Arizona Registrar of Contractors · checked 2026-10-21
Arizona HVAC License Requirements
Arizona licenses the contracting business through the Registrar of Contractors, in commercial, residential and dual classifications (C-39, R-39, CR-39). The statute and rules read set no separate individual air conditioning and refrigeration certificate, so this page covers the contractor license. Air conditioning and refrigeration contractor (C-39, R-39, CR-39): 4 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
- 1C-39 · Air conditioning and refrigeration contractor (C-39, R-39, CR-39) 4 years
License levels in Arizona
Arizona has one credential on this path: the Air conditioning and refrigeration contractor (C-39, R-39, CR-39). The source states the time in years.
| Level | Experience | Classroom | Time from start | Exam | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C-39 Air conditioning and refrigeration contractor (C-39, R-39, CR-39) | 4 years | — | 4 years | Yes | Not printed |
Air conditioning and refrigeration contractor (C-39, R-39, CR-39) (C-39)
The qualifying party must have at least four years of practical or management trade experience, at least two of them within the last ten years (credited technical training may cover no more than two of the four years), and must pass a written exam, taken within two years before applying, on the state's building, safety, health and lien laws, the administration of a contracting business and the reading of plans and specifications. The registrar may reduce the four years where industry custom shows it is excessive. Source: A.R.S. § 32-1122, Qualifications for license.
Arizona also issues narrower classes on the same page: R-39R residential air conditioning and refrigeration subclassification and CR-39 dual.
Exam
1 of the 1 level listed here requires an exam: Air conditioning and refrigeration contractor (C-39, R-39, CR-39). The source does not print a pass mark.
Fees
The Arizona source read prints no dollar amounts for this license. The fee schedule (R4-9-130) and bond limits (R4-9-112) were not in the part of the rules that could be read, so no amounts are shown.
Reciprocity
The Arizona sources read for this trade name no reciprocity agreement and no route for out-of-state licensees.
How Arizona compares
Among the 14 states on this site that state a minimum time to the top hvac credential, Arizona ranks 8 of 14 from shortest (1 year) to longest (7 years). California, Texas, Florida and Maine set the same 4 years.
Same trade elsewhere: California · Texas · Florida · Ohio · Georgia. All states side by side: HVAC license requirements by state.
Other trades in Arizona
- Electrician: Electrical contractor (C-11, R-11, CR-11): 4 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
- Plumber: Plumbing contractor (C-37, R-37, CR-37): 4 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
- General contractor: General building contractor (B-1, B-2, B): 4 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
All covered trades on one page: Arizona trade licenses.
Background reading: From apprentice to master: how long each state takes · How trade license exams work.
Questions
Who issues the hvac license in Arizona?
Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC). Arizona licenses the contracting business through the Registrar of Contractors, in commercial, residential and dual classifications (C-39, R-39, CR-39). The statute and rules read set no separate individual air conditioning and refrigeration certificate, so this page covers the contractor license.
How long does it take to qualify for the Air conditioning and refrigeration contractor (C-39, R-39, CR-39) in Arizona?
4 years by this site's count. The qualifying party must have at least four years of practical or management trade experience, at least two of them within the last ten years (credited technical training may cover no more than two of the four years), and must pass a written exam, taken within two years before applying, on the state's building, safety, health and lien laws, the administration of a contracting business and the reading of plans and specifications. The registrar may reduce the four years where industry custom shows it is excessive.
Does Arizona have hvac license reciprocity?
The Arizona sources read name no reciprocity agreement for this trade.
Sources and last checked
| What | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Issuing authority | Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) | 2026-10-21 |
| C-39 requirements | A.R.S. § 32-1122, Qualifications for license | 2026-10-21 |
| Law cited | A.R.S. § 32-1122; Ariz. Admin. Code R4-9 (classifications) | 2026-10-21 |
This page summarises what the Arizona source said on 2026-10-21. It is general information, not legal advice; the board's own page and the statute are the authority and can change. Confirm with Arizona Registrar of Contractors before applying. The free official route is the board itself: its page, application forms and staff answer eligibility questions.