Arkansas Electrician License Reciprocity Guide
Yes. Arkansas has reciprocity with 18 states.
Typical timeline: 4–8 weeks. Always confirm details with Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners (Department of Labor and Licensing) before applying.
Reciprocal states (18)
| State | Classes covered | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| AK · Alaska | Journeyman | — |
| CO · Colorado | Journeyman | — |
| ID · Idaho | Journeyman | — |
| IA · Iowa | Journeyman, Master | — |
| ME · Maine | Journeyman | — |
| MN · Minnesota | Journeyman | — |
| MT · Montana | Journeyman | — |
| NE · Nebraska | Journeyman | — |
| NH · New Hampshire | Journeyman | — |
| NM · New Mexico | Journeyman | — |
| ND · North Dakota | Journeyman | — |
| OK · Oklahoma | Journeyman | — |
| OR · Oregon | Master | — |
| SD · South Dakota | Journeyman | — |
| TX · Texas | Journeyman, Master | — |
| VT · Vermont | Journeyman | — |
| WI · Wisconsin | Journeyman | — |
| WY · Wyoming | Journeyman | USDOL-approved apprenticeship program required |
Requirements checklist
- Licensed 1+ year in your home stateLicense must be current and in good standing.
- 8,000 hours of documented experience
- No exam for reciprocal applicantsReciprocal applicants exempt from AR exam. If exam is required for non-reciprocal applicants: 60 questions, 3 hours, open book, NEC 2023, administered by ProV1 (866) 720-7768.
- Experience affidavitRequired with the application.
- Letter of good standingRequest one from your home-state board.
IMPORTANT RULE: Arkansas only reciprocates the ORIGINAL license from the issuing state — you cannot reciprocate a license you previously obtained through reciprocity in another state. If you originally licensed in State A, then reciprocated into State B, then want to reciprocate into Arkansas, AR will require verification from State A, not State B. Arkansas is heavily asymmetric: 17 states for journeyman reciprocity, only 3 for master (Iowa, Oregon, Texas). Master applicants from other states must take the AR master exam.
Fees
| License class | Total | Breakdown |
|---|---|---|
| Journeyman | Contact board | Contact AR Board of Electrical Examiners for current fee schedule — not published online |
| Master | Contact board | Contact AR Board of Electrical Examiners for current fee schedule — not published online |
| Contractor | $100 | $100 per year (Electrical Contractor) |
How to apply in Arkansas
- Complete the Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners (Department of Labor and Licensing) reciprocal application — official application.
- Attach proof of 1+ year of licensure, your experience affidavit, and your letter of good standing.
- Submit to Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners (Department of Labor and Licensing), 900 West Capitol Ave, Little Rock, AR 72201-3108.
- Questions? Call (501) 682-4548. Allow 4–8 weeks for processing.
Apprentice Registration
- Registration fee
- Contact board — Fees are set by each Local Apprenticeship Committee — contact directly for current schedule
- Renewal
- Not published
- License duration
- 4 years
- Classroom hours
- 576 hours
- Employer requirements
- Must sign a three-party apprenticeship agreement (employer + apprentice + Local Apprenticeship Committee). Must also register with the federal Office of Apprenticeship (OA). Must enroll in and attend classes at a State Electrical Apprenticeship Committee-approved training facility.
Must register within 30 days of starting employment as an electrical apprentice
1. Complete apprentice application form (Arkansas Department of Labor) 2. Within 30 days of employment, register with all three entities: - Arkansas Department of Labor - Local Apprenticeship Committee - Federal Office of Apprenticeship (OA) 3. Sign the three-party apprenticeship agreement (employer, apprentice, Local Committee) 4. Enroll in classes at a State Electrical Apprenticeship Committee-approved training facility 5. Complete 8,000 practical work hours over 8 periods of 1,000 hours each 6. Complete 576 classroom hours over 8 periods of 72 hours each 7. Minimum program duration: 4 years
Arkansas apprenticeship is the most formally structured among the four states we cover — mirrors federal DOL Registered Apprenticeship program requirements with mandatory classroom instruction. STATUTORY REQUIREMENT (ACT 1289 of 1997): "No person shall engage in work as an Apprentice electrician as defined in ACT 1289 of 1997 unless first registered."
Moving from another state?
- Must re-register: Yes
- Out-of-state hours transfer: Conditions apply
- Apply within 60 days of AR registration
Arkansas is the only state among the four we cover with a documented mechanism for crediting out-of-state apprentice hours. The process:
1. Register as a new AR apprentice within 30 days of AR employment 2. Enroll in a USDOL Office of Apprenticeship-certified training program (statutory requirement, § 17-28-308) 3. Within 60 days of AR registration, submit a written request to your Local Apprenticeship Committee for credit for documented out-of-state work 4. Submit notarized records and supporting evidence 5. Local and State Apprenticeship Committees evaluate and approve credit at their discretion
Formal reciprocity under § 17-28-306 applies only to master and journeyman licenses — NOT apprentices.
Apprentice rules change often — confirm with Arkansas before relying on this summary.
Coming from a non-reciprocal state?
If you're not from a reciprocal state, AR requires:
- Journeyman: 4 years or 8,000 hours of electrical work experience (or a board-approved combination of training and experience). Pass the AR journeyman exam through ProV1.
- Master: Electrical engineering degree + 1 year experience, OR 6 years construction experience including 2 years as licensed journeyman, OR board-approved combination. Pass the AR master exam.
Testing: ProV1 (866) 720-7768. Fee: contact Board directly — not published online.
Local licensing notes
No additional municipal electrician licenses on top of the state license in AR. Little Rock, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, and all other AR cities recognize the state license.
Related
These states accept your Arkansas license: Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, Montana, South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, Colorado, Louisiana, Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, Idaho, Oregon, Alaska, New Mexico, Mississippi.
Current openings in Arkansas: Journeyman Electrician jobs · Apprentice Electrician jobs.
Licensed and ready for more? See which certifications unlock higher pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Arkansas have electrician license reciprocity?
Yes. Arkansas has reciprocity agreements with 18 states: Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, and 13 others.
How much does electrician reciprocity cost in Arkansas?
journeyman: $0 (Contact AR Board of Electrical Examiners for current fee schedule — not published online); master: $0 (Contact AR Board of Electrical Examiners for current fee schedule — not published online); contractor: $100 ($100 per year (Electrical Contractor))
How long does the Arkansas reciprocity process take?
Typical processing time is 4-8 weeks once the Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners (Department of Labor and Licensing) receives a complete application with verification from your issuing state.
Do I need to take an exam to reciprocate my license into Arkansas?
No. Reciprocal applicants from partner states are exempt from the Arkansas exam. Reciprocal applicants exempt from AR exam. If exam is required for non-reciprocal applicants: 60 questions, 3 hours, open book, NEC 2023, administered by ProV1 (866) 720-7768.
Can I transfer apprentice hours to Arkansas?
Yes, with conditions. Arkansas is the only state among the four we cover with a documented mechanism for crediting out-of-state apprentice hours. The process: 1. Register as a new AR apprentice within 30 days of AR employment 2. Enroll in a USDOL Office of Apprenticeship-certified training program (statutory requirement, § 17-28-308) 3. Within 60 days of AR registration, submit a written request to your Local Apprenticeship Committee for credit for documented out-of-state work 4. Submit notarized records and supporting evidence 5. Local and State Apprenticeship Committees evaluate and approve credit at their discretion Formal reciprocity under § 17-28-306 applies only to master and journeyman licenses — NOT apprentices.
Licensed in Arkansas? See the full list of states that accept your license.
Last verified 2026-09-25 · Source: Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners (Department of Labor and Licensing). Reciprocity data is informational only and may be stale. Confirm with the destination state licensing board before applying.