Utah contractor license requirements

This guide summarizes what Utah requires to run a contracting business, with a link to the state's own source for every requirement. Licenses for individual electricians, plumbers and HVAC technicians are separate; see the trade guides linked below. Rules change; check the linked source before you apply.

License classes

Utah's general contractor classifications are B100 General Contractor, R100 Residential/Small Commercial Contractor, E100 General Engineering Contractor, P200 General Plumbing Contractor, P201 Residential Plumbing Contractor, E200 General Electrical Contractor, E201 Residential Electrical Contractor and H100 HVAC Contractor. Each requires everything a specialty contractor license requires, plus experience and exam requirements. (source)

Experience and exams

Utah's eight general contractor classifications (B100, R100, E100, P200, P201, E200, E201 and H100) must meet the specialty contractor requirements plus two years (at least 4,000 hours) of paid construction-industry experience, whether paid as a W-2 employee or as an owner. The requirement can also be met by two years as a qualifier on a Utah contractor license, a two- or four-year construction management degree, a Utah professional engineer license, or a passing score on the NASCLA commercial general building contractor exam. H100 HVAC qualifiers must show 4,000 hours of HVAC work within the past five years or hold an active Utah journeyman or master plumber license (residential included). (source)

The B100, E100, H100, R100, E200, E201, P200 and P201 classifications require the Utah Contractor Business and Law Exam, taken through DOPL's authorized exam provider, unless the applicant qualifies for an alternative such as licensure by endorsement, one year of licensed experience in a similar scope in another U.S. state, district or territory on a license that is currently active and in good standing, or having been a qualifier on a Utah contractor license before May 9, 2017. H100 HVAC applicants must also pass the Utah HVAC written exam. (source)

Bond and insurance

Utah contractors must show financial responsibility before a license is issued, renewed or reinstated, either by completing and signing a DOPL financial responsibility questionnaire or by submitting a bond in an amount and form set by the Construction Services Commission with the DOPL director's concurrence. Financial responsibility must be maintained throughout the license period. (source)

Utah contractor applicants must file proof of general liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per incident and $2,000,000 in total, naming DOPL as certificate holder and in force for the whole license period. They must also show workers' compensation insurance or, if they hire no employees, a Workers' Compensation Coverage Waiver from the Utah Labor Commission. (source)

Fees and renewal

DOPL's fee schedule for the current fiscal year lists a $175.00 application fee and a $128.00 renewal fee for a contractor license's primary classification, plus a $1.00 e-library surcharge. All DOPL fees are non-refundable. (source)

Utah contractor licenses expire on November 30 of odd-numbered years. To renew, contractors need 6 hours of continuing education (3 of them taught live; a live webinar counts) and a current liability insurance certificate listing DOPL as certificate holder. (source)

Check a contractor's license

Utah's public contractor license lookup: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html