Arizona General Contractor License Requirements
Official classification: B-1 General Commercial / B General Residential / KB-1 Dual Building Contractor · Issued by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC).
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In Arizona, general contractors must hold the B-1 General Commercial / B General Residential / KB-1 Dual Building Contractor, issued by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC). Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.
How to become a licensed general contractor in Arizona
Follow these steps to earn your B-1 General Commercial / B General Residential / KB-1 Dual Building Contractor. Every figure is verified against the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC); full detail for each step is further down the page.
- Build the required experience. Qualifying party must have 4 years of hands-on and/or managerial experience; per A.R.S. 32-1122(E), at least 2 of the 4 years must be within the 10 years before applying. Technical training at an accredited college or university, or in a manufacturer's accredited training program, may substitute for up to 2 of the 4 years; the Registrar may also reduce the requirement in some cases.
- Pass the Statutes & Rules Exam (SRE) and B-1/KB-1 Trade Exam (NASCLA Commercial General Building Exam accepted in lieu) exams. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
- Secure your surety bond. Arizona requires Residential general (B): $9,000 (<$750k volume) or $15,000 ($750k+). Commercial general (B-1): $5,000 to $100,000 by gross volume ($5,000 at <=$150k; $100,000 over $10M). Dual (KB-1) = residential + commercial combined.
- Check the insurance rules. Liability: Not mandated by the ROC. Property damage: Not mandated by the ROC. Workers' compensation: Required under AZ law if you have employees.
- Clear the background check. Required for everyone named on the application, via ROC vendor AccusourceHR; expires 90 days after completion.
- Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) — $180 general residential / $200 general commercial / $200 general dual application fee, plus a $320 general residential / $580 general commercial / $480 general dual (2-year) license fee. Processing time: Typically a few weeks after a complete application, exams passed, and bond posted.
- Keep the license active. Renewal: Every 2 years.
For the general path in every state, see the General Contractor guide →
Arizona general contractor license lookup
To confirm a general contractor is properly licensed in Arizona — or to check the status of your own license — search the issuing agency's official license database. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.
License types
- B General Residential Contractor — Construct/repair any part of a residential structure; electrical, plumbing, A/C, pools, etc. must be subcontracted to appropriately licensed contractors.
- B-1 General Commercial Contractor — General building contracting on commercial projects (unlimited).
- KB-1 Dual Building Contractor — Combines the scopes of the B-1 General Commercial and B General Residential licenses.
Requirements at a glance
| Experience required | Qualifying party must have 4 years of hands-on and/or managerial experience; per A.R.S. 32-1122(E), at least 2 of the 4 years must be within the 10 years before applying. Technical training at an accredited college or university, or in a manufacturer's accredited training program, may substitute for up to 2 of the 4 years; the Registrar may also reduce the requirement in some cases. |
|---|---|
| Application fee | $180 general residential / $200 general commercial / $200 general dual |
| License fee | $320 general residential / $580 general commercial / $480 general dual (2-year) |
| Renewal fee | $590 general residential incl. recovery fund / $580 general commercial / $750 general dual incl. recovery fund — every 2 years |
| Renewal period | Every 2 years |
| Continuing education | None required |
| Bond required | Residential general (B): $9,000 (<$750k volume) or $15,000 ($750k+). Commercial general (B-1): $5,000 to $100,000 by gross volume ($5,000 at <=$150k; $100,000 over $10M). Dual (KB-1) = residential + commercial combined. |
| Liability insurance | Not mandated by the ROC |
| Property damage | Not mandated by the ROC |
| Workers' comp | Required under AZ law if you have employees |
| Background check | Required for everyone named on the application, via ROC vendor AccusourceHR; expires 90 days after completion. |
| Credit requirement | None |
| Reciprocity | Arizona uses universal license recognition (A.R.S. §32-4302), not a named reciprocity list: a contractor licensed in good standing for 1+ year in the same discipline and practice level in another state may obtain an Arizona license without re-taking the trade exam (military spouses also qualify). · compare all states |
| Processing time | Typically a few weeks after a complete application, exams passed, and bond posted. |
What an Arizona general contractor license costs
| Application fee | $180 general residential / $200 general commercial / $200 general dual. |
|---|---|
| License fee | $320 general residential / $580 general commercial / $480 general dual (2-year). |
| Statutes & Rules Exam (SRE) | $61 (paid to Gmetrix). |
| B-1/KB-1 Trade Exam (NASCLA Commercial General Building Exam accepted in lieu) | $66 (PSI trade exam) or $106 NASCLA exam + $30 transcript. |
| Surety bond | Residential general (B): $9,000 (<$750k volume) or $15,000 ($750k+). Commercial general (B-1): $5,000 to $100,000 by gross volume ($5,000 at <=$150k; $100,000 over $10M). Dual (KB-1) = residential + commercial combined. |
| Renewal fee | $590 general residential incl. recovery fund / $580 general commercial / $750 general dual incl. recovery fund — every 2 years. |
| Renewal period | Every 2 years. |
Exams
| Statutes & Rules Exam (SRE) | Provider: Gmetrix (for AZ ROC) · Passing: 70% · Fee: $61 (paid to Gmetrix) |
|---|---|
| B-1/KB-1 Trade Exam (NASCLA Commercial General Building Exam accepted in lieu) | Provider: PSI (for AZ ROC) or NASCLA · Passing: 70% · Fee: $66 (PSI trade exam) or $106 NASCLA exam + $30 transcript |
Renewing an Arizona general contractor license
The B-1 General Commercial / B General Residential / KB-1 Dual Building Contractor renews on a fixed cycle set by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC). Late and lapsed renewals are handled differently by every board, so check the renewal page linked below before the deadline passes.
| Renewal period | Every 2 years |
|---|---|
| Renewal fee | $590 general residential incl. recovery fund / $580 general commercial / $750 general dual incl. recovery fund — every 2 years |
| Continuing education | None required |
| Where to renew | Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) |
Local / municipal notes
State license only; cities/counties require their own business licenses and building permits.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Arizona general contractor license cost?
Application: $180 general residential / $200 general commercial / $200 general dual. License: $320 general residential / $580 general commercial / $480 general dual (2-year). Renewal: $590 general residential incl. recovery fund / $580 general commercial / $750 general dual incl. recovery fund — every 2 years.
How do I look up a general contractor license in Arizona?
Search the official license database at azroc.my.site.com. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.
Do general contractors in Arizona need a surety bond?
Residential general (B): $9,000 (<$750k volume) or $15,000 ($750k+). Commercial general (B-1): $5,000 to $100,000 by gross volume ($5,000 at <=$150k; $100,000 over $10M). Dual (KB-1) = residential + commercial combined.
What experience is required for an Arizona general contractor license?
Qualifying party must have 4 years of hands-on and/or managerial experience; per A.R.S. 32-1122(E), at least 2 of the 4 years must be within the 10 years before applying. Technical training at an accredited college or university, or in a manufacturer's accredited training program, may substitute for up to 2 of the 4 years; the Registrar may also reduce the requirement in some cases.
Is insurance required for general contractors in Arizona?
Liability: Not mandated by the ROC. Property damage: Not mandated by the ROC. Workers' compensation: Required under AZ law if you have employees.
How long does it take to get an Arizona general contractor license?
Processing time: Typically a few weeks after a complete application, exams passed, and bond posted.
Is a background check required for general contractors in Arizona?
Background check: Required for everyone named on the application, via ROC vendor AccusourceHR; expires 90 days after completion.
How often must an Arizona general contractor license be renewed?
Every 2 years. Continuing education: None required.
Official sources
roc.az.gov/license-classifications
roc.az.gov/licensing-fees
roc.az.gov/bond-information
roc.az.gov/applying-for-a-license
roc.az.gov/out-of-state
azleg.gov/ars/32/01122.htm
azleg.gov/ars/32/01126.htm
azleg.gov/ars/32/01152.htm
azleg.gov/ars/32/04302.htm