credential rests with Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board (ACLB), which issues and polices it under 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

Baseline Eligibility

The applicant must be at least 18 years of age and possess a valid Social Security Number. No Arkansas residency requirement.

Good moral character

The Board reviews criminal history. The Department of Public Safety disqualifies alarm applicants with felony convictions in the prior ten years involving moral turpitude.

Background investigation

The Department of Public Safety requires fingerprint-based State Police and FBI background checks for alarm qualifiers and every employee installer.

Experience and Education Requirements

At least 2 years of Limited Electrical: two years of supervised low-voltage experience under an Arkansas-licensed electrical contractor. Alarm Systems qualifier: two years of alarm-industry experience plus completion of an approved training course. has to be evidenced and confirmed. Retain payroll, tax, project, or supervisor records, since the board may audit the experience claimed.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

Board Experience Verification Form signed by each supervising contractor
W-2 statements covering the qualifying period
Approved alarm training course certificate
NICET Fire Alarm Systems certificates (recommended)

Education substitution

The Board credits accredited electrical or electronics technology coursework toward portions of the experience requirement.

The Licensing Examination

Testing is handled by PSI Services LLC under contract to the Board.. The applicant has to pass each part listed here before the credential is granted:

PSI Arkansas Limited Electrical (Low Voltage) Trade examination — 80 questions, 240 minutes, passing score 75%
PSI Arkansas Business and Law examination — 50 questions, 120 minutes, passing score 75%

Examination fee: $80 per part to PSI.

Retake policy: Failed parts may be re-taken after 30 days. The application file remains active for one year.

Financial Security and Insurance

No license surety bond is mandated statewide here under the cited sources, though project-specific or public-works bonding obligations can still attach to a given job.

General liability

The Board does not impose a state minimum general liability for the Limited Electrical license. The Department of Public Safety requires alarm businesses to maintain minimum $100,000/$300,000 combined liability under A.C.A. §17-40-307.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation is mandatory under A.C.A. §11-9 for any business with three or more employees.

Additional financial requirements

No financial statement required.

Fee Schedule

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

To turn these board fees into a realistic year-one budget — bond premium, liability insurance, and exam prep included — open the cost calculator preloaded for Arkansas low voltage.

License Renewal

The Arkansas Limited Electrical License (Low Voltage) and Department of Public Safety Alarm Systems License must be renewed every year. The fee to renew is presently $100. Limited Electrical renews annually; DPS Alarm Systems renews biennially.

Continuing education: The Board requires continuing education hours per renewal cycle including a code update. DPS requires periodic alarm-industry refresher training.

Downloadable Asset

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

Download the PDF roadmap →

Reciprocity Map

Arkansas grants no NASCLA reciprocity for this classification.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
Mississippi	Reciprocity	Bilateral electrical reciprocity for active limited electrical license holders.
Tennessee	Reciprocity	Bilateral electrical reciprocity for active license holders.

Arkansas has limited reciprocity with neighboring states for the electrical license. Alarm Systems credentials are not reciprocal.

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

Low Voltage Licensing in Neighboring States

Contractors working near a state line, or weighing where to qualify first, should compare Arkansas's requirements against the bordering jurisdictions before committing to an application:

Louisiana Low Voltage License Requirements — Louisiana LSLBC Specialty Contractor (7-39 Telecommunications, 7-12 Sound and Video, 7-13 Fire Alarm) and Office of State Fire Marshal Life Safety License
Mississippi Low Voltage License Requirements — Mississippi State Board of Contractors Specialty Classification (Communications, Sound, Fire Alarm) and State Fire Marshal Permit
Missouri Low Voltage License Requirements — Missouri Local Electrical Contractor License (Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield) and State Fire Marshal Fire Alarm Permit
Oklahoma Low Voltage License Requirements — Oklahoma Construction Industries Board Limited Electrical Contractor and Alarm / Locksmith Industry License
Tennessee Low Voltage License Requirements — Tennessee Contractor License with CE-C (Communication / Low Voltage) Classification, Limited Licensed Electrician (LLE), and Alarm Systems Contractor
Texas Low Voltage License Requirements — Texas DPS Private Security Bureau Class B Security Company License (Alarm / CCTV / Access Control) and TDLR Electrical Sign / Low-Voltage Endorsements

The Licensing Roadmap

Document two years of supervised experience. Compile Board Experience Verification Forms signed by Arkansas-licensed contractors covering two years.
Pass the PSI Limited Electrical Trade and Business and Law exams. Score 75% on each.
File the Board application. Submit with the $100 fee, exam pass certificates, and qualifying agent designation.
Apply for DPS Alarm Systems License (if applicable). File the DPS application with the $300 fee, qualifier training certificate, fingerprint cards, and proof of $100,000/$300,000 liability.
Register every alarm installer with DPS. Each employee installer must clear State Police / FBI fingerprint background.
Receive credentials and begin work. Limited Electrical issues within 30 – 60 days; DPS Alarm Systems within 60 – 90 days.

Preparation Resources

The list below collects the board's cited references and the materials applicants typically study from. CLR is not paid to recommend any of them.

National Electrical Code (NFPA 70), Arkansas-adopted edition — NFPA. Open book at the PSI exam.
Arkansas Limited Electrical PSI Candidate Information Bulletin — PSI. Official content outline.
NFPA 72 — National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code — NFPA. Required for fire alarm content.

Before Filing: A Checklist

Have each of the following squared away before the packet goes to ACLB:

Two years of supervised low-voltage experience
PSI Limited Electrical Trade exam pass at 75%
PSI Arkansas Business and Law exam pass at 75%
Board application with $100 fee
DPS Alarm Systems License (if applicable)
State Police / FBI fingerprint cards (DPS)

Common Application Pitfalls

The errors below are the ones that most frequently cost Arkansas Low Voltage applicants time, drawn from the cited board guidance.

Skipping the DPS Alarm Systems License

The Limited Electrical License does not authorize burglar alarm or monitored CCTV. DPS licensure under §17-40 is independent and required.

Forgetting Fire Marshal registration

Fire alarm contractors must register with the Arkansas Fire Marshal's Office in addition to DPS.

Missing the 75% passing score

Arkansas requires a 75% passing score on PSI exams — higher than most states. Plan study time accordingly.

Underestimating workers comp threshold

Arkansas requires workers comp for any business with three or more employees. Lapses trigger automatic suspension.

Letting fingerprint clearance lapse

DPS requires every alarm installer to maintain current State Police / FBI fingerprint clearance.

Other Arkansas Trade Licenses

Looking at a different trade? CLR also publishes these Arkansas licensing guides:

Answers to Common Questions

Does Arkansas have a low-voltage contractor license?

The Board of Electrical Examiners issues a Limited Electrical License for low-voltage scope under A.C.A. §17-28.

Who licenses burglar and fire alarm contractors?

The Arkansas Department of Public Safety Regulatory Services Division under A.C.A. §17-40. Fire alarm additionally requires Fire Marshal registration.

How much experience is required?

Two years of supervised low-voltage experience under an Arkansas-licensed contractor.

Does NICET waive the PSI exam?

No. NICET supports the fire alarm endorsement but does not substitute for the Board exam.

How often does the Limited Electrical license renew?

Annually. DPS Alarm Systems licenses renew every two years.

Primary Sources

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

Verified 2026-05-01 · Next scheduled review 2026-07-30