COM-U
ACLB · COMMERCIAL
Verify / Learn More ↗Commercial Contractor — Unrestricted
Commercial construction at or above the state threshold with no project-value cap under the supplied source.
Arkansas contractor intelligence
Arkansas Contractor License & Trade Guide
Arkansas uses a four-authority licensing model. The Contractors Licensing Board (ACLB) licenses commercial and residential building contractors, while separate state boards regulate electrical, HVACR, plumbing and gas. Arkansas trade designations such as ME, JE, Class A-E, MP and JP should be verified by credential type, while ACLB building and specialty work is routed by named classification.
Source-based build · verify live ACLB, Electrical, HVACR, Health and specialty-agency records before relying on a credential
Commercial threshold$50K
ACLB commercial licensing threshold in the supplied source.
Residential threshold$2K
Residential builder, remodeler or home-improvement licensing trigger.
State licensing authorities4
ACLB · Electrical · HVACR · Health.
Trade designations17
Electrical, HVACR, plumbing and gas credential labels in the source.
01 · Licensing model
How Arkansas Actually Licenses Contractors
Arkansas separates building-contractor licensing from individual and trade-board credentials. Start with the project type, value and trade scope, then verify the correct board and classification.
Arkansas is not a single-board contractor state.
Commercial and residential building work: route through the Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board. Electrical: verify Board of Electrical Examiners designations. HVACR: verify the HVACR Licensing Board class. Plumbing and gas: verify Department of Health credentials.
Critical routing rule: ACLB uses named classifications rather than embedded trade codes, and the supplied source says many specialty classifications require a separate trade credential from another Arkansas authority.
Use Arkansas licensing data and permit signals together to identify the right trade buyers earlier.
Get Started for FreeSee the 20 Data Points02 · Core licenses
Codes That Shape the Arkansas Market
These are the highest-value Arkansas contractor and trade credentials for routing permit-driven construction opportunities. ACLB building licenses are named classifications; trade-board designations are separate credentials.
COM-R
ACLB · COMMERCIAL
Verify / Learn More ↗Commercial Contractor — Restricted
Commercial and residential work up to $750,000 per project under the supplied source.
RES-B
ACLB · RESIDENTIAL
Verify / Learn More ↗Residential Building Contractor
Single-family residential building work over $2,000; source says it also covers remodeling.
HOME
ACLB · RESIDENTIAL
Verify / Learn More ↗Home Improvement Contractor
Specialty residential improvement work such as roofing, flooring and painting over $2,000.
ME
ELECTRICAL · BEE
Verify / Learn More ↗Master Electrician
State electrical designation administered through the Board of Electrical Examiners.
CLASS A
HVACR · LABOR
Verify / Learn More ↗HVACR Class A — Unlimited
Unlimited HVACR credential in the supplied source.
MP
HEALTH · PLUMBING
Verify / Learn More ↗Master Plumber
State plumbing credential administered through the Arkansas Department of Health.
GF
HEALTH · GAS
Verify / Learn More ↗Gas Fitter
State gas-fitting credential administered through the Arkansas Department of Health.
Match Arkansas permit activity to the credential class most likely to perform the work.
Get Started for FreeSee the 20 Data Points03 · Trade routing
Arkansas Trade Routing Guide
Use the exact Arkansas credential family that matches the work. This section preserves the supplied source’s distinction between ACLB classifications and separate trade-board designations.
COM-UCommercial · buildingCommercial Contractor — Unrestricted+
License / routing rule
Use for ACLB commercial building work at/above the licensing threshold with no restricted project cap.
Permit signals
Commercial new construction, additions, major renovations and tenant improvements.
Verify through
Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board.
TigerLeads use
Route major commercial building signals to active unrestricted commercial contractors.
COM-RCommercial · restrictedCommercial Contractor — Restricted+
License / routing rule
Use for commercial or residential projects up to the $750,000 restricted cap in the supplied source.
Permit signals
Mid-size commercial, residential and mixed-scope permits.
Verify through
Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board.
TigerLeads use
Keep project valuation below the restricted cap when routing.
RES-BResidential · builderResidential Building Contractor+
License / routing rule
Use for single-family home construction over the supplied $2,000 threshold; source says this credential also covers remodeling.
Permit signals
New single-family, residential additions and major remodels.
Verify through
Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board.
TigerLeads use
Route residential building signals to licensed residential builders.
RES-RMResidential · remodelResidential Remodeler+
License / routing rule
Use for major structural changes or additions to a single-family residence over $2,000.
Permit signals
Additions, structural remodels, whole-home renovations.
Verify through
Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board.
TigerLeads use
Separate structural remodelers from lighter home-improvement trades.
HOMEResidential · specialtyHome Improvement Contractor+
License / routing rule
Use for specialty residential work such as roofing, flooring and painting over $2,000.
Permit signals
Roof, flooring, painting, exterior and interior specialty permits.
Verify through
Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board.
TigerLeads use
Useful for below-GC specialty demand created by residential permit activity.
ME / JEElectricalElectrical Credentials+
License / routing rule
ME and JE are state electrical designations; also verify RME, RJE, ACE, IME or SIGN when scope calls for them.
Permit signals
Electrical service, wiring, new building, specialty sign and HVAC electrical work.
Verify through
Board of Electrical Examiners.
TigerLeads use
Route by exact electrical credential type and project scope.
A / BHVACRHVACR Class A / B+
License / routing rule
Class A is unlimited; Class B is limited to systems at or below 25 tons in the supplied source.
Permit signals
HVAC replacement, new mechanical systems, refrigeration and major equipment work.
Verify through
HVACR Licensing Board.
TigerLeads use
Match equipment size and scope to the correct HVACR class.
D / EHVACR specialtyDuctwork / Refrigeration+
License / routing rule
Class D covers ductwork/sheet metal; Class E covers refrigeration-only work in the supplied source.
Permit signals
Duct systems, kitchen/exhaust related sheet metal, refrigeration permits.
Verify through
HVACR Licensing Board.
TigerLeads use
Route narrow mechanical scopes to the appropriate specialty class.
MP / JPPlumbingMaster / Journeyman Plumber+
License / routing rule
Verify Arkansas Department of Health plumbing credentials for regulated plumbing work.
Permit signals
New plumbing, service, water/sewer, fixture and building plumbing permits.
Verify through
Arkansas Department of Health.
TigerLeads use
Use MP/JP status as the licensing gate for plumbing opportunities.
GF / WSLGas / utilityGas Fitter / Water & Sewer Line+
License / routing rule
GF routes gas fitting; WSL routes water and sewer service-line installation.
Permit signals
Gas piping, service lines, utility connections and related permits.
Verify through
Arkansas Department of Health.
TigerLeads use
Separate gas and service-line scopes from ordinary plumbing when possible.
**Cross-agencyACLB Specialty + Trade Credential+
License / routing rule
For marked ACLB specialty classes, the supplied source says the ACLB classification should be paired with a separate trade credential.
Permit signals
Electrical, HVACR, plumbing/gas, alarms, sprinklers, asbestos, wells and other specialty permits.
Verify through
ACLB plus the relevant specialty agency.
TigerLeads use
Do not clear a contractor on the ACLB classification alone when a second credential is required.
ROOFResidential · roofingResidential Roofer Registration+
License / routing rule
The source identifies a residential roofer registration for roofing/roof-deck/sheet-metal work over $2,000, with exceptions for builders/remodelers.
Permit signals
Roof replacement and repair permits.
Verify through
Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board.
TigerLeads use
Use roofing signals for specialty contractor and supplier outreach.
Turn Arkansas permit scope into the right contractor audience before competitors react.
Get Started for FreeSee the 20 Data Points04 · Credential directory
Arkansas Credential & Routing Directory
Searchable directory mixing official trade designations, ACLB routing labels and specialty-agency categories. Labels are routing aids, not proof of current licensure.
COM-U
Commercial Contractor — Unrestricted
ACLB commercial license with no restricted project cap.
COM-R
Commercial Contractor — Restricted
ACLB commercial license capped at $750,000 per project in the source.
SUB
Commercial Subcontractor Registration
ACLB specialty/subcontract registration tied to named classifications.
RES-B
Residential Building Contractor
Single-family building work over $2,000; also covers remodeling per source.
RES-RM
Residential Remodeler
Structural residential remodel/addition credential.
HOME
Home Improvement Contractor
Residential specialty-improvement credential.
ROOF
Residential Roofer Registration
Residential roofing registration route.
ME
Master Electrician
Electrical board designation.
JE
Journeyman Electrician
Electrical board designation.
RME
Residential Master Electrician
Residential electrical designation.
RJE
Residential Journeyman Electrician
Residential electrical designation.
ACE
Air Conditioning Electrician
Electrical designation for air-conditioning electrical work.
IME
Industrial Maintenance Electrician
Industrial maintenance electrical designation.
SIGN
Specialist Sign Electrician
Specialty sign electrical designation.
CLASS A
HVACR Class A
Unlimited HVACR credential.
CLASS B
HVACR Class B
Limited HVACR credential up to 25 tons in source.
CLASS C
HVACR Class C
Service-only class flagged in source as repealed/grandfathered nuance.
CLASS D
HVACR Class D
Ductwork / sheet metal HVACR class.
CLASS E
HVACR Class E
Refrigeration-only HVACR class.
MP
Master Plumber
Arkansas Department of Health plumbing credential.
JP
Journeyman Plumber
Arkansas Department of Health plumbing credential.
RP
Restricted Plumber
Restricted plumbing credential.
GF
Gas Fitter
State gas-fitting credential.
WSL
Water & Sewer Service Line Installer
Service-line installer credential.
ACLB-ELEC
Electrical Specialty Classification
ACLB electrical class; pair with trade-board credential when required.
ACLB-HVAC
HVACR Specialty Classification
ACLB HVACR class; pair with HVACR credential when required.
ACLB-PLBG
Plumbing Specialty Classification
ACLB plumbing class; pair with Health credential when required.
SPRINK
Sprinklers / Fire Protection
Specialty routing with separate agency credential check.
ALARM
Signal / Burglar / Fire Detection
Specialty routing with Arkansas State Police credential check.
BOILER
Boiler Construction & Repair
Specialty routing with Labor credential check.
ELEV
Elevators
Specialty routing with Labor credential check.
ASB
Asbestos
Specialty routing with environmental credential check.
UST
Underground Storage Tanks
Specialty routing with environmental certification check.
WELL
Water Wells
Specialty routing with Agriculture credential check.
SEPTIC
Septic Tank
Specialty routing with Health credential check.
LAND
Landscaping w/ Planting
Specialty routing with Agriculture/plant credential check.
05 · Permit intelligence
Permit Signals Worth Watching in Arkansas
Licensing tells you who may perform the work. Permit records tell you where likely demand is forming. Combine both, but never treat a permit as proof of an open bid.
New commercial building
COM-U · ME · A/B · MP
Commercial building + electrical + HVACR + plumbing
HIGHStrong multi-trade construction signal.
New single-family residence
RES-B · ME/RME · A/B · MP
Residential builder + electrical + HVACR + plumbing
HIGHMajor residential demand signal.
Residential addition / remodel
RES-RM · HOME
Remodeler + home-improvement specialties
HIGHUseful for trades not listed as the GC.
Roof permit
HOME · ROOF
Roofing contractor + materials suppliers
HIGHHigh-intent replacement/repair signal.
Electrical permit
ME · JE · specialty
Electrical contractor / licensed electrician
HIGHRoute by exact electrical work scope.
Mechanical / HVAC permit
CLASS A-E
HVACR contractor by equipment/scope
HIGHMatch equipment size and work type to class.
Plumbing / gas permit
MP · JP · GF · WSL
Plumbing, gas, service-line contractors
HIGHSeparate gas/service-line opportunities when scope allows.
Specialty / environmental permit
** · ASB · ALARM · WELL
ACLB specialty + second agency credential
MEDIUMVerify the cross-agency dependency before routing.
Use Arkansas permit activity to reach contractors, trades and suppliers while the project is still developing.
Get Started for FreeSee the 20 Data Points06 · Verification workflow
Verify Arkansas Before You Route
Arkansas requires a scope-first, multi-authority verification workflow. Do not assume one board record covers every trade.
01
Identify project type and value
Start with commercial vs. residential work and compare project value against the $50,000 commercial and $2,000 residential thresholds in the supplied source.
02
Match the ACLB classification
For building and specialty work, confirm the active ACLB license/registration and exact named classification.
03
Verify the second trade credential
Electrical, HVACR, plumbing/gas and several specialty classes may require a separate board or agency credential.
04
Use permit data as a signal
Permit scope, valuation, address, contractor and dates can indicate likely demand, but not bidding status or guaranteed opportunity.
See how TigerLeads turns permit records into structured opportunity intelligence.
Get Started for FreeSee the 20 Data Points07 · Official sources
Official Arkansas Sources
Use the issuing authority or governing program—not a third-party directory—as the final credential verification source.
01Arkansas Contractors Licensing BoardCommercial, residential and specialty contractor licensing↗02Board of Electrical ExaminersElectrical inspection and licensing↗03Arkansas HVACR Licensing BoardHVACR licensing through Labor↗04Arkansas Department of Health — Plumbing & GasPlumbing and natural-gas credential authority↗05Arkansas Department of AgricultureWater-well and agriculture specialty routing↗06Arkansas State PoliceAlarm and fire-detection specialty routing↗07Arkansas Department of Energy & EnvironmentAsbestos / environmental specialty routing↗08A.C.A. Title 17 Chapter 25Contractor licensing framework referenced by source↗09A.C.A. Title 17 Chapter 28Electrical licensing framework referenced by source↗10A.C.A. Title 17 Chapter 33HVACR licensing framework referenced by source↗11A.C.A. Title 17 Chapter 38Plumbing and gas framework referenced by source↗12TigerLeads Permit Data PointsHow permit fields become opportunity intelligence↗
08 · FAQ
Arkansas Contractor Licensing Questions
Answers below are based on the supplied Arkansas contractor-license source and should be re-verified against live state records when used operationally.
01Does Arkansas use one statewide contractor licensing agency?+
No. The supplied source separates ACLB building contractors from electrical, HVACR and Health trade credentials.
02When is an Arkansas commercial contractor license required?+
The supplied source states that commercial projects valued at $50,000 or more require an ACLB commercial license.
03What is the restricted commercial cap?+
The supplied source says the restricted commercial license is capped at $750,000 per project.
04When is an Arkansas residential contractor credential required?+
The source states that covered residential work over $2,000 in labor and materials needs the matching residential credential.
05What is a Residential Building Contractor?+
A credential for single-family building work over the residential threshold; the source also says it covers remodeling.
06What is a Residential Remodeler?+
A credential for major structural changes or additions to a single-family residence over the residential threshold.
07What is a Home Improvement Contractor?+
A residential specialty credential for work such as roofing, flooring and painting over the threshold.
08Does Arkansas use electrical license acronyms?+
Yes. The supplied source lists ME, JE, RME, RJE, ACE, IME and SIGN as electrical designations.
09What does ME mean in Arkansas?+
Master Electrician, administered through the Board of Electrical Examiners.
10What are Arkansas HVACR classes?+
The supplied source lists Classes A through E, including unlimited, limited, ductwork/sheet-metal and refrigeration-only scopes.
11What is HVACR Class A?+
The source describes Class A as the unlimited HVACR credential.
12What is HVACR Class B?+
The source describes Class B as limited to systems at or below 25 tons.
13What do MP and JP mean?+
Master Plumber and Journeyman Plumber under the Arkansas Department of Health.
14What does GF mean?+
Gas Fitter, a Department of Health credential listed in the supplied source.
15What does WSL mean?+
Water & Sewer Service Line Installer, listed in the supplied source.
16Are ACLB specialty classifications enough by themselves?+
Not always. The supplied source says many marked specialty classes require a second trade or agency credential.
17How should Arkansas permits be used in TigerLeads?+
As project signals that can indicate likely upcoming work; they are not proof of an open bid or guaranteed job.
18How should an Arkansas contractor be verified?+
Confirm the ACLB classification when applicable and separately verify the relevant electrical, HVACR, Health or specialty-agency credential.
Turn Arkansas Permits Into Earlier Opportunities.
TigerLeads helps contractors, trades and suppliers identify permit-driven project signals, understand the likely work behind the record and reach the market earlier.
