Arkansas · 17 statewide requirements covered
Business licences and permits in Arkansas
Arkansas prices franchise tax three different ways by entity type — a flat $150 for an LLC, a percentage of stock value for a corporation, a flat $300 for one with no stock. Cosmetology and barbering are licensed by two entirely different agencies.
What applies everywhere in Arkansas
17 requirements are set by Arkansas itself and apply whichever city you open in. Local permits sit on top of them.
| Requirement | Issued by | Fee | Applies | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Franchise Tax Report | Arkansas Secretary of State, Business and Commercial Services Division | $150 flat for an LLC; three-tenths of one per cent of a stock corporation's authorised capital, apportioned to Arkansas; $300 flat for a corporation with no stock | Only in some cases | 2026-09-04 |
| Articles of Incorporation | Arkansas Secretary of State, Business and Commercial Services Division | $45 filed online; $50 on paper | Only in some cases | 2026-09-04 |
| Automotive Repair Shop Licence (not required by Arkansas) | Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration | No fee | Only in some cases | 2026-09-04 |
| Barber Shop Registration | Arkansas State Board of Barber Examiners | $70 to register a new shop; renewal is $50 a year | To every business | 2026-09-04 |
| Certificate of Organization (LLC) | Arkansas Secretary of State, Business and Commercial Services Division | $45 filed online; $50 on paper | Only in some cases | 2026-09-04 |
| Certified Food Protection Manager | Arkansas Department of Health, Food Protection Program | No fee | Only in some cases | 2026-09-04 |
| Child Care Centre Licence | Arkansas Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education | $15–$100 a year, banded by the number of children the facility serves | To every business | 2026-09-04 |
| Commercial Contractor Licence | Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board | $100 to apply; renewal is $50 a year | Only in some cases | 2026-09-04 |
| Cosmetology Establishment Licence | Arkansas Department of Health, Food Protection Program | $100 one-time to open; renewal is $50 a year | To every business | 2026-09-04 |
| Electrical Licence | Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners | $50 a year for a master electrician; a journeyman is $25 a year | Only in some cases | 2026-09-04 |
| Food Service Establishment Permit | Arkansas Department of Health, Food Protection Program | $35 a year; multiple permit types at one address are capped at $105 total | To every business | 2026-09-04 |
| General Business Licence (not required by Arkansas) | Arkansas Secretary of State, Business and Commercial Services Division | No fee | Only in some cases | 2026-09-04 |
| Home Improvement Registration | Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board | $50 to register; renewal is $25 a year | Only in some cases | 2026-09-04 |
| HVACR Licence | Arkansas HVACR Licensing Board | $200 a year for the top class; lower classes run from $100 to $150 | Only in some cases | 2026-09-04 |
| Plumbing Licence | Arkansas Department of Health, Food Protection Program | $200 a year for a master plumber; a journeyman is $75 a year | Only in some cases | 2026-09-04 |
| Sales Tax Permit | Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration | $50 one-time, non-refundable | To every business | 2026-09-04 |
| Veterinary Facility Permit (not required by Arkansas) | Arkansas State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners | No fee | Only in some cases | 2026-09-04 |
Which Arkansas city are you opening in?
We do not yet publish a Arkansas city. The statewide requirements above are verified as far as they go, but a city or county adds its own — a local business tax receipt, a food permit, a building sign-off — and we will not guess at those. The jurisdictions we do cover are listed in full.
Is there a single Arkansas business licence?
No. Arkansas has no single licence that covers every business. What you need depends on your industry, your city and your county, and most of the obligations that matter are issued locally rather than at state level.
The state-level registrations that do apply to nearly everyone are tax accounts rather than licences — which is why they are easy to miss.
Who issues permits in Arkansas?
- Arkansas Department of Health, Food Protection ProgramFood establishment permits · Cosmetology salon licensing · Plumbing licensing4 permits
- Arkansas Secretary of State, Business and Commercial Services DivisionEntity formation · Annual franchise tax reports4 permits
- Arkansas Contractors Licensing BoardCommercial contractor licensing · Home improvement registration2 permits
- Arkansas Department of Finance and AdministrationSales and use tax permits2 permits
- Arkansas Board of Electrical ExaminersElectrical licensing1 permit
- Arkansas Division of Child Care and Early Childhood EducationChild care centre licensing1 permit
- Arkansas HVACR Licensing BoardHVAC and refrigeration contractor licensing1 permit
- Arkansas State Board of Barber ExaminersBarber shop registration1 permit
- Arkansas State Board of Veterinary Medical ExaminersVeterinarian licensing · Corporate practice registration1 permit
By industry
Commercial Compliance Hub publishes information, not legal advice. Requirements change — confirm anything you rely on with the issuing agency before you file.