Arizona Contractor Licensing & Classifications
Arizona licenses contractors statewide through the Registrar of Contractors under A.R.S. Title 32, Chapter 10. This chapter covers the ROC, the license scopes, the qualifying party, the handyman exemption, and how NASCLA fits with the state exam.
The Registrar of Contractors and license scopes
The Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) licenses and regulates contractors statewide under A.R.S. Title 32, Chapter 10. Licenses are organized into Commercial, Residential, and Dual scopes, with general and specialty classifications under each. Working outside the scope or classification of the license is a violation, so choosing the right license is the first step.
The qualifying party
Every Arizona contractor license must have a qualifying party - an individual who is regularly involved in the contracting business and whose experience and passing exam results qualify the license (A.R.S. §32-1127). The license depends on that person, so if the qualifying party leaves, the license can be affected until a qualified replacement is designated.
The handyman exemption and NASCLA
A person may perform casual or minor work without a license only when the total contract price, including labor and materials, is less than $1,000, the work does not require a building permit, and the person does not advertise or imply that they are licensed (A.R.S. §32-1121). For the trade portion of a commercial license, Arizona accepts the NASCLA Accredited Commercial General Building exam, but the applicant must still pass the Arizona Statutes and Rules Exam.
State-specific details
State exam facts
- State regulator
- Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC)
Does Arizona require a state contractor license?
Yes. The Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) licenses contractors under A.R.S. Title 32, Chapter 10 in Commercial, Residential, and Dual scopes. Handyman/casual work under $1,000 is exempt (A.R.S. §32-1121); unlicensed contracting is a class 1 misdemeanor (A.R.S. §32-1164).
What exam does Arizona require for a contractor license?
Applicants must pass the Statutes and Rules Exam (SRE). It is waived only for someone who was a qualifying party on an Arizona license within the previous five years. The ROC does not publish the SRE question count, time limit, or passing score in the candidate bulletin.
Who is protected by the Arizona Residential Contractors' Recovery Fund?
The Recovery Fund (A.R.S. §32-1131 et seq.) is available only to owners who used a licensed residential contractor; there is a two-year complaint period (A.R.S. §32-1155).
Sources: https://roc.az.gov