How to Pass the Arizona Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Including Solar Contractor C-79, CR-79, R-39 and R-39R Exam
Passing the Arizona Air Conditioning and Refrigeration contractor exam takes more than knowing how to diagnose a compressor, size ductwork, or explain a refrigeration cycle. You also need to understand the exact Arizona classification you are pursuing, know which PSI exams apply, use the correct reference books, and get fast enough at open-book research that the clock does not become your toughest opponent.
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Arizona's solar-inclusive HVAC licensing path uses the R-39/C-79 (CR-79) Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Including Solar examination group. Candidates preparing for these classifications have a main HVAC and refrigeration examination plus a separate solar examination.
There is one naming detail worth fixing before you buy books or schedule an exam: R-39 is the residential classification that includes solar. R-39R is the residential Air Conditioning and Refrigeration classification without solar. If your goal is R-39R, you follow the non-solar testing path instead.
You can browse Arizona licensing study materials through the Arizona Contractor Exam Prep collection.
First, Know Which Arizona HVAC Classification You Need
Arizona has several closely related air conditioning and refrigeration classifications. Their names look similar enough to make a bowl of alphabet soup jealous.
C-79
Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Including Solar.
This is the specialty commercial classification.
CR-79
Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Including Solar.
This is the specialty dual classification covering the applicable residential and commercial scope.
R-39
Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Including Solar.
This is the residential solar-inclusive classification.
R-39R
Air Conditioning and Refrigeration.
This is a residential classification without the separate solar scope.
Important: if you want the "Including Solar" residential classification, your target is R-39, not R-39R.
What Does the R-39/C-79 Scope Cover?
The solar-inclusive examination covers a wide HVACR scope rather than one narrow air-conditioning specialty.
The residential R-39 scope includes installation and repair of comfort air-conditioning systems involving:
- Refrigeration.
- Evaporative cooling.
- Ventilation.
- Heating.
- Solar equipment.
- Refrigeration machinery and accessories.
- Refrigerator rooms and insulated refrigerated spaces.
- Associated controls.
The C-79 commercial scope goes farther into refrigeration, evaporative cooling, wet and dry heating systems, radiant heating, limited-pressure boilers, ventilation, ductwork, controls, water and gas piping serving the equipment, insulation, vibration isolation, and testing and balancing.
The scope can also allow a new electrical circuit to be added to an existing service panel or subpanel when necessary. It does not authorize installation of a new service panel or subpanel.
The Current Arizona R-39/C-79 Trade Exam
The main Air Conditioning and Refrigeration examination currently has:
- 80 questions.
- 210 minutes, or 3 hours and 30 minutes.
- 70% minimum passing score.
- Computer-based testing through PSI.
- Approved open-book references.
PSI may also include a small number of unscored experimental questions. Those questions do not affect your score, but they still use examination time.
With 210 minutes for 80 scored questions, you average a little over two and a half minutes per scored question.
That sounds comfortable until you spend eight minutes looking for one fuel-gas table. The cure is not faster page flipping. The cure is knowing your books.
The R-39/C-79 Trade Exam Breakdown
The Big Three
- Refrigeration: 12
- Air Conditioning: 12
- Warm Air Heating: 12
Electrical and System Controls
- Controls and Motors: 8
- Testing, Balancing, and Inspection: 5
- Sizing and Estimating: 4
Piping and Hydronics
- Fuel Piping Systems: 5
- Water Piping Systems: 5
- Steam, Hot, Chilled and Condensing Water: 5
- Boilers: 4
Air Movement and Cooling
- Ventilation: 4
- Evaporative Coolers: 4
Refrigeration, Air Conditioning, and Warm Air Heating combine for 36 of the 80 questions. That makes them the obvious starting point for your study plan.
However, the remaining 44 questions are spread across controls, motors, boilers, piping, ventilation, evaporative cooling, hydronics, testing, balancing, and estimating. Ignoring those subjects is a very efficient way to make 70% feel surprisingly far away.
The Separate Solar Exam
C-79, CR-79, and R-39 candidates pursuing the solar-inclusive classification also prepare for the separate solar examination.
The current solar test has:
- 30 questions.
- 75-minute time limit.
- 70% minimum passing score.
The solar test is focused heavily on solar thermal systems rather than photovoltaic electrical generation.
The content breakdown is:
- Collection Loops: 5
- Components: 4
- Installation: 5
- Maintenance: 2
- Mounting: 4
- Principles: 5
- Solar Systems Piping: 5
Installation, Collection Loops, Principles, and Solar Systems Piping combine for 20 of the 30 questions. Those four areas should receive most of your solar study time.
What About R-39R?
R-39R is easy to mix up with R-39 because one little letter changes the testing path.
Arizona lists R-39R as Air Conditioning and Refrigeration without the "Including Solar" designation.
If you are pursuing R-39R, do not automatically register for the solar portion simply because you found an R-39/C-79 study page online.
Contractor Exam Preps also provides resources for the Arizona R-39R/C-39/CR-39 Air Conditioning and Refrigeration non-solar exam path.
Current Open-Book References Allowed Into the Main Exam
PSI's current R-39/C-79 content outline identifies the following exam-room references:
- 29 CFR Part 1926 OSHA, with the latest available amendments, or the approved PSI selections.
- International Fuel Gas Code, 2018 Edition.
- International Mechanical Code, 2018 Edition.
- International Plumbing Code, 2018 Edition.
Code-edition warning: PSI allows later editions of non-code references as they become available, but code questions are based on the specific code editions listed in the official examination outline. Do not casually replace the 2018 code books with a newer code and assume every answer will match.
Important Study Books That Are Not Allowed Into the Exam
Some of the most useful HVAC study references are preparation tools only.
PSI currently identifies study references such as:
- Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning.
- Low Pressure Boilers.
- ACCA Ductulator.
These materials can be extremely useful while learning refrigeration principles, heating, boilers, duct sizing, airflow, and equipment concepts, but the PSI outline identifies them as materials that are not permitted in the examination center.
This distinction matters. You want to use the closed-book references to learn the trade, then practice locating the code-based material in the books you can actually take with you.
A complete reference option is available through the Arizona R-39/C-79/CR-79 Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Including Solar Book Package.
The Solar Manual Is a Study Reference
PSI currently lists the Solar Water and Pool Heating Design and Installation Manual as the reference for the solar portion.
The official PSI outline identifies that manual as a reference that is not allowed in the examination center.
That means your solar preparation should focus on understanding:
- Solar thermal principles.
- Collectors and loops.
- Storage and heat exchange.
- Pumps and controls.
- Mounting.
- Solar piping.
- Installation procedures.
- Maintenance.
Learn the material before test day rather than planning to search the manual question by question.
How to Prepare Your Open-Book References
PSI allows useful preparation of the authorized references before the examination.
Current rules allow references to be:
- Highlighted before the examination.
- Underlined before the examination.
- Annotated before the examination.
- Indexed before the examination.
- Tabbed with permanent tabs.
Permanent means the tab would tear the page if removed.
Temporary tabs, Post-it notes, removable flags, and loose additional papers are not permitted.
You also cannot write, highlight, underline, or add indexing to your references once the examination session has started.
If an approved reference is downloaded from the internet, PSI says it may be brought in if it is properly bound, such as spiral binding or placement in a binder.
How to Study Refrigeration
Refrigeration contributes 12 questions, so it deserves serious attention.
Make sure you understand:
- The basic refrigeration cycle.
- Evaporators.
- Compressors.
- Condensers.
- Metering devices.
- Superheat and subcooling.
- Refrigerant pressures.
- System charging.
- Refrigerant piping.
- System troubleshooting.
- Refrigerated spaces.
- Safety.
Do not memorize random numbers without understanding the system. When a question changes one operating condition, a candidate who understands the refrigeration cycle can reason through it. A candidate who memorized three flash cards may suddenly discover the fourth card was apparently important.
How to Study Air Conditioning
Air Conditioning also contributes 12 questions.
Review:
- Airflow.
- Cooling equipment.
- Heat transfer.
- Duct systems.
- Equipment installation.
- Condensate disposal.
- Mechanical clearances.
- Ventilation.
- System sizing.
- Testing and balancing.
Learn where these topics live in the International Mechanical Code. The exam is much easier when "I know the answer is around here somewhere" becomes "I know exactly which chapter to open."
Warm Air Heating Is Just as Important as Cooling
Warm Air Heating is another 12-question section.
Study:
- Gas-fired furnaces.
- Combustion air.
- Venting.
- Fuel-gas piping.
- Equipment clearances.
- Burner operation.
- Heating controls.
- Air distribution.
This is where familiarity with the International Fuel Gas Code becomes especially valuable.
Do Not Ignore Controls and Motors
Controls and Motors contributes eight questions.
Review electrical fundamentals involving:
- Motors.
- Relays.
- Contactors.
- Transformers.
- Thermostats.
- Capacitors.
- Control circuits.
- Motor protection.
- Troubleshooting.
HVAC systems contain enough electrical components that pretending electricity is "someone else's trade" will not help on this exam.
Study Piping as a Group
Fuel Piping Systems, Water Piping Systems, and Steam, Hot, Chilled and Condensing Water combine for 15 questions.
Study these areas together:
- Gas-pipe sizing.
- Fuel-gas installation.
- Valves.
- Pressure concepts.
- Hydronic piping.
- Chilled-water systems.
- Hot-water systems.
- Condensing-water systems.
- Steam systems.
- Piping supports.
- Testing.
Use the International Fuel Gas Code and International Plumbing Code repeatedly during practice sessions until their tables and indexes feel familiar.
Study Boilers, Ventilation, and Evaporative Cooling
Boilers, Ventilation, and Evaporative Coolers each contribute four questions.
Four questions may not sound huge, but together that is 12 points on an 80-question test.
Review:
- Low-pressure boiler concepts.
- Boiler safety.
- Ventilation requirements.
- Air changes and exhaust.
- Duct installation.
- Evaporative cooler operation.
- Water distribution.
- Maintenance.
Practice Sizing, Estimating, and Balancing
Sizing and Estimating contributes four questions, while Testing, Balancing, and Inspection contributes five.
Practice:
- Airflow calculations.
- Duct sizing.
- Equipment sizing.
- Material quantities.
- System measurements.
- Temperature differences.
- Pressure measurements.
- Testing procedures.
- Balancing concepts.
PSI allows a silent, nonprinting, non-programmable calculator, so practice your calculations with the same type of calculator before test day.
A Better Open-Book Strategy
The biggest mistake on an open-book exam is treating every question as a research assignment.
Use three passes:
- First pass: answer questions you know immediately.
- Second pass: answer questions that require short, targeted lookups.
- Third pass: work the harder calculations and deeper code searches.
This prevents one stubborn question from eating the time needed for five easier questions.
PSI's computer system allows you to return to questions and change answers as long as examination time remains.
Build a Timed Study Schedule
A practical preparation routine might look like this:
- Study Refrigeration.
- Study Air Conditioning.
- Study Warm Air Heating.
- Study Controls and Motors.
- Study fuel, water, steam, chilled-water, and condensing-water piping.
- Review boilers, ventilation, and evaporative cooling.
- Practice sizing, estimating, testing, and balancing.
- Study the solar manual separately.
- Prepare and permanently tab your approved books.
- Complete mixed practice questions.
- Complete an 80-question timed simulation within 210 minutes.
- Complete a 30-question solar simulation within 75 minutes.
The Arizona R-39/C-79/CR-79 Online Exam Prep Course includes practice-oriented preparation, reference-navigation guidance, book highlighting and tabbing locations, test-taking techniques, instructor support, and extended online access.
Do Not Forget the Arizona Statutes and Rules Exam
The trade exam is not the only testing requirement for most new Arizona contractor applicants.
Arizona now uses the Arizona Statutes and Rules Training Course and Exam, or SRE.
The SRE is an online course and examination provided through Arizona ROC's current training platform.
It is generally required for a new license applicant whose proposed Qualifying Party has not been listed as the qualifying party on another Arizona contractor license within the previous five years.
The current SRE cost is $61.
Do not confuse old Arizona business-management exam information with the current SRE process. Always use the current Arizona Registrar of Contractors instructions when scheduling.
Current PSI Trade Examination Fees
PSI's 2026 Arizona Contractor Candidate Information Bulletin currently lists:
- One examination: $66.
- Two examinations: $116.
- Solar portion only: $40.
Your exact registration depends on which classification and examination components Arizona ROC requires.
What Happens If You Fail?
Current PSI rules require candidates to wait 30 days before retaking an examination they did not pass.
Candidates currently receive three attempts before the longer waiting rule applies.
After three failed attempts, PSI requires a 90-day waiting period before another attempt.
Your failed score report includes diagnostic information showing strengths and weaknesses by examination area.
Use it.
A diagnostic report is basically the exam politely telling you what not to ignore next time.
Should You Test In Person or Online?
PSI currently offers Arizona trade examinations through testing centers and remote online proctoring.
One practical difference matters.
At an in-person test center, PSI provides scratch paper and a pencil. For remote examinations, candidates are not allowed scratch paper.
Remote examinations also do not allow breaks.
If you rely heavily on written calculations, sketches, or airflow math, consider those rules before choosing the remote option.
After You Pass the Exams
Passing PSI does not automatically issue an Arizona contractor license.
Arizona requires the contractor business to complete the remaining licensing process through the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.
Typical steps include:
- Choose the correct license classification.
- Identify the Qualifying Party.
- Meet the required experience standard.
- Complete the SRE.
- Pass the required trade and solar exams.
- Complete required background checks.
- Form and register the legal business entity when applicable.
- Obtain the required contractor license bond.
- Pay the applicable license fees and Residential Recovery Fund assessment when required.
- Submit the completed license application to Arizona ROC.
Arizona currently lists four years of qualifying hands-on and/or managerial experience for C-79, CR-79, R-39, and R-39R.
The Qualifying Party is the person who must satisfy the examination and experience requirements.
Arizona License Fees After the Exam
Arizona's current two-year new-license totals vary by classification.
- Specialty Commercial C license: $580 total state application and license fees.
- Specialty Residential R license: $720 total, including the current Residential Recovery Fund assessment.
- Specialty Dual CR license: $850 total, including the current Residential Recovery Fund assessment.
Examination costs are separate from these licensing fees.
Always confirm the latest fees directly with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors before submitting the application.
Arizona Contractor Exam Prep Resources
Arizona Contractor Exam Prep Collection: Browse Arizona contractor exam books, courses, tabs, study materials, and classification-specific preparation.
Arizona R-39/C-79/CR-79 Online Exam Prep Course: Focused preparation for the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Including Solar examination pathway.
Arizona R-39/C-79/CR-79 Book Package: A coordinated reference package for HVAC, refrigeration, code, OSHA, boiler, duct, and solar preparation.
Arizona C-79 Highlighted & Tabbed Reference Package: Prepared references with permanent tabs and highlighting for quicker open-book navigation.
Final book-list rule: use the latest official PSI content outline as the final authority for permitted references, code editions, and exam-room rules.
A Simple Exam-Day Checklist
- Verify the exact exam name on your PSI registration.
- Confirm whether you need the solar portion.
- Check every code-book edition.
- Remove temporary tabs and loose papers.
- Bring only references allowed for your exam.
- Bring valid, unexpired photo identification.
- Arrive at least 30 minutes early for an in-person exam.
- Bring an approved calculator if you want one.
- Answer easy questions first.
- Flag slow lookups and return later.
- Watch the clock.
- Review unanswered questions before submitting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Arizona C-79 license?
A: C-79 is Arizona's specialty commercial Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Including Solar contractor classification.
Q: What is CR-79?
A: CR-79 is the specialty dual Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Including Solar classification covering the applicable residential and commercial scope.
Q: Is R-39R an Including Solar classification?
A: No. Arizona lists R-39R as Air Conditioning and Refrigeration without solar. R-39 is the residential classification that includes solar.
Q: How many questions are on the R-39/C-79 HVAC exam?
A: The current PSI outline lists 80 questions.
Q: How much time is allowed?
A: Candidates currently receive 210 minutes, or 3 hours and 30 minutes.
Q: What score do I need to pass?
A: The current minimum passing score is 70%.
Q: How many questions are on the solar exam?
A: The current R-39/C-79 Solar exam contains 30 questions.
Q: How long is the solar exam?
A: The current time limit is 75 minutes.
Q: What score is required on the solar exam?
A: The current minimum passing score is 70%.
Q: What is the biggest section of the main exam?
A: Refrigeration, Air Conditioning, and Warm Air Heating each contain 12 questions, making them the three largest individual categories.
Q: Is the Arizona HVAC exam open book?
A: The main R-39/C-79 examination permits specific approved references in the testing center. Not every study book is allowed.
Q: Which code books are currently allowed?
A: The current PSI outline lists the 2018 International Fuel Gas Code, 2018 International Mechanical Code, 2018 International Plumbing Code, and the applicable OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926 reference.
Q: Can I bring Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning into the exam?
A: No. PSI currently identifies Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning as a study reference that is not allowed in the examination center for this exam.
Q: Can I bring the Low Pressure Boilers book?
A: No. It is currently listed as a preparation reference rather than an exam-room reference.
Q: Can I bring the Solar Water and Pool Heating manual into the solar test?
A: The current PSI solar outline identifies that manual as reference material that is not allowed in the examination center.
Q: Can I highlight the books?
A: Yes. Approved references may currently be highlighted before the examination session.
Q: Can I write notes in the approved books?
A: PSI currently permits approved references to be annotated before the examination. You may not write or add annotations during the examination session.
Q: Can I use Post-it notes?
A: No. Temporary and removable tabs are prohibited.
Q: Can I use permanent tabs?
A: Yes. PSI currently permits permanent tabs that would tear the page if removed.
Q: Can I bring downloaded reference material?
A: When an internet-downloaded reference is authorized, PSI says it must be bound, such as spiral-bound or hole-punched and placed in a binder.
Q: Can I use a calculator?
A: Yes. PSI permits a basic silent, nonprinting, non-programmable calculator.
Q: How much does the PSI exam cost?
A: PSI's current Arizona fee table lists $66 for one examination, $116 for two examinations, and $40 for the solar portion by itself.
Q: What is the Arizona SRE?
A: SRE is the Arizona Statutes and Rules Training Course and Exam. It teaches and tests Arizona contractor statutes and administrative rules.
Q: How much does the SRE cost?
A: The current Arizona ROC and PSI information lists the SRE cost at $61.
Q: How much experience is required for C-79, CR-79, or R-39?
A: Arizona's classification requirements currently list four years of applicable hands-on and/or managerial experience.
Q: Who takes the exam for the company?
A: Arizona requires the examination requirements to be completed by the person who will act as the Qualifying Party for the contractor license.
Q: How long are passed exam results usable for the license application?
A: Current PSI guidance says the completed contractor license application and original score report should be submitted to Arizona ROC within two years of passing the examination.
Q: How long must I wait after failing?
A: PSI currently requires a 30-day wait before retaking a failed Arizona contractor examination.
Q: What happens after three failed attempts?
A: Current PSI rules require a 90-day waiting period after three failed attempts before another attempt.
Q: Can the exam be taken remotely?
A: PSI currently offers remote proctoring and testing-center options for Arizona trade exams. Remote candidates cannot use scratch paper or take breaks.
Q: Where can I find Arizona C-79 and CR-79 exam prep?
A: Browse the Arizona Contractor Exam Prep collection for courses, reference books, tabs, and other Arizona licensing preparation materials.
Key Takeaways
- Use the correct classification name. C-79, CR-79, and R-39 include solar. R-39R does not.
- The current main HVAC exam has 80 questions, 210 minutes, and a 70% passing score. The solar portion adds 30 questions, 75 minutes, and another 70% passing requirement.
- Refrigeration, Air Conditioning, and Warm Air Heating are the biggest technical areas. Together they account for 36 questions.
- Know which books can enter the exam room. The 2018 IMC, IFGC, IPC, and OSHA reference are currently permitted for the main exam, while several major trade study books are not.
- Passing PSI is only part of getting licensed. Arizona also requires the appropriate experience, Qualifying Party, SRE, background checks, bond, business documentation, fees, and ROC approval.
Final Thoughts
Passing the Arizona Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Including Solar exam is much easier when you stop treating it like one giant HVAC test and break it into smaller jobs.
Start with your classification. C-79 is the specialty commercial solar-inclusive HVAC classification. CR-79 is the dual version. R-39 is the residential solar-inclusive classification. R-39R is the non-solar residential classification. Getting that choice right prevents you from studying for, paying for, or scheduling an exam you do not actually need.
Next, attack the main 80-question test by weight. Refrigeration, Air Conditioning, and Warm Air Heating deserve the most attention because they make up 36 questions. Controls and Motors comes next with eight. Then build a solid working knowledge of fuel piping, water piping, hydronic systems, testing, balancing, boilers, ventilation, evaporative cooling, and estimating.
For the solar test, focus on collection loops, installation, principles, piping, components, mounting, and maintenance. Remember that this solar content is centered on solar thermal systems, not just the photovoltaic panels people usually picture when someone says "solar."
Organize your books before test day. Learn the International Mechanical Code, Fuel Gas Code, Plumbing Code, and OSHA reference well enough that you know which one to open before you start flipping pages. Permanent tabs and well-planned highlighting can save valuable minutes.
Finally, practice under the real time limits. An open-book exam rewards preparation, not leisurely research. Complete 80-question sessions in 210 minutes and 30-question solar sessions in 75 minutes until the timing feels normal.
When you are ready to build your study plan, start with the Arizona Contractor Exam Prep collection and the Arizona R-39/C-79/CR-79 Online Exam Prep Course.