Do you need a license to be a carpenter in Utah?
No. Utah doesn't license carpenters as a trade. Contractors need a license from Utah DOPL. Carpentry work falls under S220 Carpentry Contractor.
State license · By ChiselJobs Team · Updated
In short
Utah does not license carpenters as individuals, but contractors need a license from the Division of Professional Licensing. Carpentry has its own specialty class, S220 Carpentry Contractor; B100 general building and R100 residential cover broader work. Specialty applicants take a 25-hour pre-license course and a business and law exam, while general applicants take a 30-hour course, a trade exam and two years or 4,000 hours of paid construction work. Contractors carry $100,000/$300,000 in insurance and workers' compensation, and licenses renew every two years with six hours of continuing education. Military spouses stationed in Utah can work on an active out-of-state license.
Key facts
| Carpenter license | No |
| Licensing level | State |
| General contractor license | B100 general building; E100 |
| Residential contractor license | R100 residential |
| Home improvement registration | No |
| When a license is needed | Not published on DOPL page |
| Carpentry classification | S220 Carpentry Contractor |
| Exam | Business & Law (+ trade for general) |
| Experience | General: 2 yrs / 4,000 hrs paid construction work (or alternatives) |
| Bond / insurance | Insurance $100k/$300k; workers comp |
| Renewal | 2 years |
| Continuing education | 6 hrs |
| Local license | No (state license covers) |
| Board | Utah DOPL |
Bond and insurance
- Source: commerce.utah.gov · checked November 6, 2026
Military and out-of-state licenses
| Military spouses | Spouses of service members stationed in Utah may work without a Utah license if they hold an active license from another state; DOPL provides a verification letter |
DOPL military page: fee waivers for active-duty initial and renewal licenses; licenses expiring during deployment extended to 90 days after deployment (Utah Code 71A-8-103).
- Source: commerce.utah.gov · checked November 6, 2026
Apprenticeship
| Registering agency | U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship (no state agency) |
Programs register through the Office of Apprenticeship; use the Partner Finder for local sponsors.
- Source: apprenticeship.gov · checked November 6, 2026
Building code
| Code in force | IRC 2021; IBC 2024 (with state amendments) |
- Source: le.utah.gov · checked November 5, 2026