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 | $54 |
| Initial License Fee | $580 |
| Fingerprinting | $67 |
| Trade exam fee | $66 |
| NASCLA exam (optional, in lieu of trade exam) | $106 |
| NASCLA transcript purchase | $30 |
| Est. Initial Total | $1,103 |
Renewal: $580 every 2 years
Exam Requirements
Arizona Statutes and Rules Exam (SRE)
80 questions180 minutesPass: 70%
Arizona contracting lawsROC rules and regulationsLicensing statutes
B-1/B-2/KB-1/KB-2 Combined General Contractor Trade Exam
100 questions240 minutesPass: 70%
General building constructionProject managementSafetyCodes and standards
Exam provider: PSI
License Reciprocity
This state has reciprocity agreements with 3 states. You may be able to skip the trade exam if you hold a valid license from one of these states.
NevadaLicensed contractors with 5+ years of licensure may qualify for trade exam waiver. Must still pass the Arizona Statutes and Rules Exam and meet all other requirements.
UtahLicensed contractors with 5+ years of licensure may qualify for trade exam waiver. Must still pass the Arizona SRE and meet all other requirements.
CaliforniaLicensed contractors with 5+ years of licensure may qualify for trade exam waiver. Must still pass the Arizona SRE and meet all other requirements.
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
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 $901, including application, exam, and license fees.
Data last verified: 2026-04-02 | Source: ROC