Working in the elevator trade in Arkansas requires a specific license, but the state doesn't issue just one. The Arkansas Elevator Safety Board issues five distinct tiers of authorization, and the one you need depends on whether you plan to inspect conveyances, perform hands-on installation and repair, own the contracting business, work exclusively on accessibility lifts, or require a temporary emergency permit. This guide breaks down the requirements for each license type to help you get started.
Do you need a license to install, repair, or inspect elevators in Arkansas?
Yes, a state-level license is required to perform elevator installation, repair, maintenance, or inspection work in Arkansas. These licenses are issued by the Arkansas Elevator Safety Board, which offers four main license tiers plus a temporary/emergency license for specific situations.
Who regulates elevator licensing in Arkansas?
The Arkansas Elevator Safety Board, operating under the Department of Labor & Licensing's Division of Code Enforcement, regulates all aspects of elevator licensing in the state. The Board is responsible for reviewing applications, approving examinations, setting standards for continuing education, and issuing all license credentials for elevator professionals.
Which activities require a license?
Engaging in the business of installing, constructing, altering, servicing, repairing, testing, or maintaining conveyances like elevators, escalators, and dumbwaiters requires a license. The specific license you need depends on your role:
- Elevator Contractor: Required for the business entity that employs mechanics and bids on projects.
- Elevator Mechanic: Required for individuals who perform the hands-on work of constructing, maintaining, servicing, or repairing conveyances.
- Elevator Inspector: Required for individuals who inspect conveyances to ensure they comply with state safety codes.
- Accessibility Technician: A restricted license for individuals working only on specific conveyances like vertical platform lifts, wheelchair lifts, and inclined stairway chairlifts covered by ASME A18.1, 2005.
- Temporary / Emergency Elevator Mechanic: A short-term license issued in specific situations, valid in 30-day increments.
What license tiers does the Arkansas Elevator Safety Board issue?
The Elevator Safety Board issues five distinct credentials for the elevator industry. Each has a specific scope of work, set of qualifications, and associated fees.
Elevator Inspector
- Scope: Inspecting elevators, escalators, dumbwaiters, and other conveyances for safety and code compliance.
- Experience: At least four (4) years of verified experience in designing, installing, maintaining, or inspecting conveyances.
- Exam: Must hold a Qualified Elevator Inspector (QEI) certification, which requires passing a written examination administered by an accredited ASME testing facility.
- Insurance: Must provide proof of general liability coverage of at least $1,000,000 for injury or death and $500,000 for property damage.
- Fees & Renewal: The license fee is $100, with a $100 annual renewal fee due by January 31.
- Continuing Education: Requires eight (8) contact hours of board-approved training every two (2) years.
Elevator Mechanic
- Scope: Performing the hands-on work of constructing, maintaining, servicing, or repairing conveyances under the employment of a licensed Elevator Contractor.
- Experience: At least three (3) years of verified work experience in the elevator industry.
- Exam: Must pass a written examination approved by the Elevator Safety Board.
- Fees & Renewal: The initial license fee is $75.00 annually. The license is renewed every two years for a fee of $150, with the renewal due by January 31 of the expiration year.
- Continuing Education: Requires eight (8) contact hours of board-approved training every two (2) years.
Elevator Contractor
- Scope: Operating a business that bids on and performs elevator installation, alteration, service, and repair work. This is the business-level license.
- Experience: This tier does not have a years-of-experience requirement. Instead, the applicant must have a permanent office or registered agent in Arkansas and provide verification of employing at least one licensed elevator mechanic.
- Exam: No exam requirement is listed among the board's qualifications for this license; the requirements are limited to the office, mechanic-employment, insurance, and fee items below.
- Insurance: Must provide proof of general liability coverage of at least $1,000,000 for injury or death and $500,000 for property damage.
- Fees & Renewal: The license and annual renewal fee is $250, with renewal due by January 31.
- Continuing Education: No continuing education requirement is listed for the Elevator Contractor license; renewal requires only the fee and proof of insurance.
Accessibility Technician (restricted)
- Scope: A restricted license limited to constructing, maintaining, servicing, or repairing conveyances covered by ASME A18.1, 2005 (e.g., vertical platform lifts, wheelchair lifts).
- Experience: At least three (3) years of verified work experience specifically with conveyances covered by ASME A18.1, 2005.
- Exam: Must pass a written examination approved by the board for the restricted license, same as the standard Elevator Mechanic license.
- Fees & Renewal: The initial license fee is $75.00 annually. As a restricted class of the Elevator Mechanic license, it renews on the same two-year cycle for $150, due by January 31 of the expiration year, and requires the same eight (8) contact hours of continuing education every two years.
Temporary / Emergency Elevator Mechanic
- Scope: A temporary license allowing an individual to work as an elevator mechanic for a limited duration.
- Validity: The license is valid for no more than thirty (30) days.
- Fees: The fee is $75.00.
- Requirements: The board may issue an emergency mechanic's license (waiving the standard exam requirements) during a strike, lock-out, or other emergency when there aren't enough licensed mechanics to protect public safety. Separately, the department may issue a temporary mechanic's license when there aren't enough licensed mechanics available to complete a project already covered by an installation permit; a denied temporary license may be appealed to the board.
What experience do you need for an Arkansas elevator license?
Each Arkansas elevator license tier has a distinct experience path tailored to its scope of work.
Elevator Mechanic Experience Path
An applicant for an Elevator Mechanic license must document at least three (3) years of verified work experience in constructing, maintaining, servicing, or repairing conveyances.
Elevator Inspector Experience Path
An applicant for an Elevator Inspector license must document at least four (4) years of verified experience in designing, installing, maintaining, or inspecting conveyances. In addition to experience, the applicant must also hold a Qualified Elevator Inspector (QEI) certification.
Accessibility Technician Experience Path
An applicant for the restricted Accessibility Technician license must document at least three (3) years of verified work experience specifically in constructing, maintaining, servicing, or repairing conveyances covered by ASME A18.1, 2005.
Elevator Contractor Requirements
The Elevator Contractor license is a business credential and does not require a set number of years of personal field experience. Instead, the applicant must:
- Have a permanent office or a registered agent in Arkansas.
- Provide verification of employment of a licensed elevator mechanic.
- Secure the required general liability insurance.
- Pay the license fee.
What is the Arkansas elevator license exam?
Arkansas requires examinations for its technical license tiers to ensure competency and safety.
Elevator Mechanic Exam
Applicants for the Elevator Mechanic license must pass a written examination approved by the Elevator Safety Board. The examination fee is $75.00. The specific exam provider and scheduling details are provided by the board upon application approval.
Elevator Inspector Exam
Applicants for the Elevator Inspector license must hold a Qualified Elevator Inspector (QEI) certification. This certification is obtained by passing a written examination administered by an accredited ASME testing facility. The QEI certification itself, not just exam passage, is the requirement for licensure.
No separate business and law examination or acceptance of NASCLA commercial contractor exams was identified in the sources reviewed for any elevator license tier.
How much does an Arkansas elevator license cost?
Licensing and permit fees are set by the Elevator Safety Board and vary by license type and activity.
| Fee Type | Amount | Tier / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| License & Renewal Fees | ||
| Elevator Inspector License | $100.00 | Initial Fee |
| Elevator Inspector Renewal | $100.00 | Annual |
| Elevator Mechanic License | $75.00 | Annual |
| Elevator Mechanic Renewal | $150.00 | For two (2) years |
| Elevator Contractor License & Renewal | $250.00 | Annual |
| Accessibility Technician License | $75.00 | Annual |
| Temporary/Emergency Mechanic License | $75.00 | Valid for 30 days |
| Examination & Late Fees | ||
| Examination Fee | $75.00 | Per attempt |
| Late Renewal Fee | $20.00 | In addition to renewal fee |
| Late Renewal (Inspector) | $120.00 | Within 6 months of expiration |
| Late Renewal (Mechanic) | $95.00 / $170.00 | For one or two years |
| Installation Permit Fees | ||
| Elevator | $150.00 | Per unit |
| Escalator or Moving Walk | $200.00 | Per unit |
| Dumbwaiter / Wheelchair Lift | $100.00 | Per unit |
| Workman's Hoist | $200.00 | Per unit |
| Other Conveyances | $100.00 | Per unit |
| Re-scheduled/Additional Final Inspection | $100.00 |
What insurance do you need for an Arkansas elevator license?
Proof of general liability insurance is a key requirement for Elevator Contractor and Elevator Inspector licenses.
General Liability Minimums for Elevator Inspectors
Elevator Inspector applicants must provide a certificate of insurance showing general liability coverage of at least $1,000,000 for injury or death of a person and $500,000 for property damage.
General Liability Minimums for Elevator Contractors
Elevator Contractor applicants must provide a certificate of insurance showing general liability coverage of at least $1,000,000 for injury or death and $500,000 for property damage.
Bond Requirement
No surety bond amount is specified for any elevator license tier in the sources reviewed.
Additional Inspector Obligations
In addition to insurance, an Elevator Inspector must file an annual financial disclosure statement and attest to having no financial interest in any business that manufactures, installs, repairs, modifies, or services conveyances.
How do you apply for an Arkansas elevator license?
Follow these steps to apply for your elevator license from the Arkansas Elevator Safety Board:
- Identify Your License Tier: Determine whether you need the Contractor, Mechanic, Inspector, or Accessibility Technician license based on your work scope and experience.
- Document Your Experience: Compile verifiable proof of your work history. For inspectors, this includes obtaining your QEI certification. For mechanics and technicians, this means letters from employers detailing your years of service.
- Establish Business Requirements (Contractors): If applying as a contractor, establish a permanent office or registered agent in Arkansas and hire at least one licensed elevator mechanic.
- Obtain Required Insurance: Secure a general liability insurance policy meeting the state's minimum coverage of $1,000,000/$500,000 for Inspector and Contractor licenses.
- Complete the Application: Fill out the official application form from the Elevator Safety Board and include all required documentation and fees.
- Schedule and Pass the Exam: Once your application is approved, schedule and pass the required exam (the board-approved written test for Mechanics or the QEI exam for Inspectors).
- Receive Your License: After passing the exam and meeting all requirements, the board will issue your license.
- Obtain Installation Permits: Before starting any new construction or alteration, the licensed Elevator Contractor must obtain the necessary installation permit for each specific conveyance.
How long does it take to get an Arkansas elevator license?
The time required to obtain an Arkansas elevator license depends on application processing by the board and the time needed to schedule and pass the required examination. The Elevator Contractor license, which has no personal experience or exam requirement, may be issued more quickly once the business entity has met the office, mechanic employment, and insurance requirements. Current application and exam scheduling timelines can be confirmed with the Elevator Safety Board.
How do you renew an Arkansas elevator license, and what continuing education is required?
All Arkansas elevator licenses must be renewed periodically to remain active, and some tiers require continuing education (CE).
Renewal Cycles by Tier
- Elevator Inspector: Renews annually by January 31.
- Elevator Contractor: Renews annually by January 31.
- Elevator Mechanic: Renews on a two-year cycle, due by January 31 of the expiration year.
- Accessibility Technician: Renews on the same two-year cycle as the Elevator Mechanic license, due by January 31 of the expiration year.
Late Renewal
A license can be renewed up to six (6) months after its expiration date by paying a higher renewal fee plus a $20 late fee.
Continuing Education by Tier
- Elevator Inspector: Must complete eight (8) contact hours of CE every two (2) years.
- Elevator Mechanic: Must complete eight (8) contact hours of CE every two (2) years.
- Accessibility Technician: Must complete eight (8) contact hours of CE every two (2) years, same as the standard Elevator Mechanic license.
- Elevator Contractor: No CE requirement is listed for this license.
Approved CE Providers
All continuing education must be completed through "a course of training or instruction approved by the board." A list of approved providers can be obtained from the Elevator Safety Board.
Does Arkansas offer reciprocity for elevator licenses?
The Elevator Safety Board may license an applicant without examination if they hold an equivalent license from a state or city with standards substantially equal to Arkansas's. Per Ark. Code § 20-24-108, this reciprocity is available for elevator inspector, elevator mechanic, and elevator contractor licenses.
How to Apply by Endorsement
Applicants seeking licensure by endorsement should contact the Elevator Safety Board to determine the specific documentation required, which typically includes a copy of their current license and verification from the issuing jurisdiction. The board has discretion in evaluating the equivalency of another state's standards. The sources reviewed did not identify a formal reciprocity agreement through NASCLA for commercial contractors.