Licensing Guides
State Roofing License: How to Become a Roofing Contractor in Arizona
Roofing, AZ
Table of Contents
Roofing License Requirements in Arizona
Types of Roofing Licenses in Arizona
Steps to Get a Roofing License in Arizona
Benefits of Getting a Roofing Contractor License in Arizona
What Is the Mean Salary for a Roofer in Arizona?
How Much Does it Cost to Get a Roofing License in Arizona?
How to Get a Roofing License in Arizona
How Long Does it Take to Get a Roofing License in Arizona?
Arizona Roofer Training Programs and Schools
Arizona Roofing Licensing Exam Details
Who Issues Roofing Licenses in Arizona?
Do I Need to Renew My Arizona Roofing License?
Continuing Education
Does Arizona Reciprocate Roofing Licenses?
Does My Arizona Roofing Contractor License Work in Any Other State?
National Roofing Certifications
Other Requirements Unique to Arizona
We all need a good roof over our heads, so the people who build and maintain that part of our homes need to know what they’re doing. Many states require roofers to be licensed. Others simply require proof of insurance coverage to back up that essential work.
There are 135,140 roofers nationwide according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and Arizona employs 3,240 of them. The national number is projected to grow 6% from 2023 to 2033, adding more than 13,000 of these skilled workers to the ranks. According to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, the projected growth rate in Arizona is more than double that at 15% for roofers.
If you’re thinking about starting a roofing contracting business or you want a job in the field, you need to know the requirements and licensing process in your state or local jurisdiction. This guide will help you determine what you need to get started in the state of Arizona.
Roofing License Requirements in Arizona
While Arizona doesn’t offer roofing-specific state licensing, the state requires a General Contractor License to perform roofing work. Arizona offers two main license classifications, General Commercial Contractor and General Residential Contractor. Candidates can also pursue a Dual license if they perform both types of work or a Speciality Contractor license for certain trades.
The Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) issues all contractor licenses in the state.
According to the ROC, “Any business which contracts or offers to contract to build, alter, repair, add to, subtract from, improve, move, wreck or demolish any building, highway, road, railroad, excavation or other structure, development or improvement, or to do any part of the work must be a licensed contractor.”
Types of Roofing Licenses in Arizona
Arizona requires a Contractor’s license to perform residential or commercial roofing work.
The state offers the following license classifications:
General Commercial Contractor
General Residential Contractor
General Dual License Contracting
Specialty Residential Contracting
Specialty Dual License Contracting
Specialty Commercial Contracting
According to the ROC, “Residential contracting is defined as constructing, altering, repairing, adding to, subtracting from, improving, moving, wrecking or demolishing any residential structure, such as houses, townhouses, condominiums or cooperative units and any appurtenances on or within residential property lines.”
Commercial contracting covers “anything other than residential,” according to the ROC.
Steps to Get a Roofing License in Arizona
Complete the following steps to apply for one of the Arizona contractor license classifications.
Complete the Contractor license application form.
Pay the application fee: $200 for Commercial, $180 for Residential.
Identify a qualifying party.
Undergo a background check.
Form a legal entity: LLCs and corporations are required to register with the Arizona Corporation Commission. Partnerships are required to register with the Arizona Secretary of State.
Submit proof of a license bond and surety bond.
Submit proof of workers’ compensation insurance.
Demonstrate four years of related hands-on work experience or managerial experience.
Pass the Statutes and Rules Exam via GMetrix and pay the $54 exam fee.
Pass the Trade Exam via PSI Exams and pay the $66 exam fee.
Pay the license fee: $580 for Commercial, $320 for Residential.
Benefits of Getting a Roofing Contractor License in Arizona
There are many benefits to getting a contractor license in Arizona.
First, and most important, the state requires a license to legally bid on and perform roofing services.
A license is proof of your experience and skill in the roofing industry.
In many municipalities, only licensed contractors can operate a business and advertise roofing services, obtain commercial insurance, pull building permits, pass inspections, and bid on public and government projects.
Having a license protects your company and customers.
Licensing gives you a competitive advantage in the job market.
It also increases your earning potential.
What Is the Mean Salary for a Roofer in Arizona?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the annual mean pay for roofers nationally as $50,030, and $49,510 for those in Arizona. As you might expect, salaries increase as you acquire more experience.
According to Indeed.com, the average hourly wage for roofers in Arizona is $24.53 with $6,375 of overtime per year. The average annual salary is $56,109.
Pay ranges can vary widely, depending on the city and many other important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, and your years of experience.
What Business Owners Need to Know
Getting the most out of a roofing technician, no matter where they are in their licensing journey, takes work. ServiceTitan’s cloud-based, all-in-one roofing software gives technicians and business owners the technology they need to do the work efficiently, and the data they need to do it smartly.
ServiceTitan features:
SMS communications that keep customers informed about the technician’s visit
Location-specific service history, including recorded calls, accessible from the mobile app
Required forms that ensure every job is done right, driving consistency
The ability to build multi-option proposals with photos, on-site, in minutes
Sales presentations that make conversations with customers easier and drive up the average ticket
Mobile payment acceptance, eliminating lost checks and increasing cash flow
To learn more, schedule a demo with a product expert today.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Roofing License in Arizona?
Getting started in the roofing field in Arizona is relatively affordable. Since there is no requirement for higher education, people entering the field can learn on the job.
Arizona requires the following fees:
Application:
Commercial $200
Residential: $180
License:
Commercial $580
Residential: $320
Exam:
Statutes and Rules Exam: $54
Trade Exam:$66
The Residential license also requires a $370 payment to the Recovery Fund.
Additional costs for working as a Arizona roofer may include:
The average cost of workers’ compensation coverage in Arizona is $0.70 per $100 of payroll.
The average cost of general liability insurance is $504 per year.
Surety bonds average between 1% and 15% of the total bond amount.
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How to Get a Roofing License in Arizona
Arizona doesn’t offer roofing-specific state licensing. Rather, the state requires a General Commercial Contractor or General Residential Contractor license issued by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. Candidates need to complete the license application and pay the application fee of $200 for Commercial or $180 for Residential.
Applicants must also submit documentation including a background check, proof of a license bond, surety bond, and workers’ compensation insurance. You’ll need to pass the Statutes and Rules exam and Trade exam and pay the license fee of $580 for Commercial or $320 for Residential.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Roofing License in Arizona
All classifications of state contractor licenses require a minimum of four years of on-the-job experience or management experience in a related field.
Arizona Roofer Training Programs and Schools
If you choose to start your career path at a college or university, you can pursue a degree in construction management or construction engineering. There are many higher-education options throughout Arizona that offer these types of programs.
Here are a few options:
Arizona State University | Phoenix, Tempe BS in Construction Management and Technology — 4 years
Maricopa Community Colleges | Multiple cities AAS in Construction Management — 2 years
Northern Arizona University | Flagstaff BS in Construction Management — 4 years
The University of Arizona | Tucson Undergraduate Certificate in Construction Engineering Management — 4 years
Arizona Roofing Licensing Exam Details
Arizona contractors need to pass two exams to become licensed.
According to the AZ ROC, “The Qualifying Party must pass the required examinations by at least 70% and submit the exam results. The Qualifying Party must complete the AZ Statutes and Rules Training Course and Exam (SRE). The Qualifying Party must also complete a specific trade exam, unless eligible for a waiver.”
The Statutes and Rules Exam is administered by GMetrix and has a $54 exam fee.
The Trade Exam is administered by PSI Exams and has a $66 exam fee.
Note: “The Registrar may decide a trade exam is not required where the qualifying party has been the qualifying party within the preceding five years for a license in good standing in the same classification in this state, or a classification the Registrar deems comparable in another state.”
Who Issues Roofing Licenses in Arizona?
The Arizona Registrar of Contractors issues all contractor licenses in the state of Arizona.
Do I Need to Renew My Arizona Roofing License?
Contractors must renew their licenses every two years and provide supporting documents showing proof of workers’ compensation insurance and an “active” contractor’s bond.
Renewal fees include:
Commercial: $580
Residential: $320 + $270 Recovery Fund payment
Note: Arizona charges a $50 late fee.
Continuing Education
Arizona doesn’t require contractors to complete continuing education for any type of license.
Does Arizona Reciprocate Roofing Licenses?
Arizona reciprocates contractor licenses with California, Utah, and Nevada. To qualify, you must have been licensed for at least five years in your state and pass the Business Management exam in Arizona.
Does My Arizona Roofing Contractor License Work in Any Other State?
Yes, California, Utah, and Nevada permit Arizona contractors to work in their states, although the license classification names are slightly different.
National Roofing Certifications
Other certifications can help you demonstrate your proficiency to potential employers and clients. The National Association of Roofing Contractors offers certification. Professional certifications are not required but can add to your marketability and therefore increase your opportunity to make more money.
You can also learn more about certification and roofing in Arizona through the Arizona Roofing Contractor Association.
Other Requirements Unique to Arizona
Asbestos was banned nationwide in 1989 because of the health hazard posed by the material. It is often found in old roofing materials like shingles, roofing felt and tar, and siding and panels.
In Arizona “all facility renovation/demolition activities, asbestos removal, transport and disposal of asbestos, must follow the federal National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants Program (NESHAP).”
Proper roofing is meant to ensure that buildings can withstand extreme weather conditions. Roofing contractors need to be constantly updating their knowledge of the roofing trade. They need to stay current on building codes, new roofing systems, and best practices to stay compliant and ensure excellence in their work.
Resources
You can stay up to date on all roofing industry news several ways:
Check top roofing blogs, including ServiceTitan’s blog.
Read about the latest industry trends, and discover ideas on how to grow your roofing business.
Listen to top roofing podcasts like ServiceTitan’s “Toolbox for the Trades” podcast.
