Electrical Contractors in the State of Arizona are required to obtain a license through the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. The Registrar is responsible for licensing contractors in all areas of the construction industry, including the electrical trade.
As part of the licensing process, Electrical Contractors are required to prove a number of years of work experience, pass a qualifying examination and submit an application to the Registrar, along with the required bond and fee amounts.
License Types and Classifications for Electrical Contractors in Arizona
The Arizona Registrar of Contractors offers the following license types to Electrical Contractors:
- Specialty Commercial Licenses- for contractors engaged in commercial work.
- Specialty Residential License- for contractors working in a residential setting
- Specialty Dual License- for contractors who want to work on both commercial and residential projects
Within these license types, the Registrar offers the following license classifications to Electrical Contractors:
- C-11- Commercial Electrical License- allows contractors to install, alter or repair electrical wiring, material and equipment in a commercial setting. Contractors are limited to systems of 600 volts or less.
- R-11- Residential Electrical License- allows contractors to install or repair electrical systems in a residential setting.
- CR-11- Specialty Dual Electrical License- allows the same scope of work as both a C-11 and R-11 license.
*The Registrar also offers Fire Protection Licenses (C-16; R-16 and CR-16) for contractors who wish to work with low-voltage fire protection systems. When obtaining one of these classifications, all other types of electrical work must be subcontracted to a licensed Electrical Contractor.
Process to Obtain an Electrical Contractor License in Arizona
- Contractors must be at least 18 years old
- Contractors must have at least 4 years of verifiable work experience in the field of electrical contracting. Businesses have the option of choosing someone within their company to act as qualifying party to meet the work experience requirement on the contractor’s behalf.
- Contractors must take and pass a 2-part qualifying examination, administered by PSI Services. The qualifying party may also take the exam on the contractor’s behalf
- Contractors must ensure that the business name they plan to use is both unique and available.
- Contractors must obtain the proper tax identification numbers and meet a bonding requirement based on their license classification
- Contractors must complete and submit an application to the Arizona Registrar of Contractors along with the proper documents and fees.
Age and Work Experience Requirement
Licenses are issued to individuals and businesses. Individuals applying for a license must meet all the requirements set forth by the Registrar. Businesses have the option of choosing someone within their company to act as a qualifying party, to meet the requirements and take the exam on the business’ behalf.
In order to qualify for a license, all contractors/qualifying parties, must:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have at least 4 years of verifiable work experience in the field of electrical contracting.
Acceptable work experiences include experience as a:
- Contractor
- Journeyman
- Foreman
In order to count toward the requirement all work experiences must be verifiable. The person verifying the work experience must have first-hand knowledge of the contractor’s/ qualifying party’s work. Acceptable persons include:
- Other Journeymen or Contractors
- Employers/ Former Employers
- Fellow Employees
- Clients/ Homeowners
- Union Representatives
- Architects/ Engineers
In some cases, education, training or apprenticeship programs may count toward a portion of the work experience requirement. Education and training is verifiable through transcripts and completion certificates.
The Examination Process
Prior to submitting an application, all contractors/ qualifying parties must take and pass an examination. The Arizona Registrar for Contractors holds a contract with PSI Services to administer the exam.
The computer-based exam consists of 2 portions, including:
- Business Management Exam- covering information about federal and state laws related to electrical construction, as well as business and financial management
- Trade Exam- covering information related to the trade of electrical contracting
PSI’s Candidate Information Bulletin contains all the information needed to prepare for and register for the exam, including the exam registration form, a list of suggested references and study materials, as well as sample test questions.
Applicants may register for the exam ONE of the following ways:
- Online– follow the link for new user registration
- By Phone- call PSI and use their automated system 24 hours a day. Representative are standing by to assist callers during regular business hours:
(800) 733-9267 - Fax- when registering by fax, allow 4 business days for processing. Fax the registration form and payment information to:
(702) 932-2666. - By mail: allow approximately 2 weeks for processing when submitting the exam registration form by mail. Complete the exam registration form from the Candidate Information Bulletin. Mail the registration form and payment to:
PSI Licensure: Certification
3210 E Tropicana
Las Vegas, NV 89121
The cost to take the exam is $106 for both portions; or $56 per portion. Exam fees are non-refundable.
PSI accepts payments in the form of:
- Cashier’s Check or Money Order made payable to“PSI.”
- Visa or Mastercard when applying online or by phone or fax
Once PSI accepts the exam registration form, it is the applicant’s responsibility to call PSI to schedule their exam. To schedule an exam, call PSI at: (800) 733-9267
Testing centers are located in:
- Phoenix
- Tempe
- Flagstaff
- Yuma
- Tucson
On the day of the test, examinees should arrive at least 30 minutes for before their scheduled test to allow time for check-in. They are also required to bring 2 forms of identification, including:
- A government issued photo id with the examinee’s signature; such as a driver’s license or passport
- Another form of identification with the examinee’s name and signature; such as a credit card or debit card.
Contractors/qualifying parties must pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher.
Scores are issued same-day before the contractor leaves the testing center. Passing score reports must be submitted to the Registrar at the time that the contractor submits their license application.
If the contractor does not pass one or both portions the exam on the first attempt, they must wait 30 days before they may re-register and take the exam again.
Contractors/ qualifying parties have 3 attempts to pass the exam. If they do not pass on the third attempt they must wait 180 days before they may schedule another test.
Preparing to Submit an Application
Prior to completing the application, it is important that contractors verify that the name they plan to use for their business is unique and available. All contractors must operate under a unique business name. Contractors must contact the following entities, following this exact order, to check the status and reserve their business name:
- Arizona Registrar of Contractors
- Arizona Corporations Commission
- Arizona Secretary of State
For more information about name availability and reserving a business name, please visit the Arizona Registrar of Contractors Name Availability and Licensing Forms and Instructions web pages.
Contractors are also required to obtain a Transaction Privilege Tax Number from the Arizona Department of Revenue, for tax purposes. Additionally, contractors must undergo a criminal background check.
To obtain a copy of the license application, either download from the website or call the Arizona Registrar of Contractors at:
1-877-692-9762
OR
602-542-1525
Be sure to read and follow all instructions that come with the application. When filling out the application, print or type in black ink. To avoid delays in the licensing process, be sure that all questions are answered and that all pages are signed and dated in the appropriate places.
For questions about filling out the application, please call the Registrar at:
1-877-692-9762
Submitting an Application
Contractors are required to submit the application, along with a copy of their passing exam scores, as well as the proper fees and bond amounts.
The Registrar requires all contractors to file a cash bond or surety bond. The required bond amount is based on the license classification and the anticipated volume of work the contractor plans to take on each year:
- C-11- Commercial Electrical Bond Amount- between $2,500 and $50,000
- R-11- Residential Electrical Bond Amount- between $4,250 and $7,500
- CR-11- Dual Electrical Bond Amount- determined by adding the required amount for both Commercial and Residential Electrical Contractors
Contractors may view the exact bonds amounts required based on annual volume on the Arizona Board of Registrars’ website.
Residential and Dual Electrical Contractors have the added task of submitting a consumer protection bond or surety bond in the amount of $200,000.
Residential and Dual Electrical Contractors are also required to make a cash deposit into the Residential Contractor Recovery Fund in the following amounts:
- R-11- Residential Electrical- $270
- CR-11- Dual Electrical- $370
Along with the application, contractors are also required to submit the following fee amounts
| License Class | Application Fee | License Fee |
| C-11 Commercial Electrical | $100 | $480 |
| R-11 Residential Electrical | $80 | $270 |
| CR-11 Dual Electrical | $100 | $380 |
Submit the completed application, along with all the required documents, bond and fees to:
Arizona Registrar of Contractors
1700 W. Washington Street
Suite 105
Phoenix, AZ 85007-2812
Once the Registrar receives the contractor’s application, they will send a receipt in the mail along with a personalized number that the contractor can use to track and monitor the status of their application.
Once the Registrar approves the contractor’s application, a notice will be sent by mail.
How Long is an Arizona Electrical Contractor License Valid?
All Electrical Contractor license classifications are good for a period of 2 years in the State of Arizona. The Registrar offers an online system to help with the renewal process.
At renewal time, contractors are required to pay a renewal fee. Residential and Dual Electrical contractors are also required to make another deposit into the Residential Contractor Recovery Fund:
| License Class | Renewal Fee | Recovery Fund Fee (if applicable) |
| C-11 Commercial Electrical | $480 | N/A |
| R-11 Residential Electrical | $270 | $270 |
| CR-11 Dual Electrical | $380 | $270 |
For more information about license renewal, contact the Arizona Registrar of Contractors at:
1-877-692-9762
Table of Fees
| Fee | What is it For? | When is it Due? |
| $106 | Cost to take both portions of the exam | Upon registering for the exam |
| $56 | Cost to take one portion of the exam | Upon registering for the exam |
| $580 | Application and License fee for a C-11 License | Upon submitting the license application |
| $720 | Application fee, License fee and Residential Contractor Recovery Fund fee for a R-11 License | Upon submitting the license application |
| $850 | Application fee, License fee and Residential Contractor Recovery Fund fee for a CR-11 License | Upon submitting the license application |
| $480 | Renewal fee for a C-11 License | Every 2 years, upon renewal |
| $540 | Renewal fee and Residential Contractor Recovery Fund fee for a R-11 License | Every 2 years upon renewal |
| $650 | Renewal fee and Residential Contractor Recovery Fund fee for a CR-11 License | Every 2 years upon renewal |