A license class says which work a contractor may do
The ROC sets contractor classes in Title 4, Chapter 9 of the Arizona Administrative Code. Each class covers the scope its code text names, no more.[1]
A license in one class does not stretch to a neighboring trade.
That boundary matters on a mixed job. A general residential license, for example, does not cover electrical, plumbing, air conditioning, boilers, pools, spas or water wells. Those must go to a contractor licensed for that work.[1] Ask who will do each specialty and check each license separately.
Residential classes for the common home trades
Class descriptions below come from the residential classifications in R4-9-102.[1]
General building. The B- General Residential class lets the holder "construct and repair all or any part of a residential structure or appurtenance." B-3 covers remodeling and repair of an existing home, carpentry included, but not electrical, plumbing, mechanical, boilers, pools, spas or wells.
R-61 covers remodels, additions and repairs on projects of $50,000 or less. R-62 covers minor improvements on projects of $5,000 or less. Both count labor and materials. R-61 must subcontract electrical, plumbing, air conditioning and boiler work, and R-62 does no structural work.
Decide
Which small-project class fits
What is the project total, labor and materials?
If $5,000 or less, no structural work
then: R-62 minor improvements
If $50,000 or less
then: R-61 remodels, additions and repairs
If Costly
then: Ask about a B- General Residential license
HVAC. R-39 installs and repairs comfort air conditioning, refrigeration, evaporative cooling, ventilating and heating, with or without solar equipment. It may add a circuit to an existing panel but not install a new service panel. See HVAC in Arizona and 602hvac.com.
Plumbing. R-37 covers water and gas piping, water sprinkler fire protection and sewage treatment systems, with fixtures, vents and devices, plus solar applications. See 602plumbingpros.com.
Electrical. R-11 installs and repairs residential electrical systems. See Electrical Work in Arizona and 602electric.com.
Pools. B-5 builds and repairs pools and spas, including the code-required barrier and utilities to the equipment. B-6 adds solar heating devices. B-10 covers spas and hot tubs.
R-6 handles service and minor repair. It excludes potable water connections, gas lines, gas chlorine systems and electrical beyond the first disconnect. See 602poolpros.com.
Roofing. R-42 covers weatherproofing and roof accessories for tile, shingle, shake, slate, metal, urethane foam, and roof insulation or coatings on or above the roof deck.
What the dual classes add
Dual classes combine a commercial scope and a residential scope in one license. The code words them as "the scopes of work permitted by" the two named licenses.[3]
A holder of a single commercial class, such as B-1 or B-2, needs a residential class or a dual one to do homes.[2]
| Code | Combines | Trade |
|---|---|---|
| KB-1 | B-1 commercial and B- residential general | General |
| KB-2 | B-2 small commercial and B- residential general | General |
| CR-79 | C-79 and R-39, with solar | HVAC |
| CR-39 | C-39 and R-39R, no solar scope | HVAC |
| CR-77 | C-77 and R-37, with solar | Plumbing |
| CR-37 | C-37 and R-37R | Plumbing |
| CR-11 | C-11 and R-11 | Electrical |
| KA-5 | A-9 and B-5 | Pool |
| KA-6 | A-19 and B-6, solar heating | Pool |
| CR-6 | C-6 and R-6 | Pool service |
| CR-42 | C-42 and R-42 | Roofing |
All entries are from R4-9-103 and R4-9-104.[3] To read a license, look at the code and match it to the table.
Check that the class on the paper fits the job in front of you.
The handyman limit in one paragraph
Arizona lets someone who is not a licensed contractor take work on one project when the total price, labor and materials together, is less than $1,000.[4] The work must be casual or minor and must not need a local building permit.
$1,000
project total must stay below this for the handyman exemption
Any advertising must include the words "not a licensed contractor." Work connecting to natural gas, propane or other fuel supply, plus fire safety work, is never exempt.[4]
Splitting a larger job into pieces to stay under the limit does not qualify.
The statute and the ROC have the final word, and the handyman exemption page has the full detail. For the risks of skipping a license, read hiring an unlicensed contractor.
How to check a license before you sign
The ROC runs its own contractor search at the Arizona Registrar of Contractors contractor search.[5] Look the contractor up yourself rather than trusting a number on a proposal, truck or business card.
- Open the ROC search and enter the company name or license number.
- Confirm the license belongs to the business name on your contract.
- Match the class to your job using the sections above.
- Confirm the license is active before you pay a deposit.
Ask the same of every subcontractor doing electrical, plumbing, HVAC or pool work. The full walkthrough is on how to check a contractor license.
Rule text can be amended, so confirm what a class permits with the ROC.
Quick answers
Does a general residential license cover electrical or plumbing work?
No. It does not cover electrical, plumbing, air conditioning, boilers, pools, spas or water wells. Those go to a contractor licensed for that work.
What does a dual class license mean?
It combines a commercial scope and a residential scope in one license, such as CR-11 for C-11 and R-11 electrical work.
Can an unlicensed handyman take a job over $1,000?
Not under the exemption. The total price for one project, labor and materials together, must be less than $1,000.
Sourced from the Arizona Administrative Code R4-9-102, R4-9-103 and R4-9-104 and A.R.S. 32-1121, checked October 2026.[1][2][3][4]
Sources
- Cornell Legal Information Institute. "Arizona Administrative Code R4-9-103 (contractor classifications)." https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/arizona/Ariz-Admin-Code-SS-R4-9-103. Accessed October 21, 2026.
- Cornell Legal Information Institute. "Arizona Administrative Code R4-9-102 (contractor classifications)." https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/arizona/Ariz-Admin-Code-SS-R4-9-102. Accessed October 21, 2026.
- Cornell Legal Information Institute. "Arizona Administrative Code R4-9-104 (contractor classifications)." https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/arizona/Ariz-Admin-Code-SS-R4-9-104. Accessed October 21, 2026.
- Arizona Legislature. "A.R.S. 32-1121 (exemptions from contractor licensing)." https://www.azleg.gov/ars/32/01121.htm. Accessed October 21, 2026.
- Arizona Registrar of Contractors. "Arizona ROC contractor search." https://azroc.my.site.com/AZRoc/s/contractor-search. Accessed October 21, 2026.