- AZ-ROOF is the site identifier PSI uses for the Arizona CR-42 Roofing trade exam under the AZ Registrar of Contractors.
- The exam has 50 questions, a 120-minute limit, and requires a 70% passing score.
- PSI's six-domain outline was last revised June 8, 2023, with roofing systems (BUR and waterproofing) as the largest section.
- It's partly open book: approved OSHA 1926 materials and one IBC/IRC edition (2009, 2012, 2015, or 2018) may be used, but NRCA manuals are study-only.
What AZ-ROOF Actually Stands For
AZ-ROOF is not a certifying body, a private credential, or a nationally branded designation. It's the site identifier PSI assigns to the trade competency exam that qualifying parties must pass to become licensed roofing contractors in Arizona. Specifically, AZ-ROOF refers to the Arizona Roofing Contractor Trade Exam, administered on behalf of the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (AZ ROC) through PSI's testing network. The official classification code for this license category is CR-42 Roofing (Residential/Commercial).
If you've searched for "AZ-ROOF" and found conflicting information, it's likely because the acronym overlaps with unrelated credentials in other industries. On this site, and in this article, AZ-ROOF means exactly one thing: the PSI-administered trade exam tied to Arizona's CR-42 roofing classification. Every fact in this piece - question counts, time limits, references, fees - applies to that exam and that exam only.
The Exam Behind the Name: CR-42 Roofing
The CR-42 classification covers both residential and commercial roofing work, which is why the trade exam draws from a broad set of topics - steep-slope shingle systems, low-slope built-up roofing (BUR), waterproofing membranes, and everything in between. PSI's outline for this exam was revised on June 8, 2023, so any prep material referencing an older breakdown may not match current question distribution.
The exam itself consists of 50 questions to be completed in 120 minutes, with a required 70% passing score. That works out to needing roughly 35 correct answers, though PSI scores based on the raw percentage rather than a scaled score. For a deeper walkthrough of exactly how that threshold is calculated and what it means practically, see AZ-ROOF Passing Score 2026: Exactly What You Need to Pass.
If you're still deciding whether the CR-42 exam is the right target for your career path, or want the full picture of what "AZ-ROOF" encompasses beyond just the acronym, the overview at What Is AZ-ROOF? is a good companion read.
The Six Domains AZ-ROOF Tests
PSI's outline splits the 50 questions across six content domains with published item counts of 5, 5, 20, 10, 6, and 4, mapped to the domains below in order. Roofing systems - the domain covering steep and low slope work, BUR, and waterproofing - makes up the largest chunk of the exam by a wide margin, at 20 of 50 questions.
Domain 1: Estimating and Plan Reading
Covers reading roof plans, calculating material quantities, and translating specifications into accurate bids.
- Square footage and waste-factor calculations
Domain 2: Surface Preparation and Planning
Focuses on deck inspection, substrate readiness, and sequencing work before materials go down.
- Identifying deck deficiencies before installation begins
Domain 3: Steep and Low Slope Roofing, including BUR and Waterproofing
The largest domain on the exam, covering shingle and tile systems, built-up roofing assemblies, and membrane waterproofing details.
- BUR layering and hot/cold application methods
- Flashing and detail work at penetrations and transitions
Domain 4: Roofing Components
Tests knowledge of underlayment, fasteners, flashing materials, and accessory components across roof types.
- Matching component selection to climate and slope
Domain 5: Safety
Covers jobsite safety practices, fall protection, and OSHA-referenced procedures relevant to roofing work.
- Fall protection requirements under referenced OSHA 1926 material
Domain 6: Repairs and Reroofing
Addresses diagnosing existing roof failures, tear-off decisions, and reroofing over existing systems.
- Determining when reroofing over existing layers is appropriate
For a section-by-section breakdown with more study guidance on each domain, the dedicated resource at AZ-ROOF Exam Domains 2026: Complete Guide to All 6 Content Areas goes deeper than we can here.
Key Takeaway
Because Domain 3 alone accounts for 20 of 50 questions, candidates who under-study BUR and waterproofing details are taking on outsized risk relative to the other five domains combined.
Question Format and What's Allowed in the Room
The CR-42 trade exam is partly open book, which distinguishes it from many other trade exams and changes how you should prepare. Approved references that may be brought into the testing room include the listed OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926 materials and one edition of the IBC or IRC - 2009, 2012, 2015, or 2018.
Two details trip up candidates who don't plan ahead:
- Annotations are fine, loose paper isn't. Pre-existing highlighting, permanent tabs, and prior annotations in your approved references are allowed. Loose papers, temporary tabs, and writing in the books during the actual test session are prohibited.
- Study-only books stay home. Roofing Construction & Estimating and the listed NRCA manuals are excellent study resources but are not permitted in the exam room. Don't assume every roofing reference you study from can come with you.
A silent, nonprinting, nonprogrammable calculator is also permitted - useful given the estimating and quantity calculations tested in Domain 1.
Where AZ-ROOF Fits in Getting Licensed
Passing the CR-42 trade exam is one piece of a larger licensing process managed by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors, not the entire process. Separately, the qualifying party must also pass the Statutes and Rules Examination (SRE), which tests business and legal knowledge rather than trade skills.
Beyond the two written exams, ROC licensing involves:
- A statutory baseline of four years of trade experience, with at least two of those years falling within the last ten - subject to authorized training-credit, reduction, and documentation-waiver provisions
- Required written exams generally must be taken within two years before application
- Business eligibility review and applicable background checks
- Maintaining the required bond, since the license is issued to the business entity, not to the individual qualifying party
Once licensed, renewal isn't free. The standard Specialty Dual renewal totals $650 per two-year cycle - a $380 renewal fee plus a $270 recovery-fund assessment. For the complete cost picture across exam fees, renewal cycles, and bonding, see AZ-ROOF Certification Cost 2026: Complete Pricing Breakdown. If you want to confirm you meet the experience and documentation thresholds before you even schedule an exam, review AZ-ROOF Requirements 2026: Eligibility, Prerequisites & How to Qualify first.
| Component | Detail |
|---|---|
| Exam name | CR-42 Roofing (Residential/Commercial) - site identifier AZ-ROOF |
| Administered by | PSI, on behalf of the Arizona Registrar of Contractors |
| Questions / Time | 50 questions / 120 minutes |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Reference policy | Partly open book: OSHA 1926 materials + one IBC/IRC edition (2009/2012/2015/2018) |
| Separate requirement | Statutes and Rules Examination (SRE) |
| Standard renewal | $650 per two-year cycle ($380 renewal + $270 recovery-fund assessment) |
Who Actually Needs to Pass This Exam
The CR-42 trade exam is required of the individual serving as the qualifying party for a roofing contracting business seeking licensure in Arizona. This typically means an experienced roofer, foreman, or crew lead who is stepping into the role of licensing a company - whether that's their own contracting business or one they're qualifying on behalf of an employer.
General contractors expanding into roofing scopes, established roofing crews formalizing their business under a license, and tradespeople transitioning from subcontractor work into licensed contracting all encounter this exam as a gatekeeping step. Because the license attaches to the business rather than the person, a single qualifying party's passing score effectively unlocks legal roofing work for the entire company.
If you're weighing whether pursuing this license path makes financial sense for your career, the analysis in Is the AZ-ROOF Certification Worth It? Complete ROI Analysis 2026 and the market data in AZ-ROOF Salary Guide 2026: Complete Earnings Analysis are worth reviewing before you commit study time and fees.
Fitting Domain Review Into a Real Schedule
Given that Domain 3 (Steep and Low Slope Roofing, including BUR and Waterproofing) carries 20 of 50 questions, it deserves proportionally more study time than the other five domains combined - not an equal one-sixth split. A practical approach is to front-load early weeks on the smaller domains to build foundational vocabulary, then dedicate the largest single block of remaining time to BUR systems, membrane waterproofing, and flashing details before your test date.
Estimating, Plan Reading, Surface Prep
- Work through quantity and waste-factor problems
- Review deck inspection checklists and sequencing logic
Roofing Systems Deep Dive
- BUR layering, hot/cold applications, membrane waterproofing
- Practice flashing and penetration detail scenarios
Components, Safety, Repairs/Reroofing
- Fastener and underlayment selection by climate
- OSHA 1926 fall-protection review
Reference Setup and Practice Testing
- Tab and annotate your approved OSHA and IBC/IRC materials
- Run full-length timed practice sessions
Whatever cadence you choose, treat spaced review of Domain 3 as non-negotiable - it's the section most likely to determine whether you clear 70%. For a full guide on structuring this kind of study plan around AZ-ROOF specifically, see AZ-ROOF Study Guide 2026: How to Pass on Your First Attempt, and gauge your overall readiness with How Hard Is the AZ-ROOF Exam? Complete Difficulty Guide 2026.
Running realistic timed questions modeled on the actual CR-42 blueprint is one of the most reliable ways to confirm you're ready before exam day - you can start with practice questions at AZ-ROOF Exam Prep to see where your domain knowledge stands.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. AZ-ROOF is PSI's site identifier for the Arizona CR-42 Roofing trade exam, administered on behalf of the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. It is not a separate certifying body.
The exam contains 50 questions with a 120-minute time limit, and you need a 70% score to pass.
No. NRCA manuals and Roofing Construction & Estimating are valuable for study but are not permitted as exam-room references. Only listed OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926 materials and one IBC/IRC edition (2009, 2012, 2015, or 2018) are allowed.
No. You also need to pass the separate Statutes and Rules Examination (SRE), meet the statutory experience baseline, and satisfy business eligibility, background check, and bonding requirements through the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.
Domain 3, Steep and Low Slope Roofing including BUR and Waterproofing, carries the most weight at 20 of 50 questions, making it the highest-priority section for focused review.