Types of Plumbing Licenses in Arkansas

In Arkansas, there are several types of plumbing licenses, each with its own set of requirements and fees. These include:

  • Master Plumber
  • Journeyman Plumber
  • Apprentice Plumber
  • Restricted Plumber (which includes Restricted Supervisor Solar Mechanic, Restricted Residential Maintenance, Restricted Governmental Maintenance, Restricted Supervisor Hospital Maintenance, Restricted Water and Sewer Service Line Installation, and Restricted Supervisor Gas Fitter Plumbers)

Each type of license has its own set of qualifications, application and examination fees, and license fees. You can find more details in the Rules Pertaining to Plumbers License Fee, Expiration, Renewal, Journeyman Plumber, Master Plumber and Restricted Plumber Qualifications.

Qualifications for Plumbing Licenses

An applicant for the Master Plumber examination should have a minimum of five (5) years’ experience.

Journeyman Plumber

An applicant for Journeyman Plumber examination licensing should have a minimum of four (4) years’ experience or its equivalent.

Apprentice Plumber

An Apprentice Plumber can be considered for the Journeyman Plumber examination provided they have successfully completed the training as defined under the Arkansas plumber apprenticeship rules of apprenticeship as required in ACA § 17-38-409.

Restricted Plumber

A Restricted Plumber is a person qualified to install building water or sewer lines or other special phases of plumbing providing that such person has demonstrated competency for that particular phase of plumbing.

Application and Examination Fees

The application/examination fees for Master, Restricted Supervisor Solar Mechanic, Restricted Residential Maintenance, Restricted Governmental Maintenance, Restricted Supervisor Hospital Maintenance, Restricted Water and Sewer Service Line Installation, and Restricted Supervisor Gas Fitter Plumbers is $125.00.

For Journeyman, Restricted Gas Fitter, Restricted Hospital Maintenance, and Restricted Solar Mechanic Plumbers, the application/examination fee is $75.00.

License Fees

The annual license fees vary depending on the type of license:

  • Master, Restricted Supervisor Solar Mechanic, Restricted Residential Maintenance, Restricted Water and Sewer Service Line Installation: $200.
  • Restricted Supervisor Gas Fitter Plumbers: $200.
  • Journeyman and Restricted Solar Mechanic Plumbers: $75.
  • Restricted Gas Fitter Plumber: $75.
  • Apprentice, Restricted Gas Fitter Trainee, Restricted Hospital Maintenance Trainee, Restricted Solar Mechanic Trainee, and Plumbing or Gas Inspector: $25.
  • Restricted Governmental Maintenance Plumbers License and Restricted Supervisor Hospital Maintenance Plumbers License: $100.
  • Restricted Hospital Maintenance Plumbers License: $37.50.
  • Gas Utility Serviceperson: $25.
  • Restricted Gas Utility License: $200.

License Renewal

Master, Journeyman, and Apprentice Plumbers licenses issued under the provisions of these rules shall expire annually on December 31st. The license should be renewed by February 1st. After February 1st, a penalty of $5.00 per month shall be added.

All Restricted Plumbers Licenses issued under the provisions of these rules shall expire annually on June 30th. The license should be renewed by August 1st. After August 1st, a penalty of $5.00 per month shall be added.

Reciprocity with Other States

Arkansas has reciprocity agreements with several states for plumbing licenses. This means that if you hold a valid plumbing license in one of these states, you can apply for a license in Arkansas without having to take the examination. The states with which Arkansas has reciprocity agreements include Alabama, Louisiana, Tennessee, and South Carolina.

To apply for a reciprocal license, you need to submit a completed application form, along with a verification of your license from the state where you currently hold your license. The verification must be sent directly from the other state’s licensing board to the Arkansas Department of Health.

It’s important to note that reciprocity is not automatic. The Arkansas Department of Health will review your application and the verification of your license to determine if you meet the requirements for a reciprocal license.

License Bond Requirements in Arkansas

In Arkansas, plumbers are required to post a license bond as part of the licensing process. This bond serves as a guarantee that the plumber will comply with all state laws and regulations related to the plumbing profession.

The amount of the bond varies depending on the type of license:

  • Master Plumber: $5,000 bond.
  • Journeyman Plumber: $3,000 bond.
  • Apprentice Plumber: $1,000 bond.

The bond must be issued by a surety company authorized to do business in Arkansas. The original bond must be submitted to the Arkansas Department of Health along with your license application.

Insurance Needs for Plumbers in Arkansas

Insurance is a critical aspect of running a plumbing business in Arkansas. It protects your business from potential lawsuits, damage, and financial liabilities. Here are the types of insurance that plumbers typically need:

  • General Liability Insurance: This policy covers claims of third-party bodily injury, property damage, and personal and advertising injury. For example, if a client trips over a pipe you put on the floor while repairing a sink and breaks their wrist, this policy would cover their medical expenses, as well as any legal or settlement fees if they file a lawsuit against you.
  • Professional Liability Insurance: This policy covers claims of professional negligence, error, breach of contract, or failure to deliver a service on time. For instance, if you’re installing plumbing for a house remodel and make a mistake in the installation that causes the system to fail, the owner could sue you for the error. This policy would cover your legal and settlement costs associated with the lawsuit.
  • Commercial Auto Insurance: Most plumbing businesses have some type of work truck or work van they use for transportation to each job site. A commercial auto policy protects your business from liabilities arising from your work vehicles (usually at-fault accidents). It can also cover the vehicle if it were damaged, whether it be a collision or some other cause.
  • Workers’ Compensation Insurance: Businesses that have employees are usually required to purchase workers’ compensation insurance. This policy pays for the medical bills of any employee who is injured on the job, as well as costs such as lost wages while the employee cannot work.
  • Tools and Equipment Insurance: This policy covers the cost to repair or replace equipment that is damaged or stolen. You can sometimes add this coverage to another type of policy, like your general liability insurance.

The cost of your plumbing insurance will depend on a variety of factors such as business location, number of employees, nature of your plumbing work, claims history, number of policies, and amount of coverage. Check out our detailed analysis on Arkansas Plumbing Insurance Guide & Quotes for a comprehensive understanding of your expenses.

Specific Locations and Counties

The requirements and fees mentioned above apply statewide. For specific county or city requirements, it’s recommended to contact the local government or the Arkansas Department of Health’s Plumbing and Natural Gas Section.

Contact Information

For more information, you can contact the Arkansas Department of Health’s Plumbing and Natural Gas Section at 501-661-2642.