How to Obtain An Arizona General Contractor License
In Arizona, there are two types of general contractor licenses you can apply for, commercial or residential. To obtain one or both of these licenses, you must pass two exams and apply for a bond. These exams test both your business and trade knowledge. If you fail to pass both exams, you have the option to retake the tests. Once you obtain a general contractor's license, you will be able to oversee various construction projects throughout the state.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Business management exam
- Trade exam
- Bond
- Proof of prior work experience
Instructions
-
-
1
Apply for a general commercial contractor's license or a residential contractor's license through the Arizona Registrar of Contractors office. Download application forms from the registrar's web site. To qualify for either a commercial or residential general contractor's license, you need a minimum of four years experience as an apprentice, foreman or supervisor. You may have to provide business references or employee statements as proof of your experience.
-
2
Complete a business management exam within six months from the time you apply for a contractor's license. This exam takes about 2.5 hours and covers topics such as project management, insurance and bonding, tax law and labor law. The State of Arizona has contracted the oversight of these exams to Prometric, an international testing and assessment service. The Arizona Registrar of Contractors website includes links to the Prometric website where you can register, find a testing location and purchase study materials.
-
-
3
Complete a second exam that tests your knowledge of commercial or residential general contracting. Register for this exam on the Prometric website. This exam takes about three hours to complete.
-
4
Purchase a bond from a licensed insurance provider. Obtain two original copies of the bond and send one to the registrar's office and keep one for your records.
-
5
After passing both exams and submitting an original copy of a bond, your license application will be reviewed by the registrar's office and a general contractor's license will be issued.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
If already licensed as a contractor in Nevada, California or Utah, you may not have to take the trade exam to work as a general contractor in Arizona. To qualify for reciprocity, you must have maintained a general contractor's license from one of these states for at least five years, passed the trade exam from that state, provide proof of licensure and pass the business management exam.
Do not perform work as a general contractor in the state of Arizona until you complete all exams and obtain a contractor's license and the appropriate bonding and insurance.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Comstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images
