The first step in establishing your business as a state recognized entity is to choose a company name. As a contractor there are multiple agencies that need to be checked in order to verify the name is available.

 

Corporation Name: The minimum requirements under Arizona law for the name of a for-profit corporation or fictitious name of a for-profit foreign corporation are that it: shall contain the word "association", "bank", "company", "corporation", "limited", or "incorporated", or an abbreviation of one of those words.If the existing corporate name or the fictitious name adopted for use in Arizona does not contain one of those words or an abbreviation of one of those words, then one of those words or an abbreviation of one of those words must be added to it; and shall not contain the words "limited liability company" or "limited company" or the abbreviations "L.L.C.", "L.C.", "LLC" or "LC", in uppercase or lowercase letters.

 

Limited Liability Company Name: The minimum requirements under Arizona law for the name of a limited liability company or fictitious name of a foreign limited liability company are that it: shall contain the words "limited liability company" or "limited company" or the abbreviations "L.L.C.", "L.C.", "LLC", or "LC". If the existing limited liability company name or the fictitious name adopted for use in Arizona does not contain one of those words or an abbreviation of one of those words, then one of those words or an abbreviation of one of those words must be added to it. and shall not contain the words "association", "corporation", "incorporated", or an abbreviation of those words.

Companies who choose to file a Trade DBA Name indicate their doing business under a particular business name. This serves to protect the identity of the company within the state. As part of the entity setup process, Arizona Contractor License Center will assist you in setting up your DBA. Trade Names last for 5 years from the date of receipt. Trademarks last for 10 years from the date of receipt. Prior to expiration, you have up to six months to renew your trade name or trademark. If your filing is not renewed on time, your trade name or trademark can be registered by someone else.

Arizona Registrar of Contractors - Click here to check name

• The name of the licensee on file at the Arizona Corporation Commission, if the licensee is a corporation or a limited liability company;
• The name of the licensee on file at the Secretary of State’s Office, or if the licensee is a partnership
• The name of the licensee on a government-issued identification card, if the licensee is an individual operating as a sole proprietorship.
• Trade Name and DBA. The terms “trade name” and “DBA” each mean the name in which the licensee actually does business as a contractor.