Is a surety bond required in Arizona?

Yes. The amount is set by AZ ROC — B-1/B-2 (commercial), B (residential), KB-1/KB-2 (dual); you pay an annual premium, not the full bond amount.

Arizona · General Contractor

How to get a General Contractor license in Arizona

Yes — Arizona requires a General Contractor license, issued by AZ ROC — B-1/B-2 (commercial), B (residential), KB-1/KB-2 (dual). You must pass the state exam, document your qualifying experience, post a surety bond. The license fee is $780, and it renews every 2 years.

Arizona General Contractor license requirements at a glance

License required	Yes (state)
Issuing board	AZ ROC — B-1/B-2 (commercial), B (residential), KB-1/KB-2 (dual)
Exam	Yes — SRE ($61, Gmetrix) + trade exam ($66, PSI); 70% min; NASCLA Commercial General Building accepted for B-1/B-2/KB ($106 + $30 transcript)
Experience	4 yrs practical/management trade experience, >=2 within last 10 yrs (A.R.S. §32-1122(E); technical training substitutable up to 2 yrs)
Bond	Yes
License fee	$780
Renewal	Every 2 year(s)
Reciprocity	Trade exam waived if qualifying party in same/comparable classification within past 5 yrs (R4-9-106(E)); SRE not waivable

License required

Yes (state)

Issuing board

AZ ROC — B-1/B-2 (commercial), B (residential), KB-1/KB-2 (dual)

Exam

Yes — SRE ($61, Gmetrix) + trade exam ($66, PSI); 70% min; NASCLA Commercial General Building accepted for B-1/B-2/KB ($106 + $30 transcript)

Experience

4 yrs practical/management trade experience, >=2 within last 10 yrs (A.R.S. §32-1122(E); technical training substitutable up to 2 yrs)

Bond

Yes

License fee

$780

Renewal

Every 2 year(s)

Reciprocity

Trade exam waived if qualifying party in same/comparable classification within past 5 yrs (R4-9-106(E)); SRE not waivable

Step by step

Meet the experience requirement. 4 yrs practical/management trade experience, >=2 within last 10 yrs (A.R.S. §32-1122(E); technical training substitutable up to 2 yrs)
Pass the required exam. SRE ($61, Gmetrix) + trade exam ($66, PSI); 70% min; NASCLA Commercial General Building accepted for B-1/B-2/KB ($106 + $30 transcript)
Post your surety bond. A surety bond is required before the license is issued; the amount is set by AZ ROC — B-1/B-2 (commercial), B (residential), KB-1/KB-2 (dual).
Pay the license fee and apply. Submit your application to AZ ROC — B-1/B-2 (commercial), B (residential), KB-1/KB-2 (dual) with the $780 fee.
Keep the license current. Renew every 2 years to stay eligible to pull permits.

Fee detail and fine print

Fee = $200 app + $580 license (commercial B-1/B-2, 2-yr term); residential B $870 incl. $370 recovery fund; dual KB $1,050. Bond volume-based per A.R.S. §32-1152: commercial general $5k–$100k, residential general $9k/$15k.

Already licensed in another state?

Trade exam waived if qualifying party in same/comparable classification within past 5 yrs (R4-9-106(E)); SRE not waivable

Arizona General Contractor reciprocity in detail →

Official source: AZ ROC — B-1/B-2 (commercial), B (residential), KB-1/KB-2 (dual) →

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a license to work as a general contractor in Arizona?: Yes. Arizona requires a General Contractor license issued by AZ ROC — B-1/B-2 (commercial), B (residential), KB-1/KB-2 (dual).
How much does a General Contractor license cost in Arizona?: The license fee is $780. Fee = $200 app + $580 license (commercial B-1/B-2, 2-yr term); residential B $870 incl. $370 recovery fund; dual KB $1,050. Bond volume-based per A.R.S. §32-1152: commercial general $5k–$100k, residential general $9k/$15k. Exam, fingerprinting, bond premium and insurance are billed separately where they apply.
How much experience do you need?: 4 yrs practical/management trade experience, >=2 within last 10 yrs (A.R.S. §32-1122(E); technical training substitutable up to 2 yrs)
What exam do you have to pass?: SRE ($61, Gmetrix) + trade exam ($66, PSI); 70% min; NASCLA Commercial General Building accepted for B-1/B-2/KB ($106 + $30 transcript)
Is a surety bond required in Arizona?: Yes. The amount is set by AZ ROC — B-1/B-2 (commercial), B (residential), KB-1/KB-2 (dual); you pay an annual premium, not the full bond amount.
Does Arizona have reciprocity with other states?: Trade exam waived if qualifying party in same/comparable classification within past 5 yrs (R4-9-106(E)); SRE not waivable
How often do you renew?: Every 2 years.