Arizona Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Including Solar Residential / Commercial Contractor (CR-79) Exam - Online Exam Prep

The Arizona Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Including Solar Residential / Commercial Contractor (CR-79) Exam - Online Exam Prep course is designed for contractors, qualifying parties, HVAC technicians, refrigeration technicians, and trade professionals preparing for the Arizona CR-79 Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Including Solar contractor exam path. This online exam prep product supports focused study for residential and commercial HVACR work, solar-related mechanical systems, refrigeration, air conditioning, warm air heating, fuel gas systems, mechanical code requirements, plumbing code topics, boilers, duct systems, controls, motors, ventilation, evaporative cooling, water piping, testing, balancing, inspections, sizing, estimating, and OSHA construction safety.

The Arizona CR-79 classification is a dual residential and commercial contractor classification. It allows the scopes of work permitted by the commercial C-79 Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Including Solar classification and the residential R-39 Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Including Solar classification. This makes the CR-79 path important for applicants preparing to perform both residential and commercial HVACR work that may include solar-related equipment within the limits of the Arizona license classification.

This online exam prep course helps students study with structure instead of jumping between disconnected books and topics. The CR-79 exam path covers a wide range of mechanical, refrigeration, piping, heating, ventilation, and solar-related subject matter. Students should prepare for technical trade questions, code-based questions, safety questions, and reference-navigation questions. The goal of this course is to help students review the major exam areas, become more comfortable with the references, and build a practical study routine before test day.

Commercial and residential HVACR work requires broad technical knowledge. Contractors may need to understand refrigeration-cycle principles, comfort cooling systems, heating systems, gas-fired equipment, hydronic concepts, boilers, fuel gas piping, duct systems, ventilation, evaporative cooling, refrigeration spaces, controls, motors, plumbing-related piping topics, and jobsite safety. The “Including Solar” portion adds another layer of preparation by requiring students to understand solar-related system principles, components, installation concepts, piping, mounting, maintenance, and collection-loop topics connected to the classification.

This course is a strong fit for experienced field professionals who know the trade but need exam-focused preparation. Field knowledge matters, but contractor exams also require careful reading, pacing, reference familiarity, and the ability to identify the best answer from multiple choices. A technician may know how to install or service equipment in the field and still need practice using the approved books efficiently under timed testing conditions.

Exam Details

The Arizona R-39/C-79 (CR-79) Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Including Solar exam path is administered through PSI for the Arizona Registrar of Contractors trade examination program. The air conditioning and refrigeration portion lists 80 questions, a minimum passing score of 70%, and 210 minutes of allowed testing time.

The air conditioning and refrigeration content outline includes the following subject areas:

• Refrigeration: 12 items
• Air Conditioning: 12 items
• Warm Air Heating: 12 items
• Controls and Motors: 8 items
• Boilers: 4 items
• Ventilation: 4 items
• Evaporative Coolers: 4 items
• Fuel Piping Systems: 5 items
• Water Piping Systems: 5 items
• Steam, Hot, Chilled, and Condensing Water: 5 items
• Testing, Balancing, and Inspections: 5 items
• Sizing and Estimating: 4 items

The solar portion of the CR-79 exam path lists 30 questions and 75 minutes of allowed testing time. Solar subject areas include collection loops, components, installation, maintenance, mounting, principles, and solar systems piping. Students preparing for the CR-79 classification should study both the HVACR portion and the solar-related portion so their preparation matches the full scope of the classification.

The exam may include questions based on reference materials, trade knowledge, and general industry practices. Code questions are based on the code editions listed for the examination. For this product, the listed code references include the International Fuel Gas Code, 2018, International Mechanical Code, 2018, and International Plumbing Code, 2018.

Open Book Test

The Arizona CR-79 Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Including Solar exam is an open book contractor examination path for approved references. Candidates are responsible for bringing their own approved references to the examination center. Only references allowed by the testing rules may be used during the exam, and all materials must follow PSI requirements for markings, tabs, and binding.

Reference materials may be highlighted, underlined, annotated, and indexed before the examination session. Candidates may not write, highlight, underline, or index references during the examination session. Additional papers, whether loose or attached, are not permitted with the approved references.

References may be tabbed or indexed with permanent tabs only. Permanent tabs are tabs that would tear the page if removed. Temporary removable tabs, including Post-It notes or similar removable tabs, are not allowed and must be removed before the exam begins. Downloaded references may be brought into the testing center when properly bound, such as spiral binding or hole-punched pages placed in a binder.

A silent, nonprinting, non-programmable calculator may be used in the examination center. Since the CR-79 exam path is timed, students should practice using the references before test day. Open book testing is most useful when the student already knows where key information is located and can move through the books efficiently.

Licensing Steps

The Arizona Registrar of Contractors licenses and regulates contractors in Arizona. Candidates pursuing the Arizona CR-79 Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Including Solar Residential / Commercial Contractor license should follow the Arizona ROC licensing process for the classification and business structure they plan to use.

The qualifying party is the person who completes the examination requirements for the license classification. For many applicants, the licensing process includes completing the required trade examination, completing the Arizona Statutes and Rules Training Course and Exam when required, preparing business and identification documents, completing background check requirements, obtaining the required contractor license bond, and submitting the license application to the Arizona ROC.

A practical licensing path for the Arizona CR-79 license includes:

1. Confirm that the CR-79 Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Including Solar classification matches the residential and commercial HVACR work the business intends to perform.
2. Prepare for the air conditioning and refrigeration portion of the exam using the listed references and online exam prep materials.
3. Prepare for the solar-related portion of the exam, including collection loops, components, installation, maintenance, mounting, principles, and solar systems piping.
4. Complete the Arizona Statutes and Rules Training Course and Exam when required by the Arizona ROC.
5. Prepare identification, background check, qualifying party, ownership, and business documentation.
6. Obtain the required contractor license bond for the residential and commercial license classification.
7. Submit the completed Arizona contractor license application and required fees through the Arizona ROC process.
8. Respond to any application corrections or document requests from the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.

The trade exam is only one part of the licensing process. Passing the exam does not automatically issue the contractor license. The Arizona ROC reviews the application and supporting documents before granting the license. Applicants should make sure business names, ownership records, qualifying party information, and required documents are consistent before submitting the application.

State Requirements

The Arizona CR-79 Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Including Solar classification is a dual residential and commercial specialty contractor classification. It allows the scopes of work permitted by the commercial C-79 Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Including Solar license and the residential R-39 Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Including Solar license.

The residential R-39 Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Including Solar scope includes installation and repair of comfort air conditioning systems, including refrigeration, evaporative cooling, ventilating, and heating with or without solar equipment. It also includes installation and repair of machinery, units, accessories, refrigerator rooms, insulated refrigerated spaces, and controls in refrigerators. If necessary, a new circuit may be added to the existing service panel or sub-panel, but installation of a new service panel or sub-panel is excluded.

The commercial C-79 Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Including Solar scope includes installation, alteration, and repair of refrigeration and evaporative cooling systems, including solar. It also includes installation, alteration, and repair of heating systems of wet, dry, or radiant type, along with ventilation systems and related HVACR work within the classification scope.

Arizona contractor applicants should understand that licensing involves both exam readiness and application readiness. The Arizona ROC may require exam completion, SRE completion when applicable, background checks, bonding, fees, and complete application documentation. After licensure, contractors should stay within the authorized scope of the CR-79 classification. HVACR and solar-related mechanical work can involve safety-sensitive systems, fuel gas piping, ventilation, refrigerant systems, plumbing-related piping, electrical controls, and equipment operation.

Reference Books

• Code of Federal Regulations – 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
  This reference supports OSHA construction safety review, including jobsite hazard recognition, safe work practices, protective equipment, access, fall protection concepts, and construction safety rules that may appear on the exam.
• International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), 2018
  This code reference supports study of fuel gas piping, combustion air, venting, appliance installation, gas system requirements, and fuel gas code compliance for HVACR work.
• International Mechanical Code (IMC), 2018
  This code reference supports review of mechanical systems, ventilation, duct systems, exhaust, refrigeration, hydronic piping, equipment installation, and mechanical code requirements.
• International Plumbing Code (IPC), 2018
  This code reference supports review of plumbing-related piping, water piping, drainage-related requirements, system connections, and code topics that may support HVACR and solar-related mechanical work.
• Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, 22nd Edition
  This HVACR reference supports study of refrigeration principles, air conditioning systems, equipment components, controls, service procedures, troubleshooting concepts, and system operation.
• Low Pressure Boilers, 5th Edition
  This reference supports review of boiler operation, boiler components, safety controls, steam and hot water concepts, combustion, maintenance, and boiler-related trade knowledge.
• Ductulator
  This duct sizing tool supports review of airflow, friction rate, duct sizing, velocity, and practical duct design concepts used in HVAC system planning.

Exam Room Approved Books

The following references are allowed in the examination center for the Arizona R-39/C-79 (CR-79) Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Including Solar exam path:

• Code of Federal Regulations – 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
  Allowed OSHA construction safety reference for exam-room use, including the latest available amendments or the PSI selections version.
• International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), 2018
  Allowed fuel gas code reference for exam-room use.
• International Mechanical Code (IMC), 2018
  Allowed mechanical code reference for exam-room use.
• International Plumbing Code (IPC), 2018
  Allowed plumbing code reference for exam-room use.

The additional HVACR study materials listed for this product support preparation for trade knowledge, system operation, boilers, ductwork, refrigeration, and mechanical concepts. Students should study those materials even when they are not used as exam-room references, because the exam may include questions based on trade knowledge and general industry practices.

Test Information and Study Materials

The Arizona Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Including Solar Residential / Commercial Contractor (CR-79) Exam - Online Exam Prep course helps students review the technical areas listed in the exam outline and become more comfortable using the approved references. Since the CR-79 exam path includes HVACR and solar-related topics, students should use a balanced study schedule that includes code review, trade review, reference navigation, solar-system review, calculation practice, and timed exam-style questions.

For refrigeration, students should review compressors, condensers, evaporators, metering devices, refrigerants, controls, piping practices, system operation, troubleshooting, refrigeration spaces, and safe work procedures. Refrigeration questions may test component recognition, operating principles, and practical system behavior.

For air conditioning, students should study cooling equipment, airflow, heat transfer, coils, condensate handling, equipment installation, controls, system operation, and mechanical code requirements. Air conditioning questions may connect field knowledge with code-based installation requirements.

For warm air heating, students should review furnaces, combustion, venting, heat exchangers, burners, safeties, ignition systems, controls, ducts, and airflow. Fuel gas code knowledge is especially important when studying gas-fired heating equipment and venting requirements.

For controls and motors, students should review relays, contactors, thermostats, safeties, motor operation, control circuits, and troubleshooting basics. HVACR contractors need a practical understanding of how electrical controls operate within mechanical systems, even when the exam is not an electrical contractor exam.

For boilers and hydronic topics, students should review low-pressure boiler operation, steam systems, hot water systems, chilled water systems, condensing water, pumps, valves, piping arrangements, safety controls, and maintenance concepts. These areas are especially important for commercial HVACR and heating systems.

For ventilation and duct systems, students should review mechanical ventilation, air distribution, ducts, fittings, exhaust systems, makeup air, airflow, pressure, balancing, and system performance. The Ductulator supports duct sizing and airflow review, while the IMC supports code compliance topics.

For fuel piping systems, students should study the IFGC, including pipe sizing, materials, appliance connections, combustion air, venting, installation requirements, and safety provisions. Fuel gas questions require careful reading because small details can change the correct answer.

For water piping and plumbing-related topics, students should review the IPC and related system requirements that support HVACR and solar-related mechanical work. Since the CR-79 classification includes solar-related systems, students should also understand piping concepts that connect to solar water and mechanical system installations.

For solar-related preparation, students should review collection loops, solar system components, installation concepts, mounting, maintenance, system principles, and solar systems piping. These topics should be studied as part of the full CR-79 exam path, not treated as an afterthought.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep helps students prepare for the Arizona Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Including Solar Residential / Commercial Contractor (CR-79) exam with organized online study support built for contractor licensing preparation. The course helps students focus on the exam outline, review major HVACR and solar-related subjects, and become more comfortable using the approved references in an open book testing environment.

This online exam prep course gives students a structured way to study refrigeration, air conditioning, warm air heating, controls, motors, boilers, ventilation, evaporative cooling, fuel gas piping, water piping, plumbing code topics, solar system concepts, hydronic systems, testing, balancing, inspections, sizing, estimating, and OSHA construction safety. Instead of trying to study every topic at once, students can work through the material in a more organized and manageable way.

1 Exam Prep also supports reference navigation. For an open book exam, students need to know more than the general topic. They need to understand how the OSHA, IFGC, IMC, and IPC references are organized, where key sections are located, and how to move through the books without wasting time. Reference familiarity can make a major difference in a timed exam setting.

The course is helpful for experienced HVAC technicians, refrigeration technicians, solar-related mechanical workers, and contractors who need exam-specific preparation. Work experience is important, but licensing exams require careful reading, pacing, and the ability to identify the best answer from multiple choices. 1 Exam Prep helps students convert field knowledge into a more exam-ready study approach.

With consistent use, students can build a stronger study routine, identify weak areas, review key references, practice applying code and trade knowledge, and approach the Arizona CR-79 exam path with greater confidence. The course is promotional, practical, and realistic, supporting preparation without promising exam results, licensing approval, or business outcomes.

FAQ Section

What is the Arizona CR-79 Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Including Solar exam?

The Arizona CR-79 exam path is used for the dual residential and commercial Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Including Solar contractor classification. It covers HVACR trade knowledge and solar-related mechanical system topics.

Is the Arizona CR-79 exam open book?

Yes. The Arizona CR-79 exam path uses approved open book references. Candidates must bring their own approved references and follow PSI rules for highlighting, annotations, permanent tabs, and binding.

How many questions are on the Arizona CR-79 exam?

The air conditioning and refrigeration portion lists 80 questions. The solar portion lists 30 questions.

How much time is allowed for the Arizona CR-79 exam?

The air conditioning and refrigeration portion allows 210 minutes. The solar portion allows 75 minutes.

What score is required to pass the Arizona CR-79 exam?

The published minimum passing score for the air conditioning and refrigeration portion is 70%.

What topics are covered on the HVACR portion?

The HVACR portion includes refrigeration, air conditioning, warm air heating, controls and motors, boilers, ventilation, evaporative coolers, fuel piping systems, water piping systems, steam, hot, chilled, and condensing water, testing, balancing, inspections, sizing, and estimating.

What topics are covered on the solar portion?

The solar portion includes collection loops, components, installation, maintenance, mounting, principles, and solar systems piping.

Which books are allowed in the exam room?

The listed exam-room approved references include Code of Federal Regulations – 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA), International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), 2018, International Mechanical Code (IMC), 2018, and International Plumbing Code (IPC), 2018.

Are Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Low Pressure Boilers, and the Ductulator useful for study?

Yes. These materials support HVACR trade knowledge, boilers, duct design, airflow, refrigeration, controls, system operation, and technical preparation for the exam.

Who should take this online exam prep course?

This course is for contractors, qualifying parties, HVAC technicians, refrigeration technicians, solar-related mechanical workers, and trade professionals preparing for the Arizona Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Including Solar Residential / Commercial Contractor (CR-79) exam.