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1. Is a Licensed Contractor Required?

RESIDENTIAL: 

(1) A person who acts as a residential building contractor in the construction of his or her residence unless he or she builds more than one (1) residence during any calendar year;  

(2) The owner of a single-family residence acting as his or her own home improvement contractor on his or her own property;  

(3) A person or entity acting as a residential building contractor or a home improvement contactor on any project, when the cost of the work done or to be done does not exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000).  

COMMERCIAL: 

(1) A person or entity acts as a contractor in the construction, erection, alteration, demolition, or repair of his or her own or its on property, such action shall not result in the person’s or entity’s being required to obtain a license, but the person or entity shall comply with all other provisions of this chapter. 

(2) If the cost of the work to be done (including materials and labor) does not exceed $50,000 dollars.   

These exceptions shall not apply to projects intended for lease, rent, resale or public access. 

2. When am I required to use a Licensed Tradesman to do the work?

(1)  A Master or Journeyman licensed electrician, plumber, HVAC professional is required to perform work other than replacement of existing fixtures, appliances, or similar devices in a building other than the person’s primary residence. 

(2)  The exemption from a licensed professional does not exempt from the permit and inspection requirement for work requiring such. 

17-28-102. Construction and exemptions 

(b) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require an individual to hold a license before doing electrical work on his or her primary residence except as otherwise required by state law, rules, regulations, or local ordinances. The exemption from compliance with the licensing standards shall not be referred to in any way and shall not be any evidence of the lack of negligence or the exercise of due care by a party at a trial of any civil action to recover damages by any party.

17-38-302. Exemptions. The licensing provisions of this chapter shall not apply to: (1) Plumbing work done by a property owner in a building owned and occupied by him or her as his or her home except when the license is required by local ordinance; 

(3) Minor repairs consisting of repairing minor working parts of plumbing, fixtures, or the removal of stoppages 

3. Applicable Building Codes and Standards

2021 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code 

Vol I    Fire Code    (IFC)

Vol II    Building Code  (IBC) 

Vol III   Residential Building Code (IRC) 

 

2021 Arkansas Mechanical Code 

2020 National Electrical Code (NEC) 

2018 Arkansas Fuel Gas Code 

2018 Arkansas Plumbing Code 

2018 Arkansas Energy Code 

2021 International Property Maintenance Code