HVAC Technician in Arkansas

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for AR. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$47,240

trending_down -21.0% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Arkansas.

engineering

4,890

Jobs (AR)

monitoring Surging

+8.1%

10-yr job growth

payments

$80

Licensing fees

schedule

2 years

Time to complete

route How to become an hvac technician in Arkansas

To become an HVAC technician in Arkansas, you must register with the Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing - HVACR Licensing Board and work under a licensed contractor. While a state license is not required for technicians, it is mandatory for HVAC contractors. To become a licensed contractor, you need two years of experience (which can be substituted with approved education), pass a board-approved examination, and submit an application with a fee. Reciprocity is available with several states for contractor licenses, provided the license has been held for at least three years.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $36,440

25th percentile $38,860

50th (median) $47,240

75th percentile $59,550

90th (experienced) $65,810

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Arkansas. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Arkansas requirements

Licensing body	Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing - HVACR Licensing Board
State license	Not required
Education	High school diploma or equivalent.
Experience	4,000.0 hours
Exam	Arkansas HVACR Exam ($55)
Application fee	$25
Renewal	Every 1.0 year
Continuing education	8.0 hours per cycle
Notes	HVAC technicians are not required to be licensed in Arkansas, but must register with the state and work under a licensed contractor. HVAC contractors require a license. Applicants for a contractor license must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, and two years of experience (which can be substituted with board-approved education). A criminal background check is required. The Class L 'Lifetime' license is available for those 65 years or older and has no charge. EPA Section 608 certification is also required for technicians who work with refrigerants. General liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $250,000 is required for Class A, B, C, D, and E licensees. Projects over $50,000 may require a state contractor's license from the Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board, workers' compensation, and a $10,000 surety or cash bond.

Source: Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing - HVACR Licensing Board

workspace_premium Arkansas license tiers

Arkansas offers multiple tiers of hvac technician licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Class A	N/A
Class B	N/A
Class C	N/A

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+8.1%

Much faster than average

Annual openings

40,100

Nationwide per year

Total employment

425,200

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

verified Low exposure -0.85/1.00

This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

infoNo state license required — lower barrier but weaker signal
check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+8.1%)
check_circleLow AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if an hvac technician career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

What's required to work as an hvac technician in Arkansas? expand_more

Arkansas requires hvac technicians to complete the required education (High school diploma or equivalent.), gain 4,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Arkansas HVACR Exam, and submit your application ($25 fee).

Is a state license required for hvac technicians in Arkansas? expand_more

Arkansas does not require a state license for hvac technicians. Note: HVAC technicians are not required to be licensed in Arkansas, but must register with the state and work under a licensed contractor. HVAC contractors require a license. Applicants for a contractor license must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, and two years of experience (which can be substituted with board-approved education). A criminal background check is required. The Class L 'Lifetime' license is available for those 65 years or older and has no charge. EPA Section 608 certification is also required for technicians who work with refrigerants. General liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $250,000 is required for Class A, B, C, D, and E licensees. Projects over $50,000 may require a state contractor's license from the Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board, workers' compensation, and a $10,000 surety or cash bond.

What is the average hvac technician salary in Arkansas? expand_more

The median hvac technician salary in Arkansas is $47,240 per year. That's 21% below the national median of $59,810. Wages range from $36,440 (10th percentile) up to $65,810 (90th percentile).

What's the total cost to get hvac technician certified in Arkansas? expand_more

Plan on spending varies total — that covers exam fee ($55) and application fee ($25) plus your education and training.

What's the timeline to become an hvac technician in Arkansas? expand_more

In Arkansas, becoming an hvac technician generally takes 2 years, accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

Does Arkansas require continuing education for hvac technicians? expand_more

To keep your license active, Arkansas mandates 8.0 CE hours every 1.0 year.