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UTState License RequiredNASCLA Accepted

Utah Contractor License

Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL)

Utah requires a state-level contractor license for projects above All construction work requires licensing. Exam required. NASCLA accepted. Administered by Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL).

Licensing & Bidding in Utah

Utah is a strict-licensure state for anyone bidding construction work. The Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL) requires a license for essentially all construction work, with no dollar threshold to fall back on, so you must be licensed before you perform or, in practice, before you commit to work. Out-of-state contractors should treat licensure as a prerequisite to bidding in Utah and not something to sort out after award, because the absence of a threshold means even small jobs fall under the requirement.

Utah accepts the NASCLA exam, which eases the path for contractors already qualified through NASCLA in other states, and it maintains reciprocity with Arizona, Nevada, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Reciprocity may reduce or waive exam requirements, but you still apply through DOPL and must satisfy its bonding and insurance conditions. Bond amounts are set case-by-case with a $15,000 minimum, and you must maintain an active liability insurance certificate at all times, so carry those bonding and insurance costs in your bid overhead. Also note the renewal calendar: Utah licenses expire November 30 of every odd-numbered year, with six hours of continuing education required each two-year cycle, so factor renewal timing into long projects.

The risk of bidding or working unlicensed in Utah is serious. It is a Class A misdemeanor with fines up to $2,500, up to one year of imprisonment, and loss of lien rights, which can leave you unable to collect on work performed. To protect both the award and your payment rights, confirm your DOPL classification covers the full scope you are bidding before the proposal goes out.

Key Facts

GC License Required
Yes
Threshold
All construction work requires licensing
Exam Required
Yes
NASCLA Accepted
Yes
Official Board Website

Fees

Application Fee
$210 per classification; $175 for additional classifications
License Fee
Included in application fee
Renewal Fee
$128 biennially (by November 30 of odd-numbered years)

Key Facts

  • All contractors must be licensed through DOPL before performing any construction work
  • Bond amount determined case-by-case with $15,000 minimum
  • Licenses expire November 30 of every odd-numbered year
  • Must maintain active liability insurance certificate at all times

Insurance Requirements

General Liability
$300,000 minimum limit
Workers Comp
Required for all contractors with employees
Surety Bond
$15,000 minimum (set case-by-case by DOPL based on financial responsibility)

Continuing Education

6 hours per renewal cycle (2 years)

Reciprocity States

AZNVLASCTN

Specialty Licenses Required

ElectricalPlumbingHVACRoofingConcreteExcavationFire Alarm

How to Apply

  1. 1Submit application to DOPL with $210 fee per classification
  2. 2Pass the trade exam and law exam (70% passing; NASCLA accepted for trade)
  3. 3Demonstrate at least 1 year of relevant construction experience
  4. 4Obtain general liability insurance ($300,000 minimum)
  5. 5Obtain a surety bond ($15,000 minimum, amount set by DOPL)
  6. 6Obtain workers compensation insurance if you have employees

Penalties for Unlicensed Work

Class A misdemeanor; fines up to $2,500; up to 1 year imprisonment; loss of lien rights

Related Templates

Pre-Qualification QuestionnaireCOI Request FormSubcontractor Agreement

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Utah requires a state-level contractor license for projects above All construction work requires licensing. The administering board is Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL).
Yes. Utah requires a licensing exam. The state accepts the NASCLA standardized exam as an alternative to the state-specific exam.
General Liability: $300,000 minimum limit. Workers Comp: Required for all contractors with employees. Bond: $15,000 minimum (set case-by-case by DOPL based on financial responsibility).
Class A misdemeanor; fines up to $2,500; up to 1 year imprisonment; loss of lien rights
No. Utah's DOPL requires licensing for essentially all construction work, with no minimum dollar threshold. Even small jobs require an active license, so out-of-state contractors should obtain DOPL licensure before bidding rather than waiting until after award, since unlicensed work risks penalties and loss of lien rights.
Yes. Utah accepts the NASCLA exam and maintains reciprocity with Arizona, Nevada, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Tennessee, which can reduce or waive exam requirements. You still apply through DOPL and must meet its bonding and insurance conditions, including a case-by-case bond with a $15,000 minimum and active liability insurance.
Utah licenses expire November 30 of every odd-numbered year, with six hours of continuing education required each two-year renewal cycle. You must also maintain an active liability insurance certificate at all times. Track these dates on long projects so a lapse does not interrupt your authority to perform or bill work.

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