Browse Arkansas Contractor Classifications
Exam prep for the Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board.
Arkansas Commercial General Building Contractor (NASCLA) Exam Prep
Choose your access term:
Choose Plan & EnrollGetting your Arkansas contractor license? Contractor Pathway offers an original, exam-focused study guide and four full-length practice exams for every Arkansas classification that requires a state board exam — currently 4 courses across Electrical, HVAC / Mechanical and Building / General Contractor. Choose your classification below and study with 30-, 60-, or 90-day access at $99, $129, and $169. Many Arkansas classifications also require passing a separate Business & Law exam — and that course is included free with any trade course in your cart for the matching term.
Who licenses contractors in Arkansas
These are the Arkansas classifications we build exam prep for, each licensed by its responsible board:
| Trade area | Licensing authority | Exam basis |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical | Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners | National Electrical Code (NEC) |
| HVAC / Mechanical | Arkansas HVACR Licensing Board | Mechanical & fuel-gas codes, EPA 608 |
| Building / General Contractor | Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board | Adopted building code (IBC / IRC) |
Always confirm the current code edition, experience requirements, fees, and passing score with the board and testing vendor before you schedule. Contractor Pathway is an independent exam-prep provider and is not affiliated with any Arkansas board or testing vendor.
How to get licensed in Arkansas
- Meet the experience requirement. Each classification requires documented on-the-job hours (and, for senior licenses, time as a licensed journeyman). A registered apprenticeship is a common path.
- Apply to the board for your trade, submit fees and proof of experience, and get approved to test.
- Pass the exam. Arkansas trade exams are typically open book against the adopted code, with a passing score commonly around 70%. Speed at finding and applying the right code section is what separates passers from re-testers.
- Hold and renew the license on its cycle, including any continuing-education and code-update hours.
Choose your Arkansas classification
Each course includes a comprehensive 5,000-plus-word study guide — worked calculations, code-section breakdowns, common exam traps, a glossary, and a 30/60/90-day study plan — plus four full-length practice exams matched to the topic weightings of the Arkansas test.
Arkansas contractor licensing — FAQ
Who licenses contractors in Arkansas?
The Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board, within the Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing. A license is required for commercial and residential construction of $20,000 or more – commercial applicants generally need five years of experience and an audited financial statement, while residential applicants need four years.
What exam does Arkansas require?
All first-time applicants must pass the Arkansas Business and Law exam (in addition to the trade exam for their classification). It is administered by Prometric, the passing score is 70%, and the exam fee is $84.
What is on the Arkansas Business and Law exam?
State and tax law, financial management, business math, estimating and bidding, liens, contracts, employment regulations, safety, and record-keeping – the part most applicants find hardest. The Board suggests the NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, Arkansas Edition as the study reference.
How is the Arkansas exam administered?
The Business and Law exam is taken at a Prometric test center (register at prometric.com/arkansas). Confirm the current open-book/reference policy, question count, and content outline in the Arkansas candidate information bulletin before you test.
How long should I study for the Arkansas exam?
Most candidates do well on a 30-, 60-, or 90-day plan depending on experience, which is why we offer access at all three terms ($99 / $129 / $169). Each guide includes a day-by-day study plan.