ROC program helps small business contractors

PHOENIX--Recognizing the time constraints put on many small business owners, the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) has stepped up efforts to help contractors through the licensing process.

The ROC's Small Business Advocate program offers one-on-one assistance and instructional classes, and is expanding this service to the Tucson ROC Regional Office.

"Starting a business or ensuring that your existing construction or home repair business is properly licensed can be a daunting task," said ROC Director Israel G. Torres, in a news release. "To help small business contractors through the licensing process, we're committed to working with them to ensure that all requirements are understood and met so they can get their businesses up and running."

The ROC invites all aspiring small business contractors to take advantage of the Small Business Advocate program coordinated by Judy Logan.

Logan, a nine-year ROC employee, provides one-on-one assistance to licensing applicants to ensure that the application is accurate and complete in a timely manner.

In addition to this personalized assistance, the program provides instructional classes that explain licensing requirements, forms and the overall process.

The classes provide information on how to fill out the application thoroughly, what documentation is necessary for the application, and how to locate sources for the necessary documents.

The seminars demon-strate how to compile all of the information in the application package.

The ROC will host its first two-hour class in Tucson at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 22, 400 W. Congress.

The class is free and pre-registration is required. Participants may sign up by calling 520-628-6897. Additional Small Business Advocate seminars are scheduled for Oct. 6 and 20 and Nov. 3 and 17.

The ROC regulates construction contractors in the state by providing a licensing and regulatory system for residential and commercial contractors designed to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public.

Additionally, the ROC offers financial protection to residential consumers who use licensed contractors through its Residential Contractors' Recovery Fund.

For more information about the agency or the Small Business advocate program, send e-mail to tucsonsba@roc1.rc.state.az.us, call 520-628-6897, or visit www.rc.state.az.us.