Arizona Plumbing Contractor License Requirements (2026)

The Arizona Registrar of Contractors (AZ ROC) licenses plumbing contractors statewide under A.R.S. Title 32 Chapter 10. Arizona does not issue individual journeyman or master plumber credentials at the state level — instead it licenses plumbing contracting businesses at the C-37 (Commercial Plumbing), CR-37 (Residential Plumbing), or L-37 (Dual Plumbing) classifications. Each business must designate a qualifying party with four years of trade experience who passes the PSI examinations.

The Licensing Authority

Arizona Registrar of Contractors (AZ ROC) is the statutory authority responsible for issuing and enforcing this license under Arizona Revised Statutes Title 32 Chapter 10; Arizona Administrative Code Title 4 Chapter 9. AZ ROC licenses residential, commercial, and dual contractors statewide, administers the Residential Contractors Recovery Fund, and conducts complaint investigations and disciplinary proceedings.

Official portal: https://roc.az.gov/
Address: 1700 W Washington St Suite 105, Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: (877) 692-9762

Baseline Eligibility

Eligibility begins with two baseline checks: the applicant must be 18 or older and must provide a valid Social Security Number. No Arizona residency requirement.

Good moral character

AZ ROC conducts a fitness review on every qualifying party. Felony convictions and prior license revocations are reviewed individually.

Background investigation

Mandatory criminal history disclosure on the application.

Experience and Education Requirements

At least four years of practical plumbing experience within the prior ten years at the journeyman, foreman, supervisor, or contractor level has to be evidenced and confirmed. Retain payroll, tax, project, or supervisor records, since the board may audit the experience claimed.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

AZ ROC Statement of Experience form signed by each qualifying employer
W-2 statements, pay stubs, or 1099 records covering the qualifying period
Notarized affidavits from prior supervising plumbing contractors

Education substitution

Up to two of the four years may be satisfied by accredited plumbing apprenticeship and trade school coursework on a sliding scale set by AZ ROC rule.

The Licensing Examination

PSI Services LLC (under contract to AZ ROC) administers the required examination. Each part below must be passed before the license will issue:

Arizona Statutes and Rules (SRE) Examination — 80 questions, 150 minutes, passing score 70%
C-37 / CR-37 / L-37 Plumbing Trade Examination — Uniform Plumbing Code, business and law — 100 questions, 240 minutes, passing score 70%

Examination fee: $83 per exam part paid to PSI on the day of testing.

Retake policy: Failed parts may be re-taken individually by paying a new $83 fee. Each application remains valid for one year.

Financial Security and Insurance

Before the license is issued, the applicant must file a $4,250 contractor license surety bond in the form prescribed by the AZ ROC.

General liability

AZ ROC does not impose a state-level general liability minimum. Most commercial owners contractually require $1,000,000/$2,000,000.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation insurance is mandatory in Arizona under A.R.S. §23-961 for any business with one or more employees.

Additional financial requirements

Plumbing contractor license bond scales with annual gross volume: $4,250 for residential up to $375,000 in volume, rising with volume.

Fee Schedule

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$200
Examination	$166
Initial license	$480
Renewal (every 2 years)	$480

License Renewal

The Arizona Plumbing Contractor (C-37, CR-37, or L-37) must be renewed every 2 years. The fee to renew is presently $480. Arizona plumbing contractor licenses renew every two years.

Continuing education: AZ ROC does not require continuing education for renewal.

Downloadable Asset

2026 Arizona Plumber License Roadmap (PDF) — a printable step-by-step checklist for the application process.

Download the PDF roadmap →

Reciprocity Map

Arizona grants no NASCLA reciprocity for this classification.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
California	Trade exam waived	Bilateral AZ ROC–CSLB reciprocity for active plumbing contractors in good standing for at least five years.
Nevada	Trade exam waived	Bilateral AZ ROC–Nevada State Contractors Board reciprocity.
Utah	Trade exam waived	Bilateral AZ ROC–Utah DOPL reciprocity.

Arizona licenses plumbing contracting businesses, not individual plumbers. Out-of-state journeymen cannot reciprocate as individuals — they must qualify a business.

Weighing more than one jurisdiction? The national hub compares Plumber license requirements in every state — exam, bond, fee, and experience thresholds side by side.

The Licensing Roadmap

Choose the classification. C-37 Commercial Plumbing, CR-37 Residential Plumbing, or L-37 Dual Plumbing.
Document four years of qualifying experience. Prepare the AZ ROC Statement of Experience form covering the prior ten years at the journeyman level or above.
Submit the AZ ROC application. File with the application fee, qualifying party designation, and proof of experience.
Pass both PSI examinations at 70%. Score 70% or better on the Arizona Statutes and Rules exam and the plumbing trade exam covering the Uniform Plumbing Code.
Post the contractor license bond and insurance. Bond amount scales with annual gross volume. Workers compensation required for any business with one or more employees.
Receive the AZ ROC license. AZ ROC issues the license after the exam is passed and the bond is filed. The license must be renewed every two years.

Before Filing: A Checklist

Ahead of submission to AZ ROC, confirm every item on this short list:

☐ AZ ROC application with $200 fee and qualifying party designation
☐ AZ ROC Statement of Experience covering four years within the prior ten
☐ PSI Statutes and Rules exam pass certificate at 70%+
☐ PSI plumbing trade exam pass certificate at 70%+
☐ Contractor license bond at the volume-appropriate amount
☐ Workers compensation coverage certificate (any business with one or more employees)

Common Application Pitfalls

The following pitfalls summarize the issues most likely to delay, return, or derail a Arizona Plumber application based on the published board instructions and source materials cited on this page.

Looking for a journeyman card

Arizona has no individual journeyman or master plumber credential. Individuals work under a licensed contracting business.

Choosing the wrong classification

A CR-37 residential plumbing contractor cannot bid commercial work. L-37 is required for dual scope.

Underestimating the bond amount

The bond scales with annual gross volume. Contractors who exceed their bonded volume must immediately upgrade.

Skipping workers compensation

Arizona requires workers compensation for any business with one or more employees.

Studying the wrong code

Arizona uses the Uniform Plumbing Code, not the International Plumbing Code. Candidates from IPC states often study the wrong reference.

Preparation Resources

The list below collects the board's cited references and the materials applicants typically study from. CLR is not paid to recommend any of them.

Uniform Plumbing Code (Arizona-adopted edition) — IAPMO. Primary technical reference. Open-book at the PSI test center.
Arizona Contractors Reference Manual — AZ ROC / PSI. Official reference for the Statutes and Rules exam.
A.R.S. Title 32 Chapter 10 and A.A.C. Title 4 Chapter 9 — State of Arizona. Licensing law and rules.

Other Arizona Trade Licenses

For a different Arizona credential, see these companion guides published by CLR:

Answers to Common Questions

Does Arizona issue journeyman plumber licenses?

No. Arizona licenses plumbing contracting businesses at the C-37, CR-37, or L-37 level. Individual plumbers work under a licensed contracting business; there is no state journeyman card.

What plumbing code does Arizona use?

Arizona has adopted the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) by reference for state-level work. Local jurisdictions may amend or adopt different editions.

How many hours of experience does Arizona require for a plumbing contractor license?

Four years of qualifying experience within the prior ten years at the journeyman level or above. Up to two years may be satisfied by accredited apprenticeship or coursework.

Does Arizona accept the NASCLA exam for plumbing contractors?

No. AZ ROC requires the PSI plumbing trade examination plus the Arizona Statutes and Rules examination. NASCLA is not accepted.

How often does the Arizona plumbing contractor license renew?

Every two years. There is no continuing education requirement, but the bond and workers compensation must remain in force.

Primary Sources

Regulatory requirements on this page are drawn from the official board, statute, and exam-provider materials listed below.

Verified 2026-05-03 · Next scheduled review 2026-08-01