Arizona Solar Plumbing, Liquid Systems Only Residential / Commercial Contractor (CR-78) Exam Book Package

Arizona Solar Plumbing, Liquid Systems Only Residential / Commercial Contractor (CR-78) Exam Book Package

The Arizona Solar Plumbing, Liquid Systems Only Residential / Commercial Contractor (CR-78) Exam Book Package is designed for contractors, qualifying parties, solar water heating installers, plumbing professionals, pipefitters, solar pool heating technicians, mechanical system installers, field supervisors, and business owners preparing for the Arizona CR-78 Solar Plumbing, Liquid Systems Only contractor trade exam. This package brings together the key references used to study solar water heating systems, solar pool heating systems, plumbing code requirements, mechanical code requirements, pipe materials, pumps, storage systems, open-loop systems, closed-loop systems, collectors, controls, pipefitting math, pipe trade references, and OSHA construction safety.

The CR-78 classification is a dual residential and commercial solar plumbing liquid systems only classification in Arizona. The scope focuses on installation, alteration, and repair of solar water heating systems operating at temperatures not exceeding 220°F. These systems include thermosyphon systems, direct open-loop systems, and indirect closed-loop systems, but exclude air as a transfer medium. Candidates preparing for this exam should understand how liquid-based solar heating systems are installed, connected, protected, controlled, and maintained in both residential and commercial settings within the limits of the classification.

Solar plumbing work requires both plumbing knowledge and solar thermal system knowledge. Contractors working in this trade must understand collectors, storage tanks, expansion tanks, heat exchangers, piping, valves, pumps, sensors, low-voltage controls, plumbing connections, mechanical system principles, and safe installation practices. The Arizona CR-78 exam reflects this mix of responsibilities by testing general plumbing, pipes and materials, open and closed loop systems, pumps and storage systems, system designs, collectors, and controls.

This exam book package supports preparation by combining OSHA construction safety standards, the 2018 International Plumbing Code, the 2018 International Mechanical Code, pipefitting math, pipe trade data, and a solar water and pool heating design and installation reference. The exam is open book, but only certain references are allowed into the examination center. Candidates should use the approved books for exam-room reference practice and the study-only books to build trade knowledge before test day.

The Arizona Solar Plumbing, Liquid Systems Only Residential / Commercial Contractor (CR-78) Exam Book Package is built for focused exam preparation. The goal is to help candidates understand solar liquid heating systems, strengthen plumbing and mechanical code familiarity, organize the approved references, and prepare for timed open-book testing. Good preparation includes reading the exam outline, reviewing each reference, practicing calculations, and learning where key information is located before the exam begins.

Exam Details

The Arizona CR-78 Solar Plumbing, Liquid Systems Only Residential / Commercial Contractor trade exam contains 60 questions. Candidates must earn a minimum passing score of 70%, and the time allowed for the exam is 150 minutes.

The exam content outline includes the following subject areas:

• General Plumbing
• Pipes and Materials
• Open and Closed Loop Systems
• Pumps and Storage Systems
• System Designs
• Collectors
• Controls

General plumbing questions may involve plumbing code requirements, piping connections, valves, drainage awareness, potable water connections, fixtures and appliances related to system integration, pressure considerations, protection of piping, and installation practices. Candidates should be comfortable using the International Plumbing Code because it is one of the approved exam-room references.

Pipes and materials questions may involve pipe types, fittings, joints, valves, insulation, supports, expansion, temperature limitations, pressure considerations, and compatibility with solar water heating systems. Solar plumbing systems must be designed and installed with materials that can handle operating temperatures, pressure, water quality, fluid movement, and system expansion.

Open and closed loop system questions may involve direct open-loop systems, indirect closed-loop systems, heat transfer fluids, freeze protection concepts, thermosyphon operation, circulation methods, isolation, backflow awareness, and the way solar thermal energy is transferred from collectors to storage or use points. Candidates should understand the practical differences between these system types and the conditions that affect their use.

Pumps and storage systems questions may involve circulating pumps, storage tanks, expansion tanks, heat exchangers, valves, controls, sensors, system pressure, flow, temperature, and equipment placement. These components are essential to system performance because they move and store heated liquid and help protect the system during operation.

System design questions may involve solar water heating layouts, solar pool heating layouts, collector placement, piping arrangement, component selection, temperature limits, system integration, mechanical code awareness, and coordination with existing plumbing and electrical stub-outs at the water tank location. Collector questions may involve collector types, mounting awareness, circulation, orientation, piping connections, and performance factors. Controls questions may involve sensors, low-voltage controls, pumps, control logic, and system operation.

Open Book Test

The Arizona Solar Plumbing, Liquid Systems Only Residential / Commercial Contractor (CR-78) Exam is an open-book test. Candidates are responsible for bringing their own approved references to the examination center. The testing center does not provide the reference materials.

The approved exam-room references include:

• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA), with latest available amendments, or Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 Selections by PSI
• International Plumbing Code, 2018
• International Mechanical Code, 2018

The following references are listed for study but are not allowed in the examination center:

• Mathematics for Plumbers and Pipefitters, 8th Edition
• IPT’s Pipe Trades Handbook, Robert A. Lee, 2016
• Solar Water and Pool Heating Design and Installation Manual

Candidates may use a silent, nonprinting, non-programmable calculator during the exam. 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 are not allowed with approved references. This includes loose papers and attached papers. References may be tabbed or indexed with permanent tabs only. Permanent tabs are tabs that would tear the page if removed. Temporary tabs, including removable sticky notes or Post-It style tabs, are not allowed and must be removed before the exam begins.

Downloaded reference materials may be brought into the testing center only when properly bound. Spiral binding or hole-punching and placing the material in a binder are acceptable binding methods. Candidates should prepare all approved exam-room references before test day so the books meet testing-center rules.

Because only OSHA, the International Plumbing Code, and the International Mechanical Code are allowed in the exam room, preparation should be divided into two parts. First, use the mathematics, pipe trades, and solar water and pool heating references to build technical knowledge in pipe calculations, pipe materials, solar thermal system design, collectors, storage, pumps, controls, and installation procedures. Second, practice using the approved code and safety references so plumbing, mechanical, and OSHA questions can be answered efficiently during the open-book exam.

Licensing Steps

Arizona contractor licensing is handled by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. A candidate pursuing the CR-78 Solar Plumbing, Liquid Systems Only Residential / Commercial Contractor classification should review the current state licensing requirements and application instructions before applying.

The qualifying party for the license must complete the applicable examination requirements for the classification. Arizona contractor applicants may also need to complete the Arizona Statutes and Rules Exam, which covers state-specific contractor laws, rules, and regulatory responsibilities.

After the required examination process is completed, the applicant submits the contractor license application and supporting documents to the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. The application process may include business entity information, qualifying party information, experience documentation, bonding, financial responsibility, background-related forms, and other state-required documents.

Applicants should apply for the classification that matches the work they intend to perform. The CR-78 classification is a dual residential and commercial solar plumbing liquid systems only classification. It is intended for contractors who need both residential and commercial authority for covered solar plumbing liquid system work.

Passing the trade exam does not automatically issue a contractor license. The exam supports the trade competency portion of the process, but the license is issued only after the Arizona Registrar of Contractors approves the complete application for the applicable classification.

State Requirements

Arizona uses contractor license classifications to define the type of work a contractor may legally contract for and perform. The CR-78 Solar Plumbing, Liquid Systems Only classification allows the scope of work permitted by the commercial C-78 and residential R-78 solar plumbing liquid systems only classifications.

The scope allows installation, alteration, and repair of solar water heating systems operating at temperatures not exceeding 220°F, including thermosyphon, direct open-loop, and indirect closed-loop systems, excluding air as a transfer medium. This makes the CR-78 classification relevant for contractors who work with liquid-based solar water heating and solar pool heating systems in residential and commercial settings within the classification limits.

The scope includes installation of collectors, storage and expansion tanks, heat exchangers, piping, valves, pumps, sensors, and low-voltage controls that connect to existing plumbing and electrical stub-outs at the water tank location. The scope also includes installation of solar heating systems for swimming pools that tie into and operate from the conventional pool system, while excluding non-solar plumbing, electrical, and mechanical systems and components.

The classification also includes installation of backup and auxiliary heating systems only when those systems are included in the original contract and are an integral part of the solar collector or storage equipment. Contractors should understand this limitation before bidding or performing work because solar plumbing can overlap with plumbing, mechanical, pool, electrical, roofing, and general contracting activities.

Residential solar plumbing projects may involve domestic solar water heating, solar pool heating tie-ins, storage tanks, expansion tanks, small pump assemblies, collector piping, and control components. Commercial projects may involve larger systems, more complex mechanical coordination, multiple collectors, storage arrangements, pump control, code coordination, and work with other contractors, engineers, inspectors, and building owners.

Contractors should stay within the scope of the license issued to them. When work falls outside the CR-78 classification, properly licensed subcontractors should be used. The exam book package supports study for the trade exam, while the state licensing process is handled separately through the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.

Reference Books

This Arizona Solar Plumbing, Liquid Systems Only Residential / Commercial Contractor (CR-78) Exam Book Package includes the following references:

• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
  This OSHA construction safety reference covers federal construction industry safety standards. It supports preparation for safety-related questions involving personal protective equipment, ladders, scaffolds, fall protection concepts, tools, material handling, excavation awareness, roof access, mechanical equipment, and safe jobsite practices. This is one of the approved references allowed in the examination center.
• International Plumbing Code, 2018
  This plumbing code reference supports preparation for plumbing systems, piping materials, joints, fittings, valves, water supply, drainage awareness, protection of piping, testing, backflow awareness, and code provisions connected to solar water heating system integration. This is one of the approved references allowed in the examination center.
• International Mechanical Code, 2018
  This mechanical code reference supports preparation for mechanical equipment, hydronic concepts, appliances, piping coordination, ventilation awareness, combustion air awareness, equipment installation, system safety, and mechanical code provisions that may apply to solar liquid heating systems. This is one of the approved references allowed in the examination center.
• Mathematics for Plumbers and Pipefitters, 8th Edition
  This math reference supports study of pipe trade calculations, measurements, formulas, offsets, slopes, volumes, conversions, pressure-related concepts, and practical math used by plumbers and pipefitters. It is listed for study but is not allowed in the examination center.
• IPT’s Pipe Trades Handbook, Robert A. Lee, 2016
  This pipe trades handbook supports study of pipe data, fittings, flanges, valves, measurements, threading, materials, formulas, tables, layout, and field information used in piping work. It is listed for study but is not allowed in the examination center.
• Solar Water and Pool Heating Design and Installation Manual
  This solar thermal reference supports study of solar water heating systems, solar pool heating systems, collectors, storage tanks, pumps, valves, controls, system layouts, open-loop systems, closed-loop systems, heat exchangers, installation practices, and troubleshooting awareness. It is listed for study but is not allowed in the examination center.

Test Information and Study Materials

Preparation for the Arizona CR-78 exam should begin with the exam content outline. The exam covers general plumbing, pipes and materials, open and closed loop systems, pumps and storage systems, system designs, collectors, and controls. This is a focused trade exam, so candidates should understand both the plumbing side of the work and the solar thermal system side of the work.

For general plumbing, candidates should study the International Plumbing Code and review piping materials, water supply connections, valves, joints, fittings, clean installation methods, pressure and temperature concerns, system protection, and code navigation. Solar water heating work depends on proper plumbing integration, so plumbing code familiarity is important.

For pipes and materials, candidates should study pipe sizing awareness, pipe supports, fittings, valves, insulation, thermal expansion, joint types, compatibility, pressure, temperature, and flow. Pipe trade references help candidates become more comfortable with tables, formulas, materials, offsets, and field measurements.

For open and closed loop systems, candidates should study direct circulation, indirect circulation, thermosyphon operation, heat exchangers, heat transfer fluids, freeze protection concepts, drainback awareness, temperature controls, and the practical differences between system layouts. Candidates should understand why one system type may be selected over another based on climate, application, equipment, and operating conditions.

For pumps and storage systems, candidates should review pump operation, circulation, storage tanks, expansion tanks, valves, isolation, check valves, flow control, heat exchangers, sensors, and system startup awareness. Solar liquid systems rely on properly coordinated components to move heat from collectors to the point of storage or use.

For system designs, candidates should study collector placement, piping layout, pump placement, storage arrangement, pool heating integration, backup or auxiliary heating limitations, heat transfer, controls, and connections to existing plumbing and electrical stub-outs. Design questions may require understanding how components work together as a system rather than as isolated parts.

For collectors and controls, candidates should review collector types, mounting awareness, orientation, piping connections, sensors, low-voltage controls, pump control logic, and operating sequences. Controls help the system operate only when useful heat is available and help protect system components under changing conditions.

For residential applications, candidates should understand how solar water and pool heating systems connect to common residential plumbing and pool equipment arrangements. For commercial applications, candidates should also consider equipment access, larger storage or circulation demands, multiple collector layouts, coordination with mechanical spaces, and project sequencing with other trades.

For OSHA safety, candidates should become familiar with OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926. Solar plumbing work may involve ladders, roofs, mechanical rooms, piping, hot surfaces, tools, material handling, pressure systems, electrical awareness, and coordination with other trades. Candidates should practice locating OSHA topics quickly because safety questions may require reference lookup during the open-book exam.

Strong preparation includes organizing the approved references and using the study-only books to build technical knowledge. Highlight important sections in OSHA, the International Plumbing Code, and the International Mechanical Code, add permanent tabs, and practice looking up information quickly. With 60 questions and 150 minutes, candidates should manage time carefully and avoid spending too long on any single question.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep helps Arizona contractor candidates prepare with organized study guidance, trade-focused review, reference navigation support, and confidence-building exam preparation structure. For the Arizona Solar Plumbing, Liquid Systems Only Residential / Commercial Contractor (CR-78) Exam, preparation should include solar thermal trade knowledge, plumbing and mechanical code familiarity, pipe trade math, and efficient use of the approved OSHA, IPC, and IMC references.

This exam covers focused solar plumbing subjects, including general plumbing, pipes and materials, open and closed loop systems, pumps and storage systems, system designs, collectors, and controls. 1 Exam Prep helps students organize preparation around the actual exam categories instead of studying randomly.

For open-book exams, reference navigation is one of the most important skills to develop. Candidates should know how to move through OSHA, the International Plumbing Code, and the International Mechanical Code quickly. The study-only books in the package help build the field knowledge needed for pipe calculations, solar water heating systems, solar pool heating systems, pumps, storage tanks, controls, collectors, and system design questions.

1 Exam Prep supports students by encouraging practical preparation habits. That includes reviewing the exam outline, reading the references, organizing approved books, practicing timed lookups, and strengthening weak areas before test day. The goal is to help candidates understand the materials and approach the Arizona contractor exam process with a clearer plan.

1 Exam Prep does not guarantee passing, licensing approval, state approval, or exam outcomes. The value of preparation comes from consistent study, correct reference materials, and a focused approach to learning the solar plumbing liquid systems trade content tested on the exam.

FAQ Section

What is included in the Arizona CR-78 Solar Plumbing Exam Book Package?

This package includes Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 OSHA, International Plumbing Code 2018, International Mechanical Code 2018, Mathematics for Plumbers and Pipefitters 8th Edition, IPT’s Pipe Trades Handbook by Robert A. Lee 2016, and Solar Water and Pool Heating Design and Installation Manual.

Is the Arizona CR-78 Solar Plumbing exam open book?

Yes. The Arizona CR-78 Solar Plumbing, Liquid Systems Only Residential / Commercial Contractor exam is an open-book test, but only approved references may be brought into the examination center.

Which books are allowed in the CR-78 exam room?

The approved exam-room references are Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 OSHA, International Plumbing Code 2018, and International Mechanical Code 2018.

Are all books in this package allowed into the testing center?

No. Mathematics for Plumbers and Pipefitters, IPT’s Pipe Trades Handbook, and Solar Water and Pool Heating Design and Installation Manual are study-only references and are not allowed in the examination center.

How many questions are on the Arizona CR-78 exam?

The Arizona CR-78 Solar Plumbing, Liquid Systems Only exam contains 60 questions. The minimum passing score is 70%, and candidates are allowed 150 minutes.

What topics are covered on the Arizona CR-78 exam?

The exam covers general plumbing, pipes and materials, open and closed loop systems, pumps and storage systems, system designs, collectors, and controls.

Can I highlight and tab my approved books before the exam?

Yes. Approved references may be highlighted, underlined, annotated, and indexed before the examination. Permanent tabs are allowed. Temporary tabs, loose papers, attached papers, and writing in the books during the exam are not allowed.

Can I use a calculator during the exam?

Yes. Candidates may use a silent, nonprinting, non-programmable calculator during the Arizona CR-78 exam.

What work is covered by the Arizona CR-78 Solar Plumbing classification?

The CR-78 classification covers the residential and commercial scope for installation, alteration, and repair of solar water heating systems operating at temperatures not exceeding 220°F, including thermosyphon, direct open-loop, and indirect closed-loop systems, excluding air as a transfer medium. It also includes specified collectors, tanks, heat exchangers, piping, valves, pumps, sensors, low-voltage controls, solar pool heating tie-ins, and limited backup or auxiliary heating systems within the classification scope.

How should I study for the Arizona CR-78 exam?

Start with the exam content outline, then study each topic using the appropriate reference. Use the study-only books to build solar water heating, pipe trade, system design, and calculation knowledge, and spend extra time practicing with OSHA, the International Plumbing Code, and the International Mechanical Code because those are the approved exam-room references.