- Projects under $7,000 including labor and materials can be done under the handyman exemption. Above that, a contractor license is needed.
- At least 4,000 hours (about 2 years) of paid construction work experience, or a construction management degree, a Utah PE license, a passed NASCLA commercial exam, or 2 years as a Utah license qualifier.
- Plan for a trade exam and a business and law exam.
- Every two years, expiring November 30 of odd years. 6 hours of continuing education, with 3 taught live.
Do you need a state license in Utah?
Utah licenses general contractor work at the state level through the Utah Department of Commerce, Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL). Below is what the board asks for, in the order you will run into it.
Projects under $7,000 including labor and materials can be done under the handyman exemption. Above that, a contractor license is needed.
Besides the state license, you need a business license from the city or county where your main place of business is. State law bars cities and counties from adding other licenses to qualify a state licensed contractor.
Utah license types for general contractor work
Utah splits the work into 4 licenses. Pick the one that matches the jobs you take, since working outside its scope is the same as working without one.
| License | What it covers |
|---|---|
| B100 | General building contractor |
| R100 | Residential and small commercial contractor |
| E100 | General engineering contractor |
| Specialty classifications | Single trades, listed in Utah Admin. Rule R156-55a |
Steps to get licensed in Utah
- Get 4,000 hours of paid construction experience or another accepted qualification.
- Take the 25-hour pre-license course and the 5-hour business and law course from an approved provider.
- Pass the Utah Business and Law exam through Prov.
- Register your business, buy $1M/$2M liability insurance and set up workers comp or a waiver.
- Apply to DOPL online or on paper and pay the classification and qualifier fees.
Experience and other requirements
Experience. At least 4,000 hours (about 2 years) of paid construction work experience, or a construction management degree, a Utah PE license, a passed NASCLA commercial exam, or 2 years as a Utah license qualifier.
The license to apply for. Contractor license, B100 General Building or R100 Residential and Small Commercial.
Utah general contractor exams
Trade exam. The Utah Business and Law exam is the only exam DOPL lists for B100 and R100. Passing the NASCLA commercial general building exam can count toward the experience path.
Business and law exam. Yes. The Utah Business and Law exam through Prov, unless you had one year of licensed experience in another state or were a Utah qualifier before May 9, 2017. A 25-hour pre-license course plus a 5-hour business and law course is also required.
What it costs in Utah
The board lists 4 fees along the way. These are the state's own numbers. Insurance, any bond, exam prep and your business registration come on top.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Primary classification application | $175 |
| Qualifier fee, per qualifier | $50 |
| Primary classification renewal | $128 |
| Electronic reference library surcharge | $1 |
Insurance and bond
Insurance. General liability of at least $1,000,000 per incident and $2,000,000 aggregate, with DOPL as certificate holder. Workers comp, or a Labor Commission waiver if you have no employees.
Bond. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Renewal and licenses from other states
Renewal. Every two years, expiring November 30 of odd years. 6 hours of continuing education, with 3 taught live.
Reciprocity. Utah has no reciprocity. It offers licensure by endorsement for people licensed in other states.
Good to know in Utah
- Register your business entity and any DBA with the Utah Division of Corporations before DOPL can issue the license.
- Utah offers an optional state residential construction agreement form.
After you are licensed
The license lets you take the work. Getting the work is the next job.
- Register the business. If you work under a name other than your own, register it where your state asks (often the Secretary of State, sometimes the county), and keep the name the same on your license, your truck and your invoices.
- Claim your Google Business Profile. It is the listing people see when they search for a contractor near them. Fill in your service area, hours and real photos of your work.
- Put up a website that shows the license. Customers look for it before they call. Koira builds a contractor website for you and keeps it current.
- See where you stand. The free Koira report checks how your business shows up in search and on maps against shops near you.
Where this comes from
Every fact on this page comes from the Utah Department of Commerce, Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) and the official pages below, checked October 8, 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the board before you file.