Arkansas Electrician License Requirements

Official classification: Master Electrician / Journeyman Electrician · Issued by the Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners, Department of Labor and Licensing.

⚡ ElectricianAR ✔ Verified 2026-06-26

In Arkansas, electricians must hold the Master Electrician / Journeyman Electrician, issued by the Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners, Department of Labor and Licensing, and no state surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed electrician in Arkansas

Follow these steps to earn your Master Electrician / Journeyman Electrician. Every figure is verified against the Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners, Department of Labor and Licensing; full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. Journeyman: 8,000 hours (approximately 4 years) of on-the-job training under a licensed electrician OR completion of a U.S. Department of Labor-approved 4-year electrical apprenticeship program. Master: minimum 2,000 additional hours (approximately 1 year) of experience as a licensed journeyman electrician, OR 6 years of construction industry experience with at least 2 years as a journeyman electrician, OR electrical engineering degree with 2 years of construction experience.
Pass the Arkansas Journeyman Electrician Exam and Arkansas Master Electrician Exam exams. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Line up insurance. You'll need liability insurance (Not mandated for licensing (but recommended for business coverage)), and workers' compensation coverage.
Clear the background check. Drug test required
Meet the credit / financial requirement. —
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners, Department of Labor and Licensing — $25 (journeyman) / $50 (master) initial license, per Ark. Code 17-28-301 application fee, plus a Included in the application fee license fee. Processing time: 2-4 weeks for application; 3-4 weeks for reciprocity.
Keep the license active. Renew annual — expires the last day of the month one year after issue, completing 8 hours of continuing education per National Electrical Code cycle (a ~3-year cycle), all NEC-related (per Ark. Code 17-28-311).

License types

Journeyman Electrician — Install, maintain, and modify electrical systems under supervision or independently perform electrical work after meeting experience and exam requirements
Master Electrician — Design, supervise, and authorize electrical work; can supervise journeymen and apprentices; responsible for compliance with electrical codes and safety standards

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	Journeyman: 8,000 hours (approximately 4 years) of on-the-job training under a licensed electrician OR completion of a U.S. Department of Labor-approved 4-year electrical apprenticeship program. Master: minimum 2,000 additional hours (approximately 1 year) of experience as a licensed journeyman electrician, OR 6 years of construction industry experience with at least 2 years as a journeyman electrician, OR electrical engineering degree with 2 years of construction experience.
Application fee	$25 (journeyman) / $50 (master) initial license, per Ark. Code 17-28-301
License fee	Included in the application fee
Renewal fee	$25/year (journeyman) / $50/year (master)
Renewal period	Annual — expires the last day of the month one year after issue
Continuing education	8 hours of continuing education per National Electrical Code cycle (a ~3-year cycle), all NEC-related (per Ark. Code 17-28-311).
Bond required	No surety bond is required by the state Board of Electrical Examiners (none appears in Ark. Code Title 17 Ch. 28).
Liability insurance	Not mandated for licensing (but recommended for business coverage)
Property damage	—
Workers' comp	Required if 1 or more employees
Background check	Drug test required
Credit requirement	—
Reciprocity	Alaska; Colorado; Idaho; Iowa; Louisiana; Maine; Minnesota; Montana; Nebraska; New Hampshire; New Mexico; North Dakota; Oklahoma; South Dakota; Texas; Vermont; Wisconsin; Wyoming
Processing time	2-4 weeks for application; 3-4 weeks for reciprocity

Exams

Arkansas Journeyman Electrician Exam	Provider: PROV · Passing: Not published by the board · Fee: $80
Arkansas Master Electrician Exam	Provider: PROV · Passing: Not published by the board · Fee: $80

Preparing for the Electrician exam? State-specific contractor exam-prep courses help you pass the first time. Start exam prep →

Local / municipal notes

Electrical contractors in Arkansas are licensed under the Board of Electrical Examiners. Arkansas operates primarily under a statewide licensing system; municipal licensing is subsumed under state authority.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Arkansas electrician license cost?

Application: $25 (journeyman) / $50 (master) initial license, per Ark. Code 17-28-301. License: Included in the application fee. Renewal: $25/year (journeyman) / $50/year (master).

Do electricians in Arkansas need a surety bond?

No surety bond is required by the state Board of Electrical Examiners (none appears in Ark. Code Title 17 Ch. 28).

What experience is required for a Arkansas electrician license?

Journeyman: 8,000 hours (approximately 4 years) of on-the-job training under a licensed electrician OR completion of a U.S. Department of Labor-approved 4-year electrical apprenticeship program. Master: minimum 2,000 additional hours (approximately 1 year) of experience as a licensed journeyman electrician, OR 6 years of construction industry experience with at least 2 years as a journeyman electrician, OR electrical engineering degree with 2 years of construction experience.

Is insurance required for electricians in Arkansas?

Liability: Not mandated for licensing (but recommended for business coverage) Workers' compensation: Required if 1 or more employees

How often must a Arkansas electrician license be renewed?

Annual — expires the last day of the month one year after issue. Continuing education: 8 hours of continuing education per National Electrical Code cycle (a ~3-year cycle), all NEC-related (per Ark. Code 17-28-311).

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-06-26 — always confirm current requirements directly with the Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners, Department of Labor and Licensing before applying. This is not legal advice.