Arkansas Administrative Code Agency 018 - Abstractors Board of Examiners
Here’s an overview of Arkansas Administrative Code – Agency 018: Abstractors Board of Examiners based on the most recent regulations:
📘 Scope & Authority
Effective date: Current as of Register Vol. 50, No. 3 (March 2025) (regulations.justia.com).
Purpose: Implements Act 1042 of 2007 (Arkansas Abstracters' Board Act, Ark. Code Ann. § 17‑11‑101 et seq.) to establish licensing standards for abstracters (regulations.justia.com).
Applicability:
All new applicants seeking licensure under Ark. Code Ann. § 17‑11‑302(a).
Previously licensed abstracters under former Title Insurance Agents' Licensing Act (§ 17‑11‑201 et seq.) may continue if they meet current requirements — effective since January 1, 2008 (regulations.justia.com).
🏛 Board Structure & Governance
Officers: Chairperson and Secretary/Treasurer are elected annually in January (unless otherwise decided) (regulations.justia.com).
Officer Duties:
Chairperson: Presides over meetings, is custodian of records, delegates duties, and votes on matters (regulations.justia.com).
Secretary/Treasurer: Maintains meeting minutes and oversees board funds (regulations.justia.com).
Board Duties:
The Board’s Director maintains records, sets office hours, and handles filings (regulations.justia.com).
Meetings follow Roberts Rules of Order and comply with FOIA; special meetings can be convened by the chair or two board members with proper notice (labor.arkansas.gov).
📑 Licensing Process
Application Requirements:
Applicants must be adults (18+), without felony convictions, and possess at least one year of verified land-title experience (regulations.justia.com).
Applications for written exams must be submitted 30 days in advance and must be fully completed and legible .
A $25 application fee is payable by check or money order .
Temporary certificates are issued only with proof of adequate experience, per Ark. Code Ann. § 17‑11‑305 (regulations.justia.com).
⚖ Discipline & Compliance
The Board may revoke or discipline registrants after hearings under the Administrative Procedure Act (Ark. Code Ann. § 25‑15‑201 et seq.) (regulations.justia.com).
Grounds for action include:
Violations of the Abstracters' Act
Criminal convictions
Fraud or habitual carelessness
Failure to maintain an abstract plant, satisfy bond requirements, or employ a registered abstracter (labor.arkansas.gov).
Upon revocation, licenses must be returned to the Board .
🔐 Additional Provisions
Records & FOIA: Applicants may review their test materials within three months of testing; board records are publicly accessible during office hours (labor.arkansas.gov).
Forms & Guidance: Official forms, written policies, interpretive memoranda, and formal decisions/orders are available from the Board’s office or website (regulations.justia.com).
Transition to New Board: As of July 1, 2023, Senate Bill 354 (Act 628) merged the Abstractors Board into a larger State Board of Appraisers, Abstracters, and Home Inspectors, which now oversees abstracters in Arkansas (labor.arkansas.gov).
✅ Summary Table
| Area | Key Points |
|---|---|
| Authority | Act 1042 (2007), AAC Title 018 |
| Applicants | Adults, no felonies, 1+ yr experience |
| Governance | Board with elected Chair & Secretary/Treasurer |
| Licensing Process | Forms, exam registrations, $25 fee, temp certificates |
| Discipline | Under APA, for fraud, negligence, license violations |
| Public Records | Available RT during office hours; exam review allowed |
| Recent Update | Board merged into Appraisers/Abstracters/Home Inspectors Board on July 1, 2023 |
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