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

The Arizona Solar Plumbing, Liquid Systems Only Residential / Commercial Contractor (CR-78) Exam - Online Exam Prep course is designed for candidates preparing for the Arizona CR-78 solar plumbing contractor trade exam. This online preparation course helps students review the technical subjects connected to liquid-based solar water heating systems, plumbing code requirements, mechanical code requirements, pipe trade calculations, construction safety, and solar system design and installation practices.

The CR-78 classification is a dual residential and commercial solar plumbing classification. It covers the scope of work permitted by Arizona’s commercial C-78 Solar Plumbing Liquid Systems Only classification and residential R-37R Solar Plumbing Liquid Systems Only classification. This makes the exam especially important for candidates who want to prepare for solar water heating work in both residential and commercial settings.

Solar plumbing work requires a strong understanding of piping systems, heat transfer, collectors, storage tanks, expansion tanks, heat exchangers, pumps, valves, controls, plumbing code provisions, mechanical system requirements, pipe trade math, and jobsite safety. Candidates preparing for the CR-78 exam should be ready to connect code knowledge with practical solar thermal installation concepts.

This online exam prep course is built for students who want a guided study path instead of trying to work through several technical books without structure. The course supports exam preparation by helping students organize the major content areas, understand the purpose of each reference, and practice the reference-navigation skills needed for an open-book contractor exam.

Students should use this course alongside the listed references: 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, Robert A. Lee, 2016; and Solar Water and Pool Heating Design and Installation Manual. These references support the safety, code, pipe trade, math, and solar thermal subjects connected to the exam.

Exam Details

The Arizona Solar Plumbing, Liquid Systems Only Residential / Commercial Contractor (CR-78) exam is a trade examination connected to the Arizona Registrar of Contractors dual solar plumbing classification. The classification allows the scopes of work permitted by the commercial C-78 Solar Plumbing Liquid Systems Only classification and the residential R-37R Solar Plumbing Liquid Systems Only classification.

The scope of work includes the installation, alteration, and repair of solar water heating systems operating at temperatures not exceeding 220 degrees Fahrenheit. These systems may include thermosyphon systems, direct open-loop systems, and indirect closed-loop systems. The classification excludes air as a transfer medium.

The scope also includes work involving collectors, storage and expansion tanks, heat exchangers, piping, valves, pumps, sensors, and low-voltage controls that connect to existing plumbing and electrical stubouts. Installation of solar heating systems for swimming pools that tie into and operate from the conventional pool system is also included within the classification scope. The scope excludes non-solar plumbing, electrical, and mechanical systems and components.

Candidates preparing for the CR-78 exam should study liquid-based solar thermal systems, solar water heating design, plumbing code provisions, mechanical code provisions, pipe trade math, piping materials, fittings, valves, pumps, flow, pressure, expansion, heat transfer, system controls, and safety practices. The listed references support these knowledge areas and should be used throughout preparation.

The International Plumbing Code, 2018 supports preparation for plumbing system requirements, piping, fixtures, materials, installation practices, water supply concepts, drainage-related code provisions, and plumbing safety requirements. The International Mechanical Code, 2018 supports preparation for mechanical systems, equipment installation, ventilation, combustion air, hydronic concepts, appliances, and mechanical code requirements that may connect to solar water heating systems.

Mathematics for Plumbers and Pipefitters, 8th Edition supports calculation-based preparation. Candidates should be comfortable with measurements, fractions, decimals, percentages, area, volume, offsets, slope, pipe measurements, and practical math used by plumbing and pipefitting trades. IPT’s Pipe Trades Handbook supports pipe trade knowledge, including pipe materials, fittings, flanges, valves, pressure, temperature, symbols, formulas, layout, and field reference information.

Solar Water and Pool Heating Design and Installation Manual supports the solar-specific portion of preparation. Candidates should review solar collectors, storage tanks, pumps, controls, piping layouts, heat exchangers, direct and indirect systems, open-loop and closed-loop designs, thermosyphon systems, solar pool heating, freeze protection concepts, expansion, system sizing, and installation practices.

Open Book Test

The Arizona CR-78 Solar Plumbing, Liquid Systems Only exam is an open-book test. Candidates should prepare with the approved references and practice using those references before exam day. Open book does not mean the exam is simple. Students still need to understand the trade, recognize keywords, identify the correct book, locate information quickly, and apply the answer correctly.

Open-book testing rewards candidates who know their materials. A safety question may point to OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926. A plumbing code question may point to the International Plumbing Code. A mechanical equipment or system question may point to the International Mechanical Code. A calculation question may point to Mathematics for Plumbers and Pipefitters. A pipe trade question may point to IPT’s Pipe Trades Handbook. A solar thermal design question may point to Solar Water and Pool Heating Design and Installation Manual.

Students should prepare their books according to the current exam rules before testing. Exam rules may address allowed materials, book markings, tabs, highlighting, indexing, and what items may be brought into the testing room. Candidates should review the current PSI candidate instructions before exam day so their materials comply with the testing requirements.

For open-book preparation, students should learn how each reference is organized. Important areas include the table of contents, index, definitions, chapter headings, diagrams, tables, formulas, and glossary sections. Candidates should practice looking up information during study sessions so the process feels familiar during the actual test.

A useful open-book strategy is to read the question carefully, identify the topic, select the most likely reference, locate the supporting information, and confirm the answer. This process helps reduce guessing and builds confidence. Students should practice this method repeatedly before exam day, especially with plumbing code, mechanical code, pipe trade math, OSHA safety, and solar water heating questions.

Licensing Steps

Arizona contractor licensing is handled through the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. Candidates pursuing the Solar Plumbing, Liquid Systems Only Residential / Commercial Contractor (CR-78) classification should begin by confirming that CR-78 matches the solar plumbing work they plan to perform.

The general licensing process includes identifying the correct license classification, meeting qualifying party requirements, completing required examinations, preparing the license application, submitting required documentation, and satisfying applicable bond, business entity, background, and fee requirements. Candidates should review the Arizona Registrar of Contractors requirements and keep application materials organized throughout the process.

Arizona uses a qualifying party structure for contractor licensing. The qualifying party is the person who meets the experience and examination requirements for the license classification. Candidates preparing for the CR-78 exam should keep qualifying party information organized and make sure the person taking the exam is connected to the license application according to Arizona requirements.

Applicants may also need to complete Arizona Statutes and Rules requirements in addition to the trade exam. The trade exam focuses on technical knowledge connected to solar plumbing liquid systems, while the statutes and rules requirement focuses on Arizona contractor laws, rules, and regulatory responsibilities. Both areas are important for licensing preparation.

After completing the required examination steps, the applicant continues with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors license application process. Passing the trade exam is an important step, but it does not replace the full licensing process. Applicants must satisfy all applicable licensing requirements before a license is issued.

Students using this online exam prep course should manage both study preparation and licensing paperwork carefully. The course supports technical exam preparation, while the state licensing process determines application approval, license issuance, and compliance requirements for contractors operating in Arizona.

State Requirements

The Arizona Registrar of Contractors licenses and regulates contractors in Arizona. The CR-78 Solar Plumbing, Liquid Systems Only Residential / Commercial Contractor classification is a dual license classification connected to liquid-based solar water heating systems in both residential and commercial settings.

The CR-78 classification allows the scopes of work permitted by Arizona’s commercial C-78 Solar Plumbing Liquid Systems Only classification and residential R-37R Solar Plumbing Liquid Systems Only classification. This makes it a dual license classification for candidates preparing to perform covered solar plumbing work in both residential and commercial environments.

The classification covers solar water heating systems operating at temperatures not exceeding 220 degrees Fahrenheit. It includes thermosyphon, direct open-loop, and indirect closed-loop systems, while excluding air as a transfer medium. It also includes solar heating systems for swimming pools when those systems tie into and operate from the conventional pool system.

Arizona contractor licensing requirements may involve examination requirements, qualifying party requirements, business entity information, bonding, background disclosures, fees, and application documentation. Candidates should understand that passing the trade exam is only one part of becoming licensed.

For exam preparation, students should focus on solar water heating systems, plumbing code provisions, mechanical code provisions, piping, valves, pumps, heat exchangers, storage and expansion tanks, collectors, low-voltage controls, pipe trade math, OSHA safety, and reference navigation. For licensing compliance, students should understand the role of the Arizona Registrar of Contractors, the qualifying party, the application process, and contractor responsibilities after licensing.

Reference Books

• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
  This construction safety reference supports preparation for OSHA jobsite safety topics, including excavation safety, fall protection, ladders, scaffolding, personal protective equipment, hazard recognition, material handling, and safe construction practices.
• International Plumbing Code, 2018
  This plumbing code reference supports preparation for plumbing system requirements, piping materials, installation practices, water supply provisions, fixture-related code concepts, drainage-related provisions, and plumbing safety requirements.
• International Mechanical Code, 2018
  This mechanical code reference supports preparation for mechanical systems, equipment installation, ventilation, combustion air, hydronic system concepts, appliances, safety provisions, and code requirements that may connect to solar water heating work.
• Mathematics for Plumbers and Pipefitters, 8th Edition
  This trade math reference supports preparation for measurements, fractions, decimals, percentages, area, volume, pipe measurements, offsets, slopes, formulas, and practical calculations used by plumbing and pipefitting trades.
• IPT’s Pipe Trades Handbook, Robert A. Lee, 2016
  This pipe trades reference supports preparation for pipe materials, fittings, valves, flanges, pressure, temperature, symbols, formulas, layout, pipe data, and field reference information used in piping work.
• Solar Water and Pool Heating Design and Installation Manual
  This solar thermal reference supports preparation for solar water heating systems, solar pool heating, collectors, storage tanks, heat exchangers, pumps, controls, piping layouts, open-loop systems, closed-loop systems, thermosyphon systems, and installation practices.

Test Information and Study Materials

This online exam prep course helps candidates organize the major knowledge areas connected to the Arizona CR-78 solar plumbing liquid systems contractor exam. The course is designed to support active study, focused review, and better familiarity with the listed reference materials.

Start with safety. OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926 should be reviewed for construction safety topics that may affect solar plumbing work. Solar water heating installations can involve ladders, roof access, fall hazards, material handling, pipe installation, equipment placement, trenching, cutting, lifting, and jobsite coordination. Safety topics should be reviewed throughout the preparation process.

Next, review the plumbing and mechanical code books. The International Plumbing Code supports plumbing system requirements, piping, water supply, drainage-related provisions, materials, installation practices, and code definitions. The International Mechanical Code supports equipment installation, hydronic concepts, ventilation, appliances, combustion air, and mechanical safety provisions. Students should practice using the table of contents, index, definitions, and chapter organization in both codes.

Mathematics for Plumbers and Pipefitters should be used for calculation practice. Candidates should review fractions, decimals, percentages, measurement conversions, area, volume, offsets, slope, angles, and pipe-related calculations. Solar plumbing work often requires accurate field math, and calculation questions can take longer when students have not practiced.

IPT’s Pipe Trades Handbook should be studied for practical piping knowledge. Students should become familiar with pipe data, fittings, valves, pressure and temperature information, symbols, formulas, pipe layout, and field reference tables. This book is useful for connecting exam questions to real pipe trade concepts.

Solar Water and Pool Heating Design and Installation Manual should be studied for solar-specific topics. Candidates should review collectors, storage tanks, pumps, controls, sensors, heat exchangers, expansion tanks, piping arrangements, open-loop systems, closed-loop systems, thermosyphon systems, freeze protection concepts, solar pool heating, and system installation practices.

Students should practice using the references in timed study sessions. A useful method is to read a question, identify the subject area, choose the most likely reference, locate the supporting section, and confirm the answer. This routine builds the skills needed for open-book testing.

Students should also review missed questions and difficult topics carefully. Missed answers often reveal whether the issue is trade knowledge, poor book navigation, misunderstanding a term, weak math skills, or rushing through a question. Identifying the reason behind missed questions makes future study more productive.

The online course format gives students flexibility while still providing structure. Students can review lessons, revisit difficult areas, and continue practicing with the listed materials as they prepare for the exam. Consistent study and repeated reference navigation are key parts of preparation for the Arizona CR-78 exam.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep helps Arizona CR-78 candidates prepare with an organized, trade-focused online study approach. This course is designed to help students move through the major exam topics, understand how the references support each subject area, and build confidence using the materials before exam day.

The course supports preparation for solar water heating systems, solar pool heating, OSHA safety, plumbing code requirements, mechanical code requirements, pipe trade math, piping systems, valves, pumps, collectors, storage tanks, heat exchangers, expansion tanks, controls, and reference navigation. These areas are important for candidates preparing for the Solar Plumbing, Liquid Systems Only Residential / Commercial Contractor classification.

For an open-book exam, book navigation is a major part of preparation. 1 Exam Prep helps students develop better habits for locating information, recognizing keywords, using indexes, working with formulas, reading tables, and applying reference material to exam-style questions. This makes study time more focused and helps students become more comfortable with the materials before testing.

The online format gives students flexibility while still providing study structure. Students can review lessons, revisit difficult topics, and use the course alongside the listed references. The goal is to support practical preparation, stronger trade understanding, and better confidence with the open-book testing format.

1 Exam Prep does not guarantee a passing score, licensing approval, or any specific exam outcome. The value of this online exam prep course is organized study guidance, trade-focused review, reference-navigation practice, and confidence-building preparation for candidates pursuing the Arizona CR-78 solar plumbing contractor license.

FAQ: What is the Arizona CR-78 Solar Plumbing, Liquid Systems Only exam?

The Arizona CR-78 exam is a contractor trade examination for candidates pursuing the dual residential and commercial Solar Plumbing, Liquid Systems Only classification through the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.

FAQ: Is the Arizona CR-78 exam open book?

Yes. The Arizona CR-78 contractor trade exam is open book. Candidates should prepare with the proper references and follow the current exam rules for allowed materials.

FAQ: What work is covered by the CR-78 classification?

The classification covers installation, alteration, and repair of solar water heating systems operating at temperatures not exceeding 220 degrees Fahrenheit, including thermosyphon, direct open-loop, and indirect closed-loop systems, while excluding air as a transfer medium.

FAQ: What topics should I study for the CR-78 exam?

Students should study solar water heating, solar pool heating, OSHA safety, plumbing code requirements, mechanical code requirements, pipe trade math, piping systems, collectors, pumps, valves, storage tanks, expansion tanks, heat exchangers, controls, and reference navigation.

FAQ: What books are used for this online exam prep?

The listed references include OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926, International Plumbing Code, International Mechanical Code, Mathematics for Plumbers and Pipefitters, IPT’s Pipe Trades Handbook, and Solar Water and Pool Heating Design and Installation Manual.

FAQ: Does this online course include the books?

This product is for online exam preparation. Students should have access to the listed references while studying so they can practice using the materials and build reference-navigation skills.

FAQ: Why is pipe trade math important for this exam?

Pipe trade math is important because solar plumbing work may require measurements, conversions, offsets, slope, volume, area, and other calculations used in pipefitting and plumbing work.

FAQ: Who administers Arizona contractor trade exams?

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

FAQ: Do I also need Arizona Statutes and Rules preparation?

Arizona contractor applicants may need to complete Arizona Statutes and Rules requirements in addition to the trade exam. Candidates should follow the Arizona Registrar of Contractors licensing process for their application.

FAQ: Does this course guarantee that I will pass?

No. This course supports preparation, but it does not guarantee a passing score, licensing approval, or any specific result. It provides organized study guidance and reference-navigation support to help students prepare more effectively.