Arizona licenses plumbing businesses through the Registrar of Contractors. Here are the C-37, R-37 and CR-37 classes, the four year experience rule, the SRE and PSI exams, the bond by scope and every ROC fee for 2026, each sourced to the ROC, the statute or the rule.
Plumbing work in Arizona is regulated at the contractor level by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC). Arizona does not have a statewide journeyman or master plumber credential. The ROC licenses the plumbing business, and one person called the qualifying party supplies the field experience and passes two exams.
This 2026 guide covers the classes, experience, exams, fees, bond and renewal, plus the step most plumbers overlook: how your credentials connect to a licensed plumbing company. For the rules every Arizona trade shares, see our Arizona contractor license page and the national contractor license guide.
At a glance The ROC licenses the plumbing business; there is no statewide journeyman or master plumber credential. Experience: four years of practical or management plumbing experience for the qualifying party, at least two within the last ten years. Two exams: the SRE ($61, Gmetrix, online only) and the PSI plumbing trade exam ($66), each passed at 70%. ROC fees at issue: $580 for C-37, $720 for R-37R, $850 for CR-37, for a two-year license. Time: the ROC has 60 calendar days to decide a complete new license application.
The short answer
- Who needs it: anyone who contracts for plumbing work, unless an A.R.S. 32-1121 exemption applies.
- The classes: C-37 (commercial), R-37 or R-37R (residential) and CR-37 (dual), plus solar versions such as C-77 and CR-77.
- Experience: four years of practical or management plumbing experience for the qualifying party, at least two within the last ten years.
- Two exams: the Statutes and Rules Training Course and Exam (SRE, $61, Gmetrix, online only) and the PSI plumbing trade exam ($66, online or at a test center), each passed at 70%.
- Bond: $2,500 to $50,000 for commercial work by volume; $4,250 or $7,500 for residential work; dual licenses post both.
- ROC fees at issue: $580 for C-37, $720 for R-37R, $850 for CR-37, for a two-year license.
- Renewal: every two years, no continuing education step.
Do you need a license to do plumbing in Arizona?
Yes, if you contract for it. A.R.S. 32-1151 makes it unlawful to act as a contractor, bid, or claim the capacity to contract without an ROC license in good standing in the name of the business. The exemptions are narrow:
- The small job (handyman) exemption. Work valued under $1,000 (labor and materials combined) on one project is exempt only if it is casual or minor, does not require a building permit, is not part of a larger job split to stay under the limit, and any advertising says "not a licensed contractor" (A.R.S. 32-1121(A)(14)). Plumbing that needs a permit never qualifies, whatever the price, and neither does any job that connects to a natural gas or propane supply or any plumbing done in connection with fire sprinklers (A.R.S. 32-1121(D)).
- Employees. A plumber working for wages as their only compensation needs no ROC license of their own (A.R.S. 32-1121(A)(11)).
- Owner builders. An owner improving property for their own occupancy may do the work personally or with licensed contractors; a sale, or even an offer to sell, within one year after completion is evidence the work was done for sale (A.R.S. 32-1121(A)(5)).
City cards are separate. The City of Phoenix issues its own journeyman and apprentice licenses for plumbing and mechanical work where a permit is required. A Phoenix journeyman passes an exam and shows four years of related experience; apprentices work under a licensed journeyman or an Arizona licensed contractor.
Skipping the license is costly. Contracting without a license is a class 1 misdemeanor with a fine of at least $1,000 for a first offense and at least $2,000 after that (A.R.S. 32-1164). An unlicensed business that bids a job worth more than $1,000 can be barred from a license for one year after the bid date; a first offense on a project under $20,000 draws a written warning instead (A.R.S. 32-1123).
The Arizona plumbing classifications: C-37, R-37, R-37R and CR-37
Arizona offers plumbing in three scopes that match the commercial, residential and dual structure used across ROC trades, plus solar versions:
| Classification | Scope (from the ROC rules) |
|---|---|
| C-37 Plumbing (commercial) | All plumbing within property lines: water supply piping and fixtures, venting and sanitary drainage, septic tanks, lawn sprinklers, water conditioning, pool piping, gas piping, hot water heating to 30 psig and 220 degrees F, steam to 15 psig, hydronic balancing |
| C-77 Plumbing Including Solar (commercial) | Everything in C-37 plus solar |
| C-78 Solar Plumbing Liquid Systems Only | Solar water heating systems up to 220 degrees F tied to existing stubouts |
| R-37 Plumbing, Including Solar (residential) | Water and gas piping, fire protection as it relates to water sprinkler systems, sewage treatment systems, fixtures and vents, and solar; includes all R-37R subclasses |
| R-37R Plumbing (residential) | The general residential plumbing subclass listed under R-37 |
| CR-37 Plumbing (dual) | Both the C-37 and the R-37R scopes |
| CR-77 Plumbing Including Solar (dual) | Both C-77 and R-37 |
| CR-78 Solar Plumbing Liquid Systems Only (dual) | Both C-78 and the residential solar liquid subclass |
The older R-37R subclasses (central vacuum, fixture refinishing, pool plumbing, gas piping, sewers and drains, solar liquid) are closed to new applicants (A.A.C. R4-9-103). If you service homes only, R-37R or R-37 covers you. If you want to bid commercial and residential alike, the dual CR-37 covers both with one license, and the dual CR-77 adds solar on top of that.
Step by step: how to get a plumbing license in Arizona
- Pick the classification that matches the work you will actually contract for.
- Name the qualifying party: the owner, partner, member, officer or employee who holds the experience and will pass the exams. Everyone named on the license must be at least 18.
- Pass the SRE and the plumbing trade exam, then apply within two years of passing.
- Form and register the business. LLCs and corporations register with the Arizona Corporation Commission and stay in good standing; partnerships register with the Secretary of State.
- Complete background checks and identity documents. Every person named on the application needs a background check through the ROC vendor, valid for 90 days. Individuals document citizenship or lawful presence (A.R.S. 41-1080).
- Arrange the bond and workers' compensation. Buy the bond for your scope and volume and attest to workers' compensation coverage or an exemption (A.R.S. 32-1122(B)(1)(i)). General liability insurance is not an ROC license item, but project owners may require it by contract.
- Apply through the ROC Online Customer Portal (mail and in person filing are also accepted) and pay the application fee, license fee and, for residential or dual work, the Recovery Fund assessment.
- Answer any deficiency notice within 30 days, or the ROC may return the application (A.A.C. R4-9-113).
The experience requirement
To serve as the qualifying party for an Arizona plumbing license, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Have a minimum of four years of practical or management experience in the type of plumbing you are applying for, with at least two of those years inside the past ten years (A.R.S. 32-1122(E)(1)).
- Know that technical training at an accredited college or university, or in a manufacturer's accredited training program, can replace part of that experience, but never more than two of the four years.
The ROC accepts military training, accredited program transcripts, and completion certificates from an apprenticeship approved by the U.S. Department of Labor or a state apprenticeship agency as evidence of trade experience, and it counts experience whether or not you were licensed, or working for a licensed business, when you earned it (A.A.C. R4-9-119). Keep solid documentation of your work history; the ROC can request it.
The two required exams: SRE and the PSI plumbing trade exam
Every Arizona plumbing applicant must pass two exams unless a waiver applies:
| Exam | Vendor and format | Questions and time |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Statutes and Rules Training Course and Exam (SRE) | Gmetrix, online only, open book course on Arizona contracting law and ROC rules | Built into the course |
| Plumbing trade exam (C-37/CR-37, R-37 or R-37R outline) | PSI, remote proctored online or at a PSI test center | 100 questions, 240 minutes (the R-37 solar portion adds 30 questions and 75 minutes) |
| Exam | Passing score | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Statutes and Rules Training Course and Exam (SRE) | 70% | $61, paid directly to Gmetrix |
| Plumbing trade exam (C-37/CR-37, R-37 or R-37R outline) | 70% | $66, paid directly to PSI ($116 for two exams, $40 for the solar portion only) |
The C-37 (CR-37) outline is heaviest on drainage, waste and vents (15 items), water supply (12), fuel gas (11) and septic and sewer (11), with the 2018 International Plumbing Code among its references. After a failed attempt you wait 30 days to retake; after three attempts the wait becomes 90 days (A.A.C. R4-9-106). The PSI fee is not refundable and is valid for one year.
Note: We help contractors structure their path to a license. We do not sell exam prep or study guides; work directly with an approved provider.
The Arizona bond schedule for plumbers
The license bond is sized to your scope and your anticipated annual volume of work in Arizona. It must be continuous; you can raise it any time but lower it only at renewal.
Commercial plumbing (C-37, C-77, C-78, and the commercial half of a dual license):
| Annual Work Volume | Bond Amount |
|---|---|
| $150,000 or less | $2,500 |
| Over $150,000 to $500,000 | $7,000 |
| Over $500,000 to $1 million | $17,500 |
| Over $1 million to $5 million | $25,000 |
| Over $5 million to $10 million | $37,500 |
| Over $10 million | $50,000 |
Residential plumbing (R-37, R-37R, and the residential half of a dual license):
| Annual Work Volume | Bond Amount |
|---|---|
| Less than $375,000 | $4,250 |
| $375,000 or more | $7,500 |
A dual CR-37 bond combines the residential and commercial amounts on one bond. Residential and dual licensees must also satisfy a $200,000 consumer protection requirement (A.R.S. 32-1152(C)), either with a $200,000 surety bond or cash deposit or by paying into the Residential Contractors' Recovery Fund, the more common choice, built into the fee schedule below. The Fund pays an eligible homeowner up to $30,000 per residence and no more than $200,000 against any one license.
(Bond premiums are set by the surety and change over time; verify current amounts before you apply.)
ROC application fees (official 2026 schedule)
These are the ROC's official new license fees for a two-year license, with the renewal fee for each:
| Classification | Application Fee | License Fee | Recovery Fund |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specialty Commercial (C-37) | $100 | $480 | $0 |
| Specialty Residential (R-37R or R-37) | $80 | $270 | $370 |
| Specialty Dual (CR-37) | $100 | $380 | $370 |
| Classification | Total at Issue* | Renewal (every two years) |
|---|---|---|
| Specialty Commercial (C-37) | $580 | $480 |
| Specialty Residential (R-37R or R-37) | $720 | $540 ($270 plus $270 Fund) |
| Specialty Dual (CR-37) | $850 | $650 ($380 plus $270 Fund) |
Totals do not include the SRE and trade exam fees. Residential and dual classifications include the $370 Residential Recovery Fund assessment, which satisfies the $200,000 consumer protection requirement. A change of qualifying party costs $100 (A.A.C. R4-9-130).
First time sole proprietors may qualify for a fee waiver as the spouse of an active duty service member, as an honorably discharged veteran within two years of discharge, or with family income at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines (A.R.S. 41-1080.01); the Recovery Fund assessment is still owed.
How long does it take, and what does it cost?
The ROC has an overall time frame of 60 calendar days to decide a complete new license application (A.A.C. R4-9-113; A.R.S. 32-1124). Time waiting on your answers to a deficiency notice does not count (A.R.S. 41-1074(B)).
The hard costs include the ROC fees ($580 to $850 by scope), the SRE ($61) and trade exam ($66), your bond premium, and insurance.
If you are deciding between getting licensed yourself and placing a qualifier so your business can operate now, book a consultation and we will map it out for you.
Renewing an Arizona plumbing license
Licenses run two years. A license not renewed is suspended by operation of law the business day after its renewal date; you can reactivate within one year by filing the renewal with a $50 late fee, and after one year you must apply for a new license (A.R.S. 32-1125). The ROC renewal checklist asks you to confirm Corporation Commission standing, an active bond that covers your volume, and workers' compensation information, then pay on the portal. It lists no continuing education step.
Moving your plumbing business to Arizona from another state
The ROC rules give plumbers qualified elsewhere a trade exam waiver: the ROC may waive the trade exam for a qualifying party who is currently, or within the past five years was, the qualifying party for a licensee in another state in the same or a comparable classification (A.A.C. R4-9-106(E)). You attach the waiver form to your application; the ROC does not pre-approve waivers. The SRE cannot be waived, so a plumber coming from Washington or anywhere else still passes the SRE and posts an Arizona bond.
From plumbing license to plumbing contractor business
The Arizona license belongs to the business, not the person (A.A.C. R4-9-101), and every licensed company needs a qualifying party: a person responsible for the licensee's conduct under the license who either owns an interest in it or is regularly employed by it (A.R.S. 32-1101). If you own your shop and you are the qualifier, you are covered. A qualifying party may serve one additional licensee only with at least 25% common ownership or a subsidiary relationship (A.R.S. 32-1127).
The problem shows up when the qualifier leaves, or when a plumbing business expands into Arizona without anyone holding the experience and exam scores. That is where a qualifying agent comes in.
A qualifying agent is a licensed professional hired as a full-time W-2 employee who holds the required experience and scores, actually supervises the plumbing work, and qualifies your company's license, never on a percentage cut, flat fee or per project arrangement. The Licensing Company was built by Marshall Schofield and Jeremiah Jaskulski, recognized authorities on contractor qualification, to place those professionals with companies that need them.
If you need to fill that role, learn how hiring a qualifying agent works, read what a qualifying agent is, or see how the role applies to plumbing contractors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are plumbers licensed in Arizona? Plumbing businesses are. The ROC licenses the contracting company, and a plumber working for wages under that company needs no state license of their own. Some cities, including Phoenix, add journeyman and apprentice cards.
Is there a journeyman or master plumber license in Arizona? No. Arizona does not issue statewide journeyman or master plumber licenses. Plumbing is licensed at the contractor level, and your field experience is what qualifies you to take the contractor exams.
What is the difference between the C-37, R-37, R-37R and CR-37 plumbing licenses? C-37 is commercial only, R-37R is residential only, R-37 is residential including solar, and CR-37 is the dual license covering the C-37 and R-37R scopes.
Can I take the Arizona plumbing exam online? Yes. The SRE is offered only online through Gmetrix, and the PSI trade exam can be taken remote proctored or at a PSI test center. Both need 70% to pass.
How much is the bond for an Arizona plumbing license? Commercial plumbers post $2,500 (for $150,000 or less in annual volume) up to $50,000 (for over $10 million). Residential plumbers post $4,250 under $375,000 of volume or $7,500 above it, and dual licensees post both. Residential and dual licensees also meet the $200,000 requirement, usually through the Recovery Fund.
How much does an Arizona plumbing license cost? ROC application and license fees run from $580 (commercial) to $850 (dual), plus the $61 SRE and $66 trade exam, plus your bond premium and insurance.
Does Arizona require continuing education for plumbers? No. The ROC renewal checklist, repeated every two years, has no continuing education step.
I hold a plumbing license in another state. Can I use it in Arizona? Not directly. The ROC may waive the trade exam if you were a qualifying party in the same or a comparable classification within five years, but you still pass the SRE and obtain an Arizona license and bond.
My plumbing company's qualifier just left. What now? Both your company and the departing qualifying party must notify the Registrar in writing within 15 days, and you have 60 days from the disassociation date to requalify before the license is automatically suspended (A.R.S. 32-1127.01). You can qualify another eligible employee, or place a qualifying agent as a W-2 employee to qualify the license. We help businesses fill that role.
Sources
All retrieved 2026-09-26. roc.az.gov refused direct requests that day, so ROC pages were read through the Internet Archive capture dated in parentheses.
- ROC, License and Renewal Fees (capture 2026-07-26)
- ROC, Bond Information (capture 2026-07-26)
- ROC, Frequently Asked Questions (capture 2026-07-29)
- ROC, Applying for a License (capture 2026-07-12)
- ROC, Renew a License Checklist (capture 2026-07-26)
- PSI, Arizona ROC Candidate Information Bulletin (revised 2/18/2026)
- PSI, C-37 (CR-37) Plumbing (Commercial) outline
- PSI, R-37 Plumbing Including Solar (Residential) outline
- A.R.S. 32-1101
- A.R.S. 32-1121
- A.R.S. 32-1122
- A.R.S. 32-1123
- A.R.S. 32-1124
- A.R.S. 32-1125
- A.R.S. 32-1127
- A.R.S. 32-1127.01
- A.R.S. 32-1151
- A.R.S. 32-1152
- A.R.S. 32-1164
- A.R.S. 41-1074
- A.R.S. 41-1080
- A.R.S. 41-1080.01
- A.A.C. R4-9-101 to R4-9-104 (licensee and classification rules)
- A.A.C. R4-9-106
- A.A.C. R4-9-112
- A.A.C. R4-9-113
- A.A.C. R4-9-119
- A.A.C. R4-9-130
- City of Phoenix, Journeyman and Apprentice Licensing
Get Your Arizona Plumbing Business Licensed and Bidding
Earning your plumbing license is step one. Keeping your company qualified is where plumbing businesses stall. The Licensing Company places qualifying agents as full-time W-2 employees so your company can hold the correct ROC classification and keep bidding.
Call 615-219-2110, start with a consultation, explore hiring a qualifying agent, or if you hold a plumbing license yourself, see how you could become a qualifying agent. Licensing across more of the trade? Our Arizona contractor license guide, Arizona HVAC license guide, and Arizona electrician license guide round out the ROC picture.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, licensing guidance, or an offer of services. Licensing requirements vary by jurisdiction. For specific compliance questions, contact The Licensing Company for a confidential consultation.