Solar Contractor Licensing

Solar Photovoltaics

The Arizona Registrar of Contractors does not offer a general solar electric contractor license, but the state's R-11 and C-11 electrical licenses cover solar electric installations. R-11 licenses are required for electrical work on residential property and C-11 licenses apply to commercial installations. Contractors can also acquire a CR-11 license to work on both residential and commercial installations. A-17 and K-11 licenses are also applicable for PV installation.

Solar Water Heating

The Arizona Registrar of Contractors does have a specific plumbing license which includes solar water heaters. R-37 is required for contractors installing or performing maintenance on residential solar water heaters, and C-77 or C-78 are required for commercial solar water heaters. License classifications CR-77 and CR-78 cover both residential and commercial applications of solar water heating.

Solar Space Heating and Cooling

The Registrar of Contractors also has licenses for contractors who work on space heating and cooling systems, including solar thermal systems. R-39 is required for contractors installing or performing maintenance on residential solar space heating and cooling systems, and C-79 is required for commercial systems. License classification CR-79 covers both residential and commercial applications of solar space heating and cooling.

Solar Pool Heating

Lastly, the Registrar of Contractors has licenses for contractors installing or performing maintenance on pools which includes solar pool heating systems. B-6 is required for contractors working on residential pools, and A-19 is for commercial pools. KA-6 allows a contractor to work on both residential and commercial pools.

General Qualifications

All contractors who work with solar energy systems must have four years of relevant work experience and must pass an exam in order to receive a license in Arizona. The following licensing exams include sections on solar applications: air conditioning and refrigeration, boilers, steam fitting and process piping, swimming pools, and general plumbing.

More information can be found here.