Arizona Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Residential Contractor (R-39R) Exam - Online Exam Prep

Prepare for the Arizona Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Residential Contractor (R-39R) exam with online exam prep designed for candidates pursuing a residential HVAC and refrigeration contractor license in Arizona. This exam prep product helps you study the trade knowledge, safety standards, code requirements, mechanical system principles, fuel gas provisions, air conditioning equipment, refrigeration concepts, warm air heating, controls, motors, boilers, ventilation, evaporative coolers, duct design, testing, balancing, sizing, and estimating topics connected to the R-39R contractor classification.

The Arizona R-39R Air Conditioning and Refrigeration classification is a residential contractor classification. It is tied to air conditioning and refrigeration work performed within the authorized residential scope. Candidates preparing for this exam should be ready to review HVAC system installation, refrigeration system operation, evaporative cooling, fuel gas equipment, mechanical code compliance, construction safety, air distribution, duct sizing, and related residential field practices.

This Arizona Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Residential Contractor (R-39R) Exam online exam prep is built for students who want a structured way to study before test day. HVAC and refrigeration exams cover many connected systems, and it can be difficult to organize study time without a clear plan. This product helps bring the major subject areas together so candidates can focus on the topics that matter most for the exam and build stronger familiarity with the listed references.

Because the Arizona R-39R trade exam is an open book test, preparation should include both technical review and reference-book navigation. Open book testing allows approved references in the exam center, but candidates still need to understand the material, know how each book is organized, and practice locating information efficiently. The more familiar you are with the books before exam day, the more useful they become during the test.

Students preparing for the Arizona R-39R exam should use this online exam prep alongside the supplied references. The books cover OSHA construction safety, fuel gas code requirements, mechanical code provisions, refrigeration and air conditioning theory, boiler operation, duct design, and duct sizing. Together, these study materials support a well-rounded preparation plan for residential HVAC and refrigeration contractor exam readiness.

Exam Details

The Arizona Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Residential Contractor (R-39R) exam is associated with Arizona’s contractor licensing process for residential air conditioning and refrigeration work. Arizona contractor licensing is administered by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors, and trade examinations are administered through PSI.

The R-39R/C-39 (CR-39) Air Conditioning and Refrigeration examination content outline lists 80 questions, a 210-minute time limit, and a minimum passing score of 70%. The exam is designed to evaluate a candidate’s knowledge of HVAC and refrigeration systems, mechanical code requirements, safety rules, fuel gas provisions, system components, and related trade practices.

The exam content outline 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. These areas reflect the broad technical knowledge needed for air conditioning and refrigeration work.

The content outline includes 12 questions on refrigeration, 12 questions on air conditioning, 12 questions on warm air heating, 8 questions on controls and motors, 4 questions on boilers, 4 questions on ventilation, 4 questions on evaporative coolers, 5 questions on fuel piping systems, 5 questions on water piping systems, 5 questions on steam, hot, chilled, and condensing water, 5 questions on testing, balancing, and inspections, and 4 questions on sizing and estimating.

The reference material listed for the examination is used to prepare exam questions, and the exam may also contain questions based on trade knowledge or general industry practices. For code questions, candidates should study the exact code edition listed for the exam. For non-code references, later editions may be used as they become available, but candidates should still prepare around the official exam content and the references associated with the test.

Because the exam is timed, candidates should practice answering questions carefully and efficiently. With 80 questions and a 210-minute time limit, students should develop a study routine that includes technical review, reference lookup, and practice with exam-style wording. A strong plan helps candidates recognize which questions can be answered from trade knowledge and which questions require the use of a reference book.

Open Book Test

The Arizona Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Residential Contractor (R-39R) trade exam is an open book test. Candidates are responsible for bringing their own approved reference materials to the examination center. The approved exam-room references include Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA), International Fuel Gas Code, 2018, and International Mechanical Code, 2018.

Reference materials may be highlighted, underlined, annotated, and indexed before the examination session. Candidates may not write in, highlight, underline, or index references during the exam. Additional loose papers or attached papers are not permitted with the approved references. Tabs must be permanent tabs. Temporary tabs, removable sticky notes, and tabs that can be removed without tearing the page are not allowed.

Open book testing rewards preparation, organization, and speed. Candidates should not expect to find every answer instantly. Many questions require you to understand the trade concept first, then decide which reference applies. A fuel gas piping question may require the International Fuel Gas Code. A mechanical system, duct, ventilation, refrigeration, or equipment installation question may require the International Mechanical Code. A safety question may require OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926.

Students should practice using the books before exam day. Review each book’s table of contents, index, definitions, chapter structure, important tables, safety sections, fuel gas provisions, mechanical installation requirements, and refrigeration-related sections. Familiarity with the references can help reduce stress and improve efficiency during the actual exam.

Licensing Steps

Arizona contractor applicants should begin by identifying the correct license classification for the work they plan to perform. The R-39R Air Conditioning and Refrigeration classification is a residential classification for air conditioning and refrigeration work within the authorized residential scope.

After selecting the license classification, the applicant should review the Arizona Registrar of Contractors requirements for the license. The qualifying party for the license is generally responsible for satisfying the required examination obligations unless the state grants an applicable waiver. Candidates pursuing the R-39R classification should prepare for the trade exam and complete any other state licensing steps connected to the application.

Arizona contractor applicants may also be required to complete the Arizona Statutes and Rules Exam training course, commonly known as the SRE. The SRE is separate from the trade exam. The SRE focuses on Arizona contractor statutes and rules, while the R-39R trade exam focuses on air conditioning, refrigeration, mechanical systems, fuel gas, OSHA safety, piping, ventilation, boilers, controls, motors, testing, balancing, sizing, and estimating.

Once the required exam obligations are complete, the applicant submits the contractor license application and supporting materials to the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. The state reviews applications according to its licensing rules. Application requirements may include business information, qualifying party information, bonding, background requirements, financial responsibility, and other items required by the state.

Exam preparation should begin before the test date is close. Candidates should gather the correct references, review the exam content outline, study the R-39R scope of work, and use online exam prep to build confidence with the topics and books. A steady study schedule is usually more effective than trying to review all HVAC and refrigeration material at the last minute.

State Requirements

The Arizona Registrar of Contractors issues contractor licenses for residential work, commercial work, and dual residential/commercial scopes. The R designation identifies a residential license classification. The R-39R classification is tied to air conditioning and refrigeration work performed within the residential contractor scope.

The Arizona Air Conditioning and Refrigeration classification allows the licensee to install, alter, and repair refrigeration and evaporative cooling systems within the authorized scope. Candidates preparing for the R-39R exam should focus on residential HVAC and refrigeration work, while also understanding the broader trade topics included in the examination outline.

Residential air conditioning and refrigeration work can involve a wide range of jobsite responsibilities. Contractors may encounter air conditioning equipment, refrigeration systems, warm air heating, duct systems, ventilation, evaporative coolers, boilers, fuel piping, water piping, controls, motors, inspections, testing, balancing, sizing, and estimating. The R-39R exam preparation process should reflect that broad technical range.

Passing the trade exam is an important step in the licensing process, but it does not automatically issue a contractor license. The applicant must also satisfy the Arizona Registrar of Contractors application requirements for the selected license classification. Exam prep should be treated as one major part of the full licensing path.

Reference Books

• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
  This construction safety reference covers federal OSHA standards for construction work. It supports preparation for safety-related questions involving jobsite hazards, protective measures, access, equipment, excavation, fall protection, personal protective equipment, ladders, scaffolding, and general construction safety practices.
• International Fuel Gas Code, 2018
  The 2018 International Fuel Gas Code covers fuel gas system requirements, including gas piping, appliances, combustion air, venting, installation rules, sizing, materials, and safety provisions. It is an important code reference for fuel piping and gas-fired heating equipment topics.
• International Mechanical Code, 2018
  The 2018 International Mechanical Code covers mechanical systems, ventilation, duct systems, refrigeration, exhaust, combustion air, equipment installation, piping, and related mechanical requirements. It is a key code reference for residential HVAC and refrigeration exam preparation.
• Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, 22nd edition
  This trade reference supports study of refrigeration principles, air conditioning systems, heating equipment, service practices, electrical controls, motors, troubleshooting, system operation, components, and HVAC terminology used in the field.
• Low Pressure Boilers 5th Edition
  This reference supports review of low-pressure boiler systems, boiler components, operation, safety devices, controls, steam and hot water systems, maintenance concepts, and boiler-related terminology.
• Manual D, 2016, 3rd Ed
  This duct design reference supports study of duct design principles, airflow, duct sizing, friction rate, fittings, balancing considerations, and system layout concepts that help candidates understand duct-related questions.
• Ductulator
  The duct calculator supports review of duct sizing, airflow, velocity, friction loss, and air distribution relationships. It is useful for understanding sizing and estimating concepts connected to duct systems.

Test Information and Study Materials

The Arizona R-39R exam preparation process should begin with the exam content outline. Refrigeration, air conditioning, and warm air heating are major subject areas. Candidates should review the refrigeration cycle, compressors, condensers, evaporators, metering devices, refrigerants, cooling equipment, heating equipment, heat transfer, airflow, temperature control, system operation, and basic troubleshooting concepts.

Controls and motors are also important. HVAC and refrigeration systems depend on electrical components that start, stop, protect, and regulate equipment. Candidates should study thermostats, relays, contactors, motors, motor protection, control circuits, safety switches, control wiring, electrical terminology, and system sequence of operation.

Boilers, ventilation, and evaporative coolers appear as separate content areas. Boiler preparation should include low-pressure boiler components, safety devices, controls, steam and hot water operation, maintenance concepts, and system terminology. Ventilation preparation should include air movement, exhaust, outdoor air, duct systems, mechanical ventilation requirements, and code-related concepts. Evaporative cooler preparation should include components, operation, water supply, airflow, maintenance, and installation considerations.

Fuel piping systems require careful review of the International Fuel Gas Code. Candidates should become familiar with gas piping materials, pipe sizing concepts, appliance connections, combustion air, venting, installation requirements, shutoff valves, pressure, testing, and safety provisions. Fuel gas questions often require both trade understanding and reference-book lookup skills.

Water piping systems and hydronic topics should also be studied. The exam content includes water piping systems as well as steam, hot, chilled, and condensing water. Candidates should review piping arrangements, pumps, valves, chilled water systems, condenser water systems, hot water systems, steam concepts, heat exchange, circulation, insulation, supports, and balancing principles.

Testing, balancing, and inspections are practical field topics. Candidates should understand system startup, airflow measurement, pressure checks, performance verification, inspection points, balancing procedures, equipment checks, and general commissioning concepts. These topics may require applying trade knowledge to real-world HVAC and refrigeration situations.

Sizing and estimating preparation should include duct sizing relationships, airflow, velocity, friction loss, equipment considerations, material quantities, labor planning, and careful interpretation of the question. Manual D and the Ductulator can help reinforce air distribution concepts, while the mechanical code and trade references support broader system knowledge.

Online exam prep helps candidates organize these topics into a practical study routine. A useful approach is to review one subject area at a time, locate the related information in the reference books, answer exam-style questions, and then return to any missed topics for additional study. Repeating this process helps improve retention and reference navigation.

Since the R-39R exam is open book, candidates should also prepare their references carefully before test day. Highlighting, underlining, annotations, and permanent tabs may help, but organization matters. Mark the sections that are most useful for quick lookup. Learn how each book is arranged. Practice using the index and table of contents so that the books become working tools rather than unfamiliar materials.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep helps Arizona contractor candidates prepare with organized study guidance, trade-focused review, and practical exam preparation. For the Arizona Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Residential Contractor (R-39R) exam, that means helping students focus on the HVAC, refrigeration, mechanical code, fuel gas, OSHA safety, piping, ventilation, boiler, controls, motors, sizing, estimating, testing, and balancing topics connected to the exam.

This online exam prep product gives students a structured way to study. Instead of working through several references without a plan, candidates can follow preparation material that connects directly to the exam content areas. That structure helps make the study process more manageable and keeps attention on the topics most relevant to the R-39R trade exam.

1 Exam Prep also supports reference navigation. Since the R-39R exam is open book, candidates should know how to use the allowed references before test day. The goal is to help students become comfortable identifying which book applies, locating the right section, and applying the information to exam-style questions.

Practice-oriented preparation helps build confidence. Students can use online exam prep to identify weaker areas, review missed topics, and return to the books for additional study. This process strengthens both trade understanding and exam readiness.

Contractor exams reward preparation, consistency, and familiarity with the source material. 1 Exam Prep helps students approach the Arizona R-39R exam with a focused study plan, stronger trade review, and better confidence using the references that support the test.

FAQ Section

What is the Arizona Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Residential Contractor (R-39R) Exam - Online Exam Prep?

It is an online exam prep product designed to help candidates study for the Arizona R-39R residential air conditioning and refrigeration contractor trade exam. It supports review of HVAC, refrigeration, mechanical code, fuel gas, OSHA safety, controls, motors, boilers, piping, ventilation, testing, balancing, sizing, and estimating topics.

Is the Arizona R-39R contractor exam open book?

Yes. The Arizona R-39R trade exam is an open book test. Candidates are responsible for bringing their own approved references and should become familiar with the books before exam day.

How many questions are on the Arizona R-39R exam?

The R-39R/C-39 (CR-39) Air Conditioning and Refrigeration examination content outline lists 80 questions.

How much time is allowed for the Arizona R-39R exam?

The examination content outline lists a 210-minute time limit.

What passing score is required for the Arizona R-39R exam?

The minimum passing score listed for the examination is 70%.

What does the Arizona R-39R classification cover?

The R-39R classification is a residential air conditioning and refrigeration classification. It is connected to installing, altering, and repairing refrigeration and evaporative cooling systems within the authorized residential scope.

Which references are allowed in the examination center?

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

Which books are included in this study list?

The supplied study list includes OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926, International Fuel Gas Code 2018, International Mechanical Code 2018, Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning 22nd edition, Low Pressure Boilers 5th Edition, Manual D 2016 3rd Ed, and Ductulator.

Does online exam prep replace the reference books?

No. Online exam prep should be used with the reference materials. The books provide the source material, while the exam prep helps organize review, reinforce key topics, and improve your ability to apply the information.

Who administers Arizona contractor trade exams?

Arizona contractor trade examinations are administered through PSI as part of the Arizona Registrar of Contractors licensing process.

Does this online exam prep guarantee a passing score?

No. This product is designed to support preparation with structured study guidance, trade-focused review, practice-oriented learning, and reference navigation. Exam results depend on the candidate’s preparation and performance on test day.