Arizona Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Residential Contractor (R-39R) Highlighted & Tabbed Book Package

The Arizona Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Residential Contractor (R-39R) Highlighted & Tabbed Book Package is designed for contractors preparing for the Arizona R-39R/C-39 Air Conditioning and Refrigeration trade examination. This package brings together the HVAC, refrigeration, mechanical, fuel gas, boiler, duct design, and OSHA references used to support preparation for Arizona’s residential air conditioning and refrigeration contractor licensing process.

The R-39R classification is connected to residential HVAC/R work. Candidates preparing for this exam should be ready to study air conditioning systems, refrigeration principles, warm air heating, controls, motors, boilers, ventilation, evaporative cooling, fuel piping, water piping, hydronic systems, testing, balancing, inspections, sizing, and estimating. Residential HVAC work may look familiar in the field, but the exam requires candidates to connect that experience to code books, safety standards, equipment principles, duct design concepts, and technical reference materials.

This highlighted and tabbed book package is built to make the study process more organized. Key areas are highlighted to guide review, and permanent tabs are placed to help candidates move through important sections more efficiently. For an open book contractor exam, book navigation is a major part of preparation. Knowing which reference to use, where the topic is located, and how to find supporting information quickly can make study sessions more productive and reduce confusion during timed practice.

This package is a strong fit for residential HVAC contractors, refrigeration technicians, service professionals, installers, qualifying parties, business owners, and tradespeople preparing to pursue the Arizona R-39R residential air conditioning and refrigeration license classification. It is especially useful for candidates who have hands-on experience but want organized references that support exam-focused study and open book reference use.

What You Get

• Highlighted reference books: Key areas are highlighted to help candidates focus on important exam-related material during preparation.
• Permanent tabs: Tabs are placed to help candidates move through major subjects and important reference sections more efficiently.
• Residential HVAC/R study support: The package supports review across air conditioning, refrigeration, heating, fuel gas, mechanical code, boilers, duct design, and OSHA safety topics.
• Organized exam preparation structure: The books are prepared to help reduce search time, improve familiarity, and support more focused study sessions.

Exam Details

The Arizona R-39R/C-39 Air Conditioning and Refrigeration examination is administered through PSI for the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. This trade examination is used for Arizona air conditioning and refrigeration classifications connected to the R-39R/C-39 exam group, including the residential R-39R pathway.

The exam contains 80 questions. The minimum passing score is 70%, and the time allowed is 210 minutes. The examination may include questions based on listed reference materials, trade knowledge, and general industry practices. Code questions are based on the specific code editions listed for the examination.

The exam content areas include:

• 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 R-39R exam is broad because residential air conditioning and refrigeration work can involve cooling systems, heating systems, ventilation, duct sizing, fuel gas piping, refrigerant cycle knowledge, motors, controls, equipment installation, service principles, safety standards, and inspection practices. Candidates should prepare across every listed content area instead of studying only the tasks they perform most often in the field.

Residential contractors should pay close attention to the code editions included in this package. The International Fuel Gas Code and International Mechanical Code are used for code-based preparation, while the OSHA reference supports construction safety knowledge. Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Low Pressure Boilers, Manual D, and the Ductulator help support technical review, system design concepts, and HVAC/R fundamentals.

Open Book Test

The Arizona R-39R/C-39 Air Conditioning and Refrigeration trade examination is an open book test using approved reference materials. Candidates are responsible for bringing their own approved references to the examination center.

The approved exam-room references listed for this trade exam include Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA), International Fuel Gas Code, 2018 Edition, and International Mechanical Code, 2018 Edition. These approved references may be highlighted, underlined, annotated, and indexed before the examination session.

Candidates may not write, highlight, underline, or index references during the exam. Additional papers, whether loose or attached, are not permitted with approved references. References may be tabbed or indexed with permanent tabs only. Permanent tabs are tabs that would tear the page if removed. Temporary tabs, removable sticky tabs, and loose papers are not permitted in the examination center.

Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Low Pressure Boilers, Manual D, and the Ductulator are study references connected to the examination content. These materials are useful for learning HVAC/R principles, reviewing boiler concepts, practicing duct sizing, and understanding technical trade knowledge, but they are not listed as exam-room-approved references for this exam. Candidates should separate exam-room-approved books from study-only materials when preparing for test day.

Candidates may use a silent, nonprinting, non-programmable calculator in the examination center. Because the exam contains 80 questions and allows 210 minutes, candidates should practice locating information quickly before the exam instead of relying on long reading during the actual test.

Licensing Steps

Arizona contractor licensing is handled by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. Applicants should begin by identifying the correct license classification and reviewing the examination requirements connected to that classification. The person completing the required examination process must serve as the qualifying party for the license.

The R-39R classification is the residential air conditioning and refrigeration contractor classification. Candidates pursuing this classification should prepare for residential HVAC/R concepts while also studying the full R-39R/C-39 Air Conditioning and Refrigeration trade exam outline. The exam group includes subjects that reach beyond basic residential service work, so candidates should give attention to every listed topic.

For many new Arizona contractor license applicants, the licensing process also includes the Arizona Statutes and Rules Exam, also known as the SRE. The SRE is separate from the trade examination. The trade exam focuses on air conditioning and refrigeration knowledge, while the statutes and rules requirement covers Arizona contractor law, rules, and regulatory responsibilities.

After the required examinations are completed, the applicant submits the completed contractor license application and required supporting documentation to the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. Examination requirements must be completed before the application can be accepted for processing. Score reports must be submitted within the required period after passing the examination.

A practical licensing path includes confirming the R-39R classification, studying the approved trade references, learning open book exam rules, completing the Arizona statutes and rules requirement when applicable, scheduling and taking the PSI trade exam, and submitting the completed license application package to the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.

State Requirements

The Arizona Registrar of Contractors issues contractor licenses by classification. The R-39R license is tied to residential air conditioning and refrigeration work. Candidates pursuing this classification should prepare for residential HVAC/R applications, system installation, service concepts, fuel gas requirements, mechanical code provisions, duct sizing principles, refrigeration knowledge, and construction safety.

The trade exam content reflects the wide scope of HVAC/R contracting. Candidates should be prepared for questions involving refrigeration equipment, comfort air conditioning, warm air heating, mechanical systems, fuel gas systems, water piping, hydronic systems, steam systems, chilled water, condensing water, ventilation, evaporative cooling, boiler systems, testing, balancing, inspections, sizing, and estimating.

Arizona licensing involves more than passing the trade examination. Applicants may also need to satisfy business, entity, bonding, experience, background, application, and qualifying party requirements depending on the applicant’s structure and license type. The trade exam is one major step in the process, but the license is issued only after the Arizona Registrar of Contractors reviews and processes the completed application.

Candidates should keep their study focused on the official R-39R/C-39 exam content outline. HVAC/R field experience is valuable, but the examination also measures the ability to use approved references, apply code requirements, understand safety rules, and answer technical questions under timed conditions.

Reference Books

Please allow up to 15 business days for tabbed and highlighted book package orders.

• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
  This construction safety reference supports OSHA-related exam content and covers federal construction standards used to address jobsite hazards, worker protection, safe work practices, and construction safety requirements.
• International Fuel Gas Code, 2018
  This code reference supports questions involving fuel gas systems, gas piping, combustion air, appliance installation, venting, inspection, testing, and fuel gas safety provisions.
• International Mechanical Code, 2018
  This mechanical code reference supports HVAC and mechanical system questions involving equipment installation, ventilation, duct systems, exhaust systems, refrigeration, combustion air, and related mechanical requirements.
• Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, 22nd edition
  This HVAC/R textbook supports review of refrigeration principles, air conditioning systems, service concepts, equipment operation, components, troubleshooting, and applied refrigeration and cooling knowledge.
• Low Pressure Boilers 5th Edition
  This boiler reference supports study of boiler operation, safety devices, controls, fuel systems, steam systems, hot water systems, maintenance, and boiler-related concepts connected to the exam outline.
• Manual D, 2016, 3rd Ed
  This duct design reference supports study of duct system design, airflow, friction rate, duct sizing, layout, and air distribution concepts used in HVAC system planning.
• Ductulator
  This duct sizing tool supports practice with airflow, duct size selection, friction loss, velocity, and quick duct design calculations used in HVAC preparation and field applications.

Test Information and Study Materials

The Arizona R-39R exam rewards candidates who combine residential HVAC/R experience with organized reference use. Since the test covers a wide range of air conditioning and refrigeration concepts, candidates should not study only the systems they see most often in everyday work. A candidate who mainly performs residential service may still need review in fuel gas provisions, boiler systems, hydronic piping, ventilation, testing and balancing, and estimating. A candidate who mainly installs equipment may need additional practice with controls, motors, refrigeration theory, code navigation, and duct design concepts.

The OSHA reference should be reviewed for construction safety rules that apply to HVAC/R work. Safety questions may involve hazard recognition, personal protective equipment, ladders, scaffolds, electrical hazards, equipment handling, fall protection, and other construction-related requirements. Candidates should become familiar with how the OSHA reference is organized and where major safety topics are located.

The International Fuel Gas Code is important for fuel gas piping and fuel-burning appliances. Candidates should study the organization of the book and learn how to locate tables, sizing information, shutoff requirements, venting provisions, combustion air rules, appliance installation requirements, inspection requirements, and testing provisions. Residential HVAC work commonly involves gas-fired appliances, so this reference deserves careful review.

The International Mechanical Code is one of the most important references for this exam. Candidates should review requirements related to ventilation, ducts, exhaust systems, mechanical equipment, appliances, combustion air, refrigeration, boilers, hydronic systems, and other mechanical installations. Strong code navigation helps reduce the amount of time spent searching during the exam.

Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning supports broader HVAC/R theory and technical knowledge. Candidates should use it to review refrigeration cycles, compressors, condensers, evaporators, metering devices, refrigerants, controls, motors, electrical components, heat pumps, service procedures, troubleshooting, and system operation. This reference helps connect field experience to the terminology and technical concepts used in exam questions.

Low Pressure Boilers supports review of boiler construction, operation, controls, safety devices, steam systems, hot water systems, fuel systems, maintenance, and inspection-related topics. Boiler questions represent a smaller portion of the exam outline, but preparation in this area can still help protect the overall score.

Manual D and the Ductulator support airflow and duct design review. Candidates should practice duct sizing, friction rate, airflow, velocity, equivalent length, pressure loss, and distribution concepts. These subjects support sizing and estimating questions and help candidates understand how duct systems affect comfort, performance, efficiency, and equipment operation.

A practical study method is to work through the references by topic. Candidates can begin with the largest content areas, including refrigeration, air conditioning, and warm air heating, then move into controls, motors, fuel gas, water piping, hydronic systems, boilers, ventilation, evaporative cooling, testing, balancing, inspections, sizing, and estimating. Timed practice is important because the exam requires candidates to locate information, understand questions, and select answers efficiently.

During study sessions, candidates should practice using the highlighted and tabbed books under timed conditions. A helpful approach is to choose a content area, set a timer, and locate answers using only the prepared references. This builds familiarity with the books and helps candidates develop a repeatable process for finding information during the open book exam.

Residential HVAC/R candidates should also pay attention to how trade knowledge and code requirements work together. Field habits may vary from job to job, but the exam is based on the listed references, accepted trade practices, and the content outline. Studying with organized books helps candidates move from memory-based answers to reference-supported answers.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep helps contractor candidates prepare with organized study materials, trade-focused review, and reference navigation support. This highlighted and tabbed book package is designed to help Arizona R-39R candidates study the approved code references and supporting HVAC/R materials with a clearer structure.

For many candidates, the challenge is not only learning HVAC/R concepts. The challenge is knowing where to find information quickly inside large technical books. 1 Exam Prep helps simplify that process by preparing books with highlights and tabs that support focused review and faster navigation.

The highlighted sections help direct attention to important material, while the tabs make it easier to move between major subjects during study sessions. Candidates can use the package to review refrigeration, air conditioning, heating, controls, motors, boilers, ventilation, fuel gas systems, water piping, hydronic systems, OSHA safety, mechanical code, duct sizing, and estimating topics in a more organized way.

1 Exam Prep’s approach is practical and exam-focused. The goal is to help candidates study with less confusion, use their references more effectively, and build confidence through consistent preparation. No book package can guarantee a passing score or license approval, but organized references can make the preparation process clearer, more efficient, and easier to manage.

FAQ Section

Is the Arizona R-39R Air Conditioning and Refrigeration exam open book?

Yes. The Arizona R-39R/C-39 Air Conditioning and Refrigeration trade exam is open book using approved reference materials. Candidates must bring their own approved references and follow the examination center rules for highlighting, annotations, indexing, and tabs.

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

The exam contains 80 questions. The minimum passing score is 70%, and the time allowed is 210 minutes.

What topics are covered on the R-39R exam?

The exam covers 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.

Which books are allowed in the examination center?

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

Are all books in this package allowed in the exam room?

No. Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Low Pressure Boilers, Manual D, and the Ductulator are study references connected to exam preparation, but they are not listed as allowed in the examination center for this exam.

Can I write in my books during the exam?

No. References may be highlighted, underlined, annotated, and indexed before the exam, but candidates may not write, highlight, underline, or index references during the examination session.

Are removable tabs allowed?

No. Tabs must be permanent. Permanent tabs are tabs that would tear the page if removed. Temporary sticky tabs and removable tabs are not permitted.

Who administers the Arizona R-39R trade exam?

The Arizona Registrar of Contractors has contracted with PSI to conduct the trade examination program for Arizona contractor licensing.

Does this package include the Arizona Statutes and Rules Exam?

This product is a highlighted and tabbed book package for the Arizona R-39R Air Conditioning and Refrigeration trade exam. The Arizona Statutes and Rules Exam is a separate requirement for many new Arizona contractor license applicants.

Is this package helpful for experienced residential HVAC technicians?

Yes. Field experience is valuable, but the exam also requires candidates to use code books and technical references efficiently. Highlighted and tabbed books help experienced tradespeople connect practical knowledge with the references used for the exam.