HVAC Technician License Requirements in Arizona
- Training hours
- —
- Upfront cost
- $707
- Exam
- R-39R/C-39 (CR-39) Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (Residential/Commercial) Trade Exam, Arizona Statutes and Rules Training Course and Exam (SRE)
- Renewal cycle
- Every 2 years
- Issuing board
- Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC)
How to get licensed
- 1
Meet the prerequisites
Be at least 18 years old, pass a criminal background check. A.R.S. 32-1122 prohibits issuing a license to a minor (Arizona's age of majority is 18). The Registrar may require fingerprinting and a criminal background check under A.R.S. 41-1750. [1]
- 2
Complete approved training
Complete the required training. Arizona does not license individual HVAC technicians; the Registrar of Contractors licenses HVAC CONTRACTORS (C-39 for commercial, related CR-39/R-39 classifications also exist for residential/dual work). An individual typically works for a licensed contractor until they qualify as a 'qualifying party' and obtain their own license. Per A.R.S. 32-1122, the qualifying party must show a minimum of 4 years' practical or management trade experience in the classification (at least 2 of the 4 years within the last 10 years); up to 2 of the 4 years may be substituted with accredited technical training, college coursework, or a manufacturer training program. No fixed classroom-hour figure is published since the requirement is experience-based with a training substitution cap. [1]
- 3
R-39R/C-39 (CR-39) Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (Residential/Commercial) Trade Exam
Pass the R-39R/C-39 (CR-39) Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (Residential/Commercial) Trade Exam (fee: $66). 80 multiple-choice questions, 210-minute time limit, 70% passing score, open-book (approved references only) Must be passed no more than 2 years before application (A.R.S. 32-1122); waived if the qualifying party held the same classification within the preceding 5 years. [2]
- 4
Arizona Statutes and Rules Training Course and Exam (SRE)
Pass the Arizona Statutes and Rules Training Course and Exam (SRE) (fee: $61). A separate business-law/statutes-and-rules exam required of all Arizona contractor license applicants regardless of trade classification, in addition to the trade exam. [3]
- 5
Submit your application
Submit your application to Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) with the $100 application fee. [4]
- 6
Receive your license
Once your application is approved, Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) issues your C-39 Commercial Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor License for Arizona.
Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee [4] | $100 |
| License fee [4] | $480 |
| Renewal fee [4] | $480 |
| R-39R/C-39 (CR-39) Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (Residential/Commercial) Trade Exam [2] | $66 |
| Arizona Statutes and Rules Training Course and Exam (SRE) [3] | $61 |
| Trade exam fee (PSI) [4] | $66 |
| Statutes and Rules Exam fee (Gmetrix) [4] | $61 |
C-39 is a Specialty Commercial classification under R4-9-130: $100 nonrefundable application fee, $480 license fee for the initial 2-year period, $480 biennial renewal fee. A surety bond (amount varies by anticipated annual volume, $1,000-$100,000 per A.R.S. 32-1152) is also required but is not a fee paid to the ROC. Residential Contractors Recovery Fund assessments ($370 initial/$270 renewal) apply only to residential and dual-licensed classifications, not to a commercial-only C-39.
Renewal & continuing education
Renew every 2 years.
Arizona contractor licenses renew every 2 years for a $480 renewal fee (C-39 classification); Arizona does not require continuing education for most trade classifications, including HVAC/refrigeration contracting.
Reciprocity
Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.
Arizona has limited reciprocal trade-exam-waiver arrangements with California, Nevada, and Utah for contractors who hold an active license in good standing in those states (conditions and required years of standing vary by state; a full license is not automatically transferable, and the AZ Statutes and Rules Exam is still required). No formal HVAC compact was found.
10 state-approved training providers in Arizona — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.
Cost calculator
- $100
- $480
- $66
- $61
Frequently asked questions
Does Arizona license individual HVAC technicians?
No. The Arizona Registrar of Contractors licenses HVAC CONTRACTORS (e.g., the C-39 commercial classification). Individuals work under a licensed contractor's supervision until they qualify to become the 'qualifying party' for their own contractor license.
How much experience do I need to qualify for a C-39 license?
A minimum of 4 years of practical or management trade experience, with at least 2 of those years within the last 10 years; up to 2 years can be substituted with accredited technical training or a manufacturer training program.
What exams does Arizona require for a C-39 license?
The R-39R/C-39 trade exam (80 questions, 70% to pass, administered by PSI) and the separate Statutes and Rules Training Course and Exam (SRE), administered by Gmetrix, which all Arizona contractor applicants must pass.
How often does a C-39 license renew and is continuing education required?
Every 2 years for a $480 renewal fee. Arizona does not require continuing education for HVAC/refrigeration contractors to renew.
Can I transfer an out-of-state contractor license to Arizona?
Arizona has limited trade-exam waiver reciprocity with California, Nevada, and Utah for contractors in good standing there, but a full license is not automatically transferable and the Arizona Statutes and Rules Exam is still required.
Sources
- [1] azleg.gov/ars/32/01122.htm — accessed 2026-07-12
- [2] proctor2.psionline.com/media/programs/AZ%20CO/C-39R%20and%20L-39.pdf — accessed 2026-07-12
- [3] roc.az.gov/news/az-roc-contractors-license-exams-move-online — accessed 2026-07-12
- [4] roc.az.gov/licensing-fees — accessed 2026-07-12
- [5] roc.az.gov/out-of-state — accessed 2026-07-12