Moving to Arkansas as a residential contractor: every state's rule

1. 1Law / code exam. Pass a law, rules, or code exam. Arkansas Business and Law examination, taken by the qualifying party and scheduled with PSI Services LLC: 50 multiple-choice questions, two hours, open book, tested only from the NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, Arkansas Edition. The passing mark is 35 correct answers (70%). The license can be approved but not released until the passing score is on file..
2. 2Exam fee. Pay the exam fee ($84). Paid to PSI when the Arkansas Business and Law examination is scheduled, for each attempt. Examination fees are not refundable or transferable..
3. 3Application fee. Pay the application fee ($100). Non-refundable, non-transferable application and licensing fee for a Residential Builder new application, payable to the Contractors Licensing Board. There is no separate issuance fee. A Residential Remodeler application costs $50..
4. 4Other. Three reference forms, completed by the referees themselves rather than the applicant and no more than 90 days old, showing four years of appropriate building experience. References from a supplier or banker are accepted only if that person has seen the work..
5. 5Background check. Complete a background check. The application asks whether the business, its officers, its qualifier or anyone owning 10% or more has ever pleaded guilty or no contest to, or been convicted of, a felony or misdemeanor other than a traffic violation; each yes needs a Criminal Background Information form, and signing the application authorizes the Board to obtain a criminal background check. A yes answer does not automatically disqualify. A waiver may be requested under Ark. Code Ann. § 17-3-102, and anyone with a record may petition the Committee before applying for a decision on whether it would disqualify them..
6. 6Financial responsibility. Show financial responsibility. Compiled balance sheet less than one year old, in the name of the applicant and showing positive net worth. A sole proprietor may file a personal balance sheet that excludes the personal residence, retirement accounts, stocks and bonds and the cash value of life insurance; a corporation, partnership or LLC files a business statement, and a Schedule L from the corporate tax return is accepted. No minimum net worth figure is set for residential licenses..
7. 7Insurance. Carry the required insurance. Current certificate of workers' compensation insurance if the business has one or more employees, as required by Ark. Code Ann. § 17-25-514. The license can be approved but not released without it..
8. 8Business license. Obtain a business license. A corporation, LLC, LP or LLP files its Articles or filings from the Arkansas Secretary of State's office with the application, together with any fictitious name registration..

Published fees on this path total $184, excluding exam-vendor fees, bonds, and insurance.