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How to become a licensed general contractor in Utah. State-level licensing required. Experience: 2 years. Total initial fees: $285. Verified 2026-03-22. Data verified 2026-03-22. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
General Contractor
Yes
License Required?
2 years
Experience Required
No
Bonding Required?
$285
Total Initial Fees
2 years (expires November 30 of odd-numbered years)
Renewal Period
6 hrs
CE Hours
Description
Residential contractor license for Utah. Covers construction, remodeling, and repair of residential properties.
Project Limit
License required for projects over $3,000
Additional Requirements
Description
Commercial contractor license for Utah. Covers construction of commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings.
Project Limit
License required for projects over $3,000
Additional Requirements
Description
General contractor license/registration for Utah. Covers a broad range of construction activities.
Project Limit
License required for projects over $3,000
Additional Requirements
Description
Specialty contractor license for Utah. Covers specialized trades and construction activities. Categories: B (General Building), E (General Engineering), S (Specialty), R (Residential).
Additional Requirements
Experience & Documentation
Verified2
Years Required
Required
Documented Project History
Journeyman/Trade Experience
Minimum 2 years of documented experience in the construction trade
Alternative Pathways (Education Substitutions)
Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
Trade Exam
Required
Business & Law Exam
Exam Provider
ProvExam (provexam.com)
Passing Score
70%
Open Book
Yes
Trade Exam Details
Utah contractor exams administered by ProvExam (NOT PSI). Includes trade exam and business/law exam. 30-hour pre-licensure education course required before sitting for exam.
Business & Law Exam Details
Business and law examination covering contract law, lien law, and business management
Retake Policy
Candidates may retake the exam after a waiting period. Contact the board for specific retake policies.
Bonding Requirements
VerifiedSurety Bond Not Required
Surety bonds protect consumers by providing financial recourse if a contractor fails to complete a project or violates licensing regulations. Bond costs are typically 1-3% of the bond amount annually.
Insurance & Workers' Comp
VerifiedRequired
General Liability
Required
Workers' Compensation
Minimum Coverage
$100,000 per occurrence / $300,000 aggregate general liability insurance. DOPL must be listed as certificate holder.
Additional Insurance Requirements
Workers' Comp Threshold
Required for employers with 1 or more employees
Workers' Comp Details
Utah requires workers' compensation insurance for employers with 1 or more employees. Sole proprietors may be exempt but coverage is recommended.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Application fee | $55 |
Exam Fee Per exam through ProvExam | $100 |
License Fee License fee | $130 |
Renewal Fee Per 2 years | $130 |
Total Initial Fees $55 application + $100 exam + $130 license. Plus ~$50 fingerprint/background check. | $285 |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years (expires November 30 of odd-numbered years)
Renewal Period
6 hrs
CE Hours Required
CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$130
Regulatory Board
Contractor licenses must be renewed on schedule. Many states require continuing education covering building codes, safety practices, business law, and energy efficiency standards.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
ICC Certification Not Accepted
Reciprocity Type
Exam waiver with qualifying out-of-state license
Transfer Details
Utah may waive the trade exam for applicants holding an equivalent license for 1+ years in another state. Business/law exam still required.
General contractor license reciprocity varies significantly by state. Some states recognize ICC certifications, while others require passing the state exam regardless of prior credentials. Always verify current policies with the state licensing board.
Utah uses ProvExam (not PSI) for contractor exams. Requires 30-hr pre-licensure course. GL must list DOPL as cert holder. Licenses expire Nov 30 of odd years. Exam waiver with 1yr out-of-state license.
Utah contractor exams administered by ProvExam (provexam.com), NOT PSI.
30-hour pre-licensure education course required before sitting for the exam.
GL insurance: $100,000/$300,000 minimum with DOPL listed as certificate holder.
License expires November 30 of odd-numbered years (2-year cycle).
Fingerprint-based background check required (~$50 additional cost).
Exam waiver available for applicants with 1+ years equivalent out-of-state license (trade exam only).
Penalties for unlicensed contracting: up to $5,000 per violation.
Lien Law Basics
Preliminary Notice: Required
Lien Deadline: 90 days after completion
Utah construction lien law: Preliminary notice is required to preserve lien rights. Lien filing deadline: 90 days after completion.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Utah.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#27 of 51
Salary
#33 of 51
Cost
#18 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (SOC 47-1011)
Entry Level
$62,080
25th percentile
Median
$76,080
-3% vs. national avg ($78,690)Experienced
$93,580
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
13,250 employed in this state
Note: BLS category "First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades" is broader than general contractors specifically. It includes supervisors across all construction specialties.
Source: BLS OEWS – First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+5.5%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+40,500
over 10 years
Annual Openings
55,200
per year (avg.)
729,900 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Electrical Career Ladder+24% salary growth potential
You are here
Electrical Contractor
$76,080
Master electrician license + contractor license
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
$61,430
You are here
Electrical Contractor
Master electrician license + contractor license
$76,080
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 112–126 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Utah Contractor Licensing
4–12 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Utah Contractor Licensing
Study guides and practice tests for the general contractor licensing exam.
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Utah requires state-level contractor licensing. 2 years of experience is required. All licensing is managed through the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing.
Requirements vary by state and local jurisdiction. Always verify current requirements with your state or local licensing authority.