Arizona plumbing license lookup: how to check and get a license
Arizona plumbing license lookup: who issues plumber licenses (ROC), how to check one online, the license types, and 2,566 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors by county.
Do plumbers need a license in Arizona?
| Who licenses them | Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) |
|---|---|
| License types | R-37 Plumbing, Including Solar (residential contractor), C-37 Plumbing (commercial contractor) |
| When a license is required | Contractor license required unless the handyman exemption applies (job under $1,000 total, no building permit needed, not split up, ads say "not a licensed contractor"); the exemption never covers gas-fuel connections |
Arizona licenses plumbing contractor businesses through the ROC, not individual journeyman plumbers; some cities, such as Phoenix, set their own journeyman rules for permitted work. Residential contractors are bonded and pay into the Residential Contractors' Recovery Fund, which can pay eligible homeowners up to $30,000.
How do you look up a plumber's license in Arizona?
- Ask the plumber for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the Arizona plumbing license lookup run by ROC.
- Search by license number first. A name search can return several people or companies with similar names.
- Check that the status is active or current, that the license type covers your job, and that the name matches the company on your contract.
- If something doesn't match, ask the plumber about it before you sign or pay a deposit, or contact ROC.
What plumbing licenses does Arizona issue?
- R-37 Plumbing, Including Solar (residential contractor)
- C-37 Plumbing (commercial contractor)
How do you get a plumbing license in Arizona?
Licenses are issued by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC). Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official ROC source before you apply. Already licensed? List your business on Expert Helper to get matched with customers.
Which Arizona city is the job in?
How many plumbers are there in Arizona?
The Census Bureau counted 2,566 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors with employees in Arizona in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Maricopa County | 1,604 |
|---|---|
| Pima County | 346 |
| Pinal County | 133 |
| Yavapai County | 127 |
| Mohave County | 102 |
| Yuma County | 66 |
| Coconino County | 54 |
| Cochise County | 44 |
What do Arizona homes mean for plumbing work?
The median home in Arizona was built in 1992, 33% of households rent and 69% of homes are single-family houses. 33% of homes heat with utility gas and 60% with electricity.
How do you choose a plumber in Arizona?
- Ask for the license number and look it up yourself on the state or city license search. Licensing is set by the state in some places and by the city or county in others.
- Ask whether the job needs a permit. Water heater swaps, gas work and moving fixtures often do, and the licensed plumber pulls it.
- Get the price in writing: a flat rate for the job, or the hourly rate, the trip fee and how parts are billed.
- For emergencies, ask what the after-hours rate is before the plumber drives out.
- Ask who does the work. A licensed master can send helpers, but the license holder is responsible for the job.
Plumbers in other states
Sources: Arizona licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.