Arizona HVAC License Requirements

Official classification: CR-39 / C-39 / R-39R Air Conditioning and Refrigeration · Issued by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC).

❄️ HVACAZ ✔ Verified 2026-06-17

License types

R-39R Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (Specialty Residential) — Residential comfort A/C, refrigeration, evaporative cooling, ventilating and heating.
C-39 Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (Specialty Commercial) — Commercial comfort A/C, refrigeration, evaporative cooling, ventilating and heating.
CR-39 Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (Specialty Dual) — Combines the scopes of the commercial C-39 and residential R-39R licenses.

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	Qualifying party must have 4 years of hands-on and/or managerial trade experience; per A.R.S. 32-1122(E), at least 2 of the 4 years must be within the 10 years before applying.
Application fee	$80 residential / $100 commercial / $100 dual
License fee	$270 residential / $480 commercial / $380 dual (2-year)
Renewal fee	$540 residential incl. recovery fund / $480 commercial / $650 dual incl. recovery fund — every 2 years
Renewal period	Every 2 years
Continuing education	None required
Bond required	Commercial specialty (C-39): $2,500 to $50,000 by contemplated gross volume. Residential specialty (R-39R): $4,250 (<$375k) or $7,500 ($375k+). Dual (CR-39) = 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).
Processing time	Typically a few weeks after a complete application, exams passed, and bond posted.

Exams

Statutes & Rules Exam (SRE)	Provider: Gmetrix (for AZ ROC) Passing: 70% Fee: $61 (paid to Gmetrix)
C-39/CR-39 Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Trade Exam	Provider: PSI (for AZ ROC) Passing: 70% Fee: $66 (paid to PSI)

Local / municipal notes

State license only; municipal business licenses and building permits still apply locally.

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-06-17 — always confirm current requirements directly with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) before applying. This is not legal advice.