Utah licensing guide
Utah Specialty Contractor License: Roofing, Concrete, Landscaping and More
Utah licenses single-trade contractors under specialty (S) classifications. There's no state exam: you take a 25-hour course, get insured, register your business and apply to DOPL. Here's exactly how.
- State exam
- None
- Course
- 25 hours
- Liability insurance
- $1M / $2M
- Apply to
- Utah DOPL
How to get a specialty contractor license in Utah
Pick your classification
Find the S-class that matches your work in the table below. The full scope of each class (what's included and excluded) is defined in DOPL's rule R156-55a.
Take the 25-hour pre-license course
Specialty contractors take a 25-hour pre-licensure course from a DOPL-approved provider: Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), the Utah Home Builders Association (UHBA) or Associated General Contractors of Utah (AGC). There's no state exam.
DOPL-approved pre-license course providers (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
Get liability insurance
General liability of at least $1,000,000 per incident and $2,000,000 total, with DOPL listed as the certificate holder.
Register the business
Register your entity with the Utah Division of Corporations (if you're not a sole proprietor) and get an EIN from the IRS. Sole proprietors may use an SSN.
Utah Division of Corporations (register your business) (opens in a new tab)IRS: get an EIN (opens in a new tab)
Workers' comp or a waiver
With employees: carry workers' compensation (DOPL as certificate holder) and register for Utah withholding and unemployment insurance. With no employees: get a workers' comp coverage waiver from the Utah Labor Commission.
Utah Labor Commission (workers' comp / waiver) (opens in a new tab)
Apply to DOPL
Apply online and upload your course certificate, insurance certificates and business documents.
DOPL: specialty contractor license (opens in a new tab)DOPL online application (opens in a new tab)
Utah specialty contractor classifications
From DOPL's rule R156-55a-301. Each rule section defines exactly what work the class covers.
| Code | Classification | Scope defined in |
|---|---|---|
| S202 | Solar Photovoltaic Contractor | R156-55a-301ak |
| S220 | Carpentry and Flooring Contractor | R156-55a-301z |
| S230 | Masonry, Siding, Stucco, Glass, and Rain Gutter Contractor | R156-55a-301af |
| S260 | Asphalt and Concrete Contractor | R156-55a-301x |
| S270 | Drywall, Paint, and Plastering Contractor | R156-55a-301aa |
| S280 | Roofing Contractor | R156-55a-301ai |
| S310 | Foundation, Excavation, and Demolition Contractor | R156-55a-301ad |
| S330 | Landscape and Recreation Contractor | R156-55a-301ae |
| S354 | Radon Mitigation Contractor | R156-55a-301ah |
| S370 | Fire Suppression Systems Contractor | R156-55a-301ac |
| S410 | Boiler, Pipeline, Waste Water, and Water Conditioner Contractor | R156-55a-301y |
| S440 | Sign Installation Contractor | R156-55a-301aj |
| S510 | Elevator Contractor | R156-55a-301k |
| S700 | Limited Scope License Contractor | R156-55a-301al |
Doing work in more than one trade? General classifications (B100, R100, E100) cover multiple trades but require the Business & Law exam. HVAC is the H100 classification and needs the HVAC exam.
Certifications specialty contractors often need
- EPA Lead-Safe RRP: required for paid work that disturbs paint in pre-1978 homes. This covers roofers, painters, siding and window installers, and remodelers.
- OSHA 30 Construction: commonly required for supervisors on commercial jobsites.
- EPA 608: needed by anyone who works on refrigerant systems.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to pass an exam for a Utah roofing or landscaping license?
No. Utah specialty contractor classifications such as S280 Roofing and S330 Landscape and Recreation don't require a state exam. You complete a 25-hour pre-licensure course from a DOPL-approved provider instead.
What insurance do Utah specialty contractors need?
General liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per incident and $2,000,000 total, with DOPL as the certificate holder, plus workers' compensation if you have employees (or a waiver if you don't).
Which specialty contractors need an exam in Utah?
None of the S-classes listed here require one. HVAC is different: the H100 HVAC contractor license (which replaced S350) requires both the Utah HVAC exam and the Business & Law exam.
Do specialty contractors need any federal certifications?
Often. Anyone paid to disturb paint in pre-1978 homes needs Lead-Safe RRP certification (in Utah, through Utah DEQ). Many general contractors and jobsites also require an OSHA 30 card for supervisors.
Sources
- DOPL: specialty contractor license (opens in a new tab)
- DOPL: contracting laws and rules (R156-55a) (opens in a new tab)
- DOPL: approved pre-license course providers (opens in a new tab)
Checked September 2026. Utah's contractor licensing law is being reorganized on January 1, 2027, so confirm current requirements with DOPL before you apply.