Current Arizona path: the qualifying party must pass required exams at 70% or higher, complete the online open-book Arizona Statutes and Rules Training Course and Exam through GMetrix, and pass the classification trade exam through PSI unless a waiver applies. Review the Arizona ROC licensing steps and current PSI Candidate Information Bulletin before testing.
What Is the Arizona B-1 General Commercial Contractor Exam?
The Arizona B-1 General Commercial Contractor trade exam is part of the licensing pathway for contractors who want to perform broad commercial building construction in Arizona. The Arizona Registrar of Contractors has combined the B-1, B-2, KB-1 and KB-2 trade exams into one commercial and dual general contractor examination.
Short answer: the current combined trade exam contains 100 questions, allows 240 minutes and requires a 70 percent passing score. Arizona also requires the qualifying party to complete the Arizona Statutes and Rules Training Course and Exam unless a valid ROC waiver applies.
The B-1 classification covers construction, alteration and repair connected with commercial structures, including supervision and management of the work. Electrical, plumbing, air conditioning, boilers, swimming pools, spas and water wells must be subcontracted to appropriately licensed contractors when those trades are outside the B-1 scope.
This guide combines the current ROC licensing process, PSI trade exam, Arizona SRE, NASCLA option, open-book reference rules and a structured contractor exam prep plan for the B-1 commercial contractor path.
Arizona B-1 Contractor Exam Topics and Commercial Building Responsibilities
Match the combined contractor exam subjects to the construction knowledge you should be ready to locate, calculate and apply.
| Exam Area | What It Covers | Exam Prep Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete | Concrete materials, reinforcement, placement, forms, curing and construction practices | 14 questions |
| Metals | Structural steel, steel framing, metal systems and related commercial construction knowledge | 13 questions |
| Carpentry | Framing, wood construction, layout, rough and finish carpentry concepts | 12 questions |
| Safety | OSHA construction safety, fall protection, ladders, excavation, PPE and jobsite practices | 12 questions |
| Masonry and Thermal/Moisture | Masonry construction, weather protection, roofing, insulation and moisture-control systems | 10 questions each |
| Sitework, Building Code, Doors/Windows and Finishes | Excavation, grading, building-code lookup, openings, glazing and finish systems | 5-9 questions per category |
The exam content outline is a study guide, not a license. Verify the final B-1 scope and current classification requirements directly with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors before bidding or contracting.
What Does the Arizona B-1 License Cover and What Must Be Subcontracted?
The B-1 classification is broad, but it does not replace separate specialty contractor licenses.
| Work Area | B-1 Treatment | Important Note |
|---|---|---|
| General Commercial Building | Included within the B-1 general commercial scope | Includes construction, alteration, repair and supervision of qualifying commercial structures |
| Electrical | Subcontract to an appropriately licensed electrical contractor | B-1 does not replace C-11 or another applicable electrical classification |
| Plumbing | Subcontract to an appropriately licensed plumbing contractor | Use the proper Arizona plumbing classification |
| Air Conditioning / HVAC | Subcontract to an appropriately licensed contractor | B-1 does not replace an HVAC specialty license |
| Pools, Spas, Boilers and Water Wells | Subcontract when a separate Arizona specialty classification is required | Verify exact scope with the ROC before contracting |
| Residential General Contracting | Not included as a standalone residential scope | KB-1 combines B-1 commercial scope with B residential scope |
Use the ROC classification language for scope. Exam prep helps with testing, but legal authority comes from the license classification actually issued.
Arizona B-1/B-2/KB-1/KB-2 Combined Contractor Exam Breakdown
The Arizona Registrar of Contractors has combined the B-1, B-2, KB-1 and KB-2 trade examinations. The classification you apply for still determines your legal scope, experience requirement and final license.
Combined Trade Exam100 questions | 240 minutes | 70% to pass
Exam ClassificationsB-1 | B-2 | KB-1 | KB-2
FormatTimed open-book contractor trade examination
Testing ProviderPSI Services
Licensing AuthorityArizona Registrar of Contractors
Arizona Rules RequirementOnline SRE through GMetrix | 70% minimum passing score
B-1 ExperienceGenerally four years of qualifying supervisory commercial construction experience
NASCLA OptionEligible commercial and dual building applicants may use the NASCLA Commercial General Building exam instead of the AZ ROC trade exam
Out-of-State ApplicantsNo direct reciprocity; qualifying applicants may request trade-exam and experience waivers
Use the current combined-exam numbers. The current Arizona B-1/B-2/KB-1/KB-2 trade exam contains 100 questions and allows 240 minutes with a 70 percent minimum passing score.
It is open book. Only approved references that comply with current PSI rules should be taken into the examination.
The SRE is separate. Arizona requires the qualifying party to complete the online Statutes and Rules Training Course and Exam unless a valid ROC waiver applies.
Do not confuse the exam with the license scope. The four classifications share a combined trade exam, but B-1, B-2, KB-1 and KB-2 authorize different work.
Open-Book Reference Navigation, Building Code Lookup and Contractor Calculations
The Arizona B-1 contractor exam rewards candidates who can identify the construction subject, select the correct approved reference and locate the controlling code, OSHA rule, table or construction standard under time pressure.
Simplified study illustration. Use the official authorized references and current PSI bulletin for actual exam answers.
Train each practice question as a lookup sequence: identify the construction topic, choose the likely reference, use the index or permanent tab, locate the code or rule, confirm the answer and return to the exam.
- Concrete: 14 questions.
- Metals: 13 questions.
- Carpentry: 12 questions.
- Safety: 12 questions.
- Masonry / Thermal and Moisture Protection: 10 questions each.
| Skill | What to Practice | Common Mistake |
|---|---|---|
| IBC navigation | Occupancy, construction type, building code chapters, tables and definitions | Reading long code chapters instead of using the index and table structure |
| OSHA safety lookup | Fall protection, excavation, ladders, scaffolds, PPE and jobsite rules | Relying on field habit instead of the tested OSHA language |
| Concrete and masonry | Materials, reinforcement, placement, forms and construction standards | Choosing a calculation before identifying the governing reference |
| Metals and carpentry | Framing, structural members, wood systems and trade terminology | Memorizing isolated facts without practicing reference retrieval |
| Sitework and finishes | Excavation, grading, doors, windows, finishes and moisture-control systems | Ignoring lower-count topics until the final week |
| Time management | Timed sets, calculator workflow and skip-return strategy | Spending too long on one difficult lookup |
Practice the lookup path, not only the answer. After each practice question, identify the keyword, reference, chapter, table or OSHA section that produced the answer. That is what builds open-book exam speed.
Your Arizona B-1 General Commercial Contractor Licensing Roadmap
Seven steps take you from the correct Arizona contractor classification to a completed ROC license application.
1
Confirm the B-1 classification
Review the ROC scope and verify that B-1 General Commercial Contractor matches the commercial building work your business plans to perform.
2
Identify the qualifying party
The qualifying party must be regularly employed by the licensee, actively engaged in the classification and able to document the required experience, knowledge and skills.
3
Complete the Arizona SRE
Take the online open-book Arizona Statutes and Rules Training Course and Exam through GMetrix and achieve the current 70 percent minimum passing score.
4
Prepare with contractor exam prep
Study the 100-question combined trade outline, organize approved references and complete timed open-book practice across the major commercial construction topics.
5
Schedule and pass the PSI trade exam
Schedule the B-1/B-2/KB-1/KB-2 combined trade examination through PSI unless your trade exam has been waived or you use an eligible NASCLA path.
6
Complete background checks and bonding
Complete the background checks required for people named on the application and obtain the contractor bond required for the classification and anticipated Arizona gross volume.
7
Submit the ROC license application
Submit examination results, qualifying-party information, business documents, bond and required application materials to the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.
What Is on the Arizona B-1 General Commercial Contractor Exam?
Study according to the current 100-question combined trade outline. The bars show question count relative to the largest exam category.
Concrete14 questions
Metals13 questions
Carpentry12 questions
Safety12 questions
Masonry10 questions
Thermal and Moisture Protection10 questions
Sitework9 questions
General Building Code9 questions
Finishes6 questions
Doors and Windows5 questions
| Contractor Exam Topic | Questions | Study Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete | 14 | Materials, reinforcement, forming, placement, curing and construction practices |
| Metals | 13 | Structural steel, metal framing and commercial metal systems |
| Carpentry | 12 | Framing, wood construction, layout and carpentry practices |
| Safety | 12 | OSHA construction safety, fall protection, excavation and PPE |
| Masonry | 10 | Masonry materials, installation, reinforcement and construction methods |
| Thermal and Moisture Protection | 10 | Roofing, weather protection, insulation and moisture control |
| Sitework | 9 | Excavation, grading, layout and site construction |
| General Building Code | 9 | IBC navigation, definitions, occupancy and code requirements |
| Finishes / Doors and Windows | 6 / 5 | Finish systems, openings, doors, glazing and installation practices |
Concrete, metals, carpentry and safety account for 51 of the 100 questions. Give those high-weight subjects strong study time, but do not neglect the remaining 49 questions spread across masonry, moisture protection, sitework, code, finishes, doors and windows.
Arizona B-1 Contractor Exam Reference Books
Use the exact references and editions permitted in the current PSI bulletin for the combined B-1/B-2/KB-1/KB-2 examination.
| Reference | Primary Use | Prep Priority |
|---|---|---|
| International Building Code, 2018 Edition | General building code, construction types, occupancy, height and area, egress and commercial building requirements | Core exam-room reference |
| International Residential Code, 2018 Edition | Residential building provisions relevant to the combined exam and dual-license pathway | Core exam-room reference |
| 29 CFR Part 1926 OSHA | Construction safety, fall protection, excavation, scaffolds, ladders, PPE and jobsite requirements | Core safety reference |
| Current PSI Candidate Information Bulletin | Exam rules, approved references, scheduling and current testing instructions | Verify before every test date |
| 1 Exam Prep Arizona B-1 Study Materials | Organized review, practice, reference navigation and contractor exam prep | Use alongside the official exam references |
Reference rule: some materials may be useful for study without being permitted in the exam room. Bring only the books and editions authorized for your current PSI examination.
How to Use Your Books During the Arizona Open-Book Contractor Exam
Winning open-book habits
- Use the exact reference editions listed for your current exam
- Add permanent tabs before exam day when permitted
- Highlight and annotate only as allowed under current PSI rules
- Practice IBC, IRC and OSHA index navigation
- Use timed questions with the actual approved references
- Study according to the official contractor exam topic weights
Avoid these exam-prep mistakes
- Using temporary tabs or removable sticky notes
- Bringing loose or attached papers that are not allowed
- Assuming every study book is allowed into the exam room
- Studying an old content outline without checking PSI
- Ignoring OSHA because you already work safely in the field
- Spending too long on one difficult code lookup
Open-book rule: current course guidance allows approved references to be highlighted, underlined, annotated and indexed before testing, with permanent tabs only. Temporary tabs and loose papers are not allowed. Verify the current PSI bulletin before your appointment.
The Arizona Statutes and Rules Training Course and Exam
The Arizona SRE is separate from the contractor trade exam. The ROC describes it as a computer-based, open-book training course and examination offered online through GMetrix.
The SRE focuses on Arizona-specific contractor statutes and rules, so it is an important part of the licensing process even for experienced contractors. The ROC requires the qualifying party to pass required examinations with a score of at least 70 percent.
Do not confuse older Business Management exam descriptions with the current SRE process. Use the current ROC application page and GMetrix instructions for the Arizona statutes and rules requirement.
Arizona B-1 vs B-2 vs KB-1 vs KB-2 vs NASCLA
The four Arizona classifications share the combined trade exam, but they authorize different scopes of work. NASCLA is an alternate trade-exam route for eligible applicants.
| Path | Scope or Exam Focus | Important Note |
|---|---|---|
| B-1 General Commercial Contractor | Broad commercial building construction, alteration, repair and supervision | Uses the combined B-1/B-2/KB-1/KB-2 trade exam |
| B-2 General Small Commercial Contractor | Small commercial construction within the current ROC project limit | Uses the same combined contractor trade exam |
| KB-1 Dual Building Contractor | Combines B-1 commercial and B general residential scopes | Dual-license path with combined contractor testing |
| KB-2 Dual Residential and Small Commercial | Combines B-2 small commercial and B residential scopes | Dual-license path with combined contractor testing |
| NASCLA Commercial General Building | Accredited multi-jurisdiction commercial general building trade examination | Eligible applicants may use it in place of the Arizona ROC trade exam, but it is not itself a contractor license |
Choose the license path before buying books. A shared trade exam does not make the B-1, B-2, KB-1 and KB-2 license scopes identical.
Arizona B-1 General Commercial Contractor License Requirements
Qualifying Party
Qualification Path
- Be regularly employed by the applicant business
- Be actively engaged in the B-1 classification
- Meet the current experience, knowledge and skill requirements
- Complete required exams or approved waivers
Exam Candidate
Exam Prep Focus
- Online Arizona SRE through GMetrix
- 100-question combined PSI contractor trade exam
- 240-minute open-book testing format
- Timed contractor exam prep and reference-navigation practice
License Applicant
ROC Completion
- Complete required background checks
- Maintain the required contractor bond
- Submit business-entity and qualifying-party documents
- Complete the Arizona ROC application process
90-Day Arizona B-1 Contractor Study Plan
Use the combined PSI outline to balance building code navigation, OSHA safety, construction knowledge and timed open-book practice.
Weeks 1 and 2: Setup
- Confirm B-1 or related combined-exam classification
- Verify current PSI references
- Map each subject to a reference
- Create a permanent-tab plan
Weeks 3 and 4: Concrete and Metals
- Concrete - 14 questions
- Metals - 13 questions
- Construction terminology
- Timed reference lookup
Weeks 5 and 6: Carpentry and Safety
- Carpentry - 12 questions
- Safety - 12 questions
- OSHA navigation
- Framing and construction review
Weeks 7 and 8: Masonry and Moisture
- Masonry - 10 questions
- Thermal and moisture protection - 10 questions
- Roofing and weather protection
- Timed mixed-topic sets
Weeks 9 and 10: Sitework, Code and Finishes
- Sitework - 9 questions
- General Building Code - 9 questions
- Finishes - 6 questions
- Doors and Windows - 5 questions
Weeks 11 and 12: Simulation
- Full timed practice sessions
- Weak-topic repair
- Reference inspection check
- Exam-day pacing plan
How Hard Is the Arizona B-1 Contractor Exam?
The challenge is breadth. The combined exam tests 100 questions across concrete, metals, carpentry, safety, masonry, thermal and moisture protection, sitework, general building code, finishes, doors and windows under a four-hour time limit.
Most avoidable problems come from slow reference navigation, weak OSHA lookup, ignoring lower-weight subjects, using the wrong reference edition and spending too long on one question. Structured contractor exam prep turns the outline into a repeatable study and lookup system.
Arizona B-1 Contractor Exam Day Checklist
Bring and do this
- Follow the current PSI check-in instructions
- Bring the identification PSI currently requires
- Bring only approved exam-room references
- Use compliant permanent tabs and prior highlighting
- Keep IBC, IRC and OSHA in a consistent order
- Use a skip-return strategy for slow lookups
Do not do this
- Use temporary tabs or removable notes
- Bring loose or attached extra papers
- Assume every study reference is exam-room approved
- Use an outdated content outline without checking PSI
- Spend too long on one difficult question
- Assume passing the trade exam alone issues the license
After You Pass the Arizona Contractor Exams
Passing the required examinations completes only part of the Arizona contractor licensing process. The ROC still requires the applicant to satisfy the qualifying-party, business, background-check, bond and application requirements that apply to the selected classification.
Arizona does not have direct state-to-state contractor license reciprocity. However, qualifying out-of-state applicants may request a waiver of the trade exam and experience when they meet the ROC's current conditions. The SRE generally remains required because it covers Arizona-specific statutes and rules.
If you choose the NASCLA Commercial General Building route, remember that passing NASCLA is not itself a license. You must still apply to the Arizona Registrar of Contractors and satisfy Arizona's remaining requirements.
Arizona Contractor Exam Prep Options
Select preparation that matches the exact Arizona classification and exam path you plan to take. Combine structured study with current approved references and timed open-book navigation practice.
B-1 Online Contractor Exam Prep
State Trade Exam Study
- 100-question combined exam content outline
- Commercial construction topic review
- Open-book reference-navigation practice
- Timed contractor exam preparation
B-1 Books and Reference Prep
Open-Book Navigation Focus
- Exam-room-approved reference preparation
- Permanent-tab organization
- IBC, IRC and OSHA lookup practice
- Timed exam simulation strategy
Arizona NASCLA Commercial Prep
Alternate Trade Exam Path
- NASCLA commercial building exam preparation
- Multi-reference open-book navigation
- Commercial project and construction review
- Arizona licensing-path planning
Work Under the Correct Arizona Contractor License
Arizona contractor exam preparation helps you prepare for testing, but actual contracting authority comes from the classification issued by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.
· Use B-1 for work that falls within the General Commercial Contractor scope
· Use the proper dual or residential classification when residential scope is required
· Subcontract electrical, plumbing, HVAC and other specialty work when the B-1 scope requires it
· Keep the contractor bond and license in good standing
Use the correct licensing path before bidding, contracting or performing regulated work in Arizona.
Arizona Contractor Exam Prep FAQ
License and Exam Basics
The Arizona Registrar of Contractors, commonly called the ROC, regulates contractor licensing in Arizona and issues commercial, residential, dual, and specialty contractor classifications.
The qualifying party must complete the Arizona Statutes and Rules Training Course and Exam, or SRE, and the required B-1/B-2/KB-1/KB-2 combined trade exam unless the trade exam is waived under current ROC rules.
The Arizona Registrar of Contractors states that the qualifying party must pass required examinations with a score of at least 70 percent.
The SRE is a computer-based, open-book training course and examination covering Arizona contractor statutes and rules. It is offered online through GMetrix.
Yes. The Arizona Registrar of Contractors describes the SRE as an online, computer-based open-book training course and exam.
PSI Services administers Arizona ROC trade and solar examinations. Trade exams may be available online or at an approved PSI testing center.
The current combined commercial and dual general contractor trade exam contains 100 questions.
Candidates are currently allowed 240 minutes, or four hours, to complete the 100-question combined contractor trade exam.
Yes. The Arizona general commercial contractor trade exam is open book using approved references. Candidates must follow the current PSI rules for permitted books, annotations, tabs, and loose materials.
The Arizona Registrar of Contractors states that the B-1, B-2, KB-1, and KB-2 trade exams have been combined into one examination.
Books, Licensing and Exam Prep
The current content outline covers Sitework, Concrete, Masonry, Metals, Carpentry, Thermal and Moisture Protection, Doors and Windows, Finishes, Safety, and General Building Code.
The current 1 Exam Prep course information identifies the 2018 International Building Code, 2018 International Residential Code, and 29 CFR Part 1926 OSHA as core exam-room-approved references. Candidates should verify the current PSI bulletin before testing.
Approved references may be prepared before testing in accordance with PSI rules. Current course guidance permits highlighting, underlining, annotations, indexing, and permanent tabs, while temporary tabs and loose papers are not allowed.
The B-1 General Commercial Contractor path generally requires four years of qualifying supervisory commercial construction experience. Applicants should verify current experience documentation rules with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.
Eligible B-1, B-2, KB-1, and KB-2 applicants may use the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors in place of the Arizona ROC trade exam, subject to current ROC requirements.
Arizona does not have direct contractor license reciprocity with another state. Qualifying out-of-state applicants may request a waiver of the trade exam and experience when they meet the ROC's current waiver conditions.
Yes, in qualifying situations. The ROC may waive the trade exam when the qualifying party meets its current in-state or out-of-state waiver conditions. A waiver request is reviewed with the license application.
The SRE generally cannot be waived because it covers Arizona-specific statutes and rules. The ROC identifies limited circumstances for an in-state SRE waiver, so applicants should verify eligibility directly with the ROC.
No. Passing the required examinations completes only part of the licensing process. The applicant must also satisfy qualifying-party, experience, background-check, bonding, business-entity, application, and other ROC requirements.
Study by the official content outline, practice with the exact approved references, build fast index and code-navigation habits, prepare permanent tabs and highlighting that comply with PSI rules, and complete timed contractor exam prep sessions under realistic conditions.
1 Exam Prep Arizona Contractor License Exam Prep Overview
Explore Arizona Contractor License and Exam Prep Resources
Use official licensing sources and focused contractor exam prep for the complete classification, examination, bonding and ROC application pathway.
Ready to Prepare for the Arizona B-1 General Commercial Contractor Exam?
Build commercial construction knowledge, building-code navigation speed, OSHA lookup skills and timed open-book testing habits for the current Arizona B-1/B-2/KB-1/KB-2 contractor exam pathway.
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