Quick Reference Table
Criteria | Detail |
|---|---|
License type | R-37 Plumbing Including Solar (specialty residential), CR-37 Plumbing (dual: residential and commercial) |
Regulating agency | Arizona Registrar of Contractors (roc.az.gov) |
Experience required | 4 years hands-on or managerial experience in prior 10 years |
Exams | Statutes & Rules (SRE), Trade Exam, Solar Exam (if applicable) |
Renewal cycle | Biennial (every 2 years) |
Continuing Education | None required |
Application Fee | $80 (as of 2026 ( verify at AZ ROC )) |
Initial License Fee | $270 (as of 2026 ( verify at AZ ROC )) |
Recovery Fund | $370 initial, $270 renewal (as of 2026 ( see AZ ROC fees )) |
SRE Exam Fee | $61 (as of 2026 ( see AZ ROC fees )) |
Trade Exam Fee | $66 (as of 2026 ( see AZ ROC fees )) |
Bond | Minimum $4,250 (scales up by annual volume) |
Official links | Board homepage, License classifications |
Who Needs a License in Arizona?
Any individual or business performing plumbing work in Arizona that involves labor and materials valued at $1,000 or more, or any work requiring a permit, must comply with plumbing license requirements in Arizona. This threshold is strictly enforced by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.
This scope covers installation and repair of water pipes, gas systems, plumbing fixtures, venting, water or sewer treatment, fire protection (water sprinklers), and solar plumbing systems. If your work falls under these categories and meets the dollar or permit threshold, you must hold the proper license.
Importantly, both subcontractors and primary contractors are subject to these requirements. Employees of licensed contractors do not need a separate license if they are not independently contracting, but every business or person contracting plumbing work meets plumbing license requirements in Arizona. Handymen are exempt only for jobs under $1,000 and where no permit is required, based on ARS §32‑1121. The owner-builder exemptions are not detailed in available state sources.
General contractors cannot legally self-perform plumbing unless they also hold a plumbing license. They must use appropriately licensed plumbing subs for that portion of the job.
Plumbing License Types in Arizona
Several license classifications define plumbing license requirements in Arizona. The main active classifications for new applicants are:
R-37 Plumbing, Including Solar (Specialty Residential): Allows contractors to install and repair water and gas piping, fixtures, sewage systems, fire protection related to water sprinklers, and solar plumbing applications in residential settings. This includes all permitted work in former R‑37R subclassifications, but only R-37 is open for new applications now.
CR-37 Plumbing (Specialty Dual, Residential and Commercial): Enables license holders to perform plumbing work in both residential and commercial environments. This license covers all of the R‑37 scope, plus extends to commercial structures.
Contractors seeking to perform solar-related plumbing work within the residential specialty must obtain the R‑37 classification, as it explicitly includes solar. Each classification has its own precise definition and scope of work. For all, plumbing license requirements in Arizona include meeting the relevant experience amounts and passing all applicable exams.
Note: R‑37R subclassification licenses are closed to new applicants, so anyone engaging in plumbing work now must choose R‑37 or CR‑37, depending on their business focus.
How to Get Licensed in Arizona
To meet plumbing license requirements in Arizona, every contractor must complete several specific steps:
Determine your business structure. Choose a legal entity: sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, or corporation. If selecting an LLC or corporation, confirm you are in good standing with the Arizona Corporation Commission.
Select a Qualifying Party. This individual must have at least four years of hands-on or direct management plumbing experience within the previous ten years. Their experience must match the license classification being sought.
Arrange for a background check. All individuals listed on the license application must complete a background check through AccusourceHR. The check must be recent (within 90 days of application submission).
Secure the proper license bond. You must obtain a contractor license bond in the amount set by your license type and anticipated annual volume. For specialty residential plumbing (R‑37), the minimum is $4,250 for under $375,000 in annual residential work. Higher annual volume requires a larger bond.
Complete the required exams. The Qualifying Party must take and pass the Statutes & Rules Exam (SRE, via GMetrix, $61), the plumbing trade exam (via PSI, $66), and, if relevant, the solar plumbing exam. Exam registration is handled after your application is reviewed.
Submit your complete license application. Use the correct form for your business type (see AZ ROC Licensing Forms page), attach all required supporting documents (proof of experience, ID, bond, background check receipt, test results), and pay all stated fees.
Wait for processing. The board reviews all documentation. If your application is denied after 60 days, the license fee is refunded.
Applying carefully and double-checking each piece of documentation is essential. Failing to provide complete support for any of the plumbing license requirements in Arizona can result in processing delays or denial.
Experience and Legal Entity Setup
Your business must be properly organized and registered as required by Arizona law. The Qualifying Party’s experience must be directly related to the type of plumbing license sought, and must total four years within the last ten.
Background Check and Bond
Anyone listed on the application must pass a background check through AccusourceHR. The contractor bond must be continuous and appropriate to your license's annual volume class.
Exams and Application Submission
The SRE, trade exam, and solar exam (if applicable) are mandatory. You cannot substitute experience or credentials for these tests. Applications with missing forms, incomplete experience documentation, or without attached test pass results will not be processed.
Application Requirements
To meet plumbing license requirements in Arizona, every applicant must fulfill several state-mandated criteria. Each of these applies regardless of whether you apply for R-37 or CR-37 plumbing licenses.
Experience and Age Requirements
You (the Qualifying Party) must be at least 18 years of age. The Arizona Registrar of Contractors mandates a minimum of four years of practical or managerial plumbing experience within the past ten years for initial licensure. You must document this experience and show how it directly aligns with your requested classification’s scope.
Bond and Insurance Requirements
Arizona requires a continuous contractor license bond for every plumbing license holder. For specialty residential plumbing (R-37), the minimum bond is $4,250 for up to $375,000 in annual volume. As your contract volume grows, the bond amount increases, with the highest bonds at $100,000 for larger volumes. There is no state requirement for general liability insurance; however, if you have employees, you must maintain workers’ compensation insurance coverage as required by state law.
Background Check and Other Filings
Every person listed on the license application must pass a background check through AccusourceHR. The Arizona ROC may request additional information depending on your business structure. There are no ongoing or explicit federal certification (like EPA 608) requirements for plumbing contractor licensure at the state level.
Exams
Passing exams form a key part of plumbing license requirements in Arizona. Every Qualifying Party must complete the following, matching the class of license sought:
Statutes & Rules Exam (SRE): Covers Arizona contracting law, statutes, and ethics. Administered by GMetrix. Fee is $61 (as of 2026 ( Arizona ROC )). Registration opens after application review.
Plumbing Trade Exam: Focuses on practical and code-based knowledge for plumbing installation and repairs. Administered by PSI. Fee is $66 (as of 2026 ( fee schedule )).
Solar Exam (if applicable): Required for any solar plumbing installation or repair under the R-37 license. Also administered by PSI.
Exam formats and minimum passing scores are not published by the ROC. For detailed content and sample test preparation, verify with the ROC applying for a license page. Retake policies are not specified in available official documentation.
Fees
Plumbing license requirements in Arizona include several state-mandated fees. As of 2026, the following apply for specialty residential plumbing (R‑37):
Application fee: $80 ( as of 2026, verify at AZ ROC ).
Initial license fee: $270 (as of 2026 ( fee schedule )).
Residential Recovery Fund assessment: $370 initial; $270 upon renewal (as of 2026 ( fee schedule )).
SRE exam fee: $61 (as of 2026 ( fee schedule )).
Trade exam fee: $66 (as of 2026 ( fee schedule )).
Bond cost: Minimum $4,250 for residential; scales up to $100,000 for high-volume contractors (see ROC FAQ ).
Late renewal fee: $50 (as of 2026 ( ROC checklist )).
All fees are payable directly to the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. For the current, official fee amounts and accepted payment methods, always consult the Arizona Registrar of Contractors fee schedule.
Renewal and Continuing Education
As part of plumbing license requirements in Arizona, license holders must renew their credentials every two years (biennially). The process is mandatory and strictly enforced by the AZ ROC.
You may renew your license online via the AZ ROC portal or submit renewal documentation by mail. To renew, you must remain in good standing (entity active, bond current, no outstanding disciplinary actions). The current renewal fee is $540 ($270 license + $270 recovery fund) as of 2026. A late fee of $50 applies if your renewal is not filed on time.
Continuing Education
No continuing education (CE) hours are required for renewal of plumbing licenses in Arizona at this time. However, you must continue to comply with all contractor regulations, state statutes, and any relevant local code updates impacting your work.
Lapse and Inactivation
If your license lapses, Arizona allows inactivation for up to five years. To reactivate, file form RC-L-222, pay all applicable renewal and bond fees, and ensure all entity and insurance obligations are satisfied. Failure to do so within the timelines may require reapplication from scratch.
Reciprocity
Arizona does not maintain formal plumbing license reciprocity agreements with other states. However, under Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) §32-4302, contractors may apply for licensure by endorsement based on licensing held in another state.
You must demonstrate that you have held an equivalent plumbing license in your state for at least 12 months, and meet all standard plumbing license requirements in Arizona (including experience, exams, application, and bond). The board may waive some redundant requirements at their discretion, but you must follow the standard AZ ROC application process and include documentation of out-of-state licensure.
Official Links
For complete and up-to-date plumbing license requirements in Arizona and application forms, refer only to these official Arizona Registrar of Contractors resources:
AZ ROC Homepage
Plumbing license classifications
Applying for a license
Licensing fee schedule
Application and renewal forms
Bond information and FAQ
It is also helpful to regularly review updates in the CloseCrew plumbing licensing resource hub for statewide and regional changes.
