How to Choose a Roofing Contractor in Arizona and Verify an ROC License

2026-10-04 · 10 min read

Arizona gives homeowners more protection when hiring a roofer than most people realize: a public license database, a state recovery fund, written contract requirements and cancellation rights. Those protections only work if you hire a licensed contractor and know what to check. This guide walks through it step by step.

Start with the license, not the reviews

In Arizona, roofing work is regulated by the Registrar of Contractors (ROC). With limited exceptions, anyone who contracts for construction work on your home worth more than $1,000, or any job that needs a building permit, must hold an ROC license for that type of work.

The license matters for more than legality. If you hire a licensed residential contractor and the work is not done in a workmanlike manner or to code, you can file a complaint with the ROC, and eligible homeowners may be able to recover up to $30,000 from the state's Residential Contractors' Recovery Fund. If you hire someone unlicensed, that recourse doesn't exist.

Reviews, yard signs and a polished website are worth looking at, but they come second. Check the license first, before you sign anything or pay a deposit.

How to look up a roofer's ROC license

The ROC has a free online contractor search. You can search by license number, business name or the names of the people on the license. Here is what to check:

The license number on the estimate or contract matches the business you are actually dealing with. Some companies borrow or rent someone else's license, which is illegal.
The license status is active. Suspended, expired or revoked licenses show up in the search.
The license class covers roofing. See the next section.
The bond information is on file. Every licensed contractor has to carry a license bond or cash deposit.
The complaint history. The search shows complaints and how they were resolved. One complaint in a busy company's history isn't unusual; a pattern of unresolved ones is a warning.

You can also call the ROC at (602) 542-1525. Our own license is ROC #358508, class CR-42, and we are glad to have you look it up.

What the roofing license classes mean

Arizona licenses are split into commercial, residential and dual classes. For roofing, the ones you will see most are:

R-42 Roofing: residential roofing.
C-42 Roofing: commercial roofing.
CR-42 Roofing: a dual license that covers both residential and commercial roofing work.

Under ROC rules, the roofing classification covers installing and repairing tile, shingles, shakes, slate, metal roofing, urethane foam, and roof insulation or coatings on or above the deck, along with flashing, valleys and other roof accessories. It also allows replacing up to 10% of the roof substrate when problems are found after the contract is signed, installing or replacing skylights that don't require framing changes, and replacing up to 24 linear feet of fascia. Larger structural or framing work has to be done by an appropriately licensed contractor.

There are also narrower specialty classes, such as foam roofing or liquid-applied roofing only. A contractor with a narrow class may be a fine choice for that specific system but can't legally take on, for example, a tile replacement.

A general contractor license can cover roofing as part of a larger project. If a general contractor is doing your roof, ask who will do the actual roofing work and check that company's license too.

The handyman exception and why it rarely applies to roofs

Arizona has a limited exemption that lets an unlicensed person do small jobs. It applies only when the total price for the whole project, including labor and materials, is under $1,000, the work does not require a building permit, and the work is not part of a larger project split into smaller contracts to stay under the limit. Anyone using the exemption who advertises must include the words "not a licensed contractor" in their ads.

In practice, almost no roof replacement and few meaningful roof repairs qualify. If someone offers to do a re-roof or tile underlayment replacement as several small invoices, that is a sign they are trying to get around the licensing law, and it leaves you without ROC recourse.

Insurance: ask for it, because the license alone doesn't guarantee it

An ROC license requires a bond, and residential contractors pay into the Recovery Fund, but Arizona does not make general liability insurance a condition of the license. Workers' compensation is required for contractors who have employees.

That means you should ask for proof of both:

General liability insurance, which responds if the crew damages your home or property, such as a dropped bundle through a patio cover or a tarp that fails during a storm.
Workers' compensation, which covers crew members injured on your roof. Roofing is high-risk work, and an uninsured injury on your property is a problem you don't want.

Ask for a certificate of insurance sent directly from the insurance agent, and check the dates. A bond is not insurance: it is a relatively small amount set aside for claims against the contractor's license, not coverage for damage to your home.

What a good estimate looks like

Compare estimates on scope, not just the total. A low number often means something was left out. A good roofing estimate spells out:

What is being removed and down to what layer (for tile: whether tile is reused, how breakage is handled).
The specific underlayment, by product name, and how many layers on low-slope areas.
The flashing that will be replaced: valleys, walls, pipe jacks, vent pans, drip edge.
How deck repairs are priced if rotted or delaminated sheathing is found.
Ventilation changes, if any.
Who handles permits and HOA submittals.
Cleanup and disposal.
The manufacturer warranty, the workmanship warranty and what each covers.
The schedule, and what happens if a monsoon storm interrupts the job.

We write our estimates in Xactimate line items so each part of the work has its own line and price. Whatever format a contractor uses, you should be able to see what you are paying for.

What Arizona law says your contract must include

For any contract over $1,000, Arizona law requires the contract to be in writing and to include at least:

The contractor's name, business address and ROC license number.
Your name and mailing address and the job address.
The date of the contract and the estimated completion date.
A description of the work.
The total price, including taxes.
Any deposit and any progress payments, with the stage of work at which each is due.
A notice, in at least 10-point bold type, that you have the right to file a written complaint with the ROC, with the ROC's phone number and website, and that complaints must be filed within the time limits in the law.

The contractor must give you a legible copy of everything you sign and a written receipt for any cash you pay. Generally, a complaint about a re-roof or repair must be filed with the ROC within two years after the project is completed.

Read the payment schedule closely. Paying a reasonable deposit is normal, but large payments far ahead of the work leave you exposed if the job stalls.

Your right to cancel

Arizona gives homeowners two cancellation rights that commonly apply to roofing.

Door-to-door solicitation. If someone comes to your home without an appointment or invitation and you sign there, Arizona's home solicitation law lets you cancel until midnight of the third business day after you sign. Cancellation must be in writing, and a contract clause that waives this right is void.

Storm-damage contracts tied to insurance. For roof repair or replacement of damage from a catastrophic storm in an area designated by an insurer, Arizona law requires the contract to state, in bold type, that you may cancel for any reason within four business days after signing, and within 72 hours after your insurer notifies you that your claim has been denied. The repair estimate in these contracts must describe the damage and its location, say whether the roof was physically accessed during the inspection, state that the contractor has made no assurances that the loss will be covered, and state that you are responsible for payment if the insurer denies coverage.

The same law prohibits contractors from advertising, promising or paying your insurance deductible, or rebating it in any form, and bars them from starting work before the insurer approves or denies the claim, except to prevent further damage.

Red flags, especially after a storm

After a big monsoon or hail storm, out-of-town crews and door-knockers show up in Valley neighborhoods. Many are legitimate, but this is when homeowners are most likely to get burned. Be cautious if a contractor:

Can't give you an Arizona ROC number, or the number belongs to a different company.
Offers to cover, waive or work around your deductible. That is illegal in Arizona.
Promises your insurance will pay for a new roof. Only your insurer decides coverage.
Wants you to sign a contract or an assignment of benefits on the spot.
Asks for most of the money up front or only accepts cash.
Has no local office address, or the phone number goes to an out-of-state call center.
Pressures you with a price that is good only today.
Gives a verbal quote and won't put the scope in writing.

A good contractor will give you time to read the contract, check the license and talk to your insurer.

Questions to ask before you sign

Use these in every estimate meeting:

What is your ROC number and license class?
Who will be on my roof: your own crew or a subcontractor? Are they covered by your insurance?
Who will be my point of contact during the job?
Which underlayment, flashing and products are you using, and what are their manufacturer warranties?
What does your workmanship warranty cover and for how long?
How do you price deck repairs found during tear-off?
Do you handle the permit, if one is needed, and the HOA approval?
How do you protect the house, landscaping and pool during the job?
How long will the job take? Typical timeframes are 1 to 3 days for shingle and 3 to 5 days for tile, weather and size permitting.
What happens if a monsoon storm hits while the roof is open?

We hold Arizona ROC license #358508 (CR-42), carry a 10-year workmanship warranty (25-year available) and are rated 4.8 stars on Google. Our standard inspection is free, and we're happy to answer every question on this list.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check if a roofer is licensed in Arizona?

Use the Arizona Registrar of Contractors' free online contractor search, or call the ROC at (602) 542-1525. Search by license number or business name and confirm the license is active, belongs to the company you are hiring and covers roofing, such as R-42, C-42 or CR-42. The search also shows bond information and complaint history.

What is a CR-42 license?

CR-42 is Arizona's dual roofing license. It covers both residential and commercial roofing work, combining the R-42 and C-42 classes. It allows installing and repairing tile, shingle, metal, foam and coatings, plus flashing and roof accessories, limited deck replacement, skylights that don't need framing changes and up to 24 linear feet of fascia.

Can I cancel a roofing contract in Arizona?

Often, yes. If you signed at home after an uninvited visit, Arizona's home solicitation law lets you cancel in writing until midnight of the third business day. For storm-damage contracts tied to an insurance claim in an insurer-designated area, you can cancel within four business days for any reason and within 72 hours after your insurer denies the claim.

Can a roofer pay my insurance deductible in Arizona?

No. For insurance-related residential storm repairs, Arizona law prohibits contractors from advertising, promising or paying your deductible, or giving you a rebate that covers it, directly or indirectly. A contractor who offers to waive or absorb your deductible is breaking the law, and the offer is a strong reason to look elsewhere.

What is the Arizona Residential Contractors' Recovery Fund?

It is a state fund, paid for by licensed residential contractors, that can compensate eligible homeowners harmed by a licensed contractor's violations, such as poor workmanship or abandoned work, after the ROC process. The maximum award is $30,000. It does not cover work by unlicensed contractors, which is one of the strongest reasons to hire licensed.

Does an unlicensed handyman need a license to fix my roof?

Only very small jobs are exempt: the total price must be under $1,000, the work cannot require a building permit, and it cannot be part of a larger job split into smaller contracts. Unlicensed workers who advertise must say they are not licensed. Most roof repairs and every re-roof fall outside that exemption.

How long do I have to file a complaint with the ROC?

For a re-roof, repair or other work on an existing home, a complaint generally must be filed within two years after the project is completed. For new home construction, the deadline is generally two years after close of escrow or occupancy, whichever comes first. Your contract must state this deadline along with the ROC's contact information.