Roofing license
Roofing license requirements in Utah
Yes — Utah requires roofing contractors to hold a Specialty Contractor license (classification S280 – Roofing) issued by the Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), unless the job qualifies for Utah's narrow "handyman" exemption for work under $3,000.
The short answer
Yes — Utah requires roofing contractors to hold a Specialty Contractor license (classification S280 – Roofing) issued by the Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), unless the job qualifies for Utah's narrow "handyman" exemption for work under $3,000.
Do you need a license to roof in Utah?
S280 Roofing Specialty Contractor license covers roofing-only work; an R100 Residential and Small Commercial Contractor license (or another general classification) also authorizes roofing when it's performed as part of broader construction work.
Who issues it: Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), Dept. of Commerce — Construction Trades Licensing.
Last verified: 2026-07-19
Utah roofing license at a glance
Every figure here is a plain-English starting point read from the official state board — always confirm the current requirements at the source before you rely on them.
License type / class
S280 Roofing Specialty Contractor license covers roofing-only work; an R100 Residential and Small Commercial Contractor license (or another general classification) also authorizes roofing when it's performed as part of broader construction work.
Issuing board
Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), Dept. of Commerce — Construction Trades Licensing — dopl.utah.gov/contracting
Exam required
Yes
Experience / qualification
At least 2 years of roofing experience is generally required (as a journeyman roofer or in a supervisory/foreman role), plus completion of a 25-hour DOPL-approved pre-licensing course before the exam. An exam is required; secondary sources conflict on whether Utah's separate Business & Law exam applies to specialty-only (roofing) applicants or is instead covered within the pre-license course — confirm your exact exam path on DOPL's specialty contractor page before applying.
Bond
A surety bond is required only when the applicant does not meet DOPL's financial-responsibility standards. For specialty (S) classifications such as S280 Roofing, the amount is $15,000 (higher amounts, up to about $50,000, apply to general B/E/R classifications). Confirm the exact current amount with DOPL when you apply.
Insurance minimum
General liability insurance naming DOPL as certificate holder is required. Effective April 20, 2026, DOPL raised the minimum for all classifications (including S280 Roofing) to $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, up from the former $100,000/$300,000 floor, applied at your next renewal or on any new application on or after that date. Confirm the current figure on DOPL's specialty contractor license page before applying.
Application fee
Reported at roughly $226 for one qualifying party and one classification, per secondary sources summarizing DOPL's current fee schedule — confirm the exact current fee with DOPL before budgeting.
Renewal
Licenses renew every 2 years, with roughly $128 in reported renewal fees plus 6 hours of continuing education (at least 3 hours delivered live or via Zoom) — confirm the current fee with DOPL.
Reciprocity
No blanket reciprocity — Utah reviews out-of-state licenses individually through a licensure-by-endorsement process. Passing the NASCLA Commercial exam can satisfy Utah's trade-exam requirement for some classifications, but applicants still need to meet Utah's bonding, insurance, and (for general classifications) Business & Law exam requirements.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| License type / class | S280 Roofing Specialty Contractor license covers roofing-only work; an R100 Residential and Small Commercial Contractor license (or another general classification) also authorizes roofing when it's performed as part of broader construction work. |
| Issuing board | Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), Dept. of Commerce — Construction Trades Licensing — dopl.utah.gov/contracting |
| Exam required | Yes |
| Experience / qualification | At least 2 years of roofing experience is generally required (as a journeyman roofer or in a supervisory/foreman role), plus completion of a 25-hour DOPL-approved pre-licensing course before the exam. An exam is required; secondary sources conflict on whether Utah's separate Business & Law exam applies to specialty-only (roofing) applicants or is instead covered within the pre-license course — confirm your exact exam path on DOPL's specialty contractor page before applying. |
| Bond | A surety bond is required only when the applicant does not meet DOPL's financial-responsibility standards. For specialty (S) classifications such as S280 Roofing, the amount is $15,000 (higher amounts, up to about $50,000, apply to general B/E/R classifications). Confirm the exact current amount with DOPL when you apply. |
| Insurance minimum | General liability insurance naming DOPL as certificate holder is required. Effective April 20, 2026, DOPL raised the minimum for all classifications (including S280 Roofing) to $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, up from the former $100,000/$300,000 floor, applied at your next renewal or on any new application on or after that date. Confirm the current figure on DOPL's specialty contractor license page before applying. |
| Application fee | Reported at roughly $226 for one qualifying party and one classification, per secondary sources summarizing DOPL's current fee schedule — confirm the exact current fee with DOPL before budgeting. |
| Renewal | Licenses renew every 2 years, with roughly $128 in reported renewal fees plus 6 hours of continuing education (at least 3 hours delivered live or via Zoom) — confirm the current fee with DOPL. |
| Reciprocity | No blanket reciprocity — Utah reviews out-of-state licenses individually through a licensure-by-endorsement process. Passing the NASCLA Commercial exam can satisfy Utah's trade-exam requirement for some classifications, but applicants still need to meet Utah's bonding, insurance, and (for general classifications) Business & Law exam requirements. |
How to get a roofing license in Utah
- Confirm you need a license — Utah's handyman exemption only covers jobs under $3,000; nearly all roofing jobs require the S280 Roofing specialty license.
- Complete the 25-hour DOPL-approved pre-licensing course and document at least 2 years of roofing experience.
- Pass the required exam through DOPL's testing vendor (PSI) — confirm with DOPL whether the Business & Law exam applies to your classification.
- Obtain any required surety bond and general liability insurance at DOPL's current minimums ($1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate as of April 20, 2026), naming DOPL as certificate holder.
- Submit your application with exam results, bond (if required), and insurance certificate, and pay the application fee.
- Renew every 2 years, including 6 hours of continuing education.
Working without a license in Utah
Contracting without a Utah license is a Class A misdemeanor with fines up to $2,500 per violation under Utah Code §58-55-501, in addition to administrative penalties, and unlicensed contracts and mechanics liens become unenforceable.
Last verified: 2026-07-19
Roofing license rules change and often vary by city and county. This page is a plain-English starting point, not legal advice — always confirm the current requirements with the state board linked below before you rely on them.
Verify at the source: dopl.utah.gov/contracting
More official sources: DOPL — Specialty Contractor License · DOPL — Renew a Contracting License · Utah Code Title 58, Chapter 55 — Construction Trades Licensing Act · DOPL — Handyman Exemption affirmation form (PDF)
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