Arizona Commercial Electrical Contractor License (C-11)

The Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) issues the C-11 Electrical Contractor license for commercial, industrial, and public electrical work. Working on those projects without a C-11 is a Class 1 misdemeanor under A.R.S. § 32-1164 — first-offense fines start at $1,000 and reach $2,500, with up to six months in jail.

Renewal: $480 Every Two Years

Renew your C-11 with ROC every 24 months for $480. Miss the deadline and the license is suspended the next business day — reactivation within one year costs a $50 late fee. Work performed on a suspended license is unlicensed contracting under the same statute.

Bond: $2,500 Minimum

ROC requires a commercial specialty surety bond. The minimum is $2,500 for the lowest-volume tier, scaling with annual project volume. The bond must stay active — a lapsed bond triggers license suspension. Workers' compensation compliance is also required under A.R.S. § 32-1122.

Application: Exams and $580 Fee

The total to apply is $580. ROC requires two exam components: the Statutes and Rules Examination (SRE), which covers Arizona contracting law, and the C-11 Electrical Trade Examination. Experience documentation and background checks are required for all persons named on the application.

Scope: Commercial and Industrial Only

A C-11 covers commercial, industrial, and public electrical systems — panel upgrades, power distribution, service upgrades, and lighting installations. For residential electrical work, contractors can pursue the standalone R-11 (Specialty Residential) classification or the CR-11 dual license, which combines the C-11 commercial scope and the R-11 residential scope under one registration.