License and registration applications
Effective Apr 2, 2026Ark. R. 2026-29 (eff. April 2, 2026)Arkansas Code § 17-25-203
(a)
- (1) Any application that is not complete within ninety (90) days after original receipt in the Contractor’s Licensing Board office will become invalid.
- (2) Any application not passing the board’s review will be considered invalid after ninety (90) days from the date of its original review.
- (3) During the ninety-day period, the applicant may have the opportunity to make corrections or improvements needed in the application in order to warrant the issuance of a license or registration.
- (4) After an application becomes invalid, a new application and fee must be submitted for consideration to obtain a contractor’s license.
(b)
- (1) A potential applicant for a license with a criminal record may petition the board at any time for a determination of whether the individual’s criminal record will disqualify the person or entity from licensure and whether he or she will be granted a waiver under Arkansas Code § 17-3-102(b).
- (2) A person or entity wishing to submit a prelicensure criminal background waiver request shall do so on a form provided by the board.
- (3) The board will respond with a decision in writing after the next scheduled board meeting following the submission of the completed form.
- (4) The board’s response will state the reason or reasons for the decision.
- (5) All decisions of the board in response to the petition will be determined by the information provided by the applicant.
- (6) Any decision made by the board in response to a prelicensure criminal background check petition is not subject to appeal.
- (7) The board will retain a copy of the petition and response, and it will be reviewed during the formal application process.
(c)
- (1) At the time of application, an applicant shall complete the criminal background history form contained within the application.
- (2) If the applicant shall have been found guilty or pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to any offense that would disqualify the applicant for licensure under Arkansas Code § 17-2-102 or § 17-25-305(c) the applicant may request a waiver under Arkansas Code § 17-3-102.
- (3) The applicant may also submit a written statement addressing the request for a waiver under Arkansas Code § 17-3-102.
(4) The board may grant a waiver upon consideration of the following, without limitation:
- (A) The age at which the offense was committed;
- (B) The circumstances surrounding the offense;
- (C) The length of time since the offense was committed;
- (D) Subsequent work history since the offense was committed;
- (E) Employment references since the offense was committed;
- (F) Character references since the offense was committed;
- (G) Relevance of the offense to the occupational license; and
- (H) Other evidence demonstrating that licensure of the applicant does not pose a threat to the health or safety of the public.
- (5) A request for a waiver, if made by an applicant, must be in writing and accompany the completed application and fees.
- (6) The board will respond with a decision in writing after the next scheduled board meeting following the submission of the completed form.
- (7) An appeal of a determination under this subsection (c) will be pursuant to the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act, Arkansas Code § 25-15-201 et seq.
- (8) The board may request the applicant to appear before the board prior to making a determination.