In Arizona, anyone charging over $1000 for plumbing services has to have a contractor license.
There are 3 plumbing license options available:
Residential Plumber (also known as R-37)
Commercial Plumber (also known as C-37)
Dual License (also known as CR-37)
Residential Plumber (CR-37) Requirements
To get a Contractor License in Arizona you must meet the following basic requirements:
- Be at least 18 years of Age
- Form of USA Issued Identification
- Social Security Number
- Not Currently On Probation or Parole
You Must also have
- 4 Years of Journeyman Level Experience
- Be able to verify work experience in at least 7 recent plumbing projects
- Be able to verify work experience in at least 8 maintenance projects
- Be able to document your experience at the request of the ROC
- A Business entity
Definition of a Journeyman in Arizona
Arizona has no journeyman plumbing certification. The definition of a journeyman can vary based on your region.
The universal expectation of a journeyman is that they can perform all of the duties associated with their trade un-supervised.
A Journeyman is someone who has demonstrated a level of mastery in their trade.
The Arizona Registrar of Contractors may request to see documentation of your experience.
It is important that you have some way to prove your claim of being a journeyman.
Acceptable plumbing work experience documentation includes:
- W2’s
- Tax Returns
- Check Stubs
- Contracts
- Letter from a licensed contractor
Description of your Plumbing Experience
The Arizona Registrar of Contractor will request a description of your work experience. You will need to include all your daily duties and a description of the types of projects you have completed.
You will also need to include the contact information of someone that has first-hand knowledge of the projects. You can use any of the following people to verify this experience:
- Licensed Contractor
- Fellow Employee
- Foreman or Supervisor
You will need to include your relationship to this person and how many years you worked with this person
Forming a business entity in Arizona
Arizona contractor license law requires all plumbers to have a business entity set up before applying for a contractor license.
You must first choose a name and then you can choose the type of entity you want.
Typically, construction companies choose either:
- Sole Proprietor
- Partnership
- LLC
- S-Corporation
For a complete explanation of the difference between these types of entities and which one makes the most sense for someone applying for the Arizona plumbing license, check out this free guide.
Once you have chosen an entity, simply follow these steps:
- Check Name Availability with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors
- Apply with the Arizona Corporation Commission
- Apply for an EIN #
Job duties of the Arizona Plumbing License
Those looking to get the Residential Plumbing License in Arizona must be familiar with the following duties:
- Drainage Waste and Vents
- Indirect Waste
- Water Supply Systems
- Backflow Prevention
- Roof Drains and Storm Drainage Systems
- Fire Sprinklers
- Plumbing Fixtures (Including Water Heaters)
- General Plumbing Knowledge
- Specialty Plumbing, Interceptors and Traps
- Isometric Analysis
- Fuel, Sewer, Water and Gas Lines
- Hydronics and Excavation
Arizona Plumbing Contractor Exam
To get the Arizona plumbing license you will need to pass a two-part exam. The first part of the exam covers business management. All contractors must pass this exam.
As a contractor, you must have a basic knowledge of proper business practices and accounting.
These laws are put in place to protect the consumer public.
Arizona Business Management Exam
The business management exam will cover the following topics:
- Arizona Registrar of Contractors Statutes
- Arizona Registrar of Contractors Rules
- Workmanship Standards
- Business Management
- Business Mathematics
- Environmental Regulations
- Contracts and Agreements
- Insurance and Bonding
- Safety, Record Keeping and Employment Regulations
- Financial Management
- Tax Laws
- Liens
The second part of the exam will cover the plumbing trade.
ROC Exam
- 110 Questions
- Passing Score: 70%
- Time Allowed: 240 Minutes
- $66 per exam
Business Management
- 80 Questions
- Passing Score 70%
- Time Allowed: 180 minutes
- $66 per exam
Registrar of Contractors Test Locations
Arizona Registrar of Contractors
The Arizona Registrar of Contractors license exam is facilitated by a 3rd party company called PSI.
They have test locations in the following cities:
- Yuma
- Tempe
- Glendale
- Flagstaff
- Phoenix
- Tucson
- The exam is multiple choice and taken on a computer
- The test is open book
- On test day you must bring two forms of identification
- You will be given a piece of scratch paper and pencil
- Non programmable calculators are permitted
- No electronic devices are allowed inside the testing area
- If you do not pass after 3 attempts you have to wait 180 days to take the exam again
Learn more about the Arizona Registrar of Contractors!
Request an Arizona Contractor License Application
First, apply for a test date here
After you receive your passing scores. Fill out one of these applications
and send it to:
The State of Arizona Registrar of Contractors
1700 West Washington Street, Suite 105
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: 602.542.1525
Arizona Commercial Plumbing License (CR-37)
- The exam for the Residential and Commercial Plumbing license are virtually the same
- If you have experience in both areas, you can apply for the Dual License (CR-37)
- The Arizona Registrar of Contractors will determine whether the experience you submit on your application is considered Commercial Plumbing
Some of the areas of expertise you must demonstrate experience in are:
- Installation, Alteration and Repair
- Piping Fixtures and Appliances
- Pressure Vessels and Tanks
- Venting and Sanitary Drainage Systems
- Compressed Air and Vacuum Systems
- Septic Tanks and Leaching Lines
- Roof Leaders
- Lawn Sprinklers and Water Conditioning Equipment
- Piping Equipment for Swimming Pools
- Steam Heating and Supply Systems
Arizona Plumbing License Reciprocity
Learn more about Arizona's reciprocity agreement
Contractor License reciprocity is an agreement between the Contractor licensing boards of two different states.
This may be because they have similar building standards, allowing contractors to work freely between states.
In the context of licensing, it means that a contractor who is licensed in one state, may not need to retake an exam to get licensed in another state.
Learn more about California's Contractor License reciprocity agreement with Arizona!
Plumbing Apprenticeships
If you are looking to get into the construction industry but don't have any experience, there are several pathways you can take to get started. There are many different avenues people take in construction.
It is no secret that learning the construction trade can be incredibly lucrative.
More and more young people are turning to the trades over pursuing corporate careers. It is becoming incredibly clear that a degree just doesn't hold the weight with employers that it used to.
In all fields, employers are looking for specific skills. Plumbers possess incredible in-demand skillsets
By learning a construction trade you can separate yourself from the back and bring a valuable set of skills to the table that companies are willing to pay top dollar for.
Apprentice vs. Journeyman?
The path from apprentice to journeyman
One of the best ways to build a solid foundation in your career is by looking into an apprenticeship program.
If you are new to the world of construction and have heard the term “journeyman” or “apprentice” and are not sure what these terms mean, or perhaps where to even start.
Learn more about the step-by-step path from an Apprentice to Journeyman!
How To Read Construction Blueprints
Learn How To Read Construction Blueprints!
Those looking to get the Arizona plumbing license should be able to read construction blueprints and identify basic lines and symbols.
Construction blueprints communicate important information about the way in which a structure is built as well as what materials are necessary or have been used for its construction.
Being comfortable with construction blueprints is an invaluable skill for those looking to get the Arizona plumbing license. See our Free Blueprint Reading Course!
OSHA Certifications
Occupational Safety Hazard Association
Statistically, 21% of all work-related fatalities are in construction.
That equals about 1 and 5 worker deaths on average. In the construction industry, the leading cause of worker deaths is reported as falls, struck by an object, electrocution, and caught-in/between.
Being a plumber can be dangerous, especially if you or your workers are not properly trained.
For employment with a plumbing contractor, you may be asked to complete some level of OSHA Arizona Safety Training. Learn more about OSHA Certifications!
Conclusion
Getting an Arizona plumbing license can be a huge step up in your career if you are looking to start your own company or become an RMO for an existing one!
The key is to take action and follow these steps from beginning to end.
If you are looking to get work in another state you can find information here about plumbing contractor licenses in California, New Mexico, Utah, Louisiana, Nevada, Colorado, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida
If you have found this article, be sure to let us know! and check back for more updates in the future.