Employer of Record · Arizona

Employer of Record in Arizona.
E-Verify Mandatory. We Handle It.

Arizona is one of the few states that mandates E-Verify for every employer, regardless of size — alongside earned paid sick time and growing minimum wage. WorkGenius becomes your legal employer across Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, and Tucson — handling all Arizona-specific compliance automatically.

$14.35/hr
State minimum wage
All employers
E-Verify mandate scope
40 hrs/yr
Earned paid sick time (most employers)

Arizona by the Numbers

State minimum wage
$14.35/hr
Increases annually with CPI; no city-specific higher rates as of 2024
E-Verify
All employers
Arizona law mandates E-Verify for every employer — not just federal contractors
Paid sick leave
40 hrs/year
24 hrs/year for small employers (fewer than 15 employees)
Final paycheck
7 business days
Or next regular payday — whichever is sooner — after termination or resignation
Non-competes
Generally enforceable
Courts apply reasonableness test; broad restrictions often narrowed or voided
Salary history ban
State employers only
Arizona prohibits salary history inquiries for state government employers; private sector can ask
The Defining Law

Arizona's Mandatory E-Verify Law (A.R.S. §23-214)

Arizona was the first state to mandate E-Verify for all employers — not just federal contractors. Under A.R.S. §23-214, every employer in Arizona must verify the employment eligibility of all new hires through the federal E-Verify system. The penalty for non-compliance isn't just a fine — it's the suspension or permanent revocation of the employer's business license.

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The ABC Test
  • Every Arizona employer must use E-Verify for all new hires — no size exemption
  • First violation: business license suspended for 10 days and probation for 3 years
  • Second violation within 3 years: permanent revocation of all Arizona business licenses
  • Employers must retain E-Verify documentation for the duration of employment
  • I-9 forms are also required and are subject to separate federal audit
  • WorkGenius completes E-Verify for every Arizona employee before their start date
Arizona Coverage

What WorkGenius Handles for Arizona

Arizona's mandatory E-Verify requirement, growing minimum wage, and Prop 206 sick time rules require careful administration for every new hire.

E-Verify (Mandatory)

WorkGenius initiates and completes E-Verify for every Arizona employee before their start date. I-9 documentation retained for the required period.

Arizona Payroll

State income tax withholding with correct flat rate, weekly or biweekly pay schedules, and accurate overtime calculations for all worker types.

Earned Paid Sick Time (Prop 206)

Accrual at 1 hour per 30 hours worked (up to 40 hours/year for employers with 15+ employees, 24 hours for smaller). Carryover, permitted uses, and abuse prevention tracked.

Arizona-Compliant Agreements

Non-compete agreements drafted within Arizona's reasonableness framework. Non-solicitation and confidentiality protections structured for enforceability.

Workers' Compensation

Arizona requires workers' comp for all employees. WorkGenius ensures coverage is in place from day one and manages claims administration.

Termination & Final Pay

Final paycheck issued within 7 business days (or next regular payday if sooner). Compliant separation documentation and COBRA notices handled.

Arizona Compliance Dashboard
3 workers · All compliant
Live
Arizona E-Verify & Wage Compliance Check
Passed
E-Verify completed for every new Arizona hire
Earned paid sick time accrued correctly under Prop 206
Final pay issued within 7 business days of termination
This Week's Payroll
$14.35
Base/hr
$21.53
OT rate (1.5×)
Auto
Calculated
Weekly invoice sent
Every Friday · All-in rate
Sent
Technology-Powered

How WorkGenius Handles Arizona EOR

Arizona is one of only a handful of states that mandates E-Verify for every employer — not just federal contractors. WorkGenius runs the full Arizona compliance checklist on every hire: E-Verify, earned paid sick time, and final pay — all managed automatically.

  • E-Verify — Mandatory for All Employers
    Arizona requires every employer — regardless of size — to verify new hires through E-Verify. WorkGenius initiates and completes E-Verify for every Arizona employee before their start date.
  • Earned Paid Sick Time (Prop 206)
    All Arizona employers must provide earned paid sick time — up to 40 hours/year for most employers. WorkGenius tracks accrual, balances, and permitted uses automatically on every payroll cycle.
  • Arizona Payroll, Accurate
    State income tax withholding, correct overtime, and final pay within the statutory 7-business-day window — all handled without manual intervention.
  • One Weekly Invoice
    A single, transparent weekly invoice covering payroll, taxes, and benefits. No surprises, no hidden fees.

Other Key Arizona Compliance Areas

Beyond E-Verify, Arizona has a growing set of employee protections tied to its annual minimum wage increases.

Annual Minimum Wage Increases

Annual CPI adjustment

Arizona's Fair Wages and Healthy Families Act (Prop 206) ties the minimum wage to CPI, with adjustments each January. Employers must update pay rates each year and notify employees 14 days before any wage change takes effect.

Earned Paid Sick Time (Prop 206)

40 hrs or 24 hrs/yr

All Arizona employees accrue earned paid sick time at 1 hour per 30 hours worked. Employers with 15 or more employees must allow accrual up to 40 hours/year; smaller employers cap at 24 hours. Sick time may be used for personal illness, family care, or domestic violence situations.

Non-Compete Enforceability

Reasonableness test

Arizona does not ban non-competes outright, but courts apply a strict reasonableness test — reviewing geographic scope, duration, and whether the restriction is actually necessary to protect a legitimate business interest. Overly broad agreements are often blue-penciled or voided entirely.

Workers' Compensation — All Employers

1+ employees

Arizona requires workers' compensation coverage for all employers with at least one employee. There is no minimum headcount exemption. Coverage must be in place before an employee's first day of work.

Simple Process

How It Works in Arizona

From first conversation to fully compliant employment — typically within days.

1

Tell Us What You Need

Workers, roles, locations, and start dates. We tailor the setup to your needs.

2

We Assess & Classify

Our AI runs every worker through California's ABC test. We prepare compliant contracts and payroll setup.

3

Workers Are Employed

Onboarded with California-compliant contracts, benefits enrolled, payroll running from day one.

4

We Handle Ongoing

Payroll runs with daily OT. Taxes filed. Compliance monitored. One weekly invoice.

Arizona EOR: Common Questions

Is E-Verify really required for every employer in Arizona — even small businesses?

Yes. Arizona's employer sanctions law (A.R.S. §23-214) requires every employer in the state — regardless of size or industry — to verify new hires through E-Verify. There is no small-employer exemption. The penalty for non-compliance starts with a 10-day business license suspension and escalates to permanent revocation for repeat violations. WorkGenius initiates E-Verify for every Arizona employee as a standard part of onboarding.

What is Prop 206 and how does it affect earned sick time?

Proposition 206, passed by Arizona voters in 2016, established both the minimum wage schedule and mandatory earned paid sick time. All employees accrue sick time at 1 hour per 30 hours worked. Employers with 15 or more employees must allow up to 40 hours of accrual per year; smaller employers cap at 24 hours. Sick time may be used for personal illness, medical appointments, care for a family member, or domestic violence or sexual assault situations. WorkGenius tracks accrual and balances automatically.

When does final pay have to be issued in Arizona?

Arizona law requires final pay within 7 business days of the last day of work — or by the next regular payday, whichever comes first. This applies to both voluntary resignations and involuntary terminations. Failure to comply gives employees the right to recover wages plus treble damages. WorkGenius handles final pay processing as part of its standard termination workflow.

Are non-compete agreements enforceable in Arizona?

Generally yes, but Arizona courts apply a reasonableness test. A non-compete that is too broad in geographic scope, duration (typically more than 1–2 years), or covered activities may be narrowed by the court (blue-penciled) or voided entirely. To be enforceable, the restriction must protect a legitimate business interest — trade secrets, customer relationships, or specialized training. WorkGenius drafts non-compete clauses that are structured to hold up under Arizona's reasonableness standard.

How often does Arizona's minimum wage change?

Arizona's minimum wage adjusts each January 1 based on the prior year's cost of living (CPI). This has been in effect since 2017 under Proposition 206. Employers must notify employees of any wage change at least 14 days before it takes effect. WorkGenius updates pay rates automatically with each annual adjustment and generates the required notifications.

Employer of Record

Ready to Employ in Arizona Compliantly?

WorkGenius handles AB5 classification, California payroll, benefits, and every other compliance requirement so you don't have to. Get started today.

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