Which fee will not be returned if a license application is returned, denied, or withdrawn?

The processing fee is typically non-refundable regardless of the outcome of the license application. This fee covers the administrative costs associated with reviewing the application and processing the necessary paperwork. Once paid, it offsets the expenses incurred by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors during the application process, such as staff time and resources utilized, and thus it is not returned if the application is denied, withdrawn, or returned for any reason.

In contrast, the application fee may sometimes be refunded depending on the circumstances surrounding the application, particularly if it was submitted but not considered. The renewal fee applies to maintaining an active license, and if a license is not renewed, it may be subject to certain refund policies. Lastly, a late fee is generally a penalty for not renewing a license on time and may also have different handling in terms of refunds based on specific regulations or timing involved.

Understanding the nature of the processing fee as a cost that is incurred upon submission of the application can help clarify why it is not returned under various scenarios involving the license application status.