C-11 vs. R-11 vs. CR-11: Which Arizona Electrical License Do You Need?

Step 1: Understand the Experience and Licensing Requirements

Arizona currently lists C-11, R-11, and CR-11 as four-year experience classifications.

The qualifying party must satisfy the applicable hands-on and/or managerial experience requirements and complete the required examinations unless an approved waiver applies.

The normal examination path includes:

• The Arizona Statutes and Rules Exam, or SRE.
• The applicable electrical trade examination.

Arizona also identifies a solar warranty requirement when solar work is performed under these electrical classifications.

Review the Arizona Registrar of Contractors classification requirements before applying.

Step 2: Know the Current Electrical Trade Exam Numbers

Four hours sounds generous. Then a grounding question sends you into Article 250, you find three tables you did not expect, and suddenly the clock develops a much more aggressive personality.

Your preparation needs to include speed, not just knowledge.

Step 3: Learn the C-11 and CR-11 Commercial Exam Breakdown

The current C-11 commercial outline, which PSI also identifies with CR-11, divides the 110 questions as follows:

The remaining commercial questions include Lighting, Devices, and Illuminated Signs.

Services, grounding, special occupancies, conductors, raceways, photovoltaics, and overcurrent protection account for most of the commercial exam. That should heavily influence how you divide your study time.

Step 4: Learn the R-11 Residential Exam Breakdown

The R-11 residential exam also contains 110 questions, but its priorities are different.

Motors, Special Occupancies and Equipment, Electrical Devices, and Low Voltage complete the residential outline.

Notice how heavily R-11 emphasizes services, feeders, branch circuits, grounding, raceways, and conductors. Those four categories alone account for more than half the exam.

Step 5: Master Services, Feeders, and Branch Circuits

This is the largest category on the R-11 exam and one of the largest on C-11/CR-11.

Study:

• Service equipment.
• Service conductors.
• Feeder calculations.
• Branch circuits.
• Load calculations.
• Dwelling loads.
• Commercial loads.
• Continuous loads.
• Demand factors.
• Panelboards.
• Disconnecting means.
• Service sizing.

Practice calculations repeatedly. Load calculations become much easier when you can recognize the type of problem before reaching for the code book.

If every service calculation feels completely new, you need more practice. The NEC is thick enough without every question becoming a surprise party.

Step 6: Make Grounding and Bonding a Major Priority

Grounding and Bonding contains 13 questions on the commercial exam and 16 on residential.

Review:

• Grounding electrode systems.
• Grounding electrode conductors.
• Equipment grounding conductors.
• Main bonding jumpers.
• Bonding requirements.
• Separately derived systems.
• Grounding transformers.
• Grounding services.
• Grounding conductor sizing.

Article 250 should become one of the most familiar places in your NEC.

Pay attention to terminology. Grounded conductor, grounding conductor, equipment grounding conductor, and grounding electrode conductor may sound like one electrical tongue twister, but they do different jobs.

Step 7: Learn Conductors, Cables, Raceways, and Boxes

These categories together represent a major portion of both exams.

Study conductor topics such as:

• Ampacity.
• Conductor materials.
• Insulation types.
• Temperature limitations.
• Adjustment factors.
• Correction factors.
• Parallel conductors.
• Voltage drop.

For raceways and boxes, review:

• Raceway types.
• Raceway fill.
• Support and securing.
• Bends.
• Boxes.
• Box fill.
• Pull and junction boxes.
• Wet and damp locations.

Practice NEC tables until you can identify the correct table without starting at page one and emotionally negotiating with the index.

Step 8: Commercial Candidates Need Special Occupancies and Equipment

Special Occupancies and Equipment contains 13 questions on the C-11/CR-11 commercial exam.

That makes it one of the three largest commercial categories.

Review NEC requirements involving special locations and equipment, which can include:

• Hazardous locations.
• Health-care related installations.
• Commercial equipment.
• Special utilization equipment.
• Specific occupancies covered by NEC Chapters 5 and 6.

Do not assume every special-occupancy question can be answered using ordinary Chapter 2 or Chapter 3 rules.

Step 9: Study Overcurrent Protection

Overcurrent Protection provides eight commercial questions and seven residential questions.

Review:

• Fuses.
• Circuit breakers.
• Overcurrent device sizing.
• Standard ampere ratings.
• Protection of conductors.
• Motor protection.
• Transformer protection.
• Equipment protection.

Pay close attention when the NEC provides an exception or allows the next standard-size device.

Electrical exams have a wonderful habit of asking questions from the sentence directly below the sentence everyone remembers.

Step 10: Photovoltaics Is a Full 10-Question Category

Both the commercial and residential Arizona exams currently devote 10 questions to photovoltaic systems.

Study:

• PV modules.
• Series and parallel circuits.
• PV source circuits.
• Voltage calculations.
• Current calculations.
• Conductors.
• Overcurrent protection.
• Disconnecting means.
• Grounding.
• Inverters.
• NEC photovoltaic requirements.

Solar is not an optional little bonus section hiding at the end of the exam. Ten questions is almost 10% of your total score.

Candidates looking for Arizona-specific electrical preparation can review the Arizona C-11 and CR-11 Electrical Contractor Online Exam Prep Course.

Step 11: Review Fire Detection and Alarm Systems

Both exams currently contain five questions on Fire Detection and Alarm Systems.

The approved reference list includes NFPA 72, so learn how to navigate it.

Review:

• Initiating devices.
• Notification appliances.
• Fire alarm circuits.
• Power supplies.
• Detection concepts.
• System operation.
• Basic inspection and installation requirements.

Five questions can be the difference between passing and scheduling another appointment. Give NFPA 72 more attention than a quick flip through the night before.

Step 12: Study Motors, Lighting, Low Voltage, and Devices

These smaller categories still add important points.

For motors, review:

• Motor conductor sizing.
• Overload protection.
• Short-circuit protection.
• Disconnects.
• Motor controllers.

For lighting, low voltage, and electrical devices, review common NEC requirements, installation methods, circuits, switching, controls, receptacles, and equipment.

Smaller categories should not receive your largest study blocks, but they should not disappear from the calendar either.

Step 13: Do Not Give Away the OSHA Safety Questions

Both Arizona electrical exams currently include five safety questions.

Review OSHA construction requirements involving:

• Electrical safety.
• Personal protective equipment.
• Ladders.
• Scaffolds.
• Fall protection.
• Tools.
• Temporary power.
• Jobsite hazards.
• Material handling.

OSHA questions often depend on exact requirements. "That sounds safe enough" is not a recognized testing strategy.

Step 14: Get the Correct Exam References

The current PSI C-11/CR-11 and R-11 outlines list the same three core exam-room references:

• 29 CFR Part 1926 OSHA with the latest available amendments, or PSI's applicable OSHA selections.
• NFPA 70: National Electrical Code, 2017 Edition.
• NFPA 72: National Fire Alarm Code, 2016 Edition.

You can browse the Arizona contractor exam books and electrical study resources while comparing your materials with PSI's current outline.

Step 15: Know the Study-Only References

PSI also identifies additional references that may be useful for preparing questions but are not allowed inside the examination center.

These currently include:

• Ugly's Electrical References.
• Photovoltaic Systems.
• The Easy Guide to Solar Electric Part II Installation Manual.

These books can still help with calculations, electrical concepts, and photovoltaics during your study period.

Just remember that a useful study book and an approved exam-room book are not the same thing.

Step 16: Prepare Your Open-Book References Correctly

PSI currently allows approved references to be prepared before the examination.

You may:

• Highlight approved references.
• Underline important information.
• Annotate before the examination.
• Index the books.
• Use permanent tabs.

Permanent tabs must be attached so that removing them would damage or tear the page.

Temporary tabs, Post-it notes, and removable page markers are not permitted.

You may not continue writing, highlighting, underlining, or indexing during the exam.

Printed approved references must be properly bound.

R-11 candidates can also review the Arizona R-11 Electrical Reference Pre-Printed Tabs for organizing the currently listed NEC, NFPA 72, and OSHA references.

Step 17: Practice NEC Navigation Every Day

Do not simply read the NEC.

Practice finding answers.

1. Read a practice question.
2. Identify the main keyword.
3. Decide which NEC article probably applies.
4. Use the index when necessary.
5. Find the rule, table, exception, or note.
6. Record how long the lookup took.

Repeated lookup drills will teach you where common information lives.

Eventually, Article 250 should feel like an old coworker. Possibly complicated, occasionally frustrating, but at least you know where to find it.

Step 18: Practice Electrical Calculations

PSI permits a basic, silent, nonprinting, non-programmable calculator.

Practice:

• Ohm's law.
• Power formulas.
• Voltage drop.
• Service calculations.
• Feeder calculations.
• Branch-circuit calculations.
• Conductor sizing.
• Motor calculations.
• Transformer calculations.
• PV calculations.
• Raceway fill.
• Box fill.

Use the same style of calculator you plan to take to PSI.

Test day is not the moment to discover your favorite calculator has enough computing power to land a satellite and therefore cannot come inside.

Step 19: Consider the NASCLA Electrical Exam Option

Arizona currently allows applicants for C-11, CR-11, and R-11 to use the applicable NASCLA electrical examination instead of the Arizona ROC trade examination.

Commercial and dual candidates can consider the NASCLA Accredited Trade Examination for Electrical Contractors.

Residential applicants can consider the NASCLA Accredited Trade Examination for Residential Electrical Contractors.

The NASCLA exams have different question counts, reference books, time limits, and content outlines.

NASCLA may be attractive to contractors planning to pursue licensing in multiple participating jurisdictions, but compare both paths before choosing.

Step 20: Use a Six-Week Electrical Study Plan

Step 21: Practice Under the Real Four-Hour Limit

At least a few practice exams should match the real testing format.

Set a timer for 240 minutes and complete 110 questions.

Use a three-pass strategy:

1. First pass: Answer questions you know quickly.
2. Second pass: Complete straightforward code lookups.
3. Third pass: Return to difficult calculations and longer searches.

Do not let one ugly grounding calculation consume the same amount of time as five easier questions.

Step 22: Know the Current PSI Fees and Retake Rules

PSI currently lists the fee for one Arizona trade examination at $66.

The Arizona Statutes and Rules Exam currently costs $61.

If you fail a PSI trade exam, the current rules require a 30-day wait before retesting.

Candidates are allowed three attempts. After three failed attempts, a 90-day waiting period applies before another attempt.

If you receive a diagnostic report after an unsuccessful exam, use it to change your preparation.

If grounding was your weak area, study grounding. Taking another hundred motor questions because motors are more enjoyable is not technically a recovery plan.

Step 23: Remember the Arizona Statutes and Rules Exam

Electrical trade knowledge is only one part of the Arizona licensing process.

Applicants may also need the Arizona Statutes and Rules Exam, which focuses on Arizona contractor licensing laws and rules.

It is maintained separately from the PSI technical electrical examination.

Review the Arizona Registrar of Contractors application process before completing your license application.

Step 24: Passing the Exam Is Only Part of Getting Licensed

Passing C-11, R-11, or the applicable CR-11 trade exam is a major milestone, but it does not automatically issue an Arizona contractor license.

The full process can also include:

• Selecting C-11, R-11, or CR-11.
• Designating a qualifying party.
• Documenting the required experience.
• Completing the SRE when required.
• Passing the Arizona trade exam or qualifying through the applicable NASCLA path.
• Completing required background checks.
• Obtaining the required contractor license bond.
• Providing identification and business information.
• Meeting applicable solar warranty requirements when solar work is performed.
• Submitting the Arizona ROC contractor license application.

Complete the licensing requirements using current Arizona ROC instructions rather than relying on an old checklist saved on somebody's phone from six years ago.

A Simple Arizona Electrical Contractor Exam Roadmap

1. Choose C-11, R-11, or CR-11 based on your intended scope.
2. Verify the current four-year qualifying experience requirement.
3. Determine whether an exam waiver applies.
4. Decide between the Arizona ROC trade exam and applicable NASCLA path.
5. Complete or plan for the Arizona SRE.
6. Review the correct commercial or residential PSI outline.
7. Obtain the 2017 NEC, 2016 NFPA 72, and approved OSHA reference.
8. Prepare approved references with permanent tabs and highlighting.
9. Study services, feeders, and branch circuits heavily.
10. Master grounding and bonding.
11. Practice conductor and cable calculations.
12. Study raceways and box fill.
13. Review overcurrent protection.
14. Commercial candidates should focus on special occupancies and equipment.
15. Study photovoltaics as a major exam category.
16. Review NFPA 72 and fire alarm systems.
17. Study OSHA safety requirements.
18. Practice electrical calculations with an approved-style calculator.
19. Complete full 240-minute practice examinations.
20. Review every missed question and locate the supporting reference.
21. Complete the Arizona ROC licensing process after satisfying all requirements.

Arizona C-11, CR-11 and R-11 Electrical Exam Prep Resources

The Arizona electrical exams are broad, but the PSI content outlines give you a very clear study roadmap.

Services, grounding, conductors, raceways, overcurrent protection, and photovoltaics are major areas on both exams. Commercial candidates also face a strong Special Occupancies and Equipment section, while residential candidates see even heavier emphasis on services, grounding, and raceways.

When you are ready to prepare, explore the Arizona electrical contractor exam preparation resources from Contractor Exam Preps. Strong NEC skills, organized references, fast calculations, careful photovoltaic study, and repeated timed practice can make the Arizona C-11, CR-11, or R-11 Electrical Contractor exam much easier to manage.