Electrician License Requirements in Arizona
| Licensing Authority | Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) |
| License Type | C-11 Commercial Electrical / R-11 Residential / CR-11 Dual |
| Experience Required | 4 years of practical or management experience in electrical work, at least 2 of which must have been within the last 10 years. Must be hands-on and/or managerial experience documented on the ROC Experience Record Form. |
| Education Substitute | Up to 2 years may be substituted with accredited technical training, college coursework, or U.S. DOL-approved apprenticeship completion. Most apprenticeship programs require 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and ~900 hours of classroom instruction. |
| Exam Required | Yes — Arizona Statutes and Rules Exam (SRE) + C-11 Electrical Trade Exam |
| Bond Required | Yes — Bond amount based on anticipated annual gross volume. Specialty commercial: $2,500 (under $150K) up to $37,500-$50,000 ($10M+). Residential: $5,000-$15,000. Dual combines both. |
| Insurance | General liability: recommended. Workers comp: required with employees |
| Continuing Education | 16 hours every 2 years (minimum 8 hours technical subjects) |
| Processing Time | 3-6 weeks |
Fee Breakdown
| Application Fee | $100 |
| Exam Fee | $127 |
| Initial License Fee | $480 |
| Fingerprinting | $67 |
| Est. Initial Total | $774 |
Related & additional fees
Separate or ongoing costs — not included in the estimate above.
| NASCLA Electrical exam (optional, in lieu of trade exam) | $116 |
Renewal: $480 every 2 years
Exam Requirements
Arizona Statutes and Rules Exam (SRE)
C-11 Electrical Trade Exam
Exam provider: PSI
Recommended exam prep
Formal prep pays for itself against a $100+ retake. Many states examine contractors on two separate papers — the trade exam and a business and law exam — so we list the course covering both first, with trade-specific depth after.
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Mometrix · SponsoredContractor License Online Study CourseFull online prep course covering the trade and business-and-law exams — video lessons, practice questions, and a study plan built for a first-try pass.See the course →
Mometrix · SponsoredElectrician Exam Secrets Study GuideFull review of the National Electrical Code, electrical theory, and safety practices for the journeyman and master electrician exams — concept breakdowns and practice questions built for a first-try pass.See the study guide →Set up the business before you apply in Arizona
Most states license the company as well as the person, so the application usually asks for an LLC or corporation and a registered agent in Arizona. Northwest forms the entity and acts as your registered agent — a flat fee, no upsell funnel.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Form an LLC with Northwest→License Reciprocity
This state has reciprocity agreements with 3 states. View full reciprocity details — You may be able to skip the trade exam if you hold a valid license from one of these states.
Notes
- Arizona does not have separate journeyman/master electrician state licenses — it licenses at the contractor level only
- Some cities (Phoenix, Tucson) have local journeyman/apprentice licensing requirements
- NASCLA Accredited Electrical Examination accepted in lieu of the AZ ROC trade exam
- Open-book exam with authorized reference materials
- Electrical work must not be subcontracted to unlicensed individuals
You're licensed in Arizona as an electrician — the next 30 days
Most of the steps below are required before your first paid job; the order is the order the state and its counties will ask for them.
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Form the business and get an EIN.
The Arizona Registrar of Contractors issues the C-11 Commercial Electrical / R-11 Residential / CR-11 Dual; the business that invoices Arizona customers is a separate decision. A sole proprietorship is the default, an LLC keeps business liability off your personal assets, and either needs an EIN before the first payroll. Settle it before the license number goes on an estimate.
Post the bond.
Arizona requires a surety bond. Bond amount based on anticipated annual gross volume. Specialty commercial: $2,500 (under $150K) up to $37,500-$50,000 ($10M+). Residential: $5,000-$15,000. Dual combines both. How contractor bonds work→
Carry general liability insurance.
Arizona does not set a general liability minimum for this trade, but most permits and commercial customers ask for proof of GL cover. GL not required by ROC for licensing but strongly recommended. Workers comp required by Arizona law for all employers with employees. Contractor insurance requirements→
Set up quoting, scheduling and invoicing before the first call.
Your first customers will ask for a written estimate and expect to pay by card on site. Most one-truck electrician businesses run that on field-service software; Housecall Pro is the one we link because it is built for this size of company and this link carries 20% off your first 12 months. Start a free trial of Housecall Pro→
Keep the license.
Renewal is every 2 years at $480. Continuing education: 16 hours every 2 years (minimum 8 hours technical subjects)
Other licenses in Arizona
- General Contractor license in Arizona
Statewide license required · $974 in initial government fees · ROC
- Plumber license in Arizona
Statewide license required · $774 in initial government fees · ROC
- HVAC Technician license in Arizona
Statewide license required · $774 in initial government fees · ROC
- Roofing Contractor license in Arizona
Statewide license required · $774 in initial government fees · ROC
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an electrician license in Arizona?
Yes, Arizona requires a statewide electrician license through the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.
How much does an electrician license cost in Arizona?
The estimated initial cost is $774, including application, exam, and license fees.
What experience do I need for an electrician license in Arizona?
4 years of practical or management experience in electrical work, at least 2 of which must have been within the last 10 years. Must be hands-on and/or managerial experience documented on the ROC Experience Record Form. Education substitute: Up to 2 years may be substituted with accredited technical training, college coursework, or U.S. DOL-approved apprenticeship completion. Most apprenticeship programs require 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and ~900 hours of classroom instruction.
What exams are required for an electrician license in Arizona?
You must pass the Arizona Statutes and Rules Exam (SRE) and C-11 Electrical Trade Exam exams. A passing score of 70% is required. Exams are administered by PSI.
Do I need a bond for an electrician license in Arizona?
Yes, a surety bond is required. Bond amount based on anticipated annual gross volume. Specialty commercial: $2,500 (under $150K) up to $37,500-$50,000 ($10M+). Residential: $5,000-$15,000. Dual combines both.
Does Arizona have electrician license reciprocity?
Yes, Arizona has reciprocity agreements with 3 states that may apply to electricians. Licensed contractors from these states may be eligible to skip certain exams or have an expedited application process.
How long does it take to get an electrician license in Arizona?
Processing time is typically 3-6 weeks after submitting a complete application.
Is continuing education required for electricians in Arizona?
Yes, 16 hours per every 2 years (minimum 8 hours technical subjects) is required for license renewal.
Next steps
You know the requirements for electricians in Arizona— here's how to actually pass and apply.
Data last verified: 2026-07-08 | Source: ROC