Arizona state offers three types of licenses for electricians: the Residential Electrical License, Commercial Electrical License, and general Electrical License. All licenses require the same application procedure, although each license permits specific types of work. You must meet the prerequisites described in this article, pass a state exam, and submit a completed application to receive your Electrical License in Arizona.
Do You Need an Electrical License in Arizona?
If you are a practicing electrician who works under an apprenticeship or general contractor, you do not need an electrical license in Arizona. Those in the city of Phoenix should get their Journeyman License, but this is not a requirement in other parts of Arizona.
Arizona state does offer Electrical Contractor Licenses for Residential Electrical, Commercial Electrical, or general Electrical Contractors which are valid state-wide.
Electrical License Types in Arizona
By receiving your license, you can apply for specific electrical permits within the city you’re working in. Depending on your application (sole proprietorship, LLC, corporation, etc.), you may also be able to hire other electricians or apprentices to work under your supervision.
You can read more below and under the License Classifications page of the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.
Residential Electrical Contractor License (R-11)
The Residential Electrical Contractor License allows the licensee to repair and install residential electrical systems.
Commercial Electrical Contractor License (C-11)
Commercial license contractors can install, alter, and repair wiring or related electrical material. This material is used in generating, transmitting, or utilizing electrical energy of fewer than 600 volts, including wiring on right-of-ways for signs and street décor and underground electrical distribution systems of <600 volts serving private residences.
Electrical Contractor License (CR-11)
The CR-11 license allows an electrician to do the work of both the residential R-11 and commercial C-11 licenses.
Obtaining an AZ Electrical License
All three electrical contractor license types have a similar application process.
To obtain any of the three licenses, you must:
- Be 18 years or older
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Have worked at least 8,000 hours in the field with another 900 hours of classroom training
- This experience is usually collected through a technical trade school or an apprenticeship. You may choose between union and non-union programs. You can find a list of registered apprenticeship programs in Arizona here.
- Pass a 2-part exam given through PSI Services with at least a 70% success rate
- The first part is the AZ Statutes and Rules Training Course and Exam (SRE). The second part is the trade-specific exam for electricians. If you plan to work solar electrical jobs, you will also need to complete an additional solar portion exam.
- Register for the exams through PSI Services. Specifications about rescheduling around COVID-19 are found here, and you can call or email PSI Services with any questions about your exam at 855-744-0310 or examschedule@psionline.com.
- If you have an Electrical License from another state, you may complete the Out-of-State Waiver Request Form. If reviewed and accepted, you will not have to take the Arizona exam.
- Pass a background check: both the applicant and any Qualifying Parties who supervise or work under the applicant should pass a background check and submit a copy of the payment transaction receipt.
- Hold the necessary contractor license bond(s)
- Provide copies of a government-issued ID for both the applicant and Qualifying Party
Once you have collected all of the above information, you can complete your application, attach any necessary documentation, and submit it online, in-person, or via mail.
If you are applying as an LLC, Corporation, or Partnership, you must use a distinct application found here.
Renewing Your Electrical License in AZ
You must renew your electrical license every two years. You can do so through the online portal. You may need to show proof of bonds within your renewal application. Renewal fees are found below.
Costs Associated with AZ Electrical Licenses
There are various costs associated with becoming an AZ Electrical Licensee.
- Technical or trade school: $2,100 per year average for in-state students
- Trade-specific exam:
- 1 exam: $66
- 2 exams: $116
- Solar-portion of exam: $40
- R-11 application fee: $80 (nonrefundable)
- R-11 license fee: $270
- R-11 Recovery Fund Assessment: $370
- C-11 application fee: $100 (nonrefundable)
- C-11 license fee: $480
- C-11 Recovery Fund Assessment: none
- CR-11 application fee: $100 (nonrefundable)
- CR-11 license fee: $380
- CR-11 Recovery Fund Assessment: $370
- Renewals:
- R-11: $270 license fee + $270 recovery fund assessment = $540
- C-11: $480
- CR-11: $380 license fee + $270 recovery fund assessment = $650
More information about application and license fees can be found here.
While the fees seem to add up, licensed electricians in Arizona are paid fairly well. The average licensed electrical contractor makes roughly $52,000 per year plus another $8,600 in overtime. Those in the top 75th percentile make over $67,000, with top earners peaking at over $84,000.
