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Arizona Registrar of Contractors outlines licensing benefits and apprenticeship outreach for veterans
Summary
Cindy Casaus, assistant director of the Arizona Registrar of Contractors, briefed the commission on licensing requirements, how military experience can satisfy licensure requirements, fee waivers for veterans and spouses, and upcoming apprenticeship fairs aimed at veterans.
Cindy Casaus, assistant director of the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC), told commissioners that the ROC's mission is to protect public health and safety through a regulatory framework for contractors and to promote workforce development, including for veterans.
"Our mission here is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public through a regulatory system designed to promote quality construction by Arizona contractors," Casaus said. She outlined key rules: Arizona law requires a ROC license when a construction contract exceeds $1,000 or a local building permit is required; applicants generally must pass a statute-and-rules exam and, for many license types, a trade exam administered by a third party.
Casaus described programs that help veterans and active-duty spouses become licensed: military education, training and experience can satisfy portions of experience requirements on a case-by-case basis; the ROC offers a licensing-fee waiver for honorably discharged veterans (application within two years of discharge) and for active-duty spouses; and an R62 minor-home-improvement license allows low-dollar projects (up to $5,000) and can help veterans gain experience.
The ROC also supports outreach and workforce development. Casaus said the agency plans an inaugural Phoenix Suns Veterans Apprenticeship Fair in January (date to be finalized) to connect veterans with contractors and apprenticeship opportunities; the ROC has run a similar apprenticeship fair with the Arizona Diamondbacks for students and veterans. She encouraged veterans to use the ROC's online portal and licensing checklist and noted ADA accommodations are available for exams.
Commissioners asked whether fee waivers and trade-exam waivers differ; Casaus said the fee waiver applies to licensing fees while exam waivers depend on documented experience and, in some cases, active-duty or recent-discharge status. She said the ROC does not use general fund appropriations and operates off licensing fees.
