Arizona Contractor License Verification — Arizona Registrar of Contractors Guide

License Verification — Arizona FAQ

Do water damage contractors need a license in Arizona?

Water damage extraction and drying itself does not require a separate state license in Arizona. However, the mold remediation phase — which nearly always follows water damage — requires a license from Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC). Any contractor doing mold work without this license is operating illegally and may expose you to liability. Always verify the Arizona Registrar of Contractors license before work begins.

How do I verify a mold contractor's license in Arizona?

Go to roc.az.gov/consumer-info/license-lookup and search by the contractor's company or individual name. Confirm the license type is CR-65 — Household Cleaning and Water Damage Restoration or B-1 — General Residential Contractor (for structural work) and status is Active with a future expiration date. Also verify their IICRC certification at iicrc.org/find-an-iicrc-certified-firm. When verifying an Arizona ROC license, check the 'Complaints' tab on the license record — this shows any filed complaints and their resolution status, which is more informative than just checking the active/inactive status.

What is the penalty for hiring an unlicensed contractor in Arizona?

Contracting without an ROC license in Arizona is a Class 1 misdemeanor — up to $2,500 fine and 6 months in jail. The ROC actively investigates complaints and posts all disciplinary actions publicly on their website. Beyond the legal risk to the contractor, you face real consequences too: your homeowners insurance may deny the claim if unlicensed work is discovered, your state warranty protections may be void, and improper remediation can leave mold behind — costing more to fix correctly the second time.

What should licensed water damage restoration cost in Arizona?

Licensed restoration contractors in Arizona use Xactimate pricing — the same software insurance adjusters use. Typical statewide ranges: residential single-room events $1,500–$4,000; basement flooding $3,500–$10,000; sewage backup $5,000–$18,000. Category 3 events (sewage or floodwater) cost more due to full decontamination requirements. Always get 2–3 written estimates — the lowest bid from an unlicensed contractor is never the right choice.

What is IICRC certification and is it required in Arizona?

IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification) is the national professional certification for restoration technicians. Arizona ROC CR-65 license applicants must demonstrate knowledge of water damage restoration standards — in practice, IICRC WRT and ASD certifications are the most recognized credentials. Insurers in Arizona's Maricopa and Pima County markets widely require IICRC certification. IICRC WRT (Water Restoration Technician) is the standard for water damage; IICRC S520/AMRT covers mold. You can verify any firm's IICRC status at iicrc.org/find-an-iicrc-certified-firm.