General Contractor License Requirements in Arizona
| Licensing Authority | Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) |
| License Type | B-1 General Commercial / KB-1 Dual Building Contractor |
| Experience Required | 4 years of practical or management experience in general contracting, at least 2 of which must have been within the last 10 years. Credit given for journeyman, foreman, supervising employee, or contractor experience. Experience must be documented on the ROC Experience Record Form and is subject to verification. |
| Education Substitute | Up to 2 years of the 4-year requirement may be substituted with technical training from an accredited college/university, manufacturer's accredited training program, or completion of a U.S. DOL-approved apprenticeship. Military service or training may also substitute. |
| Exam Required | Yes — Arizona Statutes and Rules Exam (SRE) + B-1/B-2/KB-1/KB-2 Combined General Contractor Trade Exam |
| Bond Required | Yes — Bond amount based on anticipated annual gross volume. Commercial general: $5,000 (under $150K volume) up to $50,000-$100,000 ($10M+ volume). Residential general: $5,000 to $15,000. Dual license combines both amounts. |
| Insurance | General liability: recommended. Workers comp: required with employees |
| Continuing Education | Not required |
| Processing Time | 3-6 weeks |
Fee Breakdown
| Application Fee | $200 |
| Exam Fee | $127 |
| Initial License Fee | $580 |
| Fingerprinting | $67 |
| Est. Initial Total | $974 |
Related & additional fees
Separate or ongoing costs — not included in the estimate above.
| NASCLA exam (optional, in lieu of trade exam) | $106 |
| NASCLA transcript purchase | $30 |
Renewal: $580 every 2 years
Exam Requirements
Arizona Statutes and Rules Exam (SRE)
B-1/B-2/KB-1/KB-2 Combined General Contractor 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.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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 · SponsoredContractor's Exam FlashcardsPortable flashcards for the high-frequency exam topics — a cheaper add-on for drilling terms and code references on the go.See the flashcards →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
- B-1/B-2/KB-1/KB-2 exams have been combined into one exam — classification depends on scope of work and experience
- NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building accepted in lieu of the AZ ROC trade exam
- 2025 updates include enhanced experience verification, higher bonding standards, and more rigorous background screening
- Candidates allowed 3 attempts per exam with 30-day wait between retakes
- ROC undergoing sunset review — continued through July 1, 2026
Local requirements on top of your Arizona license
The ROC general contractor license is the credential that lets you work anywhere in Arizona. On top of it, most Arizona cities and counties require a local business license (a tax registration) to operate, and a few add their own contractor registration or permit. These are in addition to your state license, not a replacement — always confirm the rules with the city or county where the job is.
You're licensed in Arizona as a general contractor — 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.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Form the business and get an EIN.
The Arizona Registrar of Contractors issues the B-1 General Commercial / KB-1 Dual Building Contractor; 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. Commercial general: $5,000 (under $150K volume) up to $50,000-$100,000 ($10M+ volume). Residential general: $5,000 to $15,000. Dual license combines both amounts. 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. The ROC does not require general liability insurance for licensing, but it is strongly recommended and often required by clients. Workers compensation is required by Arizona law for all employers with employees. Contractor insurance requirements→
Register locally.
Most Arizona cities and counties require a local business license (a tax registration) on top of the state credential, and a few add their own contractor registration or permit — confirm with the city or county where the job is.
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 general contractor 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 $580.
Other licenses in Arizona
- Electrician license in Arizona
Statewide license required · $774 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 a general contractor license in Arizona?
Yes, Arizona requires a statewide general contractor license through the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.
How much does a general contractor license cost in Arizona?
The estimated initial cost is $974, including application, exam, and license fees.
What experience do I need for a general contractor license in Arizona?
4 years of practical or management experience in general contracting, at least 2 of which must have been within the last 10 years. Credit given for journeyman, foreman, supervising employee, or contractor experience. Experience must be documented on the ROC Experience Record Form and is subject to verification. Education substitute: Up to 2 years of the 4-year requirement may be substituted with technical training from an accredited college/university, manufacturer's accredited training program, or completion of a U.S. DOL-approved apprenticeship. Military service or training may also substitute.
What exams are required for a general contractor license in Arizona?
You must pass the Arizona Statutes and Rules Exam (SRE) and B-1/B-2/KB-1/KB-2 Combined General Contractor Trade Exam exams. A passing score of 70% is required. Exams are administered by PSI.
Do I need a bond for a general contractor license in Arizona?
Yes, a surety bond is required. Bond amount based on anticipated annual gross volume. Commercial general: $5,000 (under $150K volume) up to $50,000-$100,000 ($10M+ volume). Residential general: $5,000 to $15,000. Dual license combines both amounts.
Does Arizona have general contractor license reciprocity?
Yes, Arizona has reciprocity agreements with 3 states that may apply to general contractors. 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 a general contractor license in Arizona?
Processing time is typically 3-6 weeks after submitting a complete application.
Is continuing education required for general contractors in Arizona?
No, Arizona does not currently require continuing education for general contractor license renewal.
Next steps
You know the requirements for general contractors in Arizona— here's how to actually pass and apply.
Data last verified: 2026-07-08 | Source: ROC