Arizona contractor license classifications explained
Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) licenses are issued by classification, and each classification defines the specific scope of work a contractor may legally perform. The broad families are: B (general building), R and CR (residential and specialty-residential trades), C (commercial specialty trades), and K (dual — both residential and commercial). A license only authorizes work within its classification — a roofing classification does not permit electrical work.
General classifications (like B for general building) let a contractor run a whole project and subcontract the trades. Specialty classifications cover a single trade — roofing, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, concrete, landscaping, and so on — and are how most trade contractors are licensed.
When you hire, the classification matters as much as the license being active: the contractor’s classification should cover the work you’re paying for. A contractor doing work outside their classification is effectively unlicensed for that scope.
PlumbIntel shows each contractor’s classification and class detail alongside their license status and actual permit activity — so you can confirm both that the license is valid and that it fits the job.
Related questions
- What is a B license in Arizona?
- A “B” classification is general building — it authorizes a contractor to take on and coordinate a full residential or commercial building project, subcontracting the individual trades.
- What is a K (dual) license?
- A “K” or dual classification authorizes both residential and commercial work in that trade, combining the scope of the residential and commercial classifications.
- Does the classification have to match my project?
- Yes. A license only covers work within its classification — verify the contractor’s classification fits the work you’re hiring for, not just that the license is active.
Related
Selling into Arizona construction?
Plumb Intelligence turns daily permits and the AZ ROC roster into a ranked call list.
Start 14-day free trial →