AZ · Apprenticeship

Arizona Apprenticeship Tax Credits and Employer Incentives Explained

Arizona registers apprenticeship programs through the Arizona Apprenticeship Office at DES, which approves state training standards. No state wage subsidy or tax credit for apprenticeship sponsors was found on DES pages or in the state's credit list. Money comes through WIOA: the federal OJT rule lets a board contract with a registered apprenticeship sponsor, and Maricopa County pays tuition, books and tools for apprentices in registered programs on its vendor list.

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State pre-filled: AZ
Program type pre-filled: apprenticeship_grant

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HOW IT WORKS

Four steps, in this order.

1
Register your program with the Arizona Apprenticeship Office at DES
2
Register as a vendor with your county board if you want WIOA funds
3
Ask the board about OJT contracts for apprentices
4
Enroll apprentices and keep hours and training records

2 VERIFIED PROGRAMS

Where the Arizona money comes from.

Run by Arizona Apprenticeship Office, Arizona Department of Economic Security. Every figure is from an official page, linked on each card.

WIOA OJT contract with a registered apprenticeship sponsor

Up to 50% of apprentice wages, 75% in documented cases

THROUGH YOUR LOCAL BOARD

WHAT YOU GET

Reimbursement of part of an apprentice's wages for the period the apprentice needs to become proficient.

HOW MUCH

Typically up to 50% of the apprentice's wage rate, up to 75% in limited cases the board documents.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

The sponsor, as wage reimbursement under an OJT contract with the local board.

WHO QUALIFIES

Your apprenticeship program is registered
The apprentice is WIOA eligible and approved by the board
Contract limited to the time needed to become proficient

Before you start: Yes. Sign the contract with the local board before the apprentice starts.

Maricopa County apprenticeship funding for apprentices

Over $12M county funding for apprentices

THROUGH YOUR LOCAL BOARD

WHAT YOU GET

Your apprentices get tuition, books, tools and other expenses covered, which lowers your cost of recruiting and training.

HOW MUCH

Maricopa's board approved an extra $500,000 in October 2024, bringing total apprenticeship funding to over $12 million. Per-apprentice amounts are not published.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

The apprentice or the training provider. The money is not paid to the employer.

WHO QUALIFIES

Registered program in an in-demand field such as construction, healthcare, IT or manufacturing
The program must be registered as a Maricopa County vendor
The apprentice must qualify for WIOA services

Before you start: Yes. Register as a county vendor before apprentices can be funded.

LOCAL BOARDS

Same program, different rules by board.

Maricopa County

Apprentices are funded only if the registered program is also a County vendor.

SOURCE: MARICOPA.GOV

Maricopa County

Funding covers tuition, books, tools and other expenses for in-demand registered programs.

SOURCE: MARICOPA.GOV

AVOID THESE

What gets Arizona Apprenticeship claims denied.

Program is not registered, so it has no access to registered apprenticeship incentives.
SOURCE: MARICOPA.GOV
Registered program that is not a Maricopa County vendor.
SOURCE: MARICOPA.GOV
OJT contracts with sponsors that showed a pattern of not keeping trainees on.
SOURCE: ECFR.GOV
Treating apprenticeship as a state cash subsidy. DES lists benefits to employers, not payments.
SOURCE: DES.AZ.GOV

STRAIGHT ANSWERS

Arizona Apprenticeship questions.

Who registers apprenticeship programs in Arizona?

The Arizona Apprenticeship Office at DES. Registered programs have State-approved training standards, and the sponsor runs the program.

SOURCE: DES.AZ.GOV

Does Arizona pay employers to sponsor apprentices?

No state payment to sponsors was found on the DES pages. Money comes from WIOA through local boards, mostly paid to apprentices or training providers.

SOURCE: DES.AZ.GOV

Is there an Arizona tax credit for apprenticeships?

None appears in the Arizona Department of Revenue's 2024 income tax credit report.

SOURCE: AZDOR.GOV

Can WIOA OJT pay for apprentices?

Yes. The federal OJT rule allows contracts with a registered apprenticeship program sponsor.

SOURCE: ECFR.GOV

How we checked. Every fact on this page comes from a state agency, a local workforce board or federal regulation, read on September 30, 2026. Where a board publishes nothing, we say so instead of guessing. Programs and funding change often; confirm with the program before you commit. Written by Jason Meehl, founder of Reimbursa. Found an error? Email hello@reimbursa.com.

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