What handyman work requires a license in Conway, Faulkner County, Arkansas?

Work that typically requires a license or a licensed trade professional includes: Any electrical work requiring a building permit (Master Electrician license required); Any plumbing work requiring a building permit (Master Plumber license required); Any HVAC or mechanical work requiring a building permit (Arkansas Mechanical License required); Residential remodeling or home improvement projects over $2,000 (Home Improvement License or Residential Remodeler's License required); Building a new single-family residence (Residential Builder's License required); Any commercial construction project over $50,000 (Commercial Contractor License required). Always verify with your local licensing authority.

How much can a handyman charge without a license in Conway, Faulkner County, Arkansas?

In AR, handyman jobs priced under $2,000 (labor and materials combined) generally do not require a contractor license. At or above $2,000, a licensed contractor is required.

What Can a Handyman Do Without a License in Conway, Faulkner County, Arkansas?

Q: What can a handyman do without a license in Conway, Faulkner County, Arkansas?

In AR, a handyman can take jobs under $2,000 (labor and materials combined) without a contractor license. Common examples include: Paint interior or exterior surfaces (residential); Install or replace light fixtures, outlets, and switches (non-permitted electrical work); Replace faucet washers and repair minor plumbing fixtures (non-permitted plumbing work); Install or replace cabinet hardware, door handles, and locks; Patch and repair drywall (minor repairs not requiring permits); Install shelving, towel racks, and other non-structural wall-mounted items.

By Ray Duke, Founder of Bulletproof Handyman · Last reviewed July 2026

In Conway, Arkansas, handymen can work on projects under $2,000 (labor + materials combined) without a state contractor license. For larger residential projects, a Home Improvement License or Residential Remodeler's License is required from the Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board. Conway does not require a city business license, making it very business-friendly. However, any electrical, plumbing, or HVAC work requires separate state trade licenses regardless of project value. Building permits are required for construction work in Conway.

The magic number in AR: $2,000. Jobs under $2,000 (labor + materials combined) don't require a contractor license — you can take those as a handyman. Jobs at or above $2,000 require a contractor license. Know your number, know your limit.

✅ What You Can Do Without a License

Paint interior or exterior surfaces (residential)
Install or replace light fixtures, outlets, and switches (non-permitted electrical work)
Replace faucet washers and repair minor plumbing fixtures (non-permitted plumbing work)
Install or replace cabinet hardware, door handles, and locks
Patch and repair drywall (minor repairs not requiring permits)
Install shelving, towel racks, and other non-structural wall-mounted items
Caulk and weatherstrip windows and doors
Replace air filters and perform basic HVAC maintenance (no permit-required work)
Any residential work on a single project valued at $2,000 or less (labor + materials combined), provided it does not involve electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or other specialty trades requiring separate licenses

Common Jobs Handymen Take in Conway

Based on the AR threshold, handymen in Conway commonly take on:

Paint interior or exterior surfaces (residential)
Install or replace light fixtures, outlets, and switches (non-permitted electrical work)
Replace faucet washers and repair minor plumbing fixtures (non-permitted plumbing work)
Install or replace cabinet hardware, door handles, and locks
Patch and repair drywall (minor repairs not requiring permits)
Install shelving, towel racks, and other non-structural wall-mounted items
Caulk and weatherstrip windows and doors
Replace air filters and perform basic HVAC maintenance (no permit-required work)

⚠️ What Requires a License

Any electrical work requiring a building permit (Master Electrician license required)
Any plumbing work requiring a building permit (Master Plumber license required)
Any HVAC or mechanical work requiring a building permit (Arkansas Mechanical License required)
Residential remodeling or home improvement projects over $2,000 (Home Improvement License or Residential Remodeler's License required)
Building a new single-family residence (Residential Builder's License required)
Any commercial construction project over $50,000 (Commercial Contractor License required)
Water heater installation or replacement (typically requires plumbing license and permit)
Structural modifications or additions to a residence (Residential Remodeler's License required)
Electrical panel work or upgrades (Master Electrician license required)
Gas line installation or repair (may require separate gas fitter license in addition to plumbing)

What to Tell Clients About Your Scope of Work

In AR, you can take jobs under $2,000 (labor + materials) without a contractor license. When a client asks, be straightforward: for jobs under this threshold, you're operating legally as a handyman. For larger projects, refer them to a licensed contractor or get licensed before bidding that work.

Business License — Conway

Not required at the city level.

Setting Up Your Business in AR

To get paid professionally and protect yourself, register your business. LLC filing fee in AR: $45 (one-time). You'll also need a free EIN from the IRS and a business checking account.

Your Next Steps to Operating Legally in Conway

Step 1: Determine your business structure. For most handymen, an LLC is recommended for liability protection. File your Certificate of Organization with the Arkansas Secretary of State ($45 online or $50 by mail). Budget $100-$125 annually for a registered agent service.
Step 2: Obtain a Sales and Use Tax Permit ($50) from the Arkansas Taxpayer Access Point (ATAP) at https://atap.arkansas.gov/ if you will be selling materials or taxable services.
Step 3: If operating under an assumed business name, file a DBA certificate with the Faulkner County Clerk ($25-$40 fee) at 801 Locust Ave., Conway, AR 72034.
Step 4: Verify your project scope. If your work will exceed $2,000 (labor + materials) or involve specialty trades (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), apply for the appropriate state contractor license from the Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board at https://labor.arkansas.gov/licensing/arkansas-contractors-licensing-board/. Budget $100-$184 for initial licensing fees.
Step 5: Obtain general liability insurance ($400-$800 annually) before accepting client work.
Step 6: For each project, verify with the Conway Planning and Development Department at (501) 450-6105 whether building permits are required. Obtain all necessary permits before starting work.
Step 7: If any work will be performed on Little Rock Air Force Base or other federal property, register with SAM.gov (free) at https://sam.gov and contact the facility's contracting office for additional requirements.
Step 8: Pay your annual LLC franchise tax ($150) to the Arkansas Secretary of State by May 1 each year.

Licensing rules and fees change over time, so this information may be out of date. Verify all requirements with your local licensing authority before making business decisions.