All Roll Calls
Yes: 128 • No: 0
ArkansasSB6272025 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
TO ASSIST THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND LICENSING AND THE STATE'S ELECTRICIAN, HVACR, ELEVATOR, AND BOILER SAFETY LAWS.
Sponsored By: Missy Irvin (Republican), Jeremy Wooldridge (Republican)
Enacted
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
17 provisions identified: 8 benefits, 6 costs, 3 mixed.
Heating and cooling workers gain scope
Arkansas removes Class C heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration licenses. Beginning September 1, 2025, active and current Class C holders become Class B holders, keeping prior work rights and gaining Class B work. Class B cooling limits rise from 15 to 25 tons per unit. Heating stays capped at 1,000,000 BTUH per unit; refrigeration stays capped at 15 horsepower per unit. State-licensed workers can wire outdoor units from disconnect boxes without an electrician’s license, following state electric code, within 75 feet instead of 10.
More paths into boiler inspection work
Chief boiler inspectors need five years of relevant experience instead of 10. Other covered inspectors need three years instead of five. Experience must involve the specified work on high-pressure boilers and unfired pressure vessels; a current National Board commission remains an alternative. Qualified private inspection providers can employ inspectors eligible for certificates of competency and commissions. Providers and inspectors must still meet applicable qualification and inspection rules.
Boiler businesses lose some inspection charges
The law removes listed boiler shop inspection charges of $440 per day or $220 per half day, plus expenses. For required pressure-piping inspections by state Boiler Inspection Section employees, those daily and half-day fees remain. However, separate expenses and mileage charges for those pressure-piping inspections are removed.
Boiler operators face stricter exam entry
Boiler operator applicants must complete at least six months of on-the-job training before taking the license exam. Their employer must provide proof to the Boiler Inspection Section. The exam must be written; applicants no longer have an oral exam option.
Cooling workers face conviction-based license discipline
The heating and cooling licensing board can suspend or revoke a license or registration after a listed criminal offense. This applies after a guilty finding, guilty plea, or no-contest plea. Only offenses listed in the state’s criminal-record licensing law trigger this authority.
Electrical violations bring daily fine risks
The Department of Labor and Licensing can assess electrical violations at up to $1,000 per violation per day. This covers electrical laws, board rules and orders, license conditions, and specified criminal-record licensing requirements. Electrical inspectors face the same daily maximum under their licensing rules. Each day of a continuing violation counts separately. The charged party must get a hearing opportunity, and penalties must be assessed within two years of the violation.
Electricians face yearly renewals and penalties
Arkansas electrician licenses renew for one year, replacing the choice of one, two, or three years. Late renewal costs one year’s renewal fee plus $10 for each calendar month after expiration. After more than 36 months without renewal, electricians must retake the required exam to restore their license. They must also pay applicable fees and penalties, including an extra $1,000.
Electrical inspectors need fewer education hours
Arkansas electrical inspectors must show at least eight hours of continuing education, down from 16 hours. This lowers their required education burden.
Sign electricians can repair parking lights
Specialist sign electricians can earn an endorsement to maintain and repair parking lot lights. They must hold the specialist sign license and pass a separate exam approved by the electrical board.
Fewer separate licenses for electrical businesses
Arkansas ends the separate air conditioning electrician classification and its exam, license, and renewal fees. The law also repeals the separate state electrical contractor license section. That section required a state fee and required contractors to be or employ a master electrician. Its process for qualifying state-licensed contractors to work in municipalities is also removed; other licensing rules are not repealed by this change.
Elevator inspectors cannot steer customer referrals
Elevator inspectors cannot recommend or refer customers to a specific elevator business. The ban covers businesses that manufacture, install, repair, alter, test, or service elevators. Elevator testing businesses are added to the covered referral restriction.
Private inspectors can stop unsafe boilers
Arkansas-commissioned private inspection providers gain authority to suspend boiler and pressure-vessel operating certificates. This extends authority already available to commissioned insurance-company inspectors. When a provider finds a boiler or unfired pressure vessel unsafe, it can suspend the certificate and forbid further use.
Elevator workers face tighter licensing rules
Elevator mechanics’ license terms shrink from two years to one year. Elevator testing contractors join the state licensing system, and the board can suspend or revoke their licenses for cause. Applicants must meet qualification and exam rules, unless an equivalent state or city license qualifies them to skip the exam. Renewal requires a fee and proof of required continuing education. Application and exam fees are capped at $150; board-set license and renewal fees cannot exceed $1,000.
Boiler service businesses need annual licenses
People and businesses selling, installing, or inspecting covered equipment must obtain a Boiler Inspection Section license. Covered equipment includes boilers, unfired pressure vessels, hot water storage containers, and pressure piping. The annual fee is $75, payable in advance by January 31.
Electrical apprentices get records help, deadlines
Training schools or courses certified by the U.S. Office of Apprenticeship handle enrolled electrical apprentices’ registration applications and renewals. They must track on-the-job hours and report completed hours to the board when releasing apprentices for testing. Apprentices who finish certified training and receive testing release from the Office of Skills Development must test within one year.
Boiler owners get flat inspection charges
State annual boiler inspections cost $25 per boiler, replacing horsepower-based rates; unfired pressure-vessel inspections cost $15, replacing capacity-based rates. Both fees are due within 30 days after inspection. Installation permits cost $25 for boilers up to 200 horsepower, $45 for larger boilers, and $30 for unfired pressure vessels, including hot water storage containers. Pressure-piping permits remain $100, and installation permit fees must be paid before issuance. Requested special boiler inspections cost $100, with the separate Little Rock round-trip travel charge removed.
Cooling businesses take on worker fees
Class A, B, D, and E license holders handle and pay annual registrations for employees doing heating and cooling work. They must ensure employees have a current registration or license. The board can require up to eight education hours per International Mechanical Code cycle for selected license classes, replacing four hours yearly. Its fee schedule adds a renewal-fee category in place of code-book fees. The board sets fees by rule, with license and registration fees capped by state law.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Missy Irvin
Republican • Senate
Jeremy Wooldridge
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Wade Andrews
Republican • House
Bruce Cozart
Republican • House
Joshua Bryant
Republican • Senate
Richard McGrew
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/14/2025
House Vote - Monday, April 14, 2025 7:41:27 PM
Yes: 95 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/8/2025
Senate Vote - Tuesday, April 8, 2025 5:38:15 PM
Yes: 33 • No: 0 • Other: 1
Actions Timeline
Notification that SB627 is now Act 746
4/18/2025SenateDELIVERED TO GOVERNOR.
4/15/2025SenateReported correctly enrolled and ordered delivered to the Governor.
4/15/2025SenateORDERED ENROLLED
4/14/2025SenateReturned from the House as passed.
4/14/2025SenateReturned to the Senate as passed.
4/14/2025HouseRead the third time and passed and ordered transmitted to the Senate.
4/14/2025HouseReturned by the Committee Do Pass
4/10/2025HouseRead the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and referred to the Committee on PUBLIC HEALTH, WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE- HOUSE
4/8/2025HouseRECEIVED FROM THE SENATE
4/8/2025HouseOrdered immediately transmitted to the House.
4/8/2025SenateRead the third time and passed.
4/8/2025SenateAmendment # 1 read the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and adopted, ordered engrossed.
4/7/2025SenatePlaced on second reading for purpose of amendment.
4/7/2025SenateRules suspended.
4/7/2025SenateReturned by the Committee with the recommendation that it Do Pass as amended, Amendment # 1
4/7/2025SenateRead first time, rules suspended, read second time, referred to PUBLIC HEALTH, WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE - SENATE
4/3/2025SenateFiled
4/3/2025Senate
Bill Text
SB627 - Introduced
4/3/2025
Act Version
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