The following shall be exempted from the provisions of this chapter:
(1) The practice of contracting as defined in § 17-25-101 by an authorized representative or representatives of the United States Government, State of Arkansas, incorporated town, city or county, or other political subdivision in this state;
(2) Architects and engineers, whose only financial interest in a project shall be the architectural or engineering fees for preparing plans, specifications, surveys, and supervision that is customarily furnished by architects and engineers;
(3)
(A) Manufacturers who produce equipment to be installed in the State of Arkansas and have the responsibility for the installation of the equipment, which would require a license under this chapter, if the installation is performed by a contractor properly licensed under this chapter.
(B) The Contractors Licensing Board shall have the authority to define “manufacturers” as it is used in this subdivision (3); and
(4)
(A) Subcontractors of a licensed contractor who are properly registered with the board under this chapter.
(B) The board may issue rules necessary for the:
(i) Implementation of a registration process;
(ii) Determination of application fees for registration; and
(iii) Establishment of civil penalties in the same amounts and under the same procedures as for other license holders under this chapter.