- No dollar exemption found. Household appliances and some other items are exempt from the HVACR law.
- Plan for a trade exam.
- Every year (licenses expire one year after issue). Four hours of approved continuing education each calendar year, two of them on the mechanical code.
Do you need a state license in Arkansas?
Arkansas licenses HVAC work at the state level through the Arkansas HVACR Licensing Board (Department of Labor and Licensing). Below is what the board asks for, in the order you will run into it.
No dollar exemption found. Household appliances and some other items are exempt from the HVACR law.
A state HVACR licensee does not need a city or county license for HVACR work, but local permits and inspections still apply where required.
Arkansas license types for HVAC work
Arkansas splits the work into 6 licenses. Pick the one that matches the jobs you take, since working outside its scope is the same as working without one.
| License | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Class A | HVACR work with no limit on BTUH or horsepower |
| Class B | Air conditioning up to 25 tons per unit, heating up to 1,000,000 BTUH input per unit, refrigeration 15 hp or less per unit |
| Class D | Sheet metal ductwork only, no equipment sales, installs or service |
| Class E | Refrigeration only, no comfort heating or air conditioning |
| Class L | Lifetime license for licensees 65 or older in good standing |
| Registration | Workers who do HVACR work under a Class A, B, D or E licensee |
Steps to get licensed in Arkansas
- Read the HVACR rules and meet the board requirements for your class. You must be at least 18.
- Mail a notarized HVACR contractor application to the Department of Labor and Licensing for exam approval.
- Pass the Prov exam for your class.
- Apply for the license and pay the license fee.
- Complete four hours of continuing education each calendar year and renew every year.
Experience and other requirements
Experience. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
The license to apply for. HVACR Class A or Class B license.
Arkansas HVAC exams
Trade exam. Yes. Contractor exams are given by Prov after board approval.
Business and law exam. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Separate from any state license, the EPA requires Section 608 certification for anyone who works on equipment with refrigerant. It is federal and applies in every state.
What it costs in Arkansas
The board lists 4 fees along the way. These are the state's own numbers. Insurance, any bond, exam prep and your business registration come on top.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Class A license (statutory amount) | $200 |
| Class B, D or E license (statutory amount) | $150 |
| Registration (statutory amount) | $25 |
| Class L lifetime license | No charge |
Insurance and bond
Insurance. The board may set a minimum general liability insurance level by rule for license classes. Check with the board for the amount.
Bond. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Renewal and licenses from other states
Renewal. Every year (licenses expire one year after issue). Four hours of approved continuing education each calendar year, two of them on the mechanical code.
Reciprocity. None. The HVACR board says it has no reciprocal licensing agreements with other states at this time.
Good to know in Arkansas
- Registration of workers under a licensee is renewed yearly and is the licensee's responsibility.
- Your HVACR license number must appear on all business vehicles and in all advertising.
- EPA Section 608 certification is a separate federal requirement for anyone handling refrigerant.
After you are licensed
The license lets you take the work. Getting the work is the next job.
- Register the business. If you work under a name other than your own, register it where your state asks (often the Secretary of State, sometimes the county), and keep the name the same on your license, your truck and your invoices.
- Claim your Google Business Profile. It is the listing people see when they search for HVAC repair near them. Fill in your service area, hours and real photos of your work.
- Put up a website that shows the license. Customers look for it before they call. Koira builds a contractor website for you and keeps it current.
- See where you stand. The free Koira report checks how your business shows up in search and on maps against shops near you.
Where this comes from
Every fact on this page comes from the Arkansas HVACR Licensing Board (Department of Labor and Licensing) and the official pages below, checked October 8, 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the board before you file.
More for your trade: how HVAC companies run on Koira.