Arizona HVAC contractor license costs
Arizona HVAC licensing costs are driven by your classification (R‑39, C‑39, or CR‑39), required exams, and bond amount. This guide cites current ROC fees, PSI/Gmetrix exam prices, and bond tiers so you can build an accurate, line‑item budget before you apply.
Expect the HVAC contractor license cost in Arizona to include state application and license fees (R‑39 $350 total; C‑39 $580; CR‑39 $850), a $61 statutes exam, $66 trade exam, a license bond (amount varies by revenue), and, for residential/dual licenses, a Recovery Fund assessment. Details below with official sources.
Requirements last verified: 2026-10-01
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Licensing agency | Arizona Registrar of Contractors (AZ ROC). See fees and rules pages: License & Renewal Fees and Statutes/Rules. |
| State fees (new license) |
• R‑39 (Specialty Residential – Air Conditioning & Refrigeration): $80 application + $270 license + $370 Residential Recovery Fund = $720 total. Source • C‑39 (Specialty Commercial – Air Conditioning & Refrigeration): $100 application + $480 license = $580 total. Source • CR‑39 (Specialty Dual): $100 application + $380 license + $370 Recovery Fund = $850 total. Source |
| State fees (biennial renewal) |
• R‑39: $270 license + $270 Recovery Fund = $540. Source • C‑39: $480 license = $480. Source • CR‑39: $380 license + $270 Recovery Fund = $650. Source |
| Exams and exact exam fees |
• Arizona Statutes & Rules Exam (SRE): $61 (online via Gmetrix). Source • Trade exam (PSI): typically required for R‑39/C‑39/CR‑39; fee $66 for one exam; $116 if two exams (e.g., trade + solar). PSI Candidate Bulletin |
| Experience (Qualifying Party) | Minimum 4 years practical/management experience (at least 2 years within the past 10) in the trade; shown in ROC Statute & Rules Book and classification matrix for R‑39/C‑39/CR‑39. Statute & Rules Book • Classification Requirements |
| Minimum age | All persons listed on the application must be 18+. AZ ROC – Applying for a License |
| Bond and insurance | License bond required; amount depends on license type and projected annual volume (e.g., Residential Specialty $4,250–$7,500; Commercial Specialty $2,500–$50,000; Dual combines both). Residential licensees must also pay into the Residential Recovery Fund or post a separate $200,000 bond. General liability insurance is not required by ROC; workers’ compensation is required if you have employees. Bond amounts • Recovery Fund • Insurance note • ICA workers’ comp |
| Renewal cycle | Biennial (every 2 years), per ROC rules/statute. Rule R4‑9‑130 (fees) • A.R.S. § 32‑1123.01 |
How to calculate your total Arizona HVAC contractor license cost
Your actual out‑of‑pocket cost is: (state application + license fee [+ Recovery Fund if residential/dual]) + exams + bond premium + optional insurance. For example, a new CR‑39 applicant typically pays $100 app + $380 license + $370 Recovery Fund + $61 SRE + $66 PSI + the bond premium for the combined residential/commercial amount. See AZ ROC fee table, PSI bulletin, and bond chart.
How to get an HVAC contractor license in Arizona (step‑by‑step)
- Confirm the right classification: R‑39 (residential), C‑39 (commercial), or CR‑39 (dual). Review scopes on AZ ROC License Classifications.
- Designate a Qualifying Party (QP) with 4 years of experience and who is 18+; gather proof per the ROC Statute & Rules Book. Source
- Complete the online SRE (AZ Statutes & Rules) and pay $61. Fee reference
- Schedule and pass the PSI trade exam (and solar exam if applicable to R‑39); budget $66 for one exam. PSI bulletin
- Secure your contractor license bond at the amount that matches your license type and projected volume; residential/dual must also satisfy Recovery Fund. Bond info • Recovery Fund
- Prepare and submit the ROC application with the correct application + license fees shown in the fee schedule. Official fee table
- Maintain compliance: renew every two years and keep workers’ comp if you hire employees. Renewal checklist • ICA workers’ comp
Arizona HVAC contractor license cost: R‑39 vs. C‑39 vs. CR‑39
Residential HVAC (R‑39) has the lowest application/license fees but adds the Recovery Fund assessment initially ($370) and at renewal ($270). Commercial HVAC (C‑39) avoids the Recovery Fund but carries higher license fees. Dual (CR‑39) combines both scopes and includes the Recovery Fund. See the current ROC fee grid: fees.
Exam costs and what to expect
All new QPs must complete the AZ Statutes & Rules Exam ($61). Most HVAC classifications require a PSI trade exam; the PSI fee is $66 for a single exam or $116 for two (e.g., adding the solar portion). Review content outlines and scheduling details in the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin.
Arizona HVAC license bond amounts and premiums
ROC bond amounts are set by license type and contemplated annual volume (e.g., Residential Specialty $4,250–$7,500; Commercial Specialty $2,500–$50,000; dual licenses combine both). Your premium is set by your surety and credit—budget a few hundred dollars for smaller bond amounts. See ROC’s Bond Information page.
Other costs: insurance and workers’ comp
ROC does not mandate general liability insurance; only the bond is required (plus Recovery Fund for residential/dual). Workers’ compensation is required if you have employees, per the Industrial Commission of Arizona. ROC insurance note • ICA guidance.
Qualifications and age requirement for an Arizona HVAC license
The Qualifying Party must document 4 years of trade or management experience (with at least 2 years in the last 10). Everyone listed on the application must be 18 or older. See the ROC Statute & Rules Book and Applying page. Statute & Rules Book • Applying.
Planning costs across Arizona occupational licenses
If you’re benchmarking total startup costs across Arizona credentials, our breakdown of Arizona security guard license costs and our step‑by‑step guide to the Arizona private investigator license process show how fees, background steps, and renewals differ by agency.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest path to start HVAC work in Arizona?
R‑39 (residential) has the lowest state application/license fees ($80 + $270) but adds a $370 Recovery Fund assessment. You’ll also pay $61 for the SRE, $66 for the PSI trade exam, and a bond premium. Sources: fees, PSI, bond.
Do I need both the statutes exam and trade exam?
Yes—new QPs must take the SRE ($61). Most HVAC classifications also require a PSI trade exam ($66 for one exam; $116 for two, e.g., adding solar). Limited waivers exist; see ROC rules. SRE fee • PSI bulletin • Applying.
How much will my bond cost?
ROC sets the bond amount by license type and projected annual volume (e.g., Residential Specialty $4,250–$7,500; Commercial Specialty $2,500–$50,000). Your surety prices the premium based on credit/financials. Residential/dual also owe the Recovery Fund unless posting a separate $200,000 bond. Bond chart • Recovery Fund.
How often do I renew an Arizona HVAC license?
Every two years. Current renewal totals: R‑39 $540, C‑39 $480, CR‑39 $650, plus any bond premium and business costs. ROC renewal fees.
Is general liability insurance required?
No. ROC does not require liability insurance (only the bond). Workers’ comp is required if you have employees. Many contractors still carry liability coverage for risk management. ROC insurance note • ICA.
Ready to budget your Arizona HVAC licensing costs with confidence? License Navigator can map your exact fees, exams, and bond amount for your classification and revenue target—so you file once and get approved faster.
Want it filed for you? Talk to a licensing expert
Published by
About this publication
Licensing Navigator researches business licensing requirements and organizes them into practical, state-by-state guidance. Our pages are research aids, not legal advice.