License Guide — Arizona
R-14 vs. R-31: Which Arizona License Does Your Fence or Wall Contractor Need?
As of August 2026, Arizona's Registrar of Contractors uses two separate license classifications for this niche: R-14 (Fencing) — metal, wood, and cement block fencing, but never retaining walls — and R-31 (Masonry), the broader classification that covers structural block, brick, and stone work, including retaining walls. Which one your contractor should hold depends on the job.
R-14 (Fencing) — what it covers
Arizona ROC's R-14/C-14/CR-14 "Fencing" classification covers installing and repairing metal, wood, and cement block fencing, automatic gates, fire access strobes, and cattle guards. It's the license a standard fence installer — chain link, wood privacy, vinyl, wrought iron, or a low decorative block fence — should hold.
What it does not cover: retaining-wall installation. This is explicitly excluded from R-14's scope, regardless of what material the wall is built from.
R-31 (Masonry) — what it covers
Arizona ROC's R-31/C-31/CR-31 "Masonry" classification covers installing and repairing masonry, brick, concrete block, insulating concrete forms (ICF), adobe units, stone, marble, and slate. It's the broader of the two classifications, and it's what a structural perimeter block wall or a retaining wall typically falls under.
Why the distinction matters for your project
Two Yuma projects that look similar from the street — a low decorative block fence and a taller structural perimeter wall — can require two different licenses. And a wall that retains soil (holds back a grade change on a sloped lot) specifically needs R-31, even if the rest of the project looks like standard fencing work. A contractor who only holds R-14 legally cannot perform retaining-wall work, no matter how experienced they are with fencing generally.
This is a genuinely useful thing to ask about before you sign a contract — not to catch anyone out, but because a mismatched license means the work may not be covered the way you'd expect if something goes wrong, and it can create real problems if you ever sell the property and a buyer's inspector or title company asks about permitted work.
Quick reference table
| Project type | License needed |
|---|---|
| Wood, vinyl, or chain-link fence | R-14 (Fencing) |
| Automatic gate installation | R-14 (Fencing) |
| Low decorative block fence (non-structural) | R-14 (Fencing) — confirm with contractor; borderline cases exist |
| Structural perimeter block wall | R-31 (Masonry) |
| Retaining wall (any material) | R-31 (Masonry) — R-14 excludes this scope entirely |
| Canal-adjacent solid masonry barrier wall | R-31 (Masonry) |
How to verify a contractor's license
- Go to roc.az.gov and use the Contractor Search tool (also reachable directly at azroc.my.site.com/AZRoc/s/contractor-search).
- Search by the exact business name or license number the contractor gave you.
- Confirm the license status reads Active, not Suspended or Inactive.
- Confirm the classification listed (R-14, R-31, or both) actually matches the scope of your project.
- If you can't find the business under the exact name on their marketing materials, ask them directly for their license number — ROC's search results are tied to the mailing address and legal entity name on file, which doesn't always match a business's public DBA/marketing name.
we work with providers who report being licensed and insured through the Arizona Registrar of Contractors — verify any specific contractor's license directly at roc.az.gov before hiring. Neither Yuma Fence & Wall nor any contractor we match you with can substitute for you personally confirming license status before signing a contract.
Why this is a criminal-law issue in Arizona, not just a best practice
Arizona law (A.R.S. § 32-1165) makes it a class 1 misdemeanor to advertise the ability to perform work regulated by the Registrar of Contractors without holding the required license — this applies regardless of whether the underlying work would otherwise be exempt from licensing. That's a meaningful reason a legitimate local contractor should have no hesitation providing their license number: it's a matter of public record, and avoiding the question is itself a red flag.
Red flags
- A contractor who won't provide a license number, or gives a name that doesn't match the license on file.
- A "fencing" contractor offering to build a retaining wall without holding R-31.
- A license that comes back Suspended or Inactive at roc.az.gov.
- Pressure to sign before you've had a chance to verify the license yourself.
Ready to get matched with an independent, license-appropriate contractor for your project? Request a free, no-obligation quote and tell us whether you're looking at fencing, a block wall, or a retaining wall.
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Common Questions
What's the difference between an R-14 and R-31 license in Arizona?
R-14 (Fencing) covers installing and repairing metal, wood, and cement block fencing, automatic gates, fire access strobes, and cattle guards — but explicitly excludes retaining-wall installation. R-31 (Masonry) is the broader classification: masonry, brick, concrete block, insulating concrete forms, adobe, stone, marble, and slate — including structural and retaining walls.
Which license does a block wall around my backyard need?
A standard perimeter block wall (not retaining soil) commonly falls under R-31 (Masonry), since it's structural concrete-block construction. If any portion of the wall retains soil (holds back a grade change), that portion specifically needs R-31 — R-14 explicitly excludes retaining-wall work.
How do I check if a contractor's Arizona license is active?
Use the Arizona Registrar of Contractors' free public Contractor Search at roc.az.gov (or directly at azroc.my.site.com/AZRoc/s/contractor-search). Search by business name or license number — it will show whether the license is Active, Suspended, or Inactive, and which classification(s) it covers.
Is it illegal to hire an unlicensed contractor in Arizona?
Arizona law (A.R.S. § 32-1165) makes it a class 1 misdemeanor for a business to advertise that it can perform licensed contracting work without holding the required license — the legal exposure falls primarily on the business doing the advertising/performing the work. As the homeowner, verifying license status protects you from workmanship, warranty, and liability risks that come with hiring an unlicensed operator, even where you aren't the one facing the misdemeanor exposure.