Guide

Licensed vs. Unlicensed Fence & Block Wall Contractors in Arizona

What East Valley homeowners should know about ROC licensing before hiring — and how to verify it yourself.

In Arizona, fence installation and repair is licensed under ROC classification CR-14 (or C-14/R-14), and block wall/masonry work is licensed separately under CR-31 (or C-31/R-31) — two distinct classifications homeowners should check separately, since many East Valley projects combine both trades.

Two Separate Licenses, One Site

Fencing and block wall/masonry are regulated as different trades by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC), each with its own classification:

CR-14 / C-14 / R-14 — Fencing: covers wood, vinyl, chain-link, and ornamental iron fence installation and repair. CR-14 is the dual commercial+residential classification most fence contractors who serve both markets hold.
CR-31 / C-31 / R-31 — Masonry: covers block wall (CMU) and other masonry installation and repair. CR-31 is the dual classification most block wall contractors who serve both markets hold.

A contractor licensed for one doesn't automatically mean they hold the other — if your project spans both fencing and block wall, it's worth confirming which classification(s) your contractor actually holds, or whether they're subcontracting the masonry portion to a separately licensed CR-31 pro.

Why This Matters

Arizona law (A.R.S. § 32-1165) makes it a class 1 misdemeanor to advertise the ability to perform licensed contractor work without holding the applicable license. Beyond the legal question, hiring an unlicensed contractor means you lose access to the ROC's consumer-protection tools if the work goes wrong — including the ability to file a formal complaint and, in some cases, claim against the ROC's Recovery Fund.

How to Verify a License Yourself

Ask the contractor for their ROC license number directly.
Go to the Arizona Registrar of Contractors' Contractor Search at azroc.gov.
Search by license number or business name.
Confirm the license status is Active and the classification matches your project (CR-14 for fencing, CR-31 for block wall).

How East Valley Fence & Wall Pro Vets Contractors

We work only with independent contractors who report holding an active, applicable Arizona ROC license — but we still recommend every homeowner do their own final verification directly at azroc.gov before signing a contract. This is standard practice, not a reflection on any specific contractor, and it takes less than a minute.

Red flags of an unlicensed operator: can't or won't produce a license number, pressures you to sign or pay immediately, solicits door-to-door after a storm, or asks for full payment upfront before any work begins.

Get Matched With a Licensed Contractor

Tell us about your project and we'll connect you with a licensed local pro — free, no obligation.

(555) 010-1000 Get Matched Now

Frequently Asked Questions

What license does a fence contractor need in Arizona?

Fence installation and repair is licensed under ROC classification CR-14 (dual commercial/residential), or C-14 (commercial-only) / R-14 (residential-only).

What license does a block wall contractor need?

Block wall and masonry work is licensed separately, under ROC classification CR-31 (or C-31/R-31) — a different classification from fencing, since the two trades are regulated separately even though many projects combine both.

How do I verify a contractor's license?

Search the contractor's name or license number directly at the Arizona Registrar of Contractors' online Contractor Search (azroc.gov) — it will show whether the license is active and which classification it covers.

What happens if I hire an unlicensed contractor?

Unlicensed contracting work above Arizona's small-job exemption threshold is illegal for the contractor to advertise or perform, and you lose access to the ROC's consumer complaint and Recovery Fund protections if something goes wrong. Always verify the license before signing anything.