Arkansas follows the federal CARD Act baseline for gift cards. State unclaimed property rules apply with carve-outs for single-merchant programs.
Federal context
Under the federal Credit CARD Act of 2009 and its implementing Regulation E (12 CFR 1005.20), gift certificates and most general-use and store gift cards sold in the United States must remain valid for at least five years from the date of issuance or last load. Federal law also restricts dormancy, inactivity, and service fees: a fee can generally be charged only if the card has been inactive for at least 12 months, the fee is disclosed, and no more than one fee is charged per month. State laws may add stronger consumer protections on top of this federal floor.
For a deeper federal explainer, see our CARD Act overview.
Expiration rules in Arkansas
Arkansas defaults to the federal CARD Act five-year minimum for gift certificate expiration. No state-specific statute imposes a stricter or more lenient standard.
Dormancy and service fees in Arkansas
No state-specific cap exists on dormancy fees in Arkansas beyond federal requirements.
Cash redemption for small balances
Arkansas does not statutorily require cash refunds of small balances. Merchants set their own policy with disclosure.
Disclosure requirements
Federal Regulation E disclosures apply. Plain-language terms and conspicuous placement are required.
Unclaimed property and escheatment
Arkansas Unclaimed Property Act may apply to unredeemed balances; single-merchant gift cards typically qualify for an exemption.
Enforcement and penalties
Enforcement is led by the Arkansas Attorney General's Public Protection Division and the federal CFPB and FTC for CARD Act compliance.
Recent updates
No material state-level statutory updates in the last 24 months.
Last reviewed: May 24, 2026. Statutes change. Verify the current text of the cited statute before acting on this summary.
Arkansas compliance checklist
A short operational checklist for selling gift certificates in Arkansas. Adapt with counsel before publishing your final policy.
- Choose either no-expiration or a five-year-plus expiration.
- Disclose any fees at the point of sale.
- Maintain redemption records for unclaimed property purposes.
Frequently asked questions about Arkansas gift card law
Do I need a specific gift certificate license in Arkansas?
No special license is required to sell single-merchant gift certificates in Arkansas. Stored-value and money transmitter rules can apply to open-loop cards.
Related legal basics
- Do Gift Certificates Expire? — A practical overview of federal and state rules on gift certificate expiration, written in plain English.