Licensing

License Reciprocity

License Reciprocity

1. Does Arizona recognize contractor's licenses issued by other states?
   
   No. However, if you have trade experience or a contractor's license from another state, and you want to contract for work in Arizona, this experience may be acceptable to qualify for a license. In any case you must apply for and be issued a license by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.
2. Does Arizona have reciprocity with other states regarding contractor's licenses?
   
   The Arizona Registrar of Contractors has entered into a reciprocity agreement with the California State Contractor's Board, the Nevada State License Board, and the Utah State License Board. The Arizona Registrar of Contractors may waive trade examination requirements for contractors who want to be licensed in both states.
   
   Under the agreement, Arizona can accept the licensing qualifications of these states. Applicants will be required to pass the Arizona Business Management examination and complete all other requirements for licensing in Arizona.
3. How can I qualify for this waiver?
   
   In order to qualify for the trade test waiver option, the applicant shall:
   

   • Have been licensed in good standing for a period of at least five years;
   • Have taken and passed an equivalent trade exam in California, Utah or Nevada (Reciprocity with Nevada requires testing in electrical and plumbing trades.);
   • Show proof, when submitting the application, of licensure in California, Utah or Nevada by providing a license verification form from their home state license board;
   • Successfully pass the business management examination. Arizona retains the option to require the trade examination if it is in the best interests of the public.

Qualifying Party

Qualifying Party

1. To whom does the term "qualifying party" refer?
   
   The "qualifying party" means a person who is regularly employed by the licensee and is actively engaged in the classification of work for which the person qualifies in behalf of the licensee.
   
   The qualifying party must have the necessary experience, knowledge and skills to supervise or perform the contracting work.
2. Who can be a qualifying party?
   
   The qualifying party may be the owner of a sole proprietor business, one of the partners of a partnership, one of the members of a limited liability company, one of the officers of a corporation or an employee of the contracting business.
3. What is the qualifying party required to do?
   
   The qualifying person must pass the required examinations for the license.
   
   The qualifying person must have the required years of experience as a journeyman, foreman, supervisor, or contractor in the classification for which he or she is applying. The usual experience requirement is four years, at least two years of which must have been obtained within ten years before applying.
   
   For exceptions to the four year experience requirement, refer to the application for examination form.
   
   While engaged as a qualifying party for a licensee, the qualifying party shall not take other employment that would conflict with his duties as qualifying party or conflict with his ability to adequately supervise the work performed by the licensee.
4. Can the same person serve as the qualifying party for more than one license?
   
   A person may serve as the qualifying party for one additional license if one of the following conditions exists:

   • There is a common ownership of at least twenty-five percent of each licensed entity for which the person acts in a qualifying capacity.
   • One licensee is a subsidiary of another licensee for which the same person acts in a qualifying capacity. "Subsidiary" as used in this section means a corporation of which at least twenty-five percent is owned by the other licensee.