- Arkansas employs 13,000 electricians, with demand rising 8% through 2030.
- Apprenticeship requires 8,000 hours of on-the-job training plus 576 classroom hours.
- The Journeyman exam has 60 questions, a 70% passing score & a 3-hour open-book test.
- The average wage for a journeyman is $26.54/hr & $37.34/hr for master electricians.
- Arkansas licenses reciprocate with 18 states that expand job mobility.
Electricians are literally lighting the way forward in Arkansas. With over 13,000 electricians working statewide and demand projected to grow by 8% through 2030, Arkansas is becoming a hotbed for skilled trades. Additionally, with the rising demand for solar integration, EV infrastructure, and smart home upgrades, there has never been a better time to become a licensed electrician in Arkansas.
The licensing system of Arkansas is not a simple one-size-fits-all process. From apprenticeships to reaching the licensed journeyman electrician status, from passing the rigorous PSI Electrical Licensing Exam to getting approved by the Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing, every phase requires precision, planning, and proof of experience.
Whether you are just getting started as an electrical apprentice, looking forward to becoming a licensed master electrician, or planning to become an independent electrical contractor and start your own business, you must plan a clear path, as Arkansas’s electrical licensing requirements can be daunting.
In this guide, we are going to break everything down for you, including the types of electrician licenses in Arkansas and what each one allows you to do, how to qualify and apply for electrical licensure, costs involved, reciprocity rules with other states, mean wages for apprentices, journeymen, and master in 2025, apprenticeship programs, electrical trade schools, license renewal, insurance, and more.
Table of Contents
What Are The Different Types Of Electrical Licenses In Arkansas?
The Arkansas Electrical Board issues several classifications of electrician licenses. They include a master electrician license, a journeyman electrician license, a residential master electrician license, a residential journeyman electrician license, an industrial maintenance electrician license, an air conditioning electrician license, and a specialist sign electrician license. Here is a brief overview of them:
Master Electrician License
The master electrician license has an unlimited scope of work. It allows you to plan and supervise all types of electrical system installations in both residential and commercial properties.
Journeyman Electrician License
A licensed electrician at the journeyman level can legally perform any electrical work independently under a master electrician.
Residential Master Electrician License
A residential master electrician can supervise and install electrical wiring in one- or two-family dwellings.
Residential Journeyman Electrician License
The scope of work in a residential journeyman electrician license is limited to wiring one- or two-family homes under supervision.
Industrial Maintenance Electrician License
An industrial maintenance electrician can repair and maintain existing industrial electrical equipment.
Air Conditioning Electrician License
An individual with an air conditioning electrician license specializes in wiring HVAC and refrigeration equipment.
Specialist Sign Electrician License
A specialist sign electrician license allows you to install and maintain illuminated signs by endorsement.
Additionally, electrical apprentices must register but are not licensed until they complete their electrical apprenticeship. Each license has a specific scope and privilege. For example, a Residential Master cannot independently contract commercial work. All these categories are recognized by the Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners.
Commercial Electrical Contractor License
An electrical Contractor license is issued by the Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing. Electrical contractors having this license can perform and supervise any kind of electrical work. However, they must employ at least one licensed Master Electrician.
Restricted Electrical Contractor License
A restricted electrical contractor license allows you to perform specialized electrical work like low-voltage or HVAC wiring with limitations on the scope and voltage level.
Steps To Becoming A Licensed Electrician In Arkansas
Step 1: Register As An Electrical Apprentice
To start out in the electrical trade, you usually have to enroll in an approved apprenticeship or training program. For that, you must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, and a valid driver’s license. Arkansas law requires an apprentice to submit an application, pay a $10 registration fee, and show proof of enrollment in a Department of Labor/BAT-certified program. As an apprentice, you must work under a licensed electrician’s direct supervision at all times.
Step 2: Complete Required On-the-Job Training (OJT) and Classroom Instruction
Arkansas mandates 4 years, which is about 8,000 hours of documented electrical work experience to apply for the journeyman electrician exam. Within those hours, at least 4,000 hours must be in new commercial or industrial construction-related experience. Apprenticeship programs typically combine this On-the-Job training with related technical instruction. For example, NW Arkansas Community College’s program is four years long, which combines 576 hours of classroom (RTI) and 8,000 hours of paid OJT. Technical schools and community colleges, such as Pulaski Tech or UA-Fort Smith, also offer electrical programs that count toward the training requirement.
Step 3: Apply For The Test
After you have met the experience and education requirements, you will receive a “Released for Test” form from your apprenticeship program. You have to submit this form with the Journeyman or Master application. If you are an apprentice from another state, you can submit a completion certificate instead. The Arkansas Electrical Examining Board requires this pre-approval for exam eligibility.
Step 4: Pass The Arkansas Electrician Exam
You must pass a state licensing exam for the specific category. The Arkansas electrical exam is open-book, with six multiple-choice questions, and you must score 70% or better to pass. You are going to have 3 hours to complete the test. The exam typically covers the most recent National Electrical Code (NEC) and state electrical laws. Arkansas does not offer the exam online; you can apply online via the state’s ELP portal, but you have to take the exam in person at an approved testing center.
Step 5: Apply For Your License And Pay Fees
After you pass the exam, you have to submit an application and pay the license fee to the board. Upon approval, you will receive your Arkansas journeyman electrician license or master license. These licenses may be issued for up to three-year terms, and they require continuing education for renewal, which is typically eight hours of NEC-related training every three years.
Step 6: Apply For The Electrical Contractor License
If you want to have your own electrical contracting business, Arkansas requires you to have a contractor’s license from the Arkansas Board of Contractors. Many licensed electricians apply for a Commercial Electrical Contractor license through the Contractors Board after gaining experience. You have to give additional exams, such as business and law exams, and meet the bonding requirements.
Arkansas Electrical Licensure Requirements
Each license class has its own qualification requirements. Here is a detailed list for each of them:
Journeyman Electrician: To apply for the journeyman license, you must complete 4 years of approved electrical work experience, which typically means 8,000 hours of OJT with at least 4,000 in new commercial or construction industry work plus related training.
Residential Journeyman: This license requires 2 years of residential wiring experience in one- or two-family homes or a board-approved combination of training and experience.
Master Electrician: To meet the master electrician license requirements, you must have either an electrical engineering degree plus 2 years of electrical construction experience or 6 years of overall construction experience, including at least 2 years as a licensed Journeyman.
Residential Master Electrician: It requires 3 years of residential wiring experience, including one year as a residential journeyman or equivalent training approved by the board.
Industrial Maintenance Electrician: You must have 4 years of experience working under an engineer or licensed electrician on industrial electrical equipment.
Air Conditioning Electrician: It requires two years of experience wiring HVACR systems.
Sign Specialist: You must have 2 years of experience in installing and maintaining signs under the supervision of a licensed sign electrician or contractor to apply for this license.
Electrical Contractor License: You must be at least 18 years old, employ a licensed Master Electrician who will be responsible for all electrical work, submit proof of general liability insurance (typically with coverage of at least $300,000), show workers’ compensation insurance, register the business with the Arkansas Secretary of State and pass a business and law exam.
You must document the work experience in the form of affidavits from past employers.
Apprenticeship and Training Programs In Arkansas
In Arkansas, apprenticeship programs are very common and preferred, but vocational schools and community colleges also provide classroom instruction. For example, Northwest Arkansas Community College’s Electrical Apprenticeship program combines 576 hours of classroom instruction with 8,000 hours of on-the-job training over four years.
Other institutions with electrician training include Pulaski Technical College (North Little Rock) and the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith. Technical schools often offer certificates or associate degrees in electrical technology. Certificate programs take only a few months, but an Associate’s degree will typically take two years.
Additionally, regional Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees (JATCs) offer programs in Little Rock, Jonesboro, El Dorado, and other areas, often in partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor. These apprenticeship schools allow you to work full-time under a licensed electrician while attending night school.
How Long Does It Take To Become An Electrician In Arkansas?
Becoming a licensed electrician in Arkansas typically takes 4 to 6 years, depending on the path you choose and how quickly you complete your required work experience and education. However, to reach the Master’s level, it is usually more than 6 years in total.
How Long Is Electrician School In Arkansas?
Electrician school in Arkansas typically lasts 1 to 2 years, depending on the type of program you enroll in. Certificate programs can be completed in as little as 6 to 12 months. Associate degree programs offered by community colleges and technical institutes generally take 2 years, and apprenticeship programs partner with trade schools to provide 576 hours of classroom instruction over the 4-year apprenticeship period.
Arkansas Licensing Exam Details
The Aransas electrical licensing exam for both Journeyman and Master is a closed-registration, open-book test. The exam has 60 questions, and the time duration is 3 hours. You must answer at least 70% correctly to pass. The exams are administered via computer, and you must have your application approved before scheduling the exam. The questions typically cover the National Electrical Code, wiring standards, and Arkansas laws.
After you have passed the exam and submitted your paperwork, the Board issues your electrician license in the same class as the exam you passed.
Can You Get An Arkansas Electrician’s License Online?
Arkansas does allow online exam applications and renewals. All licensure actions are processed through the Enterprise Licensing and Permitting (ELP) portal. Likewise, continuing education tracking can be managed online via the StateReporting system. However, all training and examinations must be completed in person or via approved programs. You cannot earn the required on-the-job hours remotely.
How Much Does An Arkansas Electrical License Cost?
License Type | Initial License Fee | Exam Fee |
Master Electrician | $50 | $80 |
Journeyman Electrician | $25 | $80 |
Residential Master Electrician | $50 | $80 |
Residential Journeyman Electrician | $25 | $80 |
Industrial Maintenance Electrician | $25 | $50 |
Air Conditioning Electrician | $25 | $80 |
Specialist Sign Electrician | $25 | $80 |
Electrical Contractor | $100 | $84 |
These licenses are issued for 1-3 years at the licensee’s choice, after which you have to renew it. The per-year renewal fee is the same as the initial fee.
How Much Does A Licensed Electrician Make In Arkansas?
The average hourly wage for an Arkansas electrician is about $26.54, which is roughly $55,000 per year. Of course, salaries for electricians can vary by experience and region. Below is the table that shows the average base wage of electricians based on the level of experience:
Experience Level | Hourly Wage |
Electrical Apprentice | $18.87 |
Journeyman | $26.54 |
Master Electrician | $37.34 |
Can You Do Electrical Work Without A License In Arkansas?
No. Arkansas law requires a valid license for nearly all electrical work. It is illegal to do electrical installation or repair without the proper license. According to the state’s Electrical Board, unlicensed work can result in court injunctions or civil penalties. In fact, the Arkansas Code sets fines of $250 for a first offense, $750 for a second, and $1,000 for a third offense of performing work without a license.
Are Electricians In Demand In Arkansas?
Electricians are in demand in Arkansas. According to the state data, there is an estimated 10% growth in electrician employment, which is faster than the average for all occupations. According to CareerOneStop, there is about a 9% increase in Arkansas jobs for electricians, compared to a 6% increase nationally. Additionally, retirements and replacements are expected to create around 850 job openings per year in Arkansas.
Arkansas’s expanding construction, industrial, and utility sectors are going to support steady demand. If you have just completed the apprenticeship, you can expect plenty of job opportunities, especially if you have earned additional certifications in motor control, solar power, etc. Continuing education and specialization in industrial control or energy management can also further enhance employment prospects. Overall, becoming a licensed electrician in Arkansas is a reliable path to a well-paying career.
How Many States Does Arkansas' Electrical License Reciprocate With?
Arkansas has reciprocity agreements with 18 states. These include Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. For most of these, Arkansas will grant at least a Journeyman license. The master license reciprocal agreement is more limited. Arkansas only reciprocates a Master license from Oregon, Iowa, and North Dakota.
You must know that Arkansas will only accept an original license from those states. You cannot reciprocate a license that was itself obtained by reciprocity elsewhere. Also, some states, like Wyoming, will only reciprocate a journeyman license with an individual who has completed a USDOL-approved apprenticeship program of at least 576 hours of classroom time.
Conclusion
In Arkansas, earning an electrical license is a multi-step process that starts with a structured apprenticeship or equivalent training. You’ll need around four years of hands-on experience, hundreds of hours of classroom study, and passing a state exam to become a Journeyman, and additional experience or education to reach Master status. The costs are relatively low, and the investment of time pays off in a skilled, well-paying career.
Arkansas’s electrical industry is growing, and licensed electricians will enjoy strong job prospects and competitive wages. Once licensed, you must stay current with continuing education to renew your credentials. Working without a license is illegal and penalized by the state.
Whether you’re just starting out or considering a career change, Arkansas offers clear pathways to becoming a licensed electrician. By following the state’s apprenticeship and examination requirements, you can join the ranks of professional electricians who power homes, businesses, and industries across the Natural State.
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