- Domain Overview and Weighting
- Domain 1: Estimating and Plan Reading
- Domain 2: Surface Preparation and Planning
- Domain 3: Steep and Low Slope Roofing, BUR and Waterproofing
- Domain 4: Roofing Components
- Domain 5: Safety
- Domain 6: Repairs and Reroofing
- What You Can Bring Into the Testing Room
- Mapping the Domains to a Study Timeline
- FAQ
- The CR-42 Roofing exam has 50 questions with item counts of 5, 5, 20, 10, 6, and 4 across six domains.
- Domain 3 (Steep and Low Slope Roofing, including BUR and waterproofing) carries 20 questions - the largest single section.
- You have 120 minutes and need a 70% score to pass, separate from the Statutes and Rules Examination.
- PSI's outline was revised June 8, 2023, so older study materials may not match current weighting.
Domain Overview and Weighting
Every candidate preparing for the Arizona Roofing Contractor Trade Exam (AZ-ROOF) - officially PSI's CR-42 Roofing (Residential/Commercial) exam administered on behalf of the Arizona Registrar of Contractors - needs to understand one thing before opening a single study guide: the six content domains are not weighted equally. PSI's published item counts break down as 5, 5, 20, 10, 6, and 4 questions across the six areas, totaling the 50 scored items you'll see on test day. That means one domain alone accounts for 40% of your entire exam.
This guide walks through all six domains in the order PSI lists them, explains what each one actually tests, and shows you where to concentrate your limited study hours. If you haven't yet reviewed the full mechanics of the exam - timing, scoring, and registration - start with our AZ-ROOF Study Guide 2026: How to Pass on Your First Attempt for the bigger picture before diving into domain-level detail here.
| Domain | Content Area | Question Count | Share of Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Estimating and Plan Reading | 5 | 10% |
| 2 | Surface Preparation and Planning | 5 | 10% |
| 3 | Steep and Low Slope Roofing (BUR, Waterproofing) | 20 | 40% |
| 4 | Roofing Components | 10 | 20% |
| 5 | Safety | 6 | 12% |
| 6 | Repairs and Reroofing | 4 | 8% |
Domain 1: Estimating and Plan Reading
With only 5 questions, Domain 1 tests whether you can translate a set of plans into material quantities, labor estimates, and job scope. Expect questions on reading roof plan symbols and notations, calculating square footage and squares of roofing material, converting slope and pitch into usable measurements, and estimating waste factors for different roofing systems.
Domain 1: Estimating and Plan Reading
Candidates must understand how to interpret architectural drawings and translate them into accurate bids and material orders.
- Calculating roof area from plan dimensions and pitch multipliers
- Reading plan symbols for flashing, penetrations, and drainage details
- Estimating material quantities including underlayment and fasteners
Because this domain only contributes 5 questions, it's a good candidate for a focused review session rather than weeks of study - but don't skip it entirely, since a handful of missed easy questions can still tip a borderline score.
Domain 2: Surface Preparation and Planning
Also worth 5 questions, Domain 2 covers what happens before any roofing material goes down: deck inspection, moisture assessment, tear-off sequencing, and job-site planning logistics. This domain often overlaps conceptually with Domain 5 (Safety), since surface prep frequently involves identifying hazards like weakened decking or exposed fasteners.
- Evaluating existing deck condition and substrate suitability
- Sequencing tear-off and disposal to maintain a weather-tight job site
- Planning material staging, loading, and access points
Domain 3: Steep and Low Slope Roofing, including BUR and Waterproofing
This is the domain that decides most outcomes. At 20 of 50 questions, Steep and Low Slope Roofing - including built-up roofing (BUR) and waterproofing - represents 40% of the exam by itself. If you study nothing else deeply, study this.
Domain 3: Steep and Low Slope Roofing, BUR and Waterproofing
This domain spans both residential steep-slope systems and commercial low-slope assemblies, making it the broadest and most technically demanding section of the CR-42 outline.
- Asphalt shingle, tile, and metal roofing installation on steep slopes
- Built-up roofing (BUR) layering, hot and cold application methods
- Modified bitumen and single-ply membrane systems on low-slope assemblies
- Waterproofing details at seams, penetrations, and terminations
- Drainage design and ponding-water prevention on low-slope roofs
Because this section covers both residential steep-slope work and commercial low-slope/BUR systems, candidates who have specialized in only one side of the trade need to deliberately study the other. A residential shingle installer who has never detailed a BUR system - or a commercial low-slope crew lead who hasn't set clay tile - both have real gaps to close here.
Key Takeaway
Spend roughly 40% of your total study time on Domain 3 material, mirroring its share of the exam. Use practice questions on ../ to test both steep-slope and low-slope/BUR scenarios before moving to lighter domains.
Domain 4: Roofing Components
With 10 questions, Domain 4 is the second-heaviest domain and covers the individual parts that make a roofing system function: flashing, fasteners, underlayment, ventilation components, drip edges, and penetration boots. Expect questions that test recognition of proper component selection for a given system and climate condition.
Domain 4: Roofing Components
Candidates need working knowledge of the individual materials and hardware that combine into a complete roofing assembly.
- Flashing types and correct placement at valleys, walls, and penetrations
- Fastener selection based on substrate and wind exposure
- Ventilation components and their role in moisture and heat management
- Underlayment types matched to roofing system and slope
This domain rewards candidates who have hands-on familiarity with a wide range of manufacturer components, not just the systems they install most often on the job.
Domain 5: Safety
Domain 5 contributes 6 questions and draws directly on OSHA fall protection and general construction safety standards relevant to roofing work. Because approved references include OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926 materials, this domain is one where your permitted exam-room references can actually help - provided your copy already has pre-existing tabs and highlighting in place before test day.
- Fall protection systems and anchor point requirements on steep and low-slope roofs
- Ladder setup, scaffold use, and material handling hazards
- Hazard communication and personal protective equipment standards
Domain 6: Repairs and Reroofing
The smallest domain at just 4 questions, Repairs and Reroofing tests your ability to diagnose failure points in existing roofing systems and determine appropriate repair versus full reroof decisions. Topics include leak tracing, patching techniques for different membrane types, and code considerations when reroofing over existing layers.
- Diagnosing leak sources through systematic inspection
- Selecting patch materials compatible with the existing system
- Applying IBC/IRC guidance on reroofing over existing layers
Because this domain carries the fewest points, it's reasonable to review it last and briefly - but don't ignore it, since even 4 questions can matter when the passing threshold is a firm 70%. For a deeper breakdown of exactly what that threshold means in practice, see AZ-ROOF Passing Score 2026: Exactly What You Need to Pass.
What You Can Bring Into the Testing Room
The CR-42 exam is partly open book, which changes how you should study compared to a fully closed-book test. Approved references are limited to the listed OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926 materials and one edition of the IBC or IRC (2009, 2012, 2015, or 2018). Popular study resources like Roofing Construction & Estimating and the listed NRCA manuals are valuable for learning the material, but they are study-only - you cannot bring them into the exam room.
A silent, nonprinting, nonprogrammable calculator is also permitted, which matters most for Domain 1's area and material calculations. Note that the CR-42 trade exam is separate from the Statutes and Rules Examination (SRE), which is a distinct licensing component covering business and legal requirements rather than roofing technical content. If you're still mapping out eligibility, experience requirements, or the qualifying-party structure, review AZ-ROOF Requirements 2026: Eligibility, Prerequisites & How to Qualify before you schedule anything.
Mapping the Domains to a Study Timeline
Rather than studying domains in the order PSI lists them, build your schedule around question weight. A simple four-week structure works well for most candidates balancing exam prep with active roofing work.
Domain 3 Deep Dive
- Review steep-slope shingle, tile, and metal installation details
- Study BUR layering and low-slope membrane systems you don't use daily
- Work waterproofing and drainage practice scenarios
Domain 4 and Domain 1
- Drill component identification and selection logic
- Practice roof area and material quantity calculations
- Review plan-reading symbols and slope conversions
Domain 5, Domain 2, and Domain 6
- Review OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926 fall protection provisions in your approved reference
- Study surface prep and tear-off sequencing
- Cover leak diagnosis and reroofing code considerations
Full Review and Practice Exams
- Run full-length timed practice sessions on ../
- Re-tab and finalize approved references ahead of test day
- Target lingering weak spots identified in earlier practice scores
If you want a condensed version of every domain's must-know facts for last-minute review, our AZ-ROOF Cheat Sheet 2026: One-Page Review of Must-Know Facts summarizes the highest-yield points from each section.
Key Takeaway
Don't study domains in the order they're listed - study them in order of question weight, starting with Domain 3 and finishing with Domain 6.
Employers hiring roofers who hold or are pursuing this license - from residential shingle crews to commercial low-slope and waterproofing contractors - expect familiarity across all six domains, not just the trade a candidate practices daily. That breadth is exactly why the CR-42 outline spans steep-slope, low-slope, BUR, waterproofing, components, safety, and repair knowledge in one exam. If you're weighing whether pursuing this license fits your career plans, Is the AZ-ROOF Certification Worth It? Complete ROI Analysis 2026 and AZ-ROOF Jobs both cover the practical upside in more detail, and How Hard Is the AZ-ROOF Exam? Complete Difficulty Guide 2026 breaks down difficulty domain by domain.
FAQ
Domain 3, Steep and Low Slope Roofing including BUR and Waterproofing, carries 20 of the 50 total questions - 40% of the exam.
No. PSI's item counts are 5, 5, 20, 10, 6, and 4 across the six domains, so study time should scale with each domain's question weight rather than being split evenly.
No. Roofing Construction & Estimating and the listed NRCA manuals are study-only references. Only the approved OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926 materials and one edition of the IBC/IRC (2009, 2012, 2015, or 2018) are permitted in the testing room.
No. The SRE is a separate licensing component from the CR-42 trade exam and its six technical domains covered in this guide.
The exam totals 50 questions with a 120-minute time limit, and candidates need a 70% overall score to pass; PSI does not require passing each domain individually.