HVAC Technician License Requirements in Arkansas
- Training hours
- —
- Upfront cost
- $200
- Exam
- HVACR Class C License Examination
- Renewal cycle
- Every 1 year
- Issuing board
- Arkansas Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) Licensing Board, Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing
How to get licensed
- 1
Meet the prerequisites
Be at least 18 years old. Applicants must be at least 18. The rules explicitly state 'criminal background checks shall not be required' (Section V(A)(8)); however, the Board is not authorized to issue a license to anyone who has pleaded guilty/nolo contendere to or been found guilty of certain disqualifying offenses under Ark. Code Ann. 17-3-102 et seq. (unless sealed, pardoned, or expunged), and applicants must disclose felony convictions on the application. [1]
- 2
Complete approved training
Complete the required training. Arkansas licenses HVACR CONTRACTORS in five classes (A = unlimited; B = limited to 15 tons/1 million BTUH/15 HP; C = 'Service Only,' limited to the same capacity as B but may not install original equipment; D = ductwork/sheet metal only; E = refrigeration only), plus a Registrant credential for employees working under a licensed contractor. Class C is the closest analog to an individual service technician license. The rules explicitly state apprenticeship, education, or training may NOT be made a prerequisite or condition for licensure (Section V(A)(3), (5)); an applicant with no licensing background must instead show at least 2 years of experience as an HVACR contractor or employee of one (records, affidavits, or employer attestations), though the Board may substitute Board-approved HVACR-related educational training for experience if transcripts are submitted. [1]
- 3
HVACR Class C License Examination
Pass the HVACR Class C License Examination (fee: $100). Minimum fee of $55 for a written (paper) exam or $100 for a computerized exam, per the Board's fee rule; 70% passing score is generally required Required unless the applicant already holds a substantially similar license from another U.S. jurisdiction and qualifies for reciprocity or reinstatement without exam. [1]
- 4
Submit your application
Submit your application to Arkansas Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) Licensing Board, Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing. [1]
- 5
Receive your license
Once your application is approved, Arkansas Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) Licensing Board, Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing issues your Class C (Service Only) HVACR License for Arkansas.
Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee [1] | None specified |
| License fee [1] | $100 |
| Renewal fee [1] | $100 |
| HVACR Class C License Examination [1] | $100 |
| Class A license (annual) [1] | $200 |
| Class B license (annual) [1] | $150 |
| Class D license (annual) [1] | $150 |
| Class E license (annual) [1] | $150 |
| Registrant fee (annual) [1] | $25 |
No separate 'application' fee beyond the license fee itself was found in the Board's rules; the $100/year figure shown is the Class C license fee (Section VII). All license fees are annual, not one-time, since Arkansas HVACR licenses expire and renew every year. The Board waives the initial licensing fee for applicants receiving Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, TANF, Lifeline Assistance, recent unemployment benefits, or income under 200% of the federal poverty guidelines.
Renewal & continuing education
Renew every 1 year. 4 continuing education hours required per cycle.
All Class A-E HVACR licenses expire one year from the original issuance date (Section VI) and must be renewed annually. No license may be renewed unless the licensee completes at least 4 hours of Board-approved continuing education per calendar year, of which 2 hours must cover the mechanical code (Section XXI).
Reciprocity
No reciprocity or endorsement route was found.
The Board's rules (Section XIII) permit it to enter reciprocal agreements waiving exam/CE/apprenticeship requirements for applicants holding a substantially similar license from another U.S. jurisdiction, and separately grant automatic licensure to uniformed service members, veterans, and their spouses who hold a similar out-of-state license (Section XX). However, the Board's own current guidance states it 'has no reciprocal licensing agreements with any other state licensing Boards for HVAC/R licensing at this time,' so a general out-of-state licensee cannot count on an automatic waiver outside the military/veteran pathway.
14 state-approved training providers in Arkansas — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.
Cost calculator
- $100
- $100
Frequently asked questions
Does Arkansas license individual HVAC technicians?
Arkansas licenses HVACR CONTRACTORS in classes A through E, plus a lower-tier 'Registrant' credential for employees who work under a licensed contractor. Class C ('Service Only') is the closest to an individual service-technician license.
Do I need to complete an apprenticeship or training program to get an Arkansas HVACR license?
No — the Board's rules specifically prohibit making apprenticeship, education, or training a prerequisite for licensure. Applicants with no licensing background instead document at least 2 years of experience as an HVACR contractor or employee.
Who administers the Arkansas HVACR exam?
Prov (ProV Inc.) administers the Class A-E licensing exams under contract with the Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing.
How often do Arkansas HVACR licenses renew and is continuing education required?
Licenses expire and must be renewed annually. Renewal requires at least 4 hours of Board-approved continuing education per calendar year, including 2 hours on the mechanical code.
Is a criminal background check required to get licensed?
No — the rules explicitly state criminal background checks are not required, though applicants must disclose certain disqualifying felony convictions on the application.
Sources
- [1] labor.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/HVACR-2022.pdf — accessed 2026-07-12
- [2] labor.arkansas.gov/labor/code-enforcement/hvac-r/ — accessed 2026-07-12