Arkansas Solar Contractor License Requirements (2026)

Arkansas issues no standalone solar PV license but does license solar thermal directly. Solar PV electrical work is regulated under Ark. Code §17-28 by the Division of Labor Electrical Examiners and requires an Arkansas Electrical Contractor (or Master/Journeyman Electrician supervision) — every worker on site must be at least a registered apprentice. Mounting, roof penetrations and structural work fall under the Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board (CLB) Residential or Commercial Building Construction classification ($2,000 residential / $50,000 commercial threshold). Solar thermal hot water uses one of three dedicated CLB classifications: Restricted Solar Mechanic, Supervising Solar Mechanic, or Solar Mechanic Trainee. NABCEP PV Installation Professional is voluntary.

The Licensing Authority

Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board (ACLB) is the statutory authority responsible for issuing and enforcing this license 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

Eligibility begins with two baseline checks: the applicant must be 18 or older and must provide a valid Social Security Number. No Arkansas residency requirement.

Good moral character

Division of Labor reviews criminal history.

Background investigation

Mandatory criminal history disclosure on the application.

Experience and Education Requirements

The experience bar is four years and 8,000 hours of practical electrical experience under a licensed Arkansas electrical contractor, and it must be backed by verifiable records — typically payroll, tax, project, or supervisor documentation covering the claimed period.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

Division of Labor experience affidavits signed by Arkansas Electrical Contractors
Certified payroll covering the qualifying period
Arkansas-registered apprenticeship completion certificate

Education substitution

Arkansas-registered apprenticeship satisfies the experience requirement.

The Licensing Examination

Prometric (under contract to Division of Labor) administers the required examination. Each part below must be passed before the license will issue:

Arkansas Master Electrician Examination — NEC, business and law — 100 questions, 240 minutes, passing score 75%

Examination fee: $100 examination fee.

Retake policy: Failed exams may be retaken after 30 days.

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

Division of Labor requires $300,000 commercial general liability minimum for electrical contractors.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation insurance is mandatory under Ark. Code §11-9 for any business with three or more employees.

Additional financial requirements

Contractors Licensing Board requires a financial statement for the $50K+ commercial contractor license.

Fee Schedule

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

License Renewal

The Arkansas Electrical Contractor License + Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board Solar/Electrical Classification must be renewed every year. The fee to renew is presently $100. Arkansas Electrical Contractor licenses renew annually.

Continuing education: Eight hours of Division of Labor-approved CE annually.

Downloadable Asset

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

Download the PDF roadmap →

Reciprocity Map

Arkansas honors the NASCLA Accredited Examination toward this classification.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
Oklahoma	Trade exam waived	Limited Arkansas–Oklahoma reciprocity (verify with the board; solar-specific reciprocity is rare).
Texas	Trade exam waived	Limited Arkansas–TDLR reciprocity (verify with the board; solar-specific reciprocity is rare).
Tennessee	Trade exam waived	Limited Arkansas–TBLC reciprocity (verify with the board; solar-specific reciprocity is rare).

Arkansas accepts the NASCLA Accredited Examination for the Contractors Licensing Board and maintains limited electrical reciprocity (electrical only; solar-specific reciprocity is rare) with neighboring states.

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

The Licensing Roadmap

Document four years and 8,000 hours of electrical experience. Compile experience affidavits and payroll records.
Pass the Arkansas Master Electrician exam at 75%. Prometric administers the exam.
Apply for the Arkansas Electrical Contractor license. File with the Division of Labor.
File the certificate of insurance. $300K CGL minimum.
For projects over $50K: Apply for the CLB license. Separate from the Electrical Contractor license.
Receive the credentials. Division of Labor issues the Electrical Contractor license; CLB issues the commercial license.
Pull local building and electrical permits per project. Each Arkansas jurisdiction requires local permits.

Preparation Resources

These materials are drawn from the regulator's own citations and the references applicants commonly use to prepare. CLR receives no compensation for listing them.

NEC Article 690 — Solar Photovoltaic Systems — NFPA. Primary technical reference.
Ark. Code §17-28 — State of Arkansas. Statutory framework.
Prometric Arkansas Master Electrician Candidate Information Bulletin — Prometric. Free PDF outlining exam content.

Before Filing: A Checklist

Before submitting to ACLB, the applicant should have each of the following ready:

☐ Four years and 8,000 hours of documented electrical experience
☐ Master Electrician examination pass
☐ Arkansas Electrical Contractor license
☐ $300K commercial general liability insurance minimum
☐ Workers' compensation coverage
☐ CLB commercial license (for projects over $50K)
☐ Local building and electrical permits per project

Common Application Pitfalls

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

Forgetting the CLB threshold

Solar projects over $50K require the Contractors Licensing Board license in addition to the Electrical Contractor license.

Missing the 8-hour CE

Mandatory annually.

Letting workers compensation lapse

Mandatory for any business with three or more employees.

Treating solar thermal as plumbing

Arkansas has dedicated Solar Mechanic classifications under the CLB — apply under those, not Master Plumber.

Skipping local permits

State licensure does not exempt you from city/county permits.

Other Arkansas Trade Licenses

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

Answers to Common Questions

Does Arkansas have a solar license?

No. Solar PV is regulated as electrical work under the Division of Labor Electrical Contractor license.

Is NABCEP required?

No. NABCEP is voluntary in Arkansas.

When do I need a CLB license?

For solar projects over $50,000 (commercial) or $2,000 (residential home improvement).

What about solar thermal?

Arkansas has three dedicated CLB solar thermal classifications: Restricted Solar Mechanic, Supervising Solar Mechanic, and Solar Mechanic Trainee.

Does Arkansas reciprocate?

Yes. Arkansas accepts the NASCLA exam and maintains limited electrical reciprocity (electrical only; solar-specific reciprocity is rare) with Oklahoma, Texas, and Tennessee.

Primary Sources

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

Verified 2026-06-13 · Next scheduled review 2026-09-11