Electrical Contractor Permit Requirements in Fort Smith, AR

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Arkansas Sales and Use Tax Permit — Department of Finance and Administration

   Any business selling taxable goods or taxable services in Arkansas must obtain a gross receipts (sales) tax permit before transacting business, and a separate permit is required for each business location under Ark. Code 26-52-201. The permit is issued by the Department of Finance and Administration's Sales and Use Tax Section. The state sales and use tax rate is 6.500%, with city and county rates added on top — in Little Rock, for example, the combined rate is 8.625% (6.5% state, 1% Pulaski County, 1.125% city).

   Official government source

   $50.00 sales tax permit fee, paid electronically when the registration is submitted.·Register online through the Arkansas Taxpayer Access Point at atap.arkansas.gov. Registration questions go to the Sales and Use Tax Section at 501-682-7104, Ledbetter Building, 1816 W 7th St, Room 1330, Little Rock.

   $50.00 sales tax permit fee, paid electronically when the registration is submitted.

   Register online through the Arkansas Taxpayer Access Point at atap.arkansas.gov. Registration questions go to the Sales and Use Tax Section at 501-682-7104, Ledbetter Building, 1816 W 7th St, Room 1330, Little Rock.

1. Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners — Electrician License

   Electrical work in Arkansas requires a license from the Board of Electrical Examiners, part of the Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing (the department's current name — 'Arkansas Department of Labor' is the old one). Six classifications exist: master, journeyman, residential master, residential journeyman, air conditioning, and industrial maintenance electrician, plus registration for apprentices. A business doing electrical work must designate a master electrician, and licenses are renewed annually.

   Official government source

   Examination fee $80 for master, journeyman, residential master, or residential journeyman, and $50 for industrial maintenance. The license itself is $50 per year for a master or residential master and $25 per year for a journeyman, residential journeyman, or industrial maintenance electrician; apprentice registration is $10 per year·Renewals are annual with no grace period; a late renewal costs a full year's renewal fee plus $10 for every calendar month past the expiration date

   Examination fee $80 for master, journeyman, residential master, or residential journeyman, and $50 for industrial maintenance. The license itself is $50 per year for a master or residential master and $25 per year for a journeyman, residential journeyman, or industrial maintenance electrician; apprentice registration is $10 per year

   Renewals are annual with no grace period; a late renewal costs a full year's renewal fee plus $10 for every calendar month past the expiration date

2. City of Fort Smith Business License

   All businesses inside Fort Smith city limits must hold a business license unless they qualify for an exemption. Licenses are governed by Chapter 13, Article 3 (Occupational Registration) of the city code and are applied for and renewed online through the city's CityView portal. Fees are flat by license type — they are not scaled to gross revenue. Renewal notices are mailed the month before expiration.

   Official government source

   Free for the first year for new business owners in Fort Smith; $100 per year to renew a typical business license, or $150 per year for a food truck·Processing takes anywhere from one day to two weeks depending on the application; questions go to [email protected] or 479-784-2299

   Free for the first year for new business owners in Fort Smith; $100 per year to renew a typical business license, or $150 per year for a food truck

   Processing takes anywhere from one day to two weeks depending on the application; questions go to [email protected] or 479-784-2299

3. City of Fort Smith Electrical Permit (per project)

   An electrical permit must be obtained from the City of Fort Smith Building Services department for each electrical project, with a final inspection at completion; the city inspects for compliance with the National Electrical Code as amended locally. Sebastian County has no building department, and the Finance department does not issue permits.

   Official government source

   Set by Fort Smith Municipal Code sec. 6-75 (electrical permit fees); see the city's permit fee schedule page or contact Building Services·Permits are issued by Building Services and a final inspection is required at completion; the city does not publish a fixed issuance time

   Set by Fort Smith Municipal Code sec. 6-75 (electrical permit fees); see the city's permit fee schedule page or contact Building Services

   Permits are issued by Building Services and a final inspection is required at completion; the city does not publish a fixed issuance time

Official Sources

• Arkansas Department of Labor — Electrical Contractor License
• City of Fort Smith Finance Department

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