Verify your Arizona contractor — before you sign.
One of the most common ways Arizona homeowners get burned is hiring a "licensed contractor" whose license doesn't cover the work, is expired, or is being rented from a third party. This free tool pulls the official Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) record and walks you through every check that matters.
Example: 340966 or Advant-Edge Pools
Opens the official Arizona Registrar of Contractors search ( roc.az.gov) in a new tab. Then come back here and walk through the 8-point checklist below.
Step 2 — Match names and ownership
Type what's on the contractor's proposal / business card on the left, and what the ROC record actually shows on the right. We'll normalize entity suffixes (LLC, Inc., dba…) and flag mismatches that signal license-for-hire.
Business name
Awaiting inputFill in both fields to compare.
Owner = Qualifying Party
Awaiting inputFill in both fields to compare.
What a clean license looks like
Here is our own ROC record. Use it as the benchmark: owner = qualifying party, every relevant classification, all active. Anything less and you should ask hard questions.
- Licensed entity
- Advant-Edge Decorative Curbing & Landscaping, Inc.
- dba AE Outdoor Living
- Qualifying Party
- David Lyle Bell
- Owner — not a third-party license holder
| ROC # | Classification | Scope | Status | Verify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 340966 | R-62 | Minor Home Improvements | Active | Look up |
| 341002 | R-3 | Awnings, Canopies, Carports and Patio Covers | Active | Look up |
| 347738 | KA-5 | Dual Swimming Pool Contractor | Active | Look up |
| 211530 | CR-21 | Hardscaping and Irrigation Systems | Active | Look up |
David Bell is also the current President of the Southwest Hardscapes Association (15 years involved, 13 on the board) — so the qualifying party isn't just on paper, he's actively setting industry standards.
The 8-point verification checklist
Run every box. If you can't check it off, ask the contractor before signing.
0 of 8 checks complete (0%)
Which ROC classifications cover outdoor-living work?
The classification on the license must match the work being performed. A pool contractor (CR-6) cannot legally build your patio cover or hardscape unless they also hold the corresponding class.
| Classification | Name | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| KA-5 / A-5 | Dual Swimming Pool Contractor | Pools and spas (residential + commercial), pool decking incidental to the pool. |
| CR-6 / C-6 | Swimming Pools (residential / commercial) | Pool construction only — does NOT cover hardscape outside the pool envelope. |
| CR-21 / C-21 | Landscaping & Irrigation Systems | Pavers, turf, irrigation, planting, retaining walls under 3 ft. |
| R-3 / C-3 | Awnings, Canopies, Carports, Patio Covers | Patio covers, pergolas, shade structures. |
| R-62 / B-2 | Minor Home Improvements (≤ $5,000) / General Residential | Small residential work or full general residential remodels. |
| CR-9 / C-9 | Plastering / Pool Resurfacing | Pebble, plaster, and pool interior finishes. |
| L-78 | No license required | Total project cost under $1,000 incl. labor + materials. Above that, an ROC license is required by law. |
Red flags that should stop the deal
If you see any of these on the ROC record or in the contract, pause and ask the contractor to address each item in writing before you sign — or get a second opinion.
- Qualifying Party is NOT the owner — they're 'renting' someone else's license (illegal license-for-hire under A.R.S. §32-1154).
- License is Suspended, Revoked, Cancelled, or Inactive — not legal to contract.
- Classification doesn't cover the scope (e.g. CR-6 pool license being used to bid your pavers + patio cover).
- Bond is insufficient for the contract size, or the bond/insurance has lapsed.
- Multiple open complaints, or a history of complaints resolved against them.
- License is brand new (< 1 year) but they claim 10+ years of experience under that entity.
- Business name on the contract doesn't match the licensed entity name on the ROC record.
- They refuse to give you the ROC #, the qualifying party's name, or proof of bond/workers' comp.
Want a second set of eyes on a bid?
Send us the contractor's name and proposal. As the President of the Southwest Hardscapes Association, David will personally review the license, classification, and scope alignment — even if you don't hire us.