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HVAC license · Arkansas

How to get an HVAC contractor license in Arkansas: the official requirements

The HVACR Class A or Class B license license, the experience and training it takes, the exam and how to apply, from the HVACR Licensing Board, Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing.

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Updated Nov 9, 2026 · Requirements: each state's HVAC licensing authority or its rules
Quick answer

In Arkansas, the statewide HVAC license is a contractor license, issued by the HVACR Licensing Board, Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing. An HVACR license from the HVACR Licensing Board. Class A covers HVACR work with no capacity limit; Class B covers air conditioning systems up to 25 tons cooling or 1,000,000 BTUH heating input per unit and refrigeration systems of 15 horsepower or less per unit. The licensee responsible for the work is the designated license holder. Apprentice or trainee registration: Employees of a designated license holder who do HVACR work hold an HVACR registration (registrants): they do not hold a Class A, B, D or E license and can only work for an HVACR licensee. Registrants must be at least 18. Experience and training: Applicants with no licensing background show at least two years of experience as an HVACR contractor or as an employee of one, documented by records, affidavits or evidence from current or former employers. The Board may accept approved HVACR-related education in place of experience. The application needs a separate employer affidavit for each employer. Licensing exam: A Board-approved examination, unless you already hold a license in another state; Class A, B, D and E exams are offered at least four times a year. How to apply: Apply to the Department of Labor and Licensing on the HVACR Board's license application, with an employer affidavit for each employer whose experience you claim. Do not send payment with the application; incomplete forms are not accepted.

Requirements

Arkansas HVAC contractor license requirements

Data
Arkansas HVAC license requirements (HVACR Licensing Board, Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing)
RequirementArkansas
License you apply forAn HVACR license from the HVACR Licensing Board. Class A covers HVACR work with no capacity limit; Class B covers air conditioning systems up to 25 tons cooling or 1,000,000 BTUH heating input per unit and refrigeration systems of 15 horsepower or less per unit. The licensee responsible for the work is the designated license holder.
Apprentice or trainee registrationEmployees of a designated license holder who do HVACR work hold an HVACR registration (registrants): they do not hold a Class A, B, D or E license and can only work for an HVACR licensee. Registrants must be at least 18.
Experience and trainingApplicants with no licensing background show at least two years of experience as an HVACR contractor or as an employee of one, documented by records, affidavits or evidence from current or former employers. The Board may accept approved HVACR-related education in place of experience. The application needs a separate employer affidavit for each employer.
Classroom hoursNot stated in the official source we read. Check with the HVACR Licensing Board, Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing.
Licensing examA Board-approved examination, unless you already hold a license in another state; Class A, B, D and E exams are offered at least four times a year.
How to applyApply to the Department of Labor and Licensing on the HVACR Board's license application, with an employer affidavit for each employer whose experience you claim. Do not send payment with the application; incomplete forms are not accepted.
Background checkNo criminal background check is required. The Board may ask about criminal convictions when you apply or renew, and the application asks whether you have been convicted of a felony.
State feesLicense fee: Class A $200 a year, Class B $150 a year. Registrant fee $25 a year. Exam fee $100 for each Class A, B, D or E exam. Wait until the Board instructs you before paying.
License termOne year: licenses expire on the last day of the month one year after they were issued.
Continuing educationNot stated in the official source we read. Check with the HVACR Licensing Board, Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing.

Where the official source we read does not state something, the table says so rather than guessing. Fees shown are the licensing authority's own. Fees charged by exam vendors, schools, apprenticeship programs, fingerprint vendors and application portals are not included.

This page covers the HVAC license issued by the state. Cities and counties can have their own registration, permit or license rules; ask the local building department where you will work.

Steps

How to get licensed in Arkansas

Data
  1. Work in HVACR as a registered employee (registrant) of a licensed HVACR contractor; you must be at least 18.
  2. Build at least two years of experience as an HVACR contractor or an employee of one.
  3. Send the HVACR license application to the Department of Labor and Licensing with an affidavit from each employer whose experience you claim.
  4. Pass the Board-approved examination for your class.
  5. Renew the license every year.
Next

Go further

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FAQ

Questions people ask

How do I get an HVAC contractor license in Arkansas?
In Arkansas, the statewide HVAC license is a contractor license, issued by the HVACR Licensing Board, Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing. An HVACR license from the HVACR Licensing Board. Class A covers HVACR work with no capacity limit; Class B covers air conditioning systems up to 25 tons cooling or 1,000,000 BTUH heating input per unit and refrigeration systems of 15 horsepower or less per unit. The licensee responsible for the work is the designated license holder. Apprentice or trainee registration: Employees of a designated license holder who do HVACR work hold an HVACR registration (registrants): they do not hold a Class A, B, D or E license and can only work for an HVACR licensee. Registrants must be at least 18. Experience and training: Applicants with no licensing background show at least two years of experience as an HVACR contractor or as an employee of one, documented by records, affidavits or evidence from current or former employers. The Board may accept approved HVACR-related education in place of experience. The application needs a separate employer affidavit for each employer. Licensing exam: A Board-approved examination, unless you already hold a license in another state; Class A, B, D and E exams are offered at least four times a year. How to apply: Apply to the Department of Labor and Licensing on the HVACR Board's license application, with an employer affidavit for each employer whose experience you claim. Do not send payment with the application; incomplete forms are not accepted.
What experience do I need for an Arkansas HVAC contractor license?
Applicants with no licensing background show at least two years of experience as an HVACR contractor or as an employee of one, documented by records, affidavits or evidence from current or former employers. The Board may accept approved HVACR-related education in place of experience. The application needs a separate employer affidavit for each employer.
Is there an apprentice or trainee license in Arkansas?
Employees of a designated license holder who do HVACR work hold an HVACR registration (registrants): they do not hold a Class A, B, D or E license and can only work for an HVACR licensee. Registrants must be at least 18.
Do I need to pass an exam for an Arkansas HVAC contractor license?
A Board-approved examination, unless you already hold a license in another state; Class A, B, D and E exams are offered at least four times a year.
How long is an Arkansas HVAC contractor license good for?
One year: licenses expire on the last day of the month one year after they were issued.
How much does an Arkansas HVAC contractor license cost?
License fee: Class A $200 a year, Class B $150 a year. Registrant fee $25 a year. Exam fee $100 for each Class A, B, D or E exam. Wait until the Board instructs you before paying. Fees shown are the licensing authority's own. Fees charged by exam vendors, schools, apprenticeship programs, fingerprint vendors and application portals are not included.
Method

How this page is built

Each fact on this page comes from the HVACR Licensing Board, Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing and the rules it publishes (sources named below), read on the dates shown, with the exact wording we relied on kept on file. Requirements and fees change; the HVACR Licensing Board, Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing's current instructions govern. We re-read each state's sources every six months (next review by May 10, 2027).

What this page can't tell you
  • Not legal advice.
  • Licensing rules can change. Verify current requirements with the issuing agency.
  • Fees shown are the licensing authority's own. Fees charged by exam vendors, schools, apprenticeship programs, fingerprint vendors and application portals are not included.
  • This page covers the HVAC license issued by the state. Cities and counties can have their own registration, permit or license rules; ask the local building department where you will work.
  • This page covers the contractor license named above. Specialty, limited and out-of-state (reciprocity) licenses have their own rules.
Sources
  1. Arkansas HVACR Licensing Board, Department of Labor and Licensing, 17 CAR Part 261, Rules Pertaining to the Licensing of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Contractors, official source, read Nov 9, 2026.
  2. Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing, HVACR Board, HVACR License Application (Rev. 8/23), official source, read Nov 9, 2026.