Become a General Contractor in Arkansas
Arkansas provides for several different types of contractor licensure, each requiring testing as a prerequisite. While general contractor is not one of the license types offered, residential builder and heavy construction licensing are. Any individual or company that plans to perform a single project with a total valuation of $20,000 or more must first obtain a license before permits will be issued. If you are currently a licensed general contractor in the states of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi or Tennessee, you may qualify for a license based on reciprocal agreements in those states.
Instructions
Reciprocal License Application
1. Download the Reciprocal Agreement From from the Arkansas State Contractor's License Board (see Resources). Read the instruction to verify that you meet the requirements before continuing. The form is actually three pages long and contains instructions the Reciprocal Form and a Reciprocal Affidavit.
2. Fill out the upper portion of the Reciprocal Form with your company or personal contact information.
3. Have the state board from the state in which you hold a license fill out the bottom of the Reciprocal Form.
4. Complete the Reciprocal Affidavit that is included with the Reciprocal Agreement Form but do not sign it. The affidavit is the legal form where you legally swear that the information you provided in the Reciprocal Form is true and correct to the best of your knowledge. Since there are potential legal ramifications for deceitful answers, the state requires this document to be notarized to prove that you were indeed the one who filled it out and submitted it.
5. Take the Reciprocal Affidavit to a notary public and have it notarized. You will need to bring proof of identification and sign the form in the presence of the notary.
6. Return the completed reciprocal application forms to the address provided in the packet. Regardless of your location in Arkansas all forms are mailed to the same processing center.
Standard Applications
7. Register to take the Arkansas Business and Law exam with Prometrics, the company that administers the test, by either calling 1-888-763-0131 or by visiting the company website (see Resources). They will assist you with times and finding the closest location. There is a $75 test fee as of 2010. You need to register for the AR04 program, exam 100.
8. Take the test at the appointed time and place. As of 2010, the exam is a 50-question open book test with a two-hour time limit. The current reference/study material is the "Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, Third Edition, Arkansas." You may purchase this from the Contractors Licensing Board or directly from the publisher, the National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies.
9. Download the New Applicant Commercial or Residential Questionnaire Form from the State Licensing Board's website (see Resources).
10. Familiarize yourself with the packet by thoroughly reading the application, making note of any supporting documentation you will need to provide such as references, financial data and insurance certificates. Verify that you meet all requirements for the type of contractor license being applied for. Not meeting just one requirement will usually result in your application being rejected.
11. Complete the application, but remember not to sign it until you are in the presence of a notary public. The application will ask for personal as well as company structure and ownership related data. You will also have to list any experience that directly supports your application.
12. Compile a balance sheet and include it with the application. If you are applying for a commercial license, this balance sheet must be audited by an independent auditor. Your accountant or bookkeeper should be able to refer you to someone.
13. Provide three references using the provided forms in the application. These references must show a minimum experience of four years (five for commercial applicants), as well as a scope of experience that justifies the issuance of a contractor license.
14. Include a copy of your Business and Law exam score. If you have not yet received the official notification, you may provide an unofficial result for application purposes. Your application can be approved with only the unofficial score, but your license will not be awarded until the official score is provided to the Licensing Board.
15. Provide proof of workers' compensation and general liability insurance, as well as proof of bonding (commercial applicants only).
16. Make out a check to the Contractors Licensing Board for $100, as of 2010, to cover the filing fee.
17.Bring the completed application to a notary public to have the application notarized. Sign the application in front of the notary.
18. Return the completed packet, with the fee and all required supporting documentation to the Contractors Licensing Board at the address listed on the application.
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