Arkansas HVAC License Requirements
Arkansas doesn't license individual HVAC technicians. HVAC contractors need a state license from the Arkansas HVACR Licensing Board (Department of Labor and Licensing). Anyone who handles refrigerant also needs federal EPA 608 certification.
Contractor only · By BrazeJobs Team · Updated
License tiers
| Apprentice | Registration $25/year |
| Journeyman | No state license |
| Master | No state license |
| Contractor | Class A, B, C, D, E, L |
Requirements
| Contractor experience | Board-approved experience |
| Exam | Board pre-approval, then exam |
| Fees | Class A $200/year, Class B $150/year |
| Renewal | Annual |
| Continuing education | 8 hours per mechanical code cycle |
| Local license | No (state license covers) |
| Board | Arkansas HVACR Licensing Board (Department of Labor and Licensing) |
Federal: EPA 608 certification
| Rule | Federal certification required to service or dispose of refrigerant equipment and to buy refrigerant |
Who: anyone who maintains, services, repairs or disposes of equipment that could release refrigerant (attaching gauges, adding or removing refrigerant). Types: Type I (small appliances), Type II (high- and very high-pressure), Type III (low-pressure), Universal (all types). Expiry: credentials do not expire. Buying refrigerant: sellers may sell only to certified technicians or employers of one, with limited exceptions (e.g. small cans of MVAC refrigerant). EPA does not issue cards; approved certifying organizations do. Universal requires a proctored core exam.
Exam
| Exam provider | Prov (for Department of Labor and Licensing, HVAC Section) |
| Format | Open book |
| Questions | 40-100 by license class |
| Time | 120-240 minutes by license class |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Bulletin date | 2026-10-31 |
References IMC and IFGC (2018 or 2021) or Arkansas Fuel Gas Code. Exam fee $80.
- Source: provexam.com · checked November 6, 2026
Apprenticeship
| Registering agency | U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship (no state agency) |
Programs register through the Office of Apprenticeship; use the Partner Finder for local sponsors.
- Source: apprenticeship.gov · checked November 6, 2026
Mechanical code
| Code in force | 2021 IMC |
Mechanical code administered by Department of Labor and Licensing.
- Source: sas.arkansas.gov · checked November 5, 2026