SPEC SHEET · AZ · PLUMBER
Arizona plumber license requirements
The answer
Arizona licenses at the CONTRACTOR level through the Registrar of Contractors — there is no statewide journeyman or technician license for plumbers, who work under a licensed contractor (some municipalities run their own programs). The license's qualifying party needs at least 4 years of practical or management trade experience (2 within the last 10), with technical training substitutable for up to 2 years, plus written exams (A.R.S. §32-1122).Your paths to the license
4 years experience → ROC license
The qualifying party documents at least 4 years of practical or management experience in the trade — at least 2 within the last 10 years — and passes the written exams (trade + building/safety laws + business administration) taken within 2 years before applying. The registrar may reduce the requirement where industry custom shows it excessive (A.R.S. §32-1122).
Technical training counts for up to 2 years
Technical training (trade school, apprenticeship classroom time) may substitute for up to 2 of the 4 required years — hands-on experience covers the rest.
Start as a trade worker
No state license is needed to work for a licensed contractor — start the experience clock now. Check whether your city runs its own registration program.
Prior Arizona licensees: exam waived
Held the SAME Arizona classification within the preceding 5 years? The written exam is waived — and the experience documentation likewise (A.R.S. §32-1122). Out-of-state licenses get no such waiver; they count as documented experience.
License levels in Arizona
| Level | What it takes | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Plumber (unlicensed by the state) | Work under an ROC-licensed contractor; no state journeyman card exists. | — |
| ROC Contractor (residential CR- / commercial C- classifications) | Qualifying party: 4 years practical/management experience (2 in last 10; training substitutes up to 2 years) + written exams. Classifications per ROC. | — |
Published fees
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application / license / bond | See roc.az.gov's current fee schedule — amounts pending a manual verification pass |
The exam
| Provider | ROC-designated examination |
| Fees | Exam, application, license and bond amounts: see roc.az.gov's current fee schedule |
| Notes | Trade exam + building/safety laws + business administration; taken within 2 years before application. No minors may be licensees, partners or officers. |
Moving here with a license? Renewal? The rest of the picture
Reciprocity: No formal trade reciprocity found on the read pages; prior AZ same-classification holders (within 5 years) get exam and documentation waivers. Check your exact state pair →
Renewal & continuing education: Renewal terms per the Registrar — see roc.az.gov for your classification's current cycle and fees.
Watch out: Fee, bond and current classification amounts must be read from roc.az.gov's live schedule — they are not reproduced here. · Residential (CR-) and commercial (C-) classifications differ — pick per the work you'll contract.
Official sources for this page
Arizona plumber licensing FAQ
How many hours do you need to become a licensed plumber in Arizona?
Arizona licenses at the CONTRACTOR level through the Registrar of Contractors — there is no statewide journeyman or technician license for plumbers, who work under a licensed contractor (some municipalities run their own programs). The license's qualifying party needs at least 4 years of practical or management trade experience (2 within the last 10), with technical training substitutable for up to 2 years, plus written exams (A.R.S. §32-1122).
What does the Arizona plumber license cost?
Exam, application, license and bond amounts: see roc.az.gov's current fee schedule. Fee amounts are published on the current official application — see the sources below.
Does Arizona have plumber license reciprocity?
No formal trade reciprocity found on the read pages; prior AZ same-classification holders (within 5 years) get exam and documentation waivers.
How often does the license renew?
Renewal terms per the Registrar — see roc.az.gov for your classification's current cycle and fees.
Get your personal route
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