Who can fix it in Arizona? Handyman and contractor license rules

Sources

1. Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 32-1121(A)(14) — Arizona State Legislatureis less than $1,000. The work or operations that are exempt under this paragraph shall be of a casual or minor nature. This exemption does not apply: (a) In any case in which the performance of the work requires a local building permit.
2. Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 32-1121(A)(14)(c) — Arizona State Legislature(c) To a person who uses any form of advertising to the public in which the person's unlicensed status is not disclosed by including the words "not a licensed contractor" in the advertisement.
3. Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 32-1121(A)(5) — Arizona State Legislature5. Owners of property who improve such property or who build or improve structures or appurtenances on such property and who do the work themselves, with their own employees or with duly licensed contractors, if the structure, group of structures or appurtenances, including the improvements thereto, are intended for occupancy solely by the owner and are not intended for occupancy by members of the public as the owner's employees or business visitors and the structures or appurtenances are not intended for sale or for rent. In all actions brought under this chapter, except an action against an owner-occupant as defined in section 33-1002, proof of the sale or rent or the offering for sale or rent of any such structure by the owner-builder within one year after completion or issuance of a certificate of occupancy is prima facie evidence that such a project was undertaken for the purpose of sale or rent.
4. Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 32-1121(D) — Arizona State LegislatureD. The exemptions from licensure pursuant to subsection A, paragraphs 4, 9 and 14 of this section do not apply to either of the following: 1. All fire safety and mechanical, electrical and plumbing work that is done in connection with fire safety installation and fire safety maintenance and repair. For the purposes of this paragraph, "fire safety installation" means hardwired or interconnected smoke alarms and fire sprinklers and does not include an individual device that is attached by a nail, screw or other fastening device to the frame or foundation of any residential unit. For the purposes of this paragraph, fire safety maintenance and repair does not include routine work that is conducted by an employee of an apartment or condominium complex and that is incidental to the fire safety equipment. 2. All work done, including installing, maintaining and repairing devices, appliances or equipment, that involves connecting to any supply of natural gas, propane or other petroleum or gaseous fuel.
5. Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 32-1151 — Arizona State LegislatureIt is unlawful for any person, firm, partnership, corporation, association or other organization, or a combination of any of them, to engage in the business of, submit a bid or respond to a request for qualification or a request for proposals for construction services as, act or offer to act in the capacity of or purport to have the capacity of a contractor without having a contractor's license in good standing in the name of the person, firm, partnership, corporation, association or other organization as provided in this chapter, unless the person, firm, partnership, corporation, association or other organization is exempt as provided in this chapter.
6. Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 32-1158(A) — Arizona State LegislatureA. Any contract in an amount of more than $1,000 entered into between a contractor and the owner of a property to be improved shall contain in writing at least the following information: 1. The name of the contractor and the contractor's business address and license number. 2. The name and mailing address of the owner and the jobsite address or legal description. 3. The date the parties entered into the contract. 4. The estimated date of completion of all work to be performed under the contract. 5. A description of the work to be performed under the contract. 6. The total dollar amount to be paid to the contractor by the owner for all work to be performed under the contract, including all applicable taxes. 7. The dollar amount of any advance deposit paid or scheduled to be paid to the contractor by the owner. 8. The dollar amount of any progress payment and the stage of construction at which the contractor will be entitled to collect progress payments during the course of construction under the contract. 9. That the property owner has the right to file a written complaint with the registrar for an alleged violation of section 32-1154, subsection A. The contract shall contain the registrar's telephone number and website address and shall state that complaints must be made within the applicable time period as set forth in section 32-1162, subsection A.
7. Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 32-1158(B)-(C) — Arizona State LegislatureB. When a contractor and an owner sign a contract, the contractor shall provide the owner with a legible copy of all documents signed and a written and signed receipt for and in the true amount of any cash paid to the contractor by the owner. C. The requirements of this section are not prerequisites to the formation or enforcement of a contract. Failure to comply with the requirements of this section does not constitute a defense by either party to an action for compensation, damages, breach, enforcement or other cause of action based on the contract.
8. Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 32-1162(A) — Arizona State LegislatureA. A person may file a written complaint pursuant to section 32-1155 with the registrar alleging a licensee has committed a violation of this chapter. The complaint must be filed: 1. For new home builds or other new building construction, within two years after the earlier of the close of escrow or actual occupancy. 2. For all other projects, within two years after the completion of the specific project.
9. Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 32-1132(A)-(B)(1) (Residential Contractors' Recovery Fund) — Arizona State LegislatureA. The residential contractors' recovery fund is established to be administered by the registrar for the benefit of claimants that are damaged by an act, representation, transaction or conduct of a residential contractor that is licensed pursuant to this chapter and that is in violation of this chapter or the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter. B. Only the following claimants are eligible for an award from the residential contractors' recovery fund: 1. An individual who both: (a) Owns residential real property that is damaged by the failure of a residential contractor to adequately build or improve a residential structure or appurtenance. (b) Actually occupies or intends to occupy the residential real property described in subdivision (a) of this paragraph as the individual's primary residence.
10. Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 44-5001(1)(a) — Arizona State Legislature(a) Means a sale of goods or services in which the seller or the seller's representative personally solicits the sale without prior invitation, appointment or consent and the buyer's agreement or offer to purchase is made at a home other than that of the person soliciting the same and that agreement or offer to purchase is there given to the seller or the seller's representative.
11. Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 44-5004(B) — Arizona State Legislature4. You may cancel this agreement any time prior to midnight of the third business day after the date of this transaction. See the attached notice of cancellation form for an explanation of this right.
12. ROC contractor search: license classifications — Arizona Registrar of ContractorsSelect one or more classifications, noting that there may be options for residential (R), commercial (C) or dual (CR - both) scopes.
13. ROC contractor search: B General Residential Contractor — Arizona Registrar of ContractorsB General Residential Contractor
14. ROC contractor search: R-11 Electrical — Arizona Registrar of ContractorsR-11 Electrical
15. ROC contractor search: R-37 Plumbing — Arizona Registrar of ContractorsR-37 Plumbing, Including Solar
16. ROC contractor search: R-39 Air Conditioning and Refrigeration — Arizona Registrar of ContractorsR-39 Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Including Solar
17. ROC contractor search: R-42 Roofing — Arizona Registrar of ContractorsR-42 Roofing

Checked October 20, 2026. We used AI-assisted research, then separate review passes that tried to prove each claim wrong against the law and agency pages above. This is general information, not legal advice. Rules can change; confirm with the state board or your local building department before you hire or start work. See a mistake? Email [email protected].