Licensing Guides
State Contractor License: How to Become a General Contractor in Utah
Contractor, UT
Table of Contents
Why Do You Need a Contractor License in Utah?
How Can You Get a Contractor License in Utah?
Types of General Contractor Licenses in Utah
What Are the Requirements of a Utah Contractor License?
How Long Does It Take to Get a Contractor License in Utah?
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Contractor License in Utah?
Utah Contractor License Training Programs and Schools
Does Utah Reciprocate Contractor Licenses?
Do I Need to Renew my Contractor License in Utah?
Are There Any Penalties for Contracting Without a License in Utah?
We all need a place to live and work, and those buildings require upkeep and repair. They’re often the biggest investments we make in our lives and keeping them in good condition is essential. We count on professionals to know how to fix damage to or wear and tear on our homes and businesses. General contractors are typically the experts we rely on to help us with these repairs, and we need these people to know what they’re doing.
Many states require contractors to be licensed. Others simply require solid insurance to back up the essential work they perform. There are 520,900 construction managers and 1,599,800 construction laborers and helpers nationwide, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Utah employs 3,660 managers and 20,320 laborers and helpers. The national number for managers is projected to grow 9% from 2023 to 2033; laborers and helpers, 8%. In Utah, according to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, the projected growth rate for laborers and managers significantly surpasses that, at 35% and 39%, respectively. If you’re thinking about becoming a contractor or you want a job in the field, you need to know the requirements in your state or local jurisdiction. This guide will help you determine what you need before you get started as a licensed contractor.
Why Do You Need a Contractor License in Utah?
A contractor license is necessary to perform most work legally in the state of Utah. Specifically, according to the Utah Construction Trades Licensing Act, a general contractor license is required to perform any construction work valued higher than $3,000. Licensing is overseen by the Utah Department of Commerce Division of Professional Licensing.
How Can You Get a Contractor License in Utah?
The licensing requirements are spelled out on the state website. The process for each classification is roughly the same.
In addition to having two years of paid construction experience, you must complete a 30-hour pre-license course from Associated Builders and Contractors Inc (ABC), Utah Home Builders Association (UHBA), or Associated General Contractors of Utah (AGC).
One way to get the experience you need is through an apprenticeship program. Opportunities are available through Apprenticeship Utah, a Department of Workforce Services Program. You can also satisfy the experience requirement in one of the following ways:
Serve as a qualifier on a current or previous Utah contractor license for at least two years
Obtain a two- or four-year Construction Management degree
Become a licensed Utah Professional Engineer
Pass the NASCLA examination for Commercial General Building Contractors
Corporations, LLCs, LLPs, or partnerships need to register with the Utah Division of Corporations. All applicants must obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
You must obtain a general liability insurance certificate with minimum required coverage of $100,000 for each incident and $300,000 in total that lists the DOPL as certificate holder. If you have employees, you need a certificate of workers’ compensation coverage, a state withholding tax registration from the Utah State Tax Commission, and an unemployment registration from the Utah Department of Workforce Services. If you don’t have employees, you need a workers’ compensation coverage waiver from the Utah Labor Commission.
Finally, applicants are required to pass the Utah Business and Law exam.
Types of Contractor Licenses in Utah
Utah has seven General Contractor classifications and 18 Specialty Contractor classifications. General Contractor license classifications include:
B100 General Contractor: Can perform or oversee construction of structures for the support, shelter, and enclosure of people, animals, or movable property of any kind or any of the components of that construction, except plumbing, electrical work, mechanical work, work related to the operating integrity of an elevator, and manufactured housing installation.
R100 Residential/Small Commercial Contractor: Can perform or oversee the construction of single-family residences, multifamily residences up to four units, and commercial construction up to three stories above ground and 20,000 square feet, or any of the components of that construction, except plumbing, electrical work, mechanical work, and manufactured housing installation.
E100 General Engineering Contractor: Can perform or oversee construction of fixed works or components of fixed works requiring specialized engineering knowledge and skill, such as tunnels, airports, or power plants.
P200 General Plumbing Contractor: Can perform the fabrication or installation of material and fixtures “to create and maintain sanitary conditions in a building by providing permanent means for a supply of safe and pure water, a means for the timely and complete removal from the premises of all used or contaminated water, fluid and semi-fluid organic wastes, and other impurities incidental to life and the occupation of such premises, and a safe and adequate supply of gases for lighting, heating, and industrial purposes.”
P201 Residential Plumbing Contractor: Can perform the fabrication or installation of material and fixtures “to create and maintain sanitary conditions in residential buildings by providing permanent means for a supply of safe and pure water, a means for the timely and complete removal from the premises of all used or contaminated water, fluid and semi-fluid organic wastes, and other impurities incidental to life and the occupation of such premises, and a safe and adequate supply of gases for lighting, heating, and residential purposes.”
E200 General Electrical Contractor: Can perform the fabrication, construction, and installation of generators, transformers, conduits, raceways, panels, switchgear, electrical wires, fixtures, appliances, or any apparatus that uses electrical energy.
E201 Residential Electrical Contractor: Can perform the fabrication, construction, and installation of services, disconnecting means, grounding devices, panels, conductors, load centers, lighting and plug circuits, appliances, and fixtures in a residential unit.
Getting a general contractor license
The bottom line is that you need to be licensed to do any kind of initial residential or commercial construction, repair, or maintenance valuing more than $3,000 in the state of Utah. Here’s how you go about getting licensed.
COMPLETE PRE-LICENSURE COURSE: Take a 30-hour pre-license course from Associated Builders and Contractors Inc. (ABC), Utah Home Builders Association (UHBA), or Associated General Contractors of Utah (AGC).
PASS EXAM: Schedule and pass the open-book Utah Business & Law Exam, which incurs a $78 fee. You can skip the exam if you have one year of licensed experience in another U.S. state, district, or territory or you served as a qualifier on a Utah contractor license prior to May 9, 2017.
OBTAIN REQUIRED INSURANCE: Obtain general liability insurance with the minimum required coverage of $100,000 for each incident and $300,000 in total, as well as workers’ compensation insurance if you have employees. Contractors with employees also need a state withholding tax registration from the Utah State Tax Commission and an unemployment registration from the Utah Department of Workforce Services.
APPLY FOR LICENSE: Fill out the Utah Contractor License application online or via a downloadable PDF. Determine application fee on page 11 of the application. For one qualifying party and one classification, the fee would be $226. If filling out a PDF, mail the application to Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, P.O. Box 146741, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6741, or deliver it in person to Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, 160 E 300 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111.
Getting a specialty license
All General Contractor license applicants, except R100 Residential/Small Commercial Contractor, may select up to three of the 18 Specialty classifications. Those classifications are:
B200 Modular Unit Installation Contractor
R101 Residential/Small Commercial Non-Structural Remodel/Repair
R200 Factory Built Housing Contractor
S202 Solar Photovoltaic Contractor
S220 Carpentry & Flooring Contractor
S230 Masonry, Siding, Stucco, Glass, and Rain Gutter Contractor
S260 Asphalt & Concrete Contractor
S270 Drywall, Paint, and Plastering Contractor
S280 Roofing Contractor
S310 Foundation, Excavation, and Demolition Contractor
S330 Landscape & Recreation Contractor
S350 HVAC Contractor
S354 Radon Mitigation
S370 Fire Suppression Systems Contractor
S410 Boiler, Pipeline, Wastewater, and Water
Conditioner Contractor
S440 Sign Installation Contractor
S510 Elevator Contractor
S700 Limited Scope Contractor
To get one of these specialty licenses on its own, you will follow almost the same process as above. The pre-licensure course is 25 hours rather than 30 hours. The price is the same at $50 per qualifier, $175 per classification, and a $1 processing fee. For one qualifier and one classification, the total cost would be $226.
You can also consult our guides to getting your HVAC license, plumber license, or electrician license in Utah.
What Are the Requirements of a Utah Contractor License?
The requirements for licensure as a contractor in Utah are all intended to demonstrate that an individual who will be serving the public is properly prepared to do the job right. To that end, there are knowledge/experience and financial prerequisites.
You must have an individual employer identification number from the IRS.
Must complete a 30-hour pre-license course and have two years of paid work experience.
Take and pass all parts of the licensing examination.
Pay all fees.
File evidence of general liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance, or an exemption from the requirements.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Contractor License in Utah?
To get a contractor license in Utah, you need two years of paid work experience. You can also satisfy the experience requirement in one of the following ways:
Serve as qualifier on a current or previous Utah contractor license for at least two years
Obtain a two- or four-year Construction Management degree
Become a licensed Utah Professional Engineer
Pass the NASCLA examination for Commercial General Building Contractors
In addition, you need to take a 30-hour pre-licensure course.
Contractor applications are reviewed and processed as they are received. The Division of Licensing doesn’t provide an estimated processing time, but notes on its website to call if you don’t receive a response within four weeks of submitting an application.
What Business Owners Need to Know
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How Much Does It Cost to Get a Contractor License in Utah?
Depending on where you go, the required pre-license course costs $225 to $395. The required exam fee is $78. The application fee is $50 per qualifier, $175 per classification, and a $1 processing fee.
All together, the cost to become a general contractor in Utah is $529 to $699.
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Utah Contractor License Training Programs and Schools
An associate or bachelor degree in Construction Management can count for the two-year experience requirement to become a licensed general contractor in Utah. There are many higher education options throughout the Beehive State that offer these types of programs. They include:
Does Utah Reciprocate Contractor Licenses?
No, but you may be able to waive exams or other requirements in certain states with a license deemed equivalent. This is referred to as licensure by endorsement.
Do I Need to Renew my Contractor License in Utah?
Licenses expire on Nov. 30 of odd years, and must be renewed. The renewal fee is $119.
Are There Any Penalties for Contracting Without a License in Utah?
Yes, operating without a license is a Class A misdemeanor. A first offense incurs a fine up to $1,000, a second offense incurs a fine up to $2,000, and subsequent offenses incur a fine up to $2,000 per day. The DOPL is also authorized to send a cease and desist order or take legal action against unlicensed contractors.
National Certifications
Other certifications can help you demonstrate your proficiency to potential employers and clients. There are many professional organizations that offer certification. These certifications are not required but can add to your marketability and therefore increase your opportunity to make more money.
Some of the top construction certifications are:
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Safety Certificate
Construction Management Association of America Certified Construction Manager (CCM)
National Association of Safety Professionals (NASP) Certified Safety Manager (CSM) certification
National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER)
Continuing Education
Providers are required to complete six hours of continuing education for contractor license renewals.
Resources
You can stay up to date on contracting industry news several ways:
Check top blogs, including ServiceTitan’s blog.
Read about the latest industry trends, and discover ideas on how to grow your business.
Listen to top podcasts like ServiceTitan’s “Toolbox for the Trades” podcast.
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