Arizona Handyman License: How to Get Certified as a Handyman in AZ

Do you need a license to be a handyman in AZ?

Yes, you need an Arizona handyman license if you’re performing work that’s valued more than $1,000. For small repairs and services under the $1,000 threshold, like painting drywall and furniture assembly, no license is required. 

For larger jobs, you’ll need to get either a general or speciality contracting license from the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. This license is required for both residential and commercial jobs involving the installation and repair or supervision and management of the following: 

• Swimming pools, hot tubs, and spas
• Drywall and plaster 
• Signs and fencing
• Water conditioning systems
• Finishing carpentry
• Electrical appliances
• Awnings, canopies, carports, and patio covers
• Asphalt and graded surfaces

What type of license do you need to be a handyman in AZ?

There are two main types of handyman licenses available in Arizona that impact the type of jobs you can take on: general and specialty contractor licenses. 

Since the work that a handyman can perform falls under many different categories, the Arizona Registrar of Contractors has different licenses available depending on the type of work and type of buildings involved. 

Here’s how they break it down: 

General Contractor License Types	License Description
General Residential Contractor (B)	B license holders are permitted to work on any type of residential project.
General Commercial Contractor (B-1)	B-1 license holders are permitted to work on any type of commercial project.
General Small Commercial Contractor (B-2)	B-2 license holders are permitted to work on a wide range of commercial projects that total $2,000,000 or less, including labor and materials.
General Remodelling and Repair Contractor (B-3)	B-3 license holders are permitted to remodel and repair existing residential structures.
General Residential Engineering Contractor (B-4)	B-4 license holders are permitted to construct and repair residential buildings
General Swimming Pool Contractor (B-5)	B-5 license holders are permitted to construct and repair swimming pools and spas, including installing pool barriers and utilities from point of service to the equipment.
General Swimming Pool Contractor, Including Solar (B-6)	B-6 license holders can perform all the same work as B-5 license holders and can also install and repair solar heating devices
Pre-Manufactured Spas and Hot Tubs (B-10)	B-10 license holders are permitted to install and repair pre-manufactured spas and hot tubs.
Specialty Contractor License Types	License Description
Specialty Commercial Contractor (C Class)	C class license holders are permitted to work on specific commercial projects depending on the type of speciality license in question. This work includes:  • Sound systems • Swimming pool service and repair • Drywall and plastering  • Ornamental metals  • Signs  • Water conditioning equipment • Finishing carpentry  • Appliances
Specialty Residential Contractor (R Class)	R class license holders are permitted to work on specific residential projects depending on the type of speciality license in question. This work includes:  • Sound systems • Swimming pool service and repair • Drywall and plastering  • Ornamental metals  • Signs  • Water conditioning equipment • Finishing carpentry  • Appliances  • Residential excavating and grading • Residential awnings and canopies • Residential asphalt paving  Residential fencing  Residential insulation  Residential welding Residential wrecking

For all commercial and residential general contractors, work related to electrical, plumbing, HVAC, fire protection, boilers, swimming pools, spas, and water wells must be subcontracted to, or performed by, someone with the appropriate certification(s).

Here is a list of the types of work you can perform as a general or speciality contractor without an additional trade certification, provided you have 2 years of experience working under the supervision of a licensed contractor: 

• Sound systems
• Drywall and plastering 
• Ornamental metals 
• Signs 
• Water conditioning equipment
• Finishing carpentry 
• Appliances 
• Residential excavating and grading
• Residential awnings and canopies
• Residential asphalt paving 
• Residential fencing 
• Residential insulation 
• Residential welding
• Residential wrecking

For more information on the specific general and specialty contractor license classifications available in Arizona, check out the state’s website. 

Arizona handyman license requirements

The requirements for an Arizona handyman license will vary depending on the type of license you want to get and the structures you want to work on. 

General and specialty contractor licenses have different requirements in terms of work experience, examination, and additional certifications. Same goes for contractor licenses geared towards small commercial, commercial, or residential work. 

Here’s an overview of the different requirements depending on the license: 

License Type	License Requirements
General Commercial and Residential Contractor Licenses (B, B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, B-5, B-6)	A minimum of 4 years in hands-on and/or managerial experience under the supervision of a licensed contractor Successful completion of both the Trade Exam and Statutes and Rules Exam
Pre-Manufactured Spas and Hot Tubs (B-10)	A minimum of 2 years in hands-on and/or managerial experience under the supervision of a licensed contractor or 1 year of work experience and successful completion of the corresponding Trade Exam Successful completion of the and Statutes and Rules Exam
Specialty Commercial Contractor (C Class): • Plastering Signs	3 years of hands-on and/or managerial experience under the supervision of a licensed contractor or  2 years of work experience and the successful completion of the corresponding Trade Exam. Successful completion of the Statutes and Rules Exam.
Specialty Commercial Contractor (C Class): • Acoustical systems • Drywall • Ornamental metals • Finish carpentry  • Appliances	2 years of hands-on and/or managerial experience under the supervision of a licensed professional or the successful completion of the corresponding Trade Exam. Successful completion of the Statutes and Rules Exam.
Specialty Commercial Contractor (C Class): • Water conditioning	2 years of hands-on and/or managerial experience under the supervision of a licensed contractor or  1 year of work experience and the successful completion of the corresponding Trade Exam. Successful completion of the Statutes and Rules Exam.
Specialty Commercial Contractor (C Class): • Swimming pool service and repair	The following C-class licenses require 1 years of hands-on and/or managerial experience under the supervision of a licensed contractor or  the successful completion of the corresponding Trade Exam. Successful completion of the Statutes and Rules Exam.
Specialty Residential Contractor (R Class): • Wrecking	The following R-class licenses require 3 years of hands-on and/or managerial experience under the supervision of a licensed professional or 2 years of work experience and the successful completion of the corresponding Trade Exam. Successful completion of the Statutes and Rules Exam.
Specialty Residential Contractor (R Class): • Awnings, canopies, carports, and patio covers • Plastering	2 years of hands-on and/or managerial experience under the supervision of a licensed professional or 1 year of work experience and the successful completion of the corresponding Trade Exam. Successful completion of the Statutes and Rules Exam.
Specialty Residential Contractor (R Class): • Acoustical systems • Excavating, grading, and oiling surfaces • Drywall • Fencing  • Ornamental metals • Insulation  • Water conditioning equipment • Finish carpentry  Appliances	2 years of hands-on and/or managerial experience under the supervision of a licensed professional or the successful completion of the corresponding Trade Exam. Successful completion of the Statutes and Rules Exam.
Specialty Residential Contractor (R Class): • Swimming pool service and repair • Asphalt paving  • Welding	1 year of hands-on and/or managerial experience under the supervision of a licensed professional or the successful completion of the corresponding Trade Exam: Successful completion of the Statutes and Rules Exam

The Arizona Registrar of Contractors website provides a full list of the requirements for each license.

How do I get a handyman license in Arizona?

The Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) website provides a checklist for anyone applying for their contractor license. You can expect the process to take at least 2-4 years depending on the type of contracting you want to do and the type of buildings you want to work on. 

Here are the steps to the process outlined by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors:

1. Identify the qualifying party and determine whether you are applying on behalf of an LLC or a sole proprietorship. 
2. Select the contractor classification you want to obtain based on your applicable knowledge and work experience.
3. Submit an application to waive the trade exam if you have the necessary work experience.
4. Pass the AZ Statutes and Rules exam and any optional trade exams in lieu of work experience.
5. Submit a completed criminal background check and a piece of government-issued ID.
6. Submit a completed contractor’s bond based on the license you are applying for and the expected annual gross volume of work you’ll complete.
7. Pay all associated fees based on your license classification.
8. Complete your application through the ROC online portal or download the application form.

All forms can be submitted online through the ROC online portal or physically to the Arizona Registrar of Contractors office at the following address: 

1700 W. Washington St. Suite 105
Phoenix, AZ 
85007

Arizona handyman license exam

To become a licensed handyman in Arizona you’ll need to pass the Statutes and Rules Exam and any additional trade exams depending on the certification. 

The Arizona ROC offers a Statutes and Rules (SRE) training course and exam that can be purchased online by the vendor Gmetrix. The SRE exam covers the following topics: 

• Title 32, Chapter 10 of the AZ Revised Statutes
• Title 4, Chapter 9 of the AZ Administrative Code

Once you’ve completed the SRE exam, you may need to take a trade exam if you want to be a general contractor or obtain some specialty contractor licenses.

For more information about the contractor exams in Arizona, including a list of the trade-specific exams for general contractors and specialty contractors, check out the links from page 11-16 of the downloadable PSI candidate information bulletin.

Does Arizona reciprocate handyman licenses?

Reciprocal licenses allow licensed handymen and contractors from certain states to apply directly for the corresponding contractor license in Arizona. 

Arizona currently has reciprocity agreements with the following  neighboring states:

• California 
• Nevada
• Utah

For more information on out-of-state applicants who are looking to use their current contractor license in Arizona, check out Chapter 32 – Title 4302 of the Arizona legislature. 

Arizona handyman license costs

The cost of getting your handyman license in Arizona varies depending on the type and number of licenses you want. Per license, you can expect to pay between $580 and $870 for a new license. 

For general and specialty contractors licensed for residential projects, there is also a Recovery Fund Assessment fee for those who don’t furnish a $200,000 surety bond and still need consumer protection coverage.  

Here’s a more detailed look at how the licensing costs break down for general and specialty contractor licenses in Arizona: 

License Classification	Application Fee	License Fee	Recovery Fund Assessment
New Licence Applications
General Commercial (B-1, B-2)	$200	$580	$0
General Residential (B, B-3, B-4, B-5, B-6, B-10)	$180	$320	$370
Specialty Commercial (C)	$100	$480	$0
Specialty Residential (R)	$80	$270	$370
License Renewals
General Commercial (B-1, B-2)	N/A	$580	$0
General Residential (B, B-3, B-4, B-5, B-6, B-10)	N/A	$320	$270
Specialty Commercial (C)	N/A	$480	$0
Specialty Residential (R)	N/A	$270	$270

All late license renewals will also have to include a $50 late fee. 

Here’s how the licensing fees break down across general and specialty contractor licenses: 

Exam Type	Exam Fee
AZ Statutes and Rules Exam	$54
Trade-Specific Exams	$66 per exam

For more information on the licensing fees for general and specialty contractors in Arizona, check out the ROC website. 

Arizona handyman license renewal

Your Arizona handyman license needs to be renewed every two years. You can check the status of your license and start the renewal process online through the AZ ROC portal.

The Arizona Registrar of Contractors also provides a license renewal checklist on their website. 

Requirements for business owners

Once you’ve completed all necessary forms and licensing exams to be a general or specialty contractor in Arizona, you can take the next step to securing your financial future by opening your own business. As you’ll see in the final section, this is a great way to increase your earning potential.

But first, what exactly do you need to do to become a contracting business owner in Arizona?

The Arizona state government has online resources that tell you what business owners need to do to operate legally, including:

1. Choosing and securing the name and entity type of your business.
2. Filing with the Arizona Corporation Commission.
3. Applying with the Arizona Department of Revenue.
4. Paying any city or county taxes and licensing fees.
5. Receiving your EIN or TIN from the IRS.

For an in-depth look at the ins and outs of starting your own handyman or contracting business, read our how to start a handyman business guide.

Does a handyman license increase your handyman earning potential?

No. Having a handyman or contractor’s license doesn’t impact the average handyman salary, but the years of experience as a handyman does.

Our comprehensive handyman salary guide has up-to-date salary information organized by state and experience. This guide, which includes average annual and hourly wages, can help you determine a good starting point for your own rates, or know how much to offer your new handyman if you’re looking to hire.