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Arizona Subcontractor License Requirements: What GCs Must Verify Before Work Starts
Arizona licenses every contractor — general and specialty — through the Registrar of Contractors. CR-11 for electrical, CR-37 for plumbing, CR-42 for roofing. Here is what general contractors must verify before any sub begins work.
In this guide
How Arizona Contractor Licensing Works
Arizona is one of the most comprehensive contractor licensing states in the country. The Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) issues licenses to all contractors — general and specialty — under Arizona Revised Statutes Title 32, Chapter 10. Working without an active ROC license is a criminal offense.
The ROC uses a prefix-based classification system. General contractors hold A (engineering), B (residential), B-1 (commercial), B-2 (small commercial), or KB (dual commercial + residential) licenses. Specialty trades hold C- (commercial), R- (residential), or CR- (dual) license codes followed by a number identifying the specific trade.
Every ROC license requires an active surety bond, proof of workers' compensation insurance, and a qualifying individual — the person whose experience and exam results support the license. If the qualifying individual leaves the company or the bond lapses, the license automatically goes inactive. Inactive status means the contractor cannot legally perform work.
ROC License Codes by Trade
The CR- prefix indicates a dual license valid for both commercial and residential work — the most versatile and common type for subcontractors. Verify that the license code on the sub's ROC record matches the type of work they will perform. A CR-67 low-voltage license does not authorize CR-11 electrical work.
| Trade | ROC license code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical | CR-11 (dual), C-11 (commercial), R-11 (residential) | Full electrical installation, alteration, and repair. Mandatory for any electrical sub. 16 hours CE required every 2 years. |
| Plumbing | CR-37 (dual), C-37 (commercial), R-37 (residential) | Installation, alteration, and repair of plumbing systems. |
| HVAC / Air Conditioning | CR-39 (dual), C-39 (commercial), R-39 (residential) | HVAC installation and repair. Federal EPA 608 refrigerant certification is also required for technicians handling refrigerants. |
| Roofing | CR-42 (dual), C-42 (commercial), R-42 (residential) | Full roofing installation and repair. One of the most commonly verified specialty codes. |
| Fire Suppression | CR-16 (dual), C-16 (commercial), R-16 (residential) | Fire sprinkler system installation and repair. R-16 scope is limited to one- and two-family dwellings under three stories. |
| Low Voltage / Communications | CR-67 (dual), C-67 (commercial), R-67 (residential) | Alarm systems, telephone, sound, intercom, and public address systems. Separate from CR-11 electrical — do not accept one as a substitute for the other. |
| Sheet Metal / Ductwork | CR-45 | Fabrication and installation of sheet metal ductwork. Separate from CR-39 HVAC. |
| Boilers / Steam | CR-74 | Boilers, steamfitting, and process piping including solar systems. |
| Masonry | CR-31 | Block, brick, stone, and masonry systems. |
| Concrete | CR-9 | Concrete flatwork, foundations, and structural concrete. |
| Demolition / Wrecking | CR-57 | Wrecking and demolition of structures. |
| Painting | CR-34 | Painting and wall covering. |
| Glazing | CR-65 | Windows, glass, and curtain wall systems. |
What GCs Are Responsible for Verifying
Arizona law is explicit: a GC cannot allow a sub to perform licensed trade work without the sub holding their own ROC license for that specific scope. This is not a soft obligation — it is a condition of your own license.
Your verification checklist
- Verify the sub's ROC license number before contracting — not just before mobilization
- Confirm the ROC record shows Active status, not Inactive, Expired, Suspended, or Revoked
- Check that the license classification (the code: CR-11, CR-42, etc.) matches the actual work being subcontracted
- Review the ROC record for any open complaints or Corrective Work Orders — unresolved CWOs are a significant red flag
- Confirm the bond is active — if the bond lapses, the license automatically goes inactive between your checks
- Re-verify before mobilization on longer projects, since license status can change after contracting
Penalties for Hiring Unlicensed Subcontractors in Arizona
Arizona's enforcement approach is aggressive. The risks hit both the unlicensed sub and the GC who hired them:
Criminal liability — Class 1 misdemeanor
Unlicensed contracting is a Class 1 misdemeanor under A.R.S. § 32-1164 — the most serious class of misdemeanor in Arizona. Penalties include up to 6 months in jail and fines up to $2,500. The ROC can refer cases to the county attorney for criminal prosecution. A GC who knowingly allows unlicensed work may also face criminal exposure.
Statutory employer liability for workers' comp
Under A.R.S. § 23-902, if a GC hires an uninsured subcontractor and a worker is injured, the GC automatically becomes the "statutory employer" — absorbing 100% of the workers' compensation liability. Arizona mandates workers' comp for any employer with one or more employees. Verifying a sub's ROC license status (which requires active workers' comp) is the first line of defense.
ROC disciplinary action against your own license
Under A.R.S. § 32-1154, the ROC can suspend or revoke a GC's license for "aiding or abetting a licensed or unlicensed person to evade this chapter" or "allowing one's license to be used by a licensed or unlicensed person." A GC whose sub performed unlicensed work on their project is exposed to ROC disciplinary action even if the GC's own license is valid and current.
Insurance and lien complications
General liability policies typically limit or deny coverage for work performed by unlicensed subcontractors. Unlicensed contractors cannot enforce mechanic's liens in Arizona — complicating payment disputes and leaving work uncompensated. Project owners may pursue civil claims against the GC for defective work performed by unlicensed subs.
How to Look Up an Arizona ROC License
The Arizona ROC contractor search is the single authoritative source for all licensed Arizona contractors. It covers both commercial and residential licenses across all classifications.
Go to the ROC contractor search at azroc.my.site.com/AZRoc/s/contractor-search. You can search by contractor name, ROC license number, or zip code.
Confirm status is Active — not Inactive, Expired, Suspended, or Revoked. Also confirm the license classification code (e.g., CR-11, CR-42) matches the trade work being contracted.
Review complaints and Corrective Work Orders. The ROC record shows any open complaints or CWOs against the contractor. Multiple unresolved CWOs indicate enforcement problems worth investigating before contracting.
Verify the entity name matches your subcontract. The business name on the ROC record should match the entity you are contracting with. A license held by "ABC Electrical LLC" does not cover work performed by a sole proprietor named "ABC Electrical."
Log the result with a timestamp. Record the ROC number, classification, status, and date verified for each sub. TrackMyVendor stores this automatically and alerts you before the 2-year renewal deadline.
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Start free →Frequently Asked Questions
Does Arizona require a general contractor license?
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Does a COI confirm that a sub is licensed in Arizona?
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