Thinking about getting a plumbing license in Arizona? This guide covers everything you need to know — from eligibility and application steps to licensing exams and insurance requirements. By the end, you’ll have a clear path to obtaining your Arizona plumbing license and starting your career.
Jump ahead to learn:
Yes, you must get an Arizona plumbing license before working in the plumbing trade. The Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) takes care of all plumbing licensure, with three main types to fit different kinds of work.
If you’d prefer to focus on homes, you’ll need a residential plumber license, while a commercial plumber license covers plumbing in commercial and industrial spaces. A dual license meets Arizona plumbing license requirements for handling residential and commercial jobs, giving you maximum flexibility.
With over 13,700 plumbers already working in Arizona and a projected 30% job growth by 2030, the plumbing field here is booming. The demand for skilled plumbers is high, with 1,520 new job openings expected each year, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration.
Business insurance can protect your Arizona business from costly risks. While not all plumbers need insurance, the state requires certain types of coverage for specific situations. Here’s what you need to know about safeguarding your practice.
If you employ workers, the state requires you to have workers’ compensation insurance to obtain your plumbing contractor license. It helps with medical bills and lost wages if one of your staff is hurt on the job.
Learn more about workers’ compensation for contractors.
General liability insurance is highly recommended for AZ plumbers to help cover third-party injuries or property damage. For example, if a water line you’re working on unexpectedly bursts and floods a client’s property, general liability insurance can help cover the cost of repairs.
Learn more about general liability insurance for contractors.
Commercial property insurance helps protect your office or shop, including your tools and equipment, from covered events such as fire, theft or wind storms. This coverage can include your building structure, products and inventory, furniture and the equipment that you use for work.
A business owner’s policy, or BOP insurance, provides broad coverage of general liability and commercial property policies combined in a single, more cost-efficient bundle. That means it can help cover damage that you or your employees may inadvertently cause to another person’s property and help protect your business inventory in the event of a fire or other covered event.
As a plumber, your tools are your livelihood. Tools and equipment insurance can help cover repairing or replacing your gear if it’s stolen, lost, or unexpectedly damaged on the job.
When driving for work, personal car insurance won’t always cover work-related accidents. Commercial auto insurance steps in if your business vehicle is in a fender bender or damaged on the job.
In Arizona, auto coverage minimums are:
The Arizona ROC has you jump through a few hoops to become a licensed plumber. Unlike some states, Arizona doesn’t license apprentices or journeymen at the state level, but certain cities, like Phoenix, do. In Phoenix, you must apply for an apprentice license, get at least four years of experience, and pass an exam to get a journeyman license.
One of Arizona’s license classification requirements is four years of experience, which can be hands-on, managerial, or a combination of both. One of the most common methods of gaining experience is through an apprenticeship program.
The time it takes to become a licensed contractor depends on your experience level and how quickly you complete each step. Generally, you’ll need at least four years of practical work experience to qualify.
Once you’ve logged those hours, you’ll spend additional time studying for the exams, gathering documents, and submitting your application.
When considering how to get a plumbing license in AZ, your first step is to make sure you’re eligible. Arizona requires you to be at least 18 years old. If you’re applying as a corporation or limited liability company (LLC), register with the Arizona Corporation Commission before applying.
Your next step is choosing the Arizona contractor license type you want to apply for. Here’s another look at plumbing contractor license options in Arizona:
Note that each license level requires at least four years of experience before applying.
You must take the Arizona Statutes and Rules Exam (SRE) offered through GMetrix. This exam focuses on the state’s contractor laws and regulations.
You’ll also need to pass a PSI exam specific to your chosen license type. It tests your knowledge of plumbing codes, installation practices, and safety standards.
Before you can apply, you’ll need a few key documents:
Arizona bond amounts depend on the license you’re after. Residential license bonds start at $4,250, while commercial surety bonds can go up to $50,000.
You can fill out your application online through the ROC portal or print the application form and send it by mail. AZ plumbing license fees vary by license type:
Once you submit everything, ROC will review your application and let you know if anything else is needed. After approval, you’re all set to start your plumbing career in Arizona.
Keeping up to date on your Arizona plumbing license is crucial to keep your business in good standing. The state makes the process straightforward, starting with making sure your bond is enough to cover your annual volume and gathering your workers’ compensation insurance policy number and company, if applicable.
The ROC portal can walk you through the rest — log into your ROC account to renew your license and pay the necessary fees:
You can also renew by mail or in person by contacting the ROC office in Phoenix. The office is on Washington Street near the Arizona Capitol Museum.
Arizona offers license reciprocity with California and Nevada, which lets plumbers skip the trade exam. But out-of-state applicants must still pass the SRE to gauge familiarity with state-specific laws.
For military spouses moving to the state of Arizona, a valid out-of-state plumbing license may qualify for a license transfer — even if the state is outside of California and Nevada.
If you qualify, you can fill out the out-of-state waiver request form.
NEXT is committed to supporting small businesses, offering coverage to 1,300+ professions. We support Arizona plumbers with affordable and tailored business insurance. From workers’ compensation to general liability and commercial auto coverage, we’ve built plumbing insurance packages specifically for small businesses.
Our quick online application gets you coverage within minutes. You can even access your certificate of insurance instantly for easy proof on job sites.
Start a free instant quote with NEXT.
Do you want to work as a plumbing contractor in another U.S. state? Learn what states require licenses in our guide to plumbing license requirements.
This information has been provided as a service. It is correct and up-to-date to the best of our knowledge; however, it is in no way intended to offer legal advice and you must always consult with local authorities before you make any business decisions. Regulations and requirements may change at any time.
Amy Beardsley, insurance expert and contributing writer at NEXT Insurance, is a content marketing writer who specializes in small business coverage. Leveraging her background in the legal field, Amy brings a deep understanding of laws, regulations, and compliance requirements to her work. As a content marketing writer since 2016, she has contributed to publications like Legal & General, Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance, Insurify, and NerdWallet. Her work has also appeared in CNBC, Kiplinger, and US News. When she’s not writing, Amy enjoys playing cards with her family and experimenting with new recipes.
