How to Check a Roofing License in Arizona (R-42, C-42, CR-42)

In Arizona, a roofer needs a contractor license from the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC). For work on a home, look for an R-42 or CR-42 roofing license, and check it for free on the ROC Contractor Search ↗ before you sign.

Arizona law makes it unlawful to act as a contractor, bid on work, or "purport to have the capacity of a contractor" without a license in good standing, unless an exemption applies (A.R.S. 32-1151 ↗). ROC says that, generally, "if labor and materials exceed $1,000 OR a permit is required (regardless of the price of labor and materials), then a license is required" (ROC ↗).

How to look up an Arizona roofing license

1. Go to the ROC Contractor Search ↗.
2. Enter the roofer's 6-digit license number or name. ROC says to enter a person's name first name first, for example "John Doe," not "Doe, John."
3. Use Advanced Search if you want to search by city, classification or status.
4. Open the record. ROC says a license search lists qualifying parties, officers, former names and DBAs, if any (ROC Contractor Search ↗).

ROC says the search shows whether a contractor's license is current. To confirm anything on the record or report a problem, ROC lists 877-692-9762 (ROC Contractor Search ↗).

R-42, C-42 and CR-42: which license is which?

ROC issues separate licenses for residential and commercial work, plus dual licenses that cover both (ROC ↗).

For a house, you want R-42 or CR-42. A C-42 license alone is a commercial license.

What the roofing license covers

ROC's description of R-42 includes applying, repairing or installing weatherproofing (such as asphaltum, pitch, tar, felt or glass fabric) and roof accessories (such as flashing, valleys, gravel stops or sheet metal) to install and repair roof tile, shingles, shakes, slate, metal roofing systems, urethane foam, and roof insulation or coatings on or above the roof deck (ROC ↗).

One detail worth knowing: a roofing licensee may replace up to 10% of the roof substrate (the deck under the roofing) when problems are found after the contract is signed. Replacing more than that must be subcontracted to a properly licensed contractor (ROC ↗). If your roofer finds a lot of rotted decking, ask who will do that part of the work.

What about a general contractor?

ROC's B General Residential license allows the licensee to "construct and repair all or any part of a residential structure." ROC says electrical, plumbing, air conditioning systems, boilers, swimming pools, spas and water wells must be subcontracted to a properly licensed contractor (ROC ↗). If a general contractor bids your roof, look up its license classes on ROC and ask who will do the roofing.

The handyman exemption: under $1,000

Arizona exempts someone who isn't a licensed contractor from needing a license for a job when the total price, including labor and materials, is less than $1,000 and the work is "of a casual or minor nature" (A.R.S. 32-1121 ↗). The exemption does not apply:

• if the work requires a local building permit;
• if the work is part of a larger job, or a bigger job is split into contracts under $1,000 to avoid the law; or
• to a person whose advertising doesn't disclose that they're unlicensed by including the words "not a licensed contractor" (A.R.S. 32-1121 ↗).

So a handyman can't take a $6,000 roof repair and bill it in small pieces. And an ad for roofing services without a license should say "not a licensed contractor."

Why it matters if the roofer isn't licensed

• It's a crime. Acting as a contractor without a license is a class 1 misdemeanor in Arizona, with a fine of at least $1,000 for a first offense and at least $2,000 after that (A.R.S. 32-1164 ↗).
• The recovery fund is for licensed work. Arizona's Residential Contractors' Recovery Fund is for people harmed by a residential contractor "that is licensed pursuant to this chapter" and broke the law or ROC rules. Eligible claimants include an owner who lives or plans to live in the home (A.R.S. 32-1132 ↗). The maximum award per person is $30,000 (A.R.S. 32-1132.01 ↗).

ROC also publishes an Unlicensed Violators list ↗ and takes complaints ↗ about both licensed and unlicensed contracting. For remodels or repairs, a complaint against a licensed contractor must be filed within two years from the date work was last performed (ROC ↗).

What your contract should show

Any Arizona contract over $1,000 between a contractor and a property owner must be in writing and include, among other things, the contractor's name, business address and license number, the total price, any deposit and progress payments, and a notice in at least 10-point bold type that you can file a complaint with ROC, with ROC's phone number and website (A.R.S. 32-1158 ↗). Use the license number on the contract to run your ROC search.

The FTC also lists two classic warning signs: being asked to get the building permits yourself, and being asked to pay everything up front or only in cash (FTC ↗).

After a catastrophic storm

Arizona has special rules for residential roof repair or replacement after a catastrophic storm in an area an insurer has designated (A.R.S. 32-1158.02 ↗). Under the current text:

• the down payment can't be more than 50% of the contract price;
• the contractor may not pay, promise to pay or rebate your insurance deductible; and
• you may cancel within 4 business days of signing, or within 72 hours after your insurer tells you the claim was denied.

See out-of-town roofers after a storm for more on hiring safely after bad weather.

Your roofer should not handle your insurance claim

Under the same law, a contractor doing post-storm repair or replacement "shall not also act as an adjuster on behalf of the insured for the claim" and may not negotiate the settlement of your claim (A.R.S. 32-1158.02 ↗). Several other states bar contractors from acting as public adjusters too; see the license guide for all states. For help with the claim itself, here is how to verify a public adjuster's license ↗.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. For a dispute, contact ROC or talk to an Arizona attorney. You can also see our Arizona page.

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Frequently asked questions

Does a roofer need a license in Arizona?

Yes, unless the whole job is under $1,000, minor, needs no building permit, and isn't part of a larger job. Anyone using the exemption who advertises must say "not a licensed contractor" (A.R.S. 32-1121 ↗).

What's the difference between R-42 and CR-42?

R-42 is the residential roofing license. CR-42 is a dual license that covers both the residential R-42 and the commercial C-42 scopes (ROC ↗). Either one covers roofing on a home.

Is a C-42 license enough for my house?

C-42 is ROC's commercial roofing license. For a home, look for R-42 or CR-42 (ROC ↗).

Where do I check an Arizona roofer's license?

On the ROC Contractor Search ↗. Search by the 6-digit license number or the business or person's name.

Can an Arizona roofer pay my deductible?

Not on post-storm residential roof work covered by A.R.S. 32-1158.02. The contractor may not advertise, pay, promise to pay or rebate your deductible (A.R.S. 32-1158.02 ↗).

What if the roofer isn't licensed?

Don't hire them for a job that needs a license. Unlicensed contracting is a class 1 misdemeanor (A.R.S. 32-1164 ↗), and you can report it to ROC ↗.