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; and
(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).