Plumbingjobs.com Logo

How to Become a Licensed Plumber in Arizona

The process to get an Arizona plumbing license involves a combination of experience and successfully passing examinations. This is the only way to legally perform plumbing jobs in Arizona, including installing, repairing and replacing fixtures, pipes and septic tanks.

Plumbing License Requirements in Arizona

Plumbers in Arizona must be licensed or working under a licensed contractor to perform more than $1,000 worth of work on plumbing systems.

In some jurisdictions, apprentice and journeyman plumbers working under licensed plumbing contractors also need to be licensed through a local authority.

Types of Plumbing Licenses in Arizona

Unlike most states, Arizona does not issue licenses to apprentice or journeyman plumbers. There are, however, still three different types of statewide plumbing contractor licenses.

  • Specialty Commercial C-37 Plumbing
  • Specialty Residential R-37 Plumbing
  • Specialty Dual CR-37 Plumbing

The residential license includes solar work. The dual plumbing contractor license applies to both residential and commercial work.

Each requires at least four years of experience working under a licensed contractor.

Cost to Get a Plumbing License in Arizona

The licensing fees for becoming a plumbing contractor vary, as do the application fees. To become a specialty commercial plumbing contractor, applicants should expect to pay licensing fees of $480 plus application fees of $100.

Residential plumbing contractors will have to pay licensing fees of $270, application fees of $80, and additional recovery fund assessment fees of $370.

Specialty dual plumbing contractor licenses are the most expensive. They require paying a $100 application fee, a $380 licensing fee, and a $370 recovery assessment.

Exam fees are assessed separately and cost $66 per exam if taken separately, $116 for two portions of the exam taken together, or $156 if the solar portion is included.

Finally, renewal fees are $480 for commercial contractors, $540 for residential contractors, and $650 for dual license holders and must be paid every two years.

Arizona Plumbing Licensing Exams

In Arizona, obtaining a plumbing contractor license requires taking both the applicable Trade Exam and the Statutes and Rules Exam. The exams are issued by PSI testing services. Information about the exam, including a content outline, can be found in the Candidate Information Bulletin published by the testing service.

The Trade Exam has 100 questions and must be completed in 240 minutes or less. Some subject areas can be found on both commercial and residential exams. They include:

  • Plumbing fixtures
  • Roof and storm drainage systems
  • Specialty plumbing
  • Drainage waste and vents
  • Indirect waste
  • Water supply
  • Backflow prevention
  • Isometric analysis
  • Septic and sewer
  • Fire sprinklers
  • Fuel gas
  • Excavation

The Statutes and Rules Examination is a business management exam. Covered subjects include:

  • Registrar of Contractors statutes, rules, and workmanship standards
  • Business mathematics and financial management
  • Insurance and bonding
  • Tax laws
  • Liens
  • Safety reporting
  • Record keeping
  • Labor law and employment regulations
  • Contracts and agreement
  • Environmental regulations

Arizona has five PSI testing centers. Aspiring plumbing contractors can take their exams in Phoenix, Glendale, Tempe, Tucson, or Flagstaff.

Who Issues Plumbing Licenses in Arizona?

Licenses are issued by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) to Plumbing Contractors.

Although Arizona does not issue licenses to apprentice or journeyman plumbers at a state level, some local jurisdictions such as the city of Phoenix issue these licenses as required by their building codes.

Additional Plumbing Certifications in Arizona

There is no requirement for plumbing contractors to carry additional certifications in Arizona. However, it can be helpful for those who want to progress in their careers to obtain certifications through the NITC or the ASSE.

Having these voluntary certifications can make a professional plumber look more attractive to potential employers or clients.

Can I Transfer a Plumbing License to Arizona?

There is no plumbing license reciprocity in Arizona, meaning out of state licenses cannot be transferred to Arizona.

Related Links

  • Arizona Plumbing Jobs
  • Arizona Plumbing Schools
  • Arizona Plumbing Salaries

Want plumbing jobs delivered to your inbox?

Every month, we send you the top plumbing jobs to help you find the best opportunities.
Hidden

Next Steps: Sync an Email Add-On

To get the most out of your form, we suggest that you sync this form with an email add-on. To learn more about your email add-on options, visit the following page (https://www.gravityforms.com/the-8-best-email-plugins-for-wordpress-in-2020/). Important: Delete this tip before you publish the form.

Want plumbing jobs delivered to your inbox?

Clicky