How to Start a Landscaping Business in Arkansas (2026)

Last updated: February 25, 2026

Starting a landscaping business in Arkansas does not require a general state landscaping license – but if your services include applying herbicides, pesticides, or any other pesticide products, you must obtain a Commercial Pesticide Applicator License from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture. This requires passing a core exam and a category-specific exam. Recertification is required every three years. Beyond pesticide licensing, you need an LLC or business registration, a local business license, general liability and workers’ comp insurance (required at 3+ employees in Arkansas), and potentially a sales tax permit if you sell products or equipment as part of your services.

Landscaping Business Requirements in Arkansas at a Glance

Requirement	Agency	Cost	Timeline
LLC Formation	Secretary of State (BCS)	$45 (online)	3-5 business days
Local Business License	City/County Clerk	Varies (~$50-$250)	1-5 business days
Commercial Pesticide Applicator License (if applying pesticides)	AR Dept of Agriculture, Pesticide Section	Contact Dept for fee	After passing core + category exam
Pesticide Applicator Exams	AR Dept of Agriculture	Contact Dept for exam fee	Monthly exam schedule
Pesticide Dealer License (if selling pesticides)	AR Dept of Agriculture	Contact Dept for fee	Before selling
Sales Tax Permit (if selling products)	AR Dept of Finance & Administration	$50 non-refundable	3-5 business days
General Liability Insurance	Private Carrier	~$1,500-$3,500/year	Before starting operations
Workers’ Compensation Insurance	Private Carrier	Varies by payroll	Required at 3+ employees
Annual Franchise Tax	Secretary of State	$150/year	Due May 1st annually
Pesticide Recertification	UA Cooperative Extension Service	~$50-$150	Every 3 years

How to Start a Landscaping Business in Arkansas (Step by Step)

Step 1: Form Your Business Entity

Step 2: Determine Your Services and Pesticide License Need

Basic landscaping services (mowing, planting, general yard maintenance) do not require a state license in Arkansas. However, if any of your services involve applying pesticide products – including herbicides for weed control, insecticides for pest control, or fungicides – you must obtain a Commercial Pesticide Applicator License.

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture Pesticide Section administers all pesticide applicator licensing:

Website: agriculture.arkansas.gov – Pesticides Licensing
Phone: (501) 225-1598

Step 3: Pass the Pesticide Applicator Exams

To obtain a Commercial Pesticide Applicator License, you must pass:

Core exam: Covers general pesticide safety, labels, laws, and regulations
Category exam: For landscaping, the relevant categories include:
- Category 3: Ornamental and Turf Pest Management (most common for landscapers)
- Category 6: Right-of-Way and Vegetation Management (if applicable)

Exam schedule:

In-person examinations: First Tuesday of each month at the Department office
Classifications 1, 2, and 3: Second Monday of all odd months
Contact the Pesticide Section to schedule and confirm current times

Required certification and recertification training is provided by the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.

Step 4: Maintain Your Pesticide License

Once licensed, you must recertify every 3 years to maintain your Commercial Pesticide Applicator License:

Attend a recertification course approved by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture
Courses offered through the UA Cooperative Extension Service
Cost: approximately $50-$150 per recertification course
Failure to recertify results in license expiration – you cannot legally apply restricted-use pesticides without a current license

Step 5: Get Local Business License and Insurance

Contact your city or county clerk for a local business license. Additionally, obtain:

General Liability Insurance: $1 million per occurrence recommended. Covers property damage and bodily injury. Particularly important in landscaping where equipment can damage structures and utilities. Annual cost: ~$1,500-$3,500.
Workers’ Compensation: Required once you have 3 or more employees in Arkansas. The landscaping industry has significant injury risks – do not delay this coverage.
Commercial Auto Insurance: Required if you use trucks or trailers for business purposes.
Equipment Insurance: Protects mowers, trimmers, and other equipment against damage or theft.

Step 6: Sales Tax Considerations

In Arkansas, landscaping and lawn care services (labor) are generally not subject to sales tax. However, if you sell tangible products (plants, mulch, equipment) as part of your work, those sales may be taxable. Register through ATAP ($50 fee) and consult the Department of Finance and Administration for your specific situation.

Startup Cost Breakdown

Item	Cost
LLC formation	$45
Local business license	$50-$250
Pesticide applicator license + exams (if needed)	Contact AR Dept of Agriculture
General liability insurance (annual)	$1,500-$3,500
Commercial auto insurance (annual)	$1,500-$3,000
Landscaping equipment (mower, trimmer, blower, etc.)	$5,000-$30,000+
Trailer	$2,000-$8,000
Total estimated first-year costs (excl. major equipment)	~$3,100-$6,800

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a license to start a landscaping business in Arkansas?

A general landscaping license is not required in Arkansas. However, if you apply any pesticide products (herbicides, insecticides, fungicides) as part of your services, you must obtain a Commercial Pesticide Applicator License from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture. Basic mowing and planting services can operate without a state license, but still require a local business license.

What is the Arkansas Commercial Pesticide Applicator License?

It is a state license issued by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture Pesticide Section that authorizes the commercial application of restricted-use and general-use pesticides. It requires passing a core exam and a category-specific exam (Category 3 – Ornamental and Turf is typical for landscapers). Recertification is required every 3 years. Contact the Pesticide Section at (501) 225-1598.

When is workers’ compensation required for a landscaping business in Arkansas?

Workers’ compensation is required once you have 3 or more employees in Arkansas. Given the physical nature of landscaping and related injury risks, getting coverage as soon as you hire your third worker is essential. Penalties for non-compliance include fines up to $10,000 and potential Class D felony charges.

Are landscaping services taxable in Arkansas?

Landscaping and lawn care labor services are generally not subject to Arkansas sales tax. However, sales of tangible products (plants, mulch, materials sold separately) may be taxable. Consult the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration to confirm your specific service mix, and register through ATAP if you have taxable sales.

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About the Author

Robert Smith has run a licensed private investigation firm for 8 years from the Florida-Georgia state line - where he learned firsthand how wildly business licensing rules differ between states just miles apart. He personally researched requirements across all 50 states and D.C., reviewing hundreds of government sources over hundreds of hours to build guides he wished existed when he started. Not a lawyer or accountant - just a business owner who has done the research so you don't have to.

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