Arizona Registrar of Contractors Agency News Arizona Registrar of Contractors

Keep Your Winter Stress-Free: Check the License Before Hiring a Contractor

PHOENIX, Ariz., (Nov. 10, 2021) – Arizona Registrar of Contractors (AZ ROC) reminds winter visitors and part-time residents to only hire licensed contracting professionals to work on their homes and to safeguard against remodeling and repair scams that could ruin their winter fun in the sun.

Arizona is a popular place to be during winter months and offers a season full of sunshine. Unfortunately, individuals looking to take advantage of winter visitors know this too.

From teeing up on the golf course to hiking quiet desert and mountain trails, AZ ROC hopes Arizona’s property owners and visitors are able to enjoy a sunny winter here in our beautiful state. With that in mind, the Agency is warning property owners and visitors not to let their fun be interrupted with problems caused by hiring an unlicensed entity to work on their home.

AZ ROC commonly receives complaints where an unlicensed entity goes door-to-door claiming to notice a needed repair on the property. These unlicensed individuals often promise cheap or discounted repairs made with “leftover” materials and pressure homeowners by stating the repair is needed immediately to prevent further damage. In many cases, they will allege having just performed work for a neighbor.

Regardless of whatever these door-to-door solicitors may offer, AZ ROC reminds homeowners to always do their research before hiring a contractor. When hiring a contractor, whether for a remodeling project or home repairs, AZ ROC reminds homeowners to not only ask contractors of their license status, but to also check the license by using the Agency’s website (www.roc.az.gov) or by giving the Agency a call at 1-877-692-9762 (1-877-MY-AZROC).

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fri., Oct. 15, 2021

CONTACT:

Breanna Bang, Public Information Liaison

Most Wanted Unlicensed Entity Sentenced to 5 Years at Dept. of Corrections

PHOENIX, Ariz., (Oct. 15, 2021) – On Wed., Oct. 6, 2021, Lance Edward Wills, 45 and formerly of Higley, Arizona, was sentenced to five years in prison at the Arizona Department of Corrections by the Mohave County Superior Court. The sentence comes after Wills was found guilty of violating his probation for a prior conviction.

On January 12, 2015, the Mohave County Superior court found Wills guilty of Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices, a Class 2 Felony. The charge stemmed from a 2013 AZ ROC investigation that found in April 2012, Wills DBA NSD 1 LLC, contracted with an insurance company to perform a water remediation and remodeling project at a Dolan Springs, Arizona residence for $12,425.45.

Wills was paid $18,000 over the course of the project but never finished the job and did not deliver over $10,000 in materials.

The Mohave County Superior Court originally sentenced Wills to pay $14,265.17 in restitution to the homeowner, to pay $538 in court fines and fees, to serve 90 days in jail, 7 years of supervised probation, 200 hours of community restitution, and 100 hours of community service.

AZ ROC Update
October 1, 2021

CONTACT:
Breanna Bang, Public Information Liaison

AZ ROC: Contractor’s License Exams Move Online

PHOENIX, Ariz., (October 1, 2021) - Arizona Registrar of Contractors (AZ ROC) is proud to announce exciting changes to Arizona contractor’s license exams.

Trade Exams

AZ ROC’s online exams are still being administered by our vendor PSI, however, beginning on October 1, 2021, Arizona contractor’s license applicants can take trade exams online without having to sit for the exam in-person. Applicants can still opt to take their trade exam(s) at one of PSI’s testing centers. The Qualifying Party can register to take the trade exam(s) online or at a testing center here.

To determine which trade exams are required for a specific license classification, refer to License Classification Requirements.

Statutes and Rules Exam

The Statutes and Rules Exam (SRE) will transition to the AZ Statutes and Rules Training Course and Exam (SRE). Applicants will take computer-based training about applicable Arizona statutes and rules and then be tested on what they learned throughout the training. Unlike the trade exams, this training course and exam is only available online.

AZ ROC is excited to offer an additional and more convenient way for applicants to take their exams. New applicants will also be pleased to note the cost of the SRE was reduced from $66 down to $54. The Qualifying Party can purchase the required training course here.

There are specific conditions in which an exam waiver for the trade exam and SRE may be granted. For questions about exams or exam waivers, please call ROC’s Licensing Department at 1-877-692-9762. For questions about scheduling a trade exam please call PSI at 855-744-0310.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, September 15, 2021

CONTACT:
Breanna Bang, Public Information Liaison

Changes to Arizona Law Regarding Advertising Requirements for Contractors

PHOENIX, Ariz., (September 15, 2021) - Advertisements for home repairs and remodeling services are everywhere from Facebook to Angie’s List. Arizona recently passed legislation changing the advertising requirements for licensed Arizona contractors, making it easier to advertise on television, radio and online.

Advertising by Licensed Contractors

Currently, licensed contractors are required to list their ROC license number on all published advertisements, vehicles with contractor signage, radio advertisements, television advertisements, letterheads and other documents used to correspond with the licensee’s customers or potential customers

Beginning on September 29, 2021 (the general effective date for 2021 Arizona laws), new legislation allows an exception to that requirement. Licensed contractors no longer need to include their license numbers on vehicle, radio, internet or billboard advertising if the advertisement includes a web address AND if the license number is “prominently displayed on the website.”

Prominently displayed on the website means:


The advertisement complies with all other requirements listed under A.R.S. § 32-1124 and A.A.C. R4-9-109;
The provided website address links directly to the licensee’s home page; and
The licensee’s name and ROC license number:
Appears directly on the licensee’s home page;
Is clearly visible, and is not hidden behind graphics, photos, or other obstructions;
Is in an appropriately sized font; and
Is not in the website’s footer.

Note that licensees are still required to include their ROC license number on all bids, contracts, estimates, and documents used to correspond with the licensee’s customers or potential customers. See A.R.S. §§ 32-1124(B)(2) and 32-1158(A).

Advertising by Unlicensed Individuals and Entities

The new legislation does not change the advertising requirements for unlicensed individuals or entities. In addition to not being allowed to advertise or perform any of the work required to be completed by a licensed contractor, unlicensed entities are still required by Arizona law to have the exact phrase “Not a Licensed Contractor” on any and all advertisements.

Home and Property Owners

Arizona Registrar of Contractors reminds Arizona home and property owners that just because an ad says it, does not mean it’s true. Always check the license before hiring a contractor by visiting the Agency’s website at www.roc.az.gov or by giving the Agency a call during normal business hours at (877)-692-9762.

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PHOENIX, Ariz., (September 3, 2021) –On Tues., August 31, 2021, Robert Howard Woodruff, 51 of Dewey, Arizona, pleaded guilty to Contracting Without a License, a Class 1 Misdemeanor, in the Mayer Justice Court.

The case stems from an Arizona Registrar of Contractors’ (AZ ROC) investigation which found that Woodruff, DBA Bob’s Property Maintenance and Remodeling, contracted to install two pergolas, a French door, a sliding glass door and perform electrical work at a Dewey, Arizona home for $2,250.

The homeowner admitted to an AZ ROC investigator that they knew Woodruff was not a licensed contractor. According to the homeowner, Woodruff claimed to have previously been licensed, however, AZ ROC records show he has never been a licensed contractor in Arizona.

Woodruff completed some of the work and claimed to be finished. When the homeowner pointed out areas that were not complete, Woodruff stormed off the job and never returned, leading the homeowner to file an unlicensed complaint with AZ ROC.

The Mayer Justice Court fined Woodruff $800 and a restitution hearing is set to be scheduled.

AZ ROC commonly receives complaints where an unlicensed entity’s work begins as a small project and increases in price and complexity to a point where they are unable or unwilling to complete the project and the homeowner is out of luck. AZ ROC reminds home and property owners to hire licensed contracting professionals and to always check the license at www.roc.az.gov or give AZ ROC a call at 1-877-MY-AZROC (1-877-692-9762) before hiring a contractor.

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PHOENIX, Ariz., (Aug 31, 2021)- On Friday, August 27, 2021, Arizona Registrar of Contractors (AZ ROC) summarily suspended the KA-5 Dual Swimming Pool Contractor license held by American Pools LLC (ROC 319458), a Chandler-based contracting business.

AZ ROC received and began investigating four complaints from Yuma homeowners against American Pools LLC between June 4 and June 28, 2021. All four cases resulted in AZ ROC issuing written directives for the company to repair or complete work, which the company failed to complete.

Based on the complaints received and the preliminary investigation, the Agency issued a summary suspension alleging 11 charges including:


4 counts of poor workmanship
4 counts of failure to take corrective action after a directive to correct work was issued
3 counts of failure to include required elements within a written contract for work over $1,000

As the investigation continues, the formal citation may be supplemented. Since the initial four complaints, AZ ROC has since received and investigated an additional three complaints from Yuma homeowners that are moving forward. Charges from the three additional complaints will be added to the case.

A summary suspension prohibits the licensee from being able to legally contract as of the day it is issued. In turn, it requires the Agency to provide the contractor a prompt hearing at the Office of Administrative Hearings and the hearing is currently set for September 20, 2021, at 9:00 AM.