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How to check a contractor's license in Arizona

Arizona contractors are licensed by the Registrar of Contractors (ROC). A contractor needs a license when the whole job, labor and materials together, costs $1,000 or more, or needs a permit.

When a license is required

Under A.R.S. 32-1121, the "handyman exemption" covers only work under $1,000 in total that needs no building permit and isn't part of a larger job. Splitting a bigger job into small invoices doesn't qualify.

Which license class

TradeHomesHomes and commercialCommercial
PaintingR-34CR-34C-34
RoofingR-42CR-42C-42
ElectricalR-11CR-11C-11
PlumbingR-37CR-37C-37
Heating and air conditioningR-39CR-39C-39

General building classes such as B and KB-2 also cover many of these trades.

Check it in three steps

  1. Ask for the six-digit ROC number. Licensed contractors must show it on bids, contracts and adverts.
  2. Look it up on the ROC Contractor Search. The status must read Active, and the class must match the work.
  3. Open "More Info" to see the bond and complaint history. A disciplined complaint means ROC found the work fell short and ordered a fix or a penalty.

Only licensed residential work is covered by the Residential Contractors' Recovery Fund, which can repay homeowners for poor or unfinished work.

Licensed contractors we've already checked