Arizona Plumber License Requirements
Official classification: CR-37 / C-37 / R-37R Plumbing · Issued by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC).
🔧 PlumberAZ ✔ Verified 2026-06-17
License types
- R-37R Plumbing (Specialty Residential) — Residential water/gas piping, fixtures, and sewage systems.
- C-37 Plumbing (Specialty Commercial) — Commercial water and gas piping, water sprinkler/fire protection, sewage treatment, and related work.
- CR-37 Plumbing (Specialty Dual) — Combines the scopes of the commercial C-37 and residential R-37R plumbing 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-37): $2,500 to $50,000 by contemplated gross volume. Residential specialty (R-37R): $4,250 (<$375k) or $7,500 ($375k+). Dual (CR-37) = 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-37/CR-37 Plumbing 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.
Official sources
https://roc.az.gov/license-classifications
https://roc.az.gov/licensing-fees
https://roc.az.gov/bond-information
https://roc.az.gov/applying-for-a-license
https://roc.az.gov/out-of-state
https://www.azleg.gov/ars/32/01122.htm
https://www.azleg.gov/ars/32/01126.htm
https://www.azleg.gov/ars/32/01152.htm
https://www.azleg.gov/ars/32/04302.htm
Other Arizona contractor licenses
⚡ Electrician
CR-11 / C-11 / R-11 Electrical
❄️ HVAC
CR-39 / C-39 / R-39R Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
🏗️ General Contractor
B-1 General Commercial / B General Residential / KB-1 Dual Building Contractor
🏠 Roofer
CR-42 / C-42 / R-42 Roofing
Plumber licensing in other states
California
C-36 Plumbing Contractor
Florida
Certified / Registered Plumbing Contractor (CILB)
Nevada
C-1 Plumbing and Heating Contractor
North Carolina
Plumbing Contractor, Class I / Class II (and Restricted Limited Plumbing Contractor)
South Carolina
Mechanical Contractor - Plumbing (PB) [commercial]; Residential Specialty Contractor - Plumbing [residential]
Tennessee
Contractor License, CMC-A (Plumbing and Gas Piping) classification
Texas
Tradesman / Journeyman / Master Plumber (TSBPE)
Utah
P200 General Plumbing Contractor / P201 Residential Plumbing Contractor (contractor license); individual Apprentice, Journeyman, and Master Plumber licenses are separate
Virginia
Contractor License (Class A/B/C) with Plumbing (PLB) specialty; plus individual Plumber Tradesman license (Journeyman/Master)