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How to become a licensed general contractor in Arizona. State-level licensing required. Experience: 4 years. Total initial fees: $554-$1,186+. Verified 2026-03-22. Data verified 2026-03-22. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
General Contractor
Yes
License Required?
4 years
Experience Required
Yes
Bonding Required?
$554-$1,186+
Total Initial Fees
2 years
Renewal Period
0 hrs
CE Hours
Description
Class B General Residential Contractor license. Covers residential construction.
Project Limit
License required for projects over $1,000
Additional Requirements
Description
Class B-1 General Commercial Contractor. Any size commercial project. B-2: General Small Commercial (projects ≤ $750,000).
Project Limit
License required for projects over $1,000
Additional Requirements
Description
KB-1: Dual Building Contractor (B-1 + B scope — commercial any size + residential). KB-2: Dual Residential and Small Commercial (B-2 + B scope — commercial ≤ $750K + residential). AZ GC classifications: B-1 (General Commercial), B-2 (Small Commercial ≤ $750K), B (General Residential), KB-1 (Dual — B-1 + B), KB-2 (Dual — B-2 + B).
Project Limit
License required for projects over $1,000
Additional Requirements
Description
Specialty contractor license for Arizona. Covers specialized trades and construction activities. Categories: Residential (R-class), commercial (B-class), specialty (C-class).
Additional Requirements
Experience & Documentation
Verified4
Years Required
Required
Documented Project History
Journeyman/Trade Experience
Minimum 4 years of documented experience within the last 10 years (Qualifying Party requirement)
Alternative Pathways (Education Substitutions)
Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
Trade Exam
Required
Business & Law Exam
Exam Provider
Gmetrix (Statutes & Rules Exam) / PSI (Trade Exam) / NASCLA (alternative for B-1, B-2, KB-1, KB-2)
Passing Score
70%
Open Book
Yes
Trade Exam Details
AZ ROC recently consolidated exams: B, B-3, CR-61 → one combined exam; B-1, B-2, KB-1, KB-2 → one combined exam. AZ Statutes and Rules Exam (SRE): $54 via Gmetrix (80 questions, 180 min, 70% passing). AZ ROC Trade Exam: $66 via PSI. NASCLA option for B-1/B-2/KB-1/KB-2: $106 to PSI + $30 transcript purchase to NASCLA (accepted in lieu of ROC trade exam).
Business & Law Exam Details
Business and law examination covering contract law, lien law, and business management
Retake Policy
Candidates may retake the exam after a waiting period. Contact the board for specific retake policies.
Bonding Requirements
VerifiedSurety Bond Required
$2,500–$100,000 (graduated by classification and annual gross revenue)
Surety Bond Amount
Bond Types
Surety bonds protect consumers by providing financial recourse if a contractor fails to complete a project or violates licensing regulations. Bond costs are typically 1-3% of the bond amount annually.
Insurance & Workers' Comp
VerifiedNot Required
General Liability
Required
Workers' Compensation
Minimum Coverage
Workers' compensation required for employers with employees. General liability strongly recommended but may not be a statutory ROC licensing requirement.
Additional Insurance Requirements
Workers' Comp Threshold
Required for employers with 1 or more employees
Workers' Comp Details
Arizona requires workers' compensation insurance for employers with 1 or more employees. Sole proprietors may be exempt but coverage is recommended.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Commercial B-1: $200 application; Residential B: $180 application | $180-$200 |
Exam Fee SRE: $54 (Gmetrix); Trade: $66 (PSI); OR NASCLA: $106 (PSI) + $30 (transcript). All exams: 70% passing score. | $54-$136 |
License Fee Commercial B-1: $580 license (2-year); Residential B: $320 license (2-year). Recovery Fund Assessment (residential/dual only): $370. | $320-$580 |
Renewal Fee Renewal fee per 2 years; varies by license class | $200 |
Total Initial Fees Residential B: $180 app + $320 license + $54 SRE exam = $554 min (+ $370 Recovery Fund if residential/dual). Commercial B-1: $200 app + $580 license + exams. Military/veteran fee waiver available for initial application (sole proprietor). | $554-$1,186+ |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years
Renewal Period
0 hrs
CE Hours Required
Renewal Fee
$200
Regulatory Board
Contractor licenses must be renewed on schedule. Many states require continuing education covering building codes, safety practices, business law, and energy efficiency standards.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedDoes Not Accept Out-of-State Credentials
ICC Certification Not Accepted
Reciprocity Type
Exam required
Transfer Details
No formal state-to-state reciprocity. However, NASCLA exam + trade exam waiver provides a pathway for B-1, B-2, KB-1, KB-2 classifications.
General contractor license reciprocity varies significantly by state. Some states recognize ICC certifications, while others require passing the state exam regardless of prior credentials. Always verify current policies with the state licensing board.
Arizona uses a graduated bond schedule ($2,500–$100,000) based on classification and revenue — not a fixed amount. Exam consolidation simplified the testing process for GC classifications. ROC license is statewide with NO city-level licensing. NASCLA accepted for B-1/B-2/KB-1/KB-2 but there is no formal state reciprocity.
AZ ROC license is valid statewide — NO city-level licensing exists in Arizona.
Licensing threshold: $1,000 (labor + materials) OR any work requiring a permit.
GC classifications: B-1 (General Commercial), B-2 (Small Commercial ≤ $750K), B (General Residential), KB-1 (Dual B-1+B), KB-2 (Dual B-2+B).
Exam consolidation: B/B-3/CR-61 → one combined exam; B-1/B-2/KB-1/KB-2 → one combined exam.
NASCLA exam accepted for B-1, B-2, KB-1, KB-2 in lieu of ROC trade exam.
Bond schedule: graduated $2,500–$100,000 based on classification and anticipated annual gross revenue.
AZ ROC does NOT appear to mandate specific general liability insurance as a statutory licensing requirement. Workers' comp required for employers.
No CE required. Biennial renewal. Military/veteran fee waiver available for initial application (sole proprietor).
Lien Law Basics
Preliminary Notice: Required
Lien Deadline: 120 days after completion
Arizona construction lien law: Preliminary notice is required to preserve lien rights. Lien filing deadline: 120 days after completion.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Arizona.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#36 of 51
Salary
#24 of 51
Cost
#23 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (SOC 47-1011)
Entry Level
$64,610
25th percentile
Median
$78,350
At national averageExperienced
$91,380
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
21,250 employed in this state
Note: BLS category "First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades" is broader than general contractors specifically. It includes supervisors across all construction specialties.
Source: BLS OEWS – First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+5.5%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+40,500
over 10 years
Annual Openings
55,200
per year (avg.)
729,900 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Electrical Career Ladder+32% salary growth potential
You are here
Electrical Contractor
$78,350
Master electrician license + contractor license
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
$59,480
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Electrical Contractor
Master electrician license + contractor license
$78,350
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 216–230 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Arizona Contractor Licensing
4–12 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Arizona Contractor Licensing
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Official ROC website — verified during GC audit
Accessed 2026-03-22
Arizona requires state-level contractor licensing. 4 years of experience is required. All licensing is managed through the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.
Requirements vary by state and local jurisdiction. Always verify current requirements with your state or local licensing authority.